Z3 Coupe Beater

cheap_coupe

Newbie
Joined
Aug 21, 2023
Points
3
Hello from San Francisco!

About a month ago, I purchased this 1999 Z3 Coupe. I needed something to be a light beater, daily, and camping car that wouldn't feel precious but also wouldn't be boring. That's why I specifically wanted a non-M coupe, and found this cheap one. It's in fairly rough shape cosmetically, as the previous owner clearly used it as their daily and parked outside, but has just 85k on the clock.

It made the drive from LA to SF without any hiccups. I gave it a full service and started taking apart everything for a deeper inspection. It needs a bit of love to be a reliable machine (rewiring the trunk hatch harness, trunk floor chassis reinforcement, etc.), but then will make a great car to take everywhere and not worry about.

I'm only lightly mechanically inclined, so I'm sure I'll be asking a bunch of questions here. Looking forward to chatting with you all!

Pictures of the day I bought it, and in the garage alongside my AP2 S2000, which is my track/fun car.
362458795_1687686535011874_6406926468420864555_n.jpg

PXL_20230726_222541672.jpg
 

IanA

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Oct 4, 2014
Points
74
Location
Oxon
Welcome- it looks good already.
A worthwhile project.
PS: garage envy is a thing around here.;)
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
Looks like a worthwhile project to me. Welcome from near Lincoln, UK.

Tony.

ps. Hope you haven't been badly affected by that Tropical Storm.
 

cheap_coupe

Newbie
Joined
Aug 21, 2023
Points
3
Welcome- it looks good already.
A worthwhile project.
PS: garage envy is a thing around here.;)
Thank you! It looks good from a little distance, I'll post some wiring and trunk floor pictures later that are more representative ;) gotta save the Z3s though!!
 

cheap_coupe

Newbie
Joined
Aug 21, 2023
Points
3
Looks like a worthwhile project to me. Welcome from near Lincoln, UK.

Tony.

ps. Hope you haven't been badly affected by that Tropical Storm.
Thanks, Tony! Fortunately, the Bay Area is completely unaffected, so all safe here.
 

estgray

Dedicated Member
American Zeds
Joined
Aug 12, 2023
Points
28
Location
Washington State, USA
Model of Z
2.5i
Cool coupe! Welcome from Tacoma, WA. I lived in San Jose for 4 years or so, and bought my Z3 from there just a few months ago.

There's at least one Zed I ran into there when I drove the car back north through SF. A white 2.3 or 2.8 with tan top, couldn't tell which but it was pre-facelift. They honked at me as they went by, so I think you've got some friendly Z3 neighbors.
 

Shelly

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
East Anglian Crew
Joined
Jul 9, 2013
Points
201
Location
Norfolk
Model of Z
Z4 2.0 20i M Sport sDrive

Nodzed

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
M Power
Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Points
231
Location
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Model of Z
Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
:welcome:
 

Mint

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
East Anglian Crew
Joined
Sep 23, 2012
Points
222
Location
Stafford
Model of Z
2.2 & 3.0 Sport
Hi and :welcome: to the forum from me too in Stafford, England.
 

Jack Ratt

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
The West Country
Joined
Dec 3, 2013
Points
200
Location
TRURO, CORNWALL
Model of Z
2.8i AUTO and 2.8i MANUAL
Hello welcome to the forum
 
Top