hi looking at first z
- Thread starter ady79
- Start date
Hi Ady. Welcome from me in Walton on Thames. I have a low mileage 1.9 M44 and I am more than happy with the all round performance and running costs. It has plenty of 'poke' and grips like hell. A proper driver's car. Don't discount this engine because like the 6s it is tried and tested and ultra reliable. It is also easier to work on if you are planning to do your own maintenance.
Up the M44 Massive.
Good luck with your search.
MM
Up the M44 Massive.
Good luck with your search.
MM
Did you find these 2 articles, well worth a read...
https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-general-information-for-potential-buyers-by-mike-fishwick.15/
https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-history-by-mike-fishwick.18/
Look for a car with a comprehensive service history, or very least a good record of oil and fluid changes. Don't be put off by high mileage, these cars go for ever. If the test drive is good, then it's a simple matter of looking over the car, both inside and out.
Zeds don't tend to suffer too badly from rust and many of them are "second" cars, so finding one with a decent body and paintwork will be relatively easy. Check the hood is in good condition and operates ok. An additional hard top will be a massive bonus as they could cost you an additional £600-£800 extra if you look for one later. Check the leather bolsters on the seats and little things like the seat belt guides, and sliding seats. These are common niggles on some Zeds, but are very easy fixes. Main thing is to test drive the car and if it drives ok then it generally will be.
Good luck with your quest
Zeds don't tend to suffer too badly from rust and many of them are "second" cars, so finding one with a decent body and paintwork will be relatively easy. Check the hood is in good condition and operates ok. An additional hard top will be a massive bonus as they could cost you an additional £600-£800 extra if you look for one later. Check the leather bolsters on the seats and little things like the seat belt guides, and sliding seats. These are common niggles on some Zeds, but are very easy fixes. Main thing is to test drive the car and if it drives ok then it generally will be.
Good luck with your quest
No I didn't see them helpful info on there , I had we advised to go for the 6 cylinder model my a few friends and have so say I love to note from the engine and I thought that I'm going to be doing alot of motorway miles a 6 cylinder would be the best bet I notice that lots of reccomendatios for the 28 but not much is mentioned on the 2 Ltr? I've read the 2.8 gives better mpg than the 2 ltr too ?
My main use for the zed would be a daily commute to work which is about 40 minutes away and afw trips to Wales so would be doing a fair few miles in the car, so I need a car that will be fun reliable and not too thirsty on fuel , I've read ALOT of reviews on the Internet the cars and from what I gather the 1.9 is a 4 cylinder car approx 138bhp supposedly around 35( sceptical on manufactures figures)to the gallon being a 4 cylinder are these cruisers ?
Next one is the 2ltr 150bhp which is same as my old celica I have and my current sporty old car as it has been for the last6 years and done 60.000 miles in my ownership and is known on my other car club ,
So 6cylinder engines have the extra cylinders and forgive me for asking this would it put the engine under less strain at higher speeds than the 4 cylinder and I take it there isn't much difference in fuel economy fro the 6 cylinder 2,22or 2.8 but more bhp out of the latter ones but also read the2.8s can do about 30 to the gallon unless driven hard.
As said forgive me for my ignorance on these posts big a newbie and my first BMW I like to hear feedback from genuine owners, I had a mk1 mx5 few years ago and was a great little car but on a motorway at 70 and slight over it felt like it was being thrashed and very noisy and my girlfriend didn't like the offset pedal set up so she don't want another
Next one is the 2ltr 150bhp which is same as my old celica I have and my current sporty old car as it has been for the last6 years and done 60.000 miles in my ownership and is known on my other car club ,
So 6cylinder engines have the extra cylinders and forgive me for asking this would it put the engine under less strain at higher speeds than the 4 cylinder and I take it there isn't much difference in fuel economy fro the 6 cylinder 2,22or 2.8 but more bhp out of the latter ones but also read the2.8s can do about 30 to the gallon unless driven hard.
