z3 2.8 imfo please
Discussion
well guys ive sold my chimaera and despite saying i wasent buying a replacement sports car i find myself looking at a z3 2.8 any imfo or views wellcome what are they like? what performance ? any problems? what is a 98 2.8 manual mint condition full bm history worth in todays market worth? cheers chuckh
Don't know about pricing, but you should be aware that some owners have had to have their engine rebuilt - but it seems to be a less common now. Also the style of the back end of the car is not to everyone's taste. But if you get in and have a drive you should soon work out whether it's your dream car or not. The exhaust note sounds great!
Got to say I agree with thom but on the assumption we can't help you by changing your mind then I suppose we're reduced to the other type of help (that you asked for).
I suspect that andyvdg is referring to the bm straight six ally block problem when they were originally made with a coating applied to the bores. The coating (forgotten the name) was eroded by acid attack during cold start from the sulphur content in the petrol and lunched some engines in very short timescales.
It applied to all 6 cylinder engines at the time, which was towards the end of the production run of the previous 3 series but not a problem in the current E46 3 series. They have been modded by fitting steel liners in the bores. I believe it would also apply to the same engines fitted to the Z3. Problem sorted some time in 1998 but beware of old cars hanging around unsold with these engines.
Suggest that if you are looking at a car of this vintage you check the engine number with BMW to make sure it's not one of these
I suspect that andyvdg is referring to the bm straight six ally block problem when they were originally made with a coating applied to the bores. The coating (forgotten the name) was eroded by acid attack during cold start from the sulphur content in the petrol and lunched some engines in very short timescales.
It applied to all 6 cylinder engines at the time, which was towards the end of the production run of the previous 3 series but not a problem in the current E46 3 series. They have been modded by fitting steel liners in the bores. I believe it would also apply to the same engines fitted to the Z3. Problem sorted some time in 1998 but beware of old cars hanging around unsold with these engines.
Suggest that if you are looking at a car of this vintage you check the engine number with BMW to make sure it's not one of these
You need to learn to wear leather trousers, cowboy boots and get yourself to hairdressers college. Perhaps changing your name to Gervais, Guiseppe or Nicky would help too. Walk with you bum cheeks clenched and wear lots of jewelery and an open neck shirt. Better still buy another Chimeara, they are just as cheap, just as reliable and you don't have to be a raving iron to drive one
Chaps chaps - if given a choice of either a Z3 1.9 or 2.8, which is better? Of course a 2.8.... Nice engine, good torque and a rather nice noise. In real terms they arent a bad car. Not bad on fuel (the 2.8 engine is suprisingly economical), fairly practical and has a decent turn of speed. Has some street cred (but not with the people that know) and pretty easy to live with...
So, for a daily driver a 2.8 isnt a bad car. Pretty sensible private purchase too. I personally would have a BMW, but that is me rather than being indicative of the car... Not the best BMW available, but a hell of a lot better than comparibles - MG, Mazda etc....
Cheers,
Paul
So, for a daily driver a 2.8 isnt a bad car. Pretty sensible private purchase too. I personally would have a BMW, but that is me rather than being indicative of the car... Not the best BMW available, but a hell of a lot better than comparibles - MG, Mazda etc....
Cheers,
Paul
buy something else there is loads better than a pram with a hairdryer under the bonnet quote:
I suspect that andyvdg is referring to the bm straight six ally block problem when they were originally made with a coating applied to the bores.
I believe that the early E36 Evo's and the M-Coupe and M-Roadster had problems with the Vanos units in the engines as well which resulted in them going pop.
See.. TVR's aren't the only ones...
-andy-
ChuckH
Some things to check:
- the roof can sometimes get worn just below the rear plastic screen corners. The plastic screen can also come away from the roof. New roof canvas is £1,000+, so make sure it is in good nick or is reflected in the price. The black roof seems more robust than the coloured ones. The roof won't leak and there is some adjustment available if there is a bit of water ingress from the windscreen top/door pillars - easily and cheaply sorted
- rear shock absorber mounts were redesigned. Check if new ones have been fitted - the old ones break.
- check the drivers seat is mounted firmly. Some moved a little under heavy braking and need new seat runners
- if you buy privately and the car is still under warranty, this can be transferred and you can keep renewing it each year for £399. The BMW warranty is pretty good and includes pan European Breakdown cover, courtesy cars etc. Not that you'll need the breakdown cover!
Generally very reliable and solidly built. Reasonably quick, handling ok and overall, better bet than the equivalent MGF MX5 offerings (imho).
Or you could buy my M Roadster (see the ad in the classifieds under BMW, Z3
(For the record I believe the problem with the VANOS was the bolts holding it together - one or two had sheared and they changed the bolt design)
Some things to check:
- the roof can sometimes get worn just below the rear plastic screen corners. The plastic screen can also come away from the roof. New roof canvas is £1,000+, so make sure it is in good nick or is reflected in the price. The black roof seems more robust than the coloured ones. The roof won't leak and there is some adjustment available if there is a bit of water ingress from the windscreen top/door pillars - easily and cheaply sorted
- rear shock absorber mounts were redesigned. Check if new ones have been fitted - the old ones break.
- check the drivers seat is mounted firmly. Some moved a little under heavy braking and need new seat runners
- if you buy privately and the car is still under warranty, this can be transferred and you can keep renewing it each year for £399. The BMW warranty is pretty good and includes pan European Breakdown cover, courtesy cars etc. Not that you'll need the breakdown cover!
Generally very reliable and solidly built. Reasonably quick, handling ok and overall, better bet than the equivalent MGF MX5 offerings (imho).
Or you could buy my M Roadster (see the ad in the classifieds under BMW, Z3
(For the record I believe the problem with the VANOS was the bolts holding it together - one or two had sheared and they changed the bolt design)Quote: Flasher "Im not, but you need to be shirtlifter to drive a Z3"
Tut tut Flasher. A bit touchy about your Tamora and other people's views about it, but not averse to making these sorts of comments about other cars/drivers.
Glass houses/stones etc...yawn...
>> Edited by AndrewHolden on Thursday 28th February 12:41
Tut tut Flasher. A bit touchy about your Tamora and other people's views about it, but not averse to making these sorts of comments about other cars/drivers.
Glass houses/stones etc...yawn...
>> Edited by AndrewHolden on Thursday 28th February 12:41
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