Z3 2.8 tips

[cozzmik]

looking for weekend car and liked these for a while now.driven a 1.9 years ago and fancied a bit more power. need the auto as left leg a little damaged due to a motorcycle crash few years back.thanks for any constructive comments.

[StuB]

Goto www.zroadster.net

[shadowninja]

Two things that spring to mind from my research when looking at buying a Z3 2.8 were rear sub-frame cracking and VANOS issues. For the former, just get it checked (lifted onto a ramp); for the latter, I think you need an annual BMW warranty as, from my understanding, it can happen at any time, even if fixed recently. It is, also, not just restricted to the M spec engines but all BMW inline sixes.

I am happy to be corrected by someone who knows better eg an ex-BMW technician.

Edited by shadowninja on Tuesday 26th August 14:11

[Fox-]

There is no significant VANOS issue on the 2.8 M52 engine. Failiure is very rare. There have been reports about failing VANOS seals but most people won't even notice this has happened and it can be repaired for a few hundred quid anyway.

I believe even a recon VANOS unit is only about 500 quid anyway?

[shadowninja]

There we go. It's worth knowing.

Out of interest, are they still in plentiful supply (the VANOS units)? And how much would it cost to fit?