As said forgive me for my ignorance on these posts big a newbie and my first BMW I like to hear feedback from genuine owners, I had a mk1 mx5 few years ago and was a great little car but on a motorway at 70 and slight over it felt like it was being thrashed and very noisy and my girlfriend didn't like the offset pedal set up so she don't want another
Hi Ady and 
to .org from here in Wales. I used to have the 2Ltr individual Z3 and the only thing i would say is
if you want the six then go for the 2.8 at least. The four cylinder don't forget is carrying a lot less weight around so your not
going to find much difference in pace between the 2Ltr and the 1.9Ltr four cylinder's. Its better to stretch your budget
a bit more so you have the action you expect, rather than go to exchange it within a year or so.
Take your time looking.
to .org from here in Wales. I used to have the 2Ltr individual Z3 and the only thing i would say isif you want the six then go for the 2.8 at least. The four cylinder don't forget is carrying a lot less weight around so your not
going to find much difference in pace between the 2Ltr and the 1.9Ltr four cylinder's. Its better to stretch your budget
a bit more so you have the action you expect, rather than go to exchange it within a year or so.
Take your time looking.
Today I was down in Chichester and while there took a look at a 2ltr z3 while in the area and thought it was quite nice really 84000 miles seemed responsive and sat nicely on the m27 , it's silver very good condition v reg , mot till November electric roof , and for sale by a trader up for 3k does this sound round the right price for a 2ltr?
That's about right Ady from a dealer, if you're interested make him an offer. Tell him you've only got £2200 and see what he says.
FaxZ
Dedicated Member
Welcome from Up T North Ady, If you are patient it is well worth sourcing a Forum Members car that fits your budget if possible.
The car will more than likely have been cherished, with detailed provenance for peace of mind.
Good luck with the search
If you are patient it is well worth sourcing a Forum Members car that fits your budget if possible.The car will more than likely have been cherished, with detailed provenance for peace of mind.
Good luck with the search
Hi , I'm not in a major rush I'd seen this advertised and spoke to the seller earlier in the week he'd been chatty in the calls but he would he's a salesman after all , but he said it had just had a new rear windows and just came back from having a few bits re stitched on the zip and still had tape on the window fron the fitting/repair so seemed in the cars favour But when I arrived the time I said I would the car had a dehumidifier I the front seat but was advised that where it had the leak from the zip he just put it in to dry it out seems possible as he knew I was coming at that time so he didn't try and hide something!
There was a thread describing this water problem and how it was cleared up quite a while ago. If I remember it was removing the carpet and placing heaters in to dry things quicker. If the leaks have all been sealed I don't think you should pass up the car if everything else ticks your want boxes and passes a thorough inspection for the common problems with front and rear bushes. Also check under the boot carpet to see if there are any broken welds. HTH JIM
Welcome from Up T North Ady,
The car will more than likely have been cherished, with detailed provenance for peace of mind.
Good luck with the search
Funny you mention mounts as fronts were an advisory on the mot slip but didn't note anything on test drive
It's a fairly easy fix and may be the inspector noticed them starting to collapse and put in the advisory. JIM
Hi Ady, I've only just seen this post and thought I'd pipe in. I live fairly locally to you and I have the facelift 1.9, with the M43 engine (probably the most economic engine of all the Z's). I do a fair amount of motorway cruising miles, and calculated a return of 40mpg before I had @Lee get her running even better.
Seeing as you are looking for a cruiser, and you're not far away, I'm more than happy to pop round to take you for a spin and show you what the M43 is all about!
Seeing as you are looking for a cruiser, and you're not far away, I'm more than happy to pop round to take you for a spin and show you what the M43 is all about!
Oh no! Another Zed that gets over 40mpg! How can it be?? JIM
To be fair, that was almost all entirely motorway miles, measured over 700miles (the drive back from buying Scarlett in Scotland)
40 mpg no matter what kind of drive is a feat others can't comprehend. So far that's a 1.8, 1.9 and a 2.8 that have achieved that magic number. Any one else?? JIM
Is that on a tiny US gallon Jim, (which makes it even better) or are your gallon's the same as ours?
Tony.
Tony.
No, it's a real gallon like yours. JIM