RE: SOTW: BMW Z3 2.8

[motco]

If ever there were to be a boom market in armchair experts, PH would clean up. How many of these critics have ever driven a Z3 on the road, let alone on a circuit? Received 'wisdom' is a wonderful thing for making others think well of ones knowledge.

[StuB]

Justin Cyder said:

Your 996 needs a suspension overhaul.

Thanks ace. Anything else you can help with? World peace?

[s m]

Like most cars, some people have owned one and disliked it, some have owned one and liked it - as always, the best judge of your own preference is yourself......

[anything fast]

They handle well. Ignore the bullcrap! i have driven a few and even the 140BHP was fun to throw around, but the 2.8 is a great laugh, has a muscular feel and you can get the tail out with just a prod mid-bend. For a £1000 whats not to like? On the handling front, I would say a decent set of tyres makes all the difference and in addition a set of huge alloys with ultra low profile tyres will ruin the handling in every way so keep it stock if you like go more than show.

[interloper]

anything fast said:

They handle well. Ignore the bullcrap!

Was this on a billiard table smooth road? They may have the potential to handle okay but in standard trim thanks to the complete lack of structural rigidity the Z3 tends to feel awful. Having driven a few mostly 2.8s, I would say they have good steering, a nice engine but drive one down a normal British country road and the whole plot falls apart (that has nothing to do with the trailing arm suspension which is fine if slightly flawed).

The 2.8 Z3 really has one good use, that engine and steering rack will go very nicely in an E30!

[smilo996]

Get the real deal Z3M Coupe. Still amazing and it all works as a coupe. You can even put your grandma in the boot.

http://500px.com/photo/1640060

[deltashad]

2.8 24v/v BMW, 2 seater convertible for a grand. I like it, that's absolute shed money.

The wheels are from a 1.9 though, may add to the rear wheel steer fun!

[MadDog1962]

chunkymonkey71 said:

Wot he said.

Have to agree.

Only concern would be that a single big repair job would be more than it's purchase price. But again it's less than a grand :-)

[Donkey62]

Built in USA btw

[s m]

[redacted]

[sospan]

Buy it
Strip out the engine and transfer it to a seven type kit.......
GDk style?

[briancorish]

Hoofy said:

Ah, found it. You've missed out subframe failure.

Still, further googling suggests it will only cost £3k to fix.

Edited by Hoofy on Friday 7th December 10:40

Subframe failure is pretty rare in the 2.8s, it was more of a z3m problem I think.

[Frances The Mute]

briancorish said:

Hoofy said:

Ah, found it. You've missed out subframe failure.

Still, further googling suggests it will only cost £3k to fix.

Edited by Hoofy on Friday 7th December 10:40

Subframe failure is pretty rare in the 2.8s, it was more of a z3m problem I think.

Relatively common on E36 325 and E46 328 and M3.

[Busa mav]

Dr Bunsen said:

but as soon a someone sits in one they look like a cicus bear driving a pedal car!

Same for any guy in / on an MX5

[anonymous-user]

Busa mav said:

Dr Bunsen said:

but as soon a someone sits in one they look like a cicus bear driving a pedal car!

Same for any guy in / on an MX5

When I looked at a Z3M this put me off. I'm 6ft and you really feel like you're sitting on the car rather than in it.

[hondansx]

Bargains! Can't argue with RWD and enough power to have oversteer at wheel. Imprecise, but a lot of fun; had my first proper drive in one and it woke me up to the reality that hot hatches were rather boring in comparison.

[Escort Si-130]

PMSL

Dr Bunsen said:

To me these things look OK sat at the side of the road - but as soon a someone sits in one they look like a cicus bear driving a pedal car!

[Escort Si-130]

I am the same height as you, and when I drove one at work I was hugely disapointed, it was so cramped there was barely enough room for leg movement.

swampy67 said:

I know this is slightly of the thread of the £1K Z3 shead, but I recently Sold my Z3M Roadster through PH, during the time I had the car I enjoyed every drive. As long as you don't drive like a c@ck on public roads its a plenty quick enough and capable car, especially when you take into account it had 320(ish) BHP, rear drive and no traction control.

As for cramped interior, I'm 6.5" and just under 16 stone. Funnily enough I was never accused of driving a hair dressers car!

On the subject of looks, I think its pretty good, but everyone has their own idea of what they do and do not like.

Back on topic: Within the realms of Shed, looks like a interesting alternative to the usual.

Edited by swampy67 on Friday 7th December 20:45

[Hoofy]

Frances The Mute said:

briancorish said:

Hoofy said:

Ah, found it. You've missed out subframe failure.

Still, further googling suggests it will only cost £3k to fix.

Edited by Hoofy on Friday 7th December 10:40

Subframe failure is pretty rare in the 2.8s, it was more of a z3m problem I think.

Relatively common on E36 325 and E46 328 and M3.

Didn't know that! Is it a simple welding job by a decent mechanic or does it really cost £3k? (Job quoted on some BMW forum.)

[diamondjo]

Heres my Z3 - i've had her for 3 years now and each time i think about selling and buying something else i look at her and think......nah



I'm 5'5 and sort of athletic so the car fits me quite well, i can see how being 6ft etc it could be a problem.

She's a 2.2. M sport 2002, probably keep her another year and then see whats about