Z3 - any good?
Discussion
The 2.8l Z3 is affected by the same nikasil problems as the 328 IIRC so check that something has been done under warranty, however if the engine has survived until now it should be OK.
I'm not that impressed with the idea of the Z3. Its the same as an E36 3 series, except it doesn't have the Z axle suspension, it has the same semi trailing arm suspension watchamacallit from the E30. This makes them slightly less satisfying to drive so I hear, although I admit I've never driven one.
Personally I'd rather have a 328 or a Z4, but thats me.
I'm not that impressed with the idea of the Z3. Its the same as an E36 3 series, except it doesn't have the Z axle suspension, it has the same semi trailing arm suspension watchamacallit from the E30. This makes them slightly less satisfying to drive so I hear, although I admit I've never driven one.
Personally I'd rather have a 328 or a Z4, but thats me.
All Z3 2.8's were after the Nikasil issues.
E30 rear end makes them 'challenging' if the rear starts to break away, especially lift off oversteer moments can get very exciting if you're a rear wheel drive novice
Lots of much more specific info on www.Zroadster.net but if you search on here, this has been covered quite a few times in quite a lot of depth. Lots of image issues with the Z3 and I regularly hear the hairdresser comments, but do find that those stop when people come for a drive.
FWIW, I've owned an E36 328i (to over 200k miles), driven various Z4's and can state that a sorted Z3 is not as bad as you might think, but does affect the re-sale due to reputation. Things line strut braces, bushing and tyres can be sorted quite easily. I'd recomment you look at/drive the 3.0 as they all have DSC as standard. If you can live with really poor ASC (traction control only), the 2.8's are ok IMO. Again, the earlier M52 can be modded with the M50 manifold and lots of other stuff.
E30 rear end makes them 'challenging' if the rear starts to break away, especially lift off oversteer moments can get very exciting if you're a rear wheel drive novice
Lots of much more specific info on www.Zroadster.net but if you search on here, this has been covered quite a few times in quite a lot of depth. Lots of image issues with the Z3 and I regularly hear the hairdresser comments, but do find that those stop when people come for a drive.
FWIW, I've owned an E36 328i (to over 200k miles), driven various Z4's and can state that a sorted Z3 is not as bad as you might think, but does affect the re-sale due to reputation. Things line strut braces, bushing and tyres can be sorted quite easily. I'd recomment you look at/drive the 3.0 as they all have DSC as standard. If you can live with really poor ASC (traction control only), the 2.8's are ok IMO. Again, the earlier M52 can be modded with the M50 manifold and lots of other stuff.
We have one the very last 2.2i Sport Z3s to be made and it's pretty good for the £8.5k it cost last autumn (30,000 miles). I also have a 2.0 litre Westfield so I have some experience of lightweight cars that are meant to handle well, and I do not find the Z a problem. Of course any 170bhp rear drive car with little weight is a handful in the wet but that's normal. It has LSD and DSC plus ABS so you'd have to be an idiot to get into real bother. As far as a high mileage Z4 as an alternative is concerned, you won't get one for the money - yet, unless it's a CatD. There's also a Z4M Coupé in my immediate family and whilst that's a hell of a car, for most of the time in UK with its traffic and poor road surfaces the Z3 is almost as much fun. As for the hairdresser jibes, well I don't give a flying toss about vacuous 'opinions' learned from ignoramuses. See what Tiff Needell thought on Top Gear in '97 Z3 test
I had a Z3 2.8 for a short while, and currently have 2 E36 (323 and 328) and a 3.0 Z4, so I've got a reasonable amount of experience with these cars.
The Z3 had more character than the others, feeling very much like a classic roadster - cosy cabin, sat over the rear axle, relatively heavy steering, slightly wayward rear end (particularly if the suspension was unloaded).
You must either accept that the chassis wont take 10/10th driving easily, or spend cash uprating it to find a better compromise. I'd leave it as it is and accept the flaws (character!)
For a runaround/weekend car quite good value for money, but I wouldn't spend 7k on one. I enjoyed the 2,000 miles or so while I had it (in winter as well).
£8.5k upwards would get you in to a highish mileage 3.0 Z4. It's far more accomplished, other than the stiff ride. Loads more space in it, more refinement and far more forgiving when you're going for it. There's quite a jump in the everyday performance of the two cars also. As a daily driver it's a step up from the Z3, but no more enjoyable on a b road blast (unless you were to drive at license loosing speeds anyway).
The Z3 had more character than the others, feeling very much like a classic roadster - cosy cabin, sat over the rear axle, relatively heavy steering, slightly wayward rear end (particularly if the suspension was unloaded).
You must either accept that the chassis wont take 10/10th driving easily, or spend cash uprating it to find a better compromise. I'd leave it as it is and accept the flaws (character!)
For a runaround/weekend car quite good value for money, but I wouldn't spend 7k on one. I enjoyed the 2,000 miles or so while I had it (in winter as well).
£8.5k upwards would get you in to a highish mileage 3.0 Z4. It's far more accomplished, other than the stiff ride. Loads more space in it, more refinement and far more forgiving when you're going for it. There's quite a jump in the everyday performance of the two cars also. As a daily driver it's a step up from the Z3, but no more enjoyable on a b road blast (unless you were to drive at license loosing speeds anyway).
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