possible puchase Z3M Roadster

[da heart doc]

Do these suffer with Vanos unit issues like the M5?

Anything else besides the usual issues that any can help with and point out??

Prices seem to vary greatly from £10K upto 17-18K whats a sensible cost for one to use as a weekend toy?

Thanks

Will

[outnumbered]

The early ones have the old E36 M3 Evo engine, so are prone to that unit's foibles (e.g., VANOS failures).

The later ones have a (slightly detuned I think) version of the E46 M3 engine, and don't suffer from VANOS problems. But you should ask BMW customer services whether the car has had any needed recall work done on the bottom end of the engine.

See also

www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=16

[Hoolio]

da heart doc said:

Do these suffer with Vanos unit issues like the M5?

Anything else besides the usual issues that any can help with and point out??

Prices seem to vary greatly from £10K upto 17-18K whats a sensible cost for one to use as a weekend toy?

Thanks

Will

Will, the cheaper cars will be the S50 models, these "can" suffer with VANOS issues. The later cars will be the S54 model and these "can" suffer from cracked bearing shells.

I have a Z3M Coupe so essentially the same car. Maybe worth you having a look on the Z3MCoupe forum.

Good luck.

[e2djh]

Hi Will,
excuse me butting in here, but i was seriously considering the ZM Roadster...
Then i drove a TVR. I'm not saying it is every man's taste, but do yourself a favour - give one a try.

I bought my 4.5 Chimaera in January, and absolutely love it. 5k miles, with no problems what so ever. I've driven Beamers for many years (and Mrs H drives a 540) but for sheer sporty, mind blowing rear wheel drive performance - you owe it to yourself.
You'll never look back

(oh yes, and if you play golf you'll get two sets of clubs in th eboot!)

[toobin]

e2djh said:

Hi Will,
excuse me butting in here, but i was seriously considering the ZM Roadster...
Then i drove a TVR. I'm not saying it is every man's taste, but do yourself a favour - give one a try.

I bought my 4.5 Chimaera in January, and absolutely love it. 5k miles, with no problems what so ever. I've driven Beamers for many years (and Mrs H drives a 540) but for sheer sporty, mind blowing rear wheel drive performance - you owe it to yourself.
You'll never look back

(oh yes, and if you play golf you'll get two sets of clubs in th eboot!)

I totally agree. I had a ZM Roadster for over a year and loved it, then TVR came my way. Much more fun and just as functional. I have to agree that the boot makes hell of a difference especially when off to Le Man for the weekend filled with camping gear.

Back to the subject in hand, mine was a 1999 model and needed a new vanos when I picked it up (although neither the previous owner or myself knew). It got picked up at a service and BMW picked it up as a late recall, so everything was FOC. They are a great car and I really wouldn't worry at all about the Vanos, even when its gone it doesn't seem to make substantial difference and BMW will rectify it for you as it was a listed fault.

As an idea I sold mine over a year ago with a warranty and hard top for £13k and it took a while to shift, so deals are to be made on these.

[m raks]

the good thing about these, is that when you get in and turn the key - it starts 100%. no quibble.

although on the one i used to have (98'S), the scuttle shake used to annoy me a little more (e46 M3 convert i have now has less) and also there used to be a fair amount of chassis flex when pushing on.

altogether, a nice little rocket, with the early ones losing the traction control for a little more added slide fun

[da heart doc]

thanks for the comments all really helpful. I thought the Vanos may be bad news but will check with BMW and see the situation if I come across a car suitable.

I must be in the minority on PH's but TVR's just don't float my boat (although never say never!) probably need some driving time in one to appreciate it more.

So my search continues.........thanks

[e2djh]

Interesting fleet you have there Doc!
If you ever find yourself out Berkshire way in the E Type, i'll swap you a ride in that for a ride in the TVR.

[Toobin]

m raks said:

the good thing about these, is that when you get in and turn the key - it starts 100%. no quibble.

although on the one i used to have (98'S), the scuttle shake used to annoy me a little more (e46 M3 convert i have now has less) and also there used to be a fair amount of chassis flex when pushing on.

altogether, a nice little rocket, with the early ones losing the traction control for a little more added slide fun

Hmm I remember mine spending far more time in the work shop than my trev! Infact after driving every courtsey car BMW had I gave in. My TVR has not let me down once in 14 months - just bad press unfortunately and not so much as one missed day of fun