Discussion
Hi,
I am in the process of looking for a weekend car (for pottering rather than hard driving will do about 3-5k per year) and have set my sites on a Z3, like the way they look. However, other than that I have no idea what to go for:
which size engine?
Earlier one with average mileage, full service history?
newer one with higher mileage, full service history?
What to look for when buying?
Any advice will be most welcome
I am in the process of looking for a weekend car (for pottering rather than hard driving will do about 3-5k per year) and have set my sites on a Z3, like the way they look. However, other than that I have no idea what to go for:
which size engine?
Earlier one with average mileage, full service history?
newer one with higher mileage, full service history?
What to look for when buying?
Any advice will be most welcome
you need the 3.0i last of the line model.
Dont bother with 4 pot engines there gutless and sound rubbish, the 2.8 is getting on a bit and will use more fuel than the 3.0i.
If you dont want a 3.0i go for the 2.2.
Not much to go wrong, great cars!
Dont bother with 4 pot engines there gutless and sound rubbish, the 2.8 is getting on a bit and will use more fuel than the 3.0i.
If you dont want a 3.0i go for the 2.2.
Not much to go wrong, great cars!
Edited by steve_bmw on Monday 17th October 16:34
Depends entirely on how much you want to spend. I've just bought a 1999 2.8 with 60k on the clock for £3.4k and love it. It's my first foray into beemers and it doesn't take much to get 30mpg out of it which compared to my 2 volvos and previous TVR is positively frugal. Your probably better off sticking to post 1999 double vanos engines but I'm sure someone with more BMW experience than I can advise you on that. More money and you get the later engines. Overall I'm more than pleased with what I've got and can't recommend them enough.
1.9's are torquey but pretty flat, handle better due to lighter motor. Tend to have poverty spec.
2.8's have plenty torque and better specs as standard. Early 2.8's have single VANOS. later one's (including late pre-facelift) have Twin Vanos.
No major reliability issues, but common faults are coils, cam position sensors and the like. Power steering pipe fatigues also.
Pre-facelift cars did not have DSC.
Shape changed 99.
1.8's even more gutless than 1.9.
2.0 lovely straight 6 noise but needs revving to get it moving.
2.2's quick (only slightly down on 2.8's). These are late model cars and are fewer and more expensive, but offer a great compromise.
3.0's a bit quicker than 2.8 and all come with DSC. Can drink a lot of oil, but not a major problem.
Again, no major reliability issues with post facelift.
MZ3's have S50 with no DSC and Vanos issues in early models and S54 with DSC in later models. A few S54's had shell bearing issues.
They can all be made to handle better by upgrading a few choice parts and adding strut braces front and rear.
Don't be fooled by a lot of ///M badges either, the marketing department went mad and they're liberally sprinkled on most cars. M Tech suspension is just slightly lower stiffer springs and not much else.
All models have become prone to cracking in the boot floor, so check very carefully. It can be remedied, but to do properly costs money (lots of labour). Lots with no issues and doesn't seem to be specific to engine size or use/abuse.
Most Z's seem very sensitive to tyres, so the general wisdom is don't mix and match.
Hardtops need fitting kits, which are like rocking horse poo.
Rollover hoops cannot be retro-fitted, so don't think you can buy a bog standard car and upgrade those.
There's plenty more info all over, but thought this might help narrow your shopping list perhaps.
2.8's have plenty torque and better specs as standard. Early 2.8's have single VANOS. later one's (including late pre-facelift) have Twin Vanos.
No major reliability issues, but common faults are coils, cam position sensors and the like. Power steering pipe fatigues also.
Pre-facelift cars did not have DSC.
Shape changed 99.
1.8's even more gutless than 1.9.
2.0 lovely straight 6 noise but needs revving to get it moving.
2.2's quick (only slightly down on 2.8's). These are late model cars and are fewer and more expensive, but offer a great compromise.
3.0's a bit quicker than 2.8 and all come with DSC. Can drink a lot of oil, but not a major problem.
Again, no major reliability issues with post facelift.
MZ3's have S50 with no DSC and Vanos issues in early models and S54 with DSC in later models. A few S54's had shell bearing issues.
They can all be made to handle better by upgrading a few choice parts and adding strut braces front and rear.
Don't be fooled by a lot of ///M badges either, the marketing department went mad and they're liberally sprinkled on most cars. M Tech suspension is just slightly lower stiffer springs and not much else.
All models have become prone to cracking in the boot floor, so check very carefully. It can be remedied, but to do properly costs money (lots of labour). Lots with no issues and doesn't seem to be specific to engine size or use/abuse.
Most Z's seem very sensitive to tyres, so the general wisdom is don't mix and match.
Hardtops need fitting kits, which are like rocking horse poo.
Rollover hoops cannot be retro-fitted, so don't think you can buy a bog standard car and upgrade those.
There's plenty more info all over, but thought this might help narrow your shopping list perhaps.
in my opinion Convertibles are all about the experience rather than the speed and power, it seems like you are coming at it from a similar angle to me. However, having said that a key part of the Convertible experience is also the engine noise. Hence I would always go for a 6 cylinder engine, the 2.2, 2.8, or 3.0. Basicaly I would go on condition and buy the best 6cyl you can find (history/mileage/owners/spec)..
I like an auto gearbox in a Convertible because I think it just suits the nature of the experience. But I must admit I have no idea about the auto box on Z3s..
I like an auto gearbox in a Convertible because I think it just suits the nature of the experience. But I must admit I have no idea about the auto box on Z3s..
Thanks,
I have a TVR s series so I have all the experience and engine noise, which is fantastic. However, As I have now retired the company car has had to go so I need an every day car for pottering, something that is reliable and fun to drive. I think the best advice is to go on condition and history rather than year and I will look at the bigger engines. Bit worried about the boot floor cracking, is that in a particular place, where do I look????
I have a TVR s series so I have all the experience and engine noise, which is fantastic. However, As I have now retired the company car has had to go so I need an every day car for pottering, something that is reliable and fun to drive. I think the best advice is to go on condition and history rather than year and I will look at the bigger engines. Bit worried about the boot floor cracking, is that in a particular place, where do I look????
ttraynor said:
Thanks,
I have a TVR s series so I have all the experience and engine noise, which is fantastic. However, As I have now retired the company car has had to go so I need an every day car for pottering, something that is reliable and fun to drive. I think the best advice is to go on condition and history rather than year and I will look at the bigger engines. Bit worried about the boot floor cracking, is that in a particular place, where do I look????
Boot floor weld failure is, as far as I know, limited to hard driven ///M cars. I have a 2002 2.2 Sport and would recommend it to anyone looking for a nice sounding two seater at a bargain price. I have a TVR s series so I have all the experience and engine noise, which is fantastic. However, As I have now retired the company car has had to go so I need an every day car for pottering, something that is reliable and fun to drive. I think the best advice is to go on condition and history rather than year and I will look at the bigger engines. Bit worried about the boot floor cracking, is that in a particular place, where do I look????
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