About to join the club

[JCN]

I confess!! I’m an imposter!

I am not yet a Z3 owner.

BUT all that is going to change in a matter of days.

So I thought I should ask the experts how best to avoid ending up with a turkey.

If anyone can suggest common and/or expensive things to look out for as I start looking at Z3’s with my hard earned cash burning a hole in my back pocket, I would be extremely grateful.

I’m no mechanic, but I’ve replaced spark plugs, alternators and other simple things in my many years on this planet.

Thanks for any thoughts,

Jon

 

[Paul Rice]

Welcome to the forum Jon
As these cars can be up to 22 years old rust can be an issue but not terminal as most panels are just bolt on. Both 4 and 6 cylinder engines are good. Go for condition more than age or mileage, a well maintained high miler can be a better purchase than a neglected low milage one.
Z3 are as good as it gets for home maintenance for this era of car.

 

[Bonzeau]

Try the search for a Z3 buyers guide. I know zroadster.net has a comprehensive Z3 buyers guide on their site.
Best of luck,



Bonzo.

 

[mwpe]

Hi and from Surrey, try this:

https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-general-information-for-potential-buyers-by-mike-fishwick.15/

 

[Jack Ratt]

Hello and welcome to the forum. There are usually cars for sale on the forum and buying from an enthusiast is a good way to go.

 

[andyglym]

to the forum from West Cumbria

 

[JCN]

Thank you all for your warm welcome ... From up here in Barnsley

 

[t-tony]

@yocky z3 2.0 Tony is near you he might have some time to show you the good and not so good bits ?

Tony.

 

[Stevo7682]

Hi and welcome from me in Scotland .
Good luck with the search.

 

[Paul Rice]

Thank you all for your warm welcome ... From up here in Barnsley

Not far down the road in Donny if you need any help looking or after buying happy to help, may even have a Z3 ready soon may fit the bill

 

[t-tony]

Good shout Paul, I forgot about you being fairly local to Jon, along with @Antm72 and @brilie et al.

Tony.

 

[2DunnsZ3]

To bad you cant come across the pond to get one. Most of them over here aren't driven year round and have very little rust. good luck and you are in good hands with those guys.

 

[yocky z3 2.0]

Hi Jon just seen your thread I am at Cudworth we’re in Barnsley are you if you want any help just let me know cheers tony

 

[Jjim]

Hi, welcome from Mansfield.

I’ve got a Z3 ‘98 2.8 auto for sale. More than welcome to have a go in it.

 

[Nodzed]

good luck with the search ............... but as ever Buyer Beware, don't rush, look at and drive as many as you can, Look for condition and care of ownership above age and mileage try to buy one off an enthusiast if you can, they have generally loved and taken care of their Zeds

 

[Slam]

Hi and welcome from London

 

[DavidM]

Welcome from Ireland!

 

[PHILIP BAXTER]

Hi, and welcome from me in Cardiff. Good luck with the search, and don't forget the pictures when you find ' the one '.

 

[JCN]

Not far down the road in Donny if you need any help looking or after buying happy to help, may even have a Z3 ready soon may fit the bill

Thanks Paul,
I have my heart set on a grey one. Kind of happy with cruising, rather than tearing about, so happy to start off with a 2.2 or maybe even 1.9.

You guys have certainly done some impressive stuff with yours. - I may tinker just a little, but I do tend to worry...

 

[JCN]

Hi, welcome from Mansfield.

I’ve got a Z3 ‘98 2.8 auto for sale. More than welcome to have a go in it.

Thanks Jim.

I was aiming for a facelift (2000 onwards?) manual, but a kind offer.

You're all definitely a much friendlier bunch here than the RX-8 guys from a when I owned one of those money-pits.