Z3's are they any good?

[Farbbm]

My father in law is looking to buy a Z3 in which to use as a second car for weekends out and holidays abroad? What are the main things to be aware of and which model would be a good purchase?

Any helpful advice is greatly received.

Phil

[Pilsbury]

They aren't bad cars at all. There's a mix of E30 and E36 components in them (very similar to the E36 Compact in that respect). The biggest problem with the larger engined ones is that the subframe can tear at the rear axle - it does also happen to the smaller engined ones on occasion. It's not overly common, but, it's certainly something to check.
All of them offer reasonable performance, but, the best value comes from the 2.8 / 3.0 and M versions IMO. Anything that applies to the E36 2.8 Nikasil issue and M Vanos issue obviously also applies to the Z3. The 2.8 is a little strangled as per the 328i, but, can easily have 30bhp+ added with the 2.5 type manifold and big bore throttle body conversion.

[Simon13]

My missus has a 2.8 one and so does my mum, my mums had hers from new over 10 years now and it's never had a problem bar routine servicing

Ours has also been no problem in the year we've had it with 70k on the clock now. They seem to me to be a pretty reliable chariot without many vices

2.8's go very well i expect the M-versions to be a bit bonkers as the 2.8's can be pretty hairy chested when the mood takes

Just make sure the roof is good and works properly, the rest is just usual E36,E30 mechanical stuff

[mrLEE30]

i had a coupe version with the M54 3.0 engine i just think they look so bonkers and not like anything on the road, the soft tops i am not too fond of, as far as levabilty it was a fantastic car trailing arm rear suspension and 230hp made for lively handling, the boot was fairly big but if you are approaching 6'1 then you may struggle as the seat dont go back too far.

as far as reliablity mine was fantastic, in fact only sold it cause a baby on the way so Er indoors had trouble getting in/out, look out for failing ABS pumps this also control the traction control and they are expensive, and look for rust around the rear window squirter if you go for a coupe (over 50mph a vortex was created that sucked the water out of the squirter nozzel, wetting the back window and dribbling down the car, quite annoying and a cause of rust.)

they not only share parts with the E30 and E36 they even share the E code E36/7 (the compact is E36/5)

[Farbbm]

Thanks for all the feedback, they sound like pretty decent cars. More reliable than the cars he was looking at earlier.

[madaboutthe30]

Take a look at what parkers think of them aswell, I remember they had quite a good review on them

Avoid the smaller engined ones, anything from about 2.2 onwards are the ones to go for.

[gooner1]

Have been thinking of moving on to one of these for a while now, would want the 2.8 prefererably. Not sure about the reliabilty of this, but have been told recently that they can become a bit skittish when overtaking HGV,s. This was from a recent 1.9 buyer.
Can,t see it being true myself, unless there is something not right with his car.

[Pilsbury]

One thing they don't like is having odd tyres. Having the same brand on all 4 wheels seems to make a huge difference.
Out of interest, what sort of money is he looking to spend on one?

[Rodderz]

The roadsters have a dreadfull image!

[gooner1]

The roadsters have a dreadfull image!

How so, and with whom?

[Rodderz]

With people who don't live and breath BMW!

[gooner1]

With people who don't live and breath BMW!

Aaah, they are of no consequence.

[Rodderz]

lol

[gooner1]

Simon13, what is the bootspace like?. Obviously, i know it,s not going to be cavernous,
but would it take two weekend bags say. Also are the roofs electrical?.

[Pilsbury]

Boot space isn't bad, would easily get a week's luggage in.
Some have electric roof, some don't. Most bigger engined ones do.

[gooner1]

Boot space isn't bad, would easily get a week's luggage in.
Some have electric roof, some don't. Most bigger engined ones do.

Cheers mate, do you know if they suffer with the same probs
as the E30 electric roofs, and are they easy to convert to manual operation mode?.

[Simon13]

the electric roofs seem to be much more reliable than the E30 setup, we've had no probs and my missus has the roof down at every possible moment!

Boot is tiny but you'll get a weekends stuff for 2 in, we done it before. I have heard cars without the electric roof, have a good bit more capacity

if you go 2.8 not many were effected by the nikasil issue and get a post march 98 as they have the later donk with the steel lined block

[gooner1]

Thanks for that Si, i assumed, for some reason, that they all had electric roofs.

[Farbbm]

Enjoying reading all of the posts and obviously the bigger engines are the ones to go for but anyone any expierence of the 1.9 or 2.0 models (avoiding the 1.8 I think thet made for a while as I bet thats really slow)?

[Pilsbury]

There are 2 1.9's - the original one with 140bhp and the later one which (IIRC) replaced the 1.8 with 120bhp. The 1.8 had 115bhp I think. I can't honestly remember which way the later 1.9's were badged - I think they may have been called 1.8's (like the 318i). They aren't hugely quick, but, they are a nice handling car and can be hustled through corners a bit more than the bigger 6 cylinders due to their lighter weight.
The 2.0 is the 6 cylinder with 150bhp - not much more than the original 1.9. There's also the 170bhp 2.2 6 which came in at the same time as the 2.0.

The reason why I asked what your budget was is that the early Z4's are getting close to similar money to the middle of the Z3 market, £7500 or so will buy you an early 2.2 (4 pot), 2.5 or 3.0 Z4 - I've seen a few 2003's with under 50k for this sort of money.

[Farbbm]

My father in laws budget is around the 5k mark which means currently the Z4's are out of his reach. I didn't realise the 2,0 was a 6 cylinder, was that only produced in the face lift cars?
He's not really interested in the 2.8's as he's not after a speed machine but I'll inform him of the 2.0 and 2.2 models.

thanks Pilsbury.

[Pilsbury]

I think the 2.0 came in in 99, the facelift was 01.
Could be wrong.

[Simon13]

the 2.2's are probably the best allrounder but they are probably the most expensive along with the 3.0 cars built at the end of the production run

i think they facelifted the Z3 range when the E46's recieved the new M54 engines which i think was in 2000 as i also think the Z3 bowed out in 2002? i'm sure i've seen 02 plated Z3's

[gooner1]

Did,nt realise there was/is an Alpina version. Would this be the one with the small lip/spoiler on the boot?

[Pilsbury]

Think you're right about 2000 being the facelift. There are '03 registered Z3's about, probably built in 2002.

Edit: Pretty certain there never was an Alpina Z3. Certainly the Z1, Z4 and Z8 have seen Alpina variants - with the Z8 Alpina Roadster being the only Alpina variant I know that has a smaller engine and is slower than the model that it was based on...

[Simon13]

theres no alpina Z3's they didn't offer anything for this car or the compacts

[gooner1]

Don,t doubt your info for a second Si, spotted what was claimed to be an Alpina one on Pistonheads though. Will try and dig the pic out later.

[gooner1]

Reference #877271 on piston heads. My mistake though he doe,snt claim it,s an Alpina, it has the Alpina chrome pack, whatever that is, and a Alpina badge on the back.

[gooner1]

[Blitz]

Its a ebay special Alpina.

[Pilsbury]

Alpina badge isn't even the correct font

[fozzymandeus]

It's amazing what you can achieve with those plastic letter fridge magnets and a can of silver paint.