Z3 2.8 ownership

[jaik]

After a nightmare few months with my MR2 I've started looking at other roadsters and quite like the look and sound of the 2.8 litre Z3s.

I'm basically wondering what they're like to own. What are the costs like (MPG, servicing etc)? Are there any known problems?

[StuB]

There are few problems with the 2.8 Z. Some older ones suffer a bit of rust where the mirror mounts, some leaks (easily solved with a rubber softening treatment), some rare issues with the boot floor pan cracking and that's about all I can think of now. There's plenty of examples around, so walk away if you're not happy. All 2.8's had power hoods, LSD, ASC (crap/clumsy traction control), adjustable headlamps & leather. Options like sports seats, heated seats, Harmon Kardon hifi are a nice bonus if you can find them. None of the 2.8's came with DSC, which the later (more expensive 3.0 M54 engined) cars did. There was a body styling change around 99 across T/V plates.

The engine can also be upgraded quite simply and the M52 is pretty bullet proof. Servicing should be full and there are lots of good independent BMW agents out there, so don't be put of by lack of F'BMW'SH, so long as the car's been looked after.

There's a good community on www.zroadster.net, but it was hacked a while back and the absent webmaster hasn't righted the database yet. There's also a few Z3 owners use www.zed-cars.eu as an alternative.

[jaik]

Brilliant, thanks a lot for that