Z3 3 litre is a great car.

[Caroline L.]

Hello. I have owned a 2000 Z3 3 litre, for the last decade. I bought it from my sister in law. It has a hard top for winter, oxford green, beige leather interior,M3 steering wheel, full strong strut, full service history, all the useful extras such as tonneau cover, 82,000 on the clock..It is a brilliant, very quick car and they are seriously underestimated. There are now only 360 of this model left in the UK. I am looking after this one. I understand I should be replacing the water pump about now? Anyone know when BMW changed from plastic impellers on the pump to metal? Also, even though all the bushes have been replaced there is a slight vagueness to the steering ! would like to sort out. Is there a steering rack upgrade anyone knows of?

 

[Jack Ratt]

Hello and welcome to the forum Caroline. There's most likely nothing wrong with your steering rack, it's more likely you just need to upgrade your anti roll bar bushes and wishbone lollipops. Dead easy job. In fact you should get all your suspension bushes replaced if they haven't already been replaced. 20 year old rubber loses it's effectiveness over time. Where are you located?

 

[Caroline L.]

Hello and welcome to the forum Caroline. These most likely nothing wrong with your steering rack, it's more likely you just need to upgrade your anti roll bar bushes and wishbone lollipops. Dead easy job. In fact you should get all your suspension bushes replaced if they haven't already been replaced. 20 year old rubber loses it's effectiveness over time. Where are you located?

Hello! Thanks for the reply. As I said in my post, all the bushes have been done and upgraded. Not sure about the wishbones- I'll go back through the invoices and see. I have an excellent local independent garage who have always looked after the car very well and husband is a very competent mechanic so that helps.

 

[Jack Ratt]

The wishbones themselves rarely give a problem but the ball joints fitted to them do wear out. They usually come as a kit and easy to replace

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/For-Bmw-...=361889960828038ce9c8c6e34982a41fdd596ea2588e

 

[Caroline L.]

The wishbones themselves rarely give a problem but the ball joints fitted to them do wear out. They usually come as a kit and easy to replace

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/For-Bmw-Z3-E36-1997-2003-Lower-Front-Wishbones-Arms-and-Drop-Links-Pair/361889960828?hash=item544252937c&enc=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&checksum=361889960828038ce9c8c6e34982a41fdd596ea2588e

I'll look into that. Thanks

 

[Jack Ratt]

These are the lollipops

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOR-BMW-...=2724273971309a25df160d0a451fbcf3613a924f9ac4

 

[andyglym]

to the forum from West Cumbria.

 

[Slam]

Hi and welcome from London

 

[Stevo7682]

Hi and welcome from me in Scotland

 

[BMBabe]

Welcome from Aylesbury

 

[BMBabe]

@Caroline L. Where abouts are you from
Any pics of your Zed

 

[Caroline L.]

@Caroline L. Where abouts are you from
Any pics of your Zed

I'll see if I can find some. I took quite a few when I sent them off to the insurers last year but I'm not sure if I kept them.

 

[Caroline L.]

@Caroline L. Where abouts are you from
Any pics of your Zed

Hampshire.

 

[BMBabe]

Hampshire.

@Shortie_gal is your way

 

[BillyB]

from Edinburgh

 

[Mint]

Hi @Caroline L., to the forum from another 3.0 litre (and a 2.2) owner in Staffordshire.

 

[Caroline L.]

I really like my car, but if there's a choice between driving it and polishing it, I drive it

 

[Bozzy]

Hi Caroline and welcome .
I replaced the rear bushes on the front control arms with poly (powerflex), makes an improved and very noticeable difference to the steering. You'll need to to have the tracking adjusted afterwards.

Steve.

 

[Caroline L.]

Hi Caroline and welcome .
I replaced the rear bushes on the front control arms with poly (powerflex), makes an improved and very noticeable difference to the steering. You'll need to to have the tracking adjusted afterwards.

Steve.

We've done that already, but thanks

 

[Caroline L.]

Can I say that all your responses are very helpful and very welcome. Thank you.