ZM Roadster (z3) - maintenance queries

[adamwakefield]

Hi all
As per post re ZM wanted just on the look out for a z m roadster.

Im currently in conversations over a certain car, and the owners been very transparent in a couple of bits that need sorting on the car.
Wondered if I might pick your brains on potential costs for works on a couple of items.

- Requires new roof - any idea on costs and reputable companies (south east England).​

- A/C not working - not sure if this is just a regass but knowing classic A/C systems know this can often be allot more (rads / compressors etc.). Any views on worst case for an A/C overhaul on a ZM?

I know with the A/C you might argue not needed (roof down) but important as I do an annual trip to LeMans and it can get very hot! 😊

Thanks in advance chaps 👍🏻
Adam

[SZM Cars]

Quick Google search:

Supply new roof - around £1k mark
Supply + fit - around £1.5-2k

With the roof you can choose your colour. Same prices.

Air con - most likely a regas around £100

I'll come back to you with prices for radiator and compressor.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Have you actually road tested one? I had one back in the day and it was a horrible thing.

[SZM Cars]

SZM Cars said:

OEM BMW parts prices:

Radiator £434.93
Air con compressor £1325.50

Aftermarket radiator - probably around £300

eBay best to find used A/C compressor

Since you are having a transparent conversation with the current owner, ask them to do a leak test and air con regas.

Maybe they are willing to pay £100 for the sake of getting a sale or you may want to opt pay £100 to avoid a larger expense.

If that doesn't solve things and fix the air con, then negotiate the discount with the current owner knowing the part prices and come to a fair minded agreement somewhere in the middle.

[adamwakefield]

Thanks allot for the input and prices SZM!
That’s very useful as a guide.

Also, agree it’s worth having a conversation with the seller to see if they’ll re-gas to rule that out 1st.

Appreciate yr help !

Edited by adamwakefield on Sunday 24th August 23:47

[adamwakefield]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs - that bad ??

[SZM Cars]

adamwakefield said:

Thanks allot for the input and prices SZM!
That’s very useful as a guide.

Also, agree it’s worth having a conversation with the seller to see if they’ll re-gas to rule that out 1st.

Appreciate yr help !

Edited by adamwakefield on Sunday 24th August 23:47

Adam, you're welcome. Like to help with with BMW's. I'm a big fan boy and learnt a few things over the recent years.

Buy a nice example and look after them and you will be fine. Nothing is unfixable. Try and avoid rust, as that's expensive.

Keep in mind future parts availablity, especially for M cars.

You will slowly become familiar with NLA (no longer available) and unobtamium. I'm sure you've heard of those terms but maybe not experienced it.

Unfortunately, BMW do not support their classics as well as Merc and Porsche. Although I'm sure this is changing for the better as more BMW classics are kept on the road and it's a profitable business line.

Find someone independent you can trust and it's not expensive to run these M cars.

At the right price point it's depreciation proof motoring and these cars are way more fun than current BMW's with all the nonsense tech and being too user friendly my gran can drive my E92 M3 with traction control on and not get it trouble (I hope those are not my famous last words).

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

adamwakefield said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs - that bad ??

To be fair it was a stop gap car, so not the car of my dreams. I felt everything in the cabin was was far too cramped for me. Every time I relaxed my arms my elbow opened the window, which makes you startled at speed!

I just didn’t get on with it at all!

[Mr Tidy]

I've met a few Z3M owners and they all love their cars, although they can be a bit of a handful if you are making progress. I don't think the early ones had much in the way of driver aids, but later ones with the S54 engine got TC, etc.

I really like the layout of the dash and the bi-colour interiors a lot of them had plus values don't seem to be dropping.

I would have loved a Clownshoe but budget limitations meant I got a Z4M Coupe and 5 years on I'm still loving it. An S54 engine at full chat sounds epic!

[Naremedios]

I have a 'clownshoe' Z3MC (52) since 2002 and loved it from the moment I bought it. Handles beautifully and predictably .... if you can drive without nanny bits to save you . Currently sitting unloved in a garage abroad whilst I work elsewhere. Looking forward to bringing it back to UK and giving it a refurb before all available parts disappear.

[Wasno6]

You can find well respected fitters of new hoods online - a place in Croydon, Jack Smith Trimmers in Swansea and somewhere closer to Manchester. BMW now only have the black roof available (full roof including frame or replacement fabric only).

I need a blue roof so mine is booked in with Raymond at Jack Smith in a couple of weeks. Lots of comments online about long lead times, but he has good availability if you can go on a week day. Good reputation so I hope all will go well!

Other than that, my very low mileage (less than 20k) M Roadster needed the usual seat bushes, ARB drop links and new tyres. The old Dunlops had plenty of tread but were rock hard. New Toyos have transformed it.

The other thing I did was get an original head unit from a chap in Germany who adds some circuits to add Bluetooth and a mic, so you can stream music and use the phone. The mic slots into one of the switch positions in the dash (I relocated the alarm tell tale to behind the handbrake). Not cheap, but keeps the interior standard which is important to me. Bmw-radios.com. Great service and really quick turnaround - was really impressed.

The air con may just need regassing or could need a new compressor. Worth sorting not just for summer, but avoiding the windows fogging when it’s cold and damp, if you are going to use in those conditions.

[Venosta]

My Z3M Roadster is a thing of joy. Handling great fun but does like to play, especially in the wet (TC saves you if you don't but its an old version). It is cramped inside if you're tall for sure. But such fun! Crossing fingers it doesn't need parts. Everything works so far...

[adamwakefield]

Hi all.

After some long thinking and a deal that was too good to pass up I took a slightly different avenue and went for a very nice condition Z4M as felt overall this represented better value for me and suited my current needs better.
Very pleased with it and loving the legendary s54 !!

[Mr Tidy]

Congratulations.

That looks like Silver Grey, the same as my M Coupe. The S54 really is something special!

[adamwakefield]

Thanks mate - so pleased.
& yes it’s Silver Grey - the fastest, I hear

[Mr Tidy]

[Venosta]

adamwakefield said:

Hi all.

After some long thinking and a deal that was too good to pass up I took a slightly different avenue and went for a very nice condition Z4M as felt overall this represented better value for me and suited my current needs better.
Very pleased with it and loving the legendary s54 !!

Congrats! Great car and one of the all-time great BMW engines, in fact engines full stop.

[donutskidmark]

I’ve got a S54 Z3M. I have to say the engine is really fantastic at high revs- legendary

[Dazanator]

I've owned my S54 M Roadster for 19 years now and have absolutley loved every minute of it.

A quad 83mm tip Eisenmann exhaust helps to liberate a few more decibles form the glorious straight 6 which just howls above 5k rpm.

It shakes rattles and squeaks but that's character. It's been ppf'd and looks amazing.

I'm based in Kent and up for gathering any of the 73 S54 M Roadsters together if anyone is interested. A good friend of mine has the next-door-but-one on the production line to mine - Steel Grey which is even rarer than my Imola Red.

Whichever one you went for, just enjoy it shar eit, make friends with a good independent (like ETA Motorsport near Brands Hatch), check clearances and the RCP welds regularly and get the roof down at every opportunity.

[adamwakefield]

If any M Roadsters (Z4M) are allowed , I d be in

Edited by adamwakefield on Wednesday 3rd December 12:35