Local expert

[Jonnysnapzzz]

Hi all,

it’s been a while since I posted here, I wouldn’t say I am an enthusiast like many in this group but I do love my Z3 and tend to reach out here first when I need some help…..so here goes.

I have a 1999 2.8 and it scares me a little, I have some issues but I really need someone who knows these cars well to tell me if I genuinely do. It could be my expectations of a 25yo car that’s the problem. Ideally I’m looking for a mechanic near Nottingham willing to work with me, happy to pay, to take a look and potentially complete any work required.

so what’s the issue ? Well it’s steering. I feel like I am constantly fighting the car to keep it straight and on the road. At low speeds it’s not so bad, it wallows a bit, but at higher speeds it feels so twitchy and it scares the sh*t out of me. Sometimes it pulls one way, sometimes the other. Sometimes it pulls right under braking sometimes it doesn’t. Either way I never feel truly safe in it. It feels wrong and it’s tiring to drive.

I also have a small oil leak but the steering is my major concern.

can anyone advise if a great mechanic in east miss that would be prepared to take the car out and see if I’m just expecting too much ?

thanks all

Jon

 

[AntStark]

Tramlining. Are both front tyres the same make. Are they both pumped up the same amount and to the correct psi. Are they old (check sidewall for date) . Some tyre makes just don’t suit the zed and cause awful tramlining. Secondly if never changed all the rubber bushings in your front end will be well past their best. Suspension top mounts and the rear control arm bushes (known as lollipops) will contribute most to the problem.
@t-tony runs the midlands ZedShed just outside of Lincoln. It’s not a business just a group of enthusiasts who take advantage of his good nature

 

[Jam03]

Could be as simple as old front tyres. The tramlining is a common issue.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Like he said. Mine was awful when I got it, putting on a set of matching Avons transformed it.
Other decent makes are available.

 

[Jonnysnapzzz]

Thanks everyone, will certainly look at the tyres and report back.

 

[John_B]

+1 for tyres.

I just bought my second Z3 and just like the first one, tramlining was terrible with the ditchfinders that came with them. I fitted a full set of Avon ZV7s on my 1.9 and it transformed the car like you would not believe.

I'll be doing the same to my new 2.8 very soon

 

[DrWong]

For me, new tyres (Avons) cured tramlining and transformed the car.

Refreshing the front suspension (shocks, springs, arb and lollipop bushes, top mounts) transformed the car again and at a much greater magnitude. I remember the jittery/dangerous handling at high speed the OP described - particularly on long corners - was eliminated after the front refresh and it became a pleasure to drive.

 

[MuttyMax]

Avon's are good especially in the wet (A rated) also Falken Ze310 Ecorun (A rated in wet). Both also have low d rating which is good.

 

[Jonnysnapzzz]

I know I had two Uniroyal Rainsport 5s fitted to the front a couple of years ago, they were both on the front. I haven’t checked but do wonder how if they got mixed up when I had my wheels refurbed.
I need to check but the car isn’t kept at home, I will look tomorrow.
Thanks again