Potentially a new member

BCav

Newbie
Joined
Apr 16, 2015
Points
3
Hi

All going well, i pick up a 2000 1.9 Z3 roadster tomorrow. It is a Guernsey import with less than 40k miles and a fresh MOT- the background of the car is a little shady and there is some hassle involved with importing the car but for 2k I think it is potentially worth the effort/risk. For sure I have spent a lot of time this week speaking with the two DVLAs, Custom guys and an excellent car import company called Sigma Autos.

I plan to have the car serviced but interested to learn what is the collective experience / advice on worthwhile, relatively low cost, upgrades that should be done to improve both handling and reliability? From what I read so far suspension bushes and seat blocks are a good start but welcome any advice

Thanks
Ben
 

GazHyde

Administrator
Administrator
Global Moderator
M Power
Joined
Dec 2, 2011
Points
226
Location
Berkshire
Model of Z
Z4 MR
Welcome Ben,

Sounds like an interesting purchase, and I'm sure it will all shake out in the end! First thing it needs will be a thorough look over and probably a service. That should give you an idea on what actually needs doing, but will most likely be rubber suspension components in the main.

Cheers, Gary
 

billz

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 4, 2011
Points
226
Location
Langley Mill
Model of Z
Z4 3.0si Individual Ruby Black Last one produced in this colour combo
Welcome to the club. Yes i would go along with the Suspension for upgrade. As to reliability well its a BMW so should not be any issues
 

Cooper

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
Australian Zeds
Joined
Apr 17, 2014
Points
157
Location
Hobart Tasmania Australia
Model of Z
3.0i 2001
Welcome to the forum. The Z is already perfect so no need to do fancy upgrades! Non essential items might be a better stereo unit, wind deflector, foot-well lighting, who knows maybe even angel eyes! ????
 

oldcarman

Zorg Guru (V)
Supporter
Canadian Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Feb 11, 2014
Points
188
Location
Pine Falls Manitoba can.
Model of Z
1.9 M44
Hi Ben, I'm in Canada and imported a Z3 from the UK last summer. Took me months to figure out and get proper info on what had to be done. Now I know and have purchased my second Zed again in the UK. Both 1.9's which are bulletproof. Take your time and understand the regs and you'll be fine. Hope you change the potential to being a member of the forum. I've been here for 14 months and not a day goes by that I haven't learned something new. Great people with a lot of knowledge so ask up any questions! There's nothing that these people haven't been through and either had fixed or fixed themselves. JIM
 

Gail

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Jan 23, 2015
Points
152
Location
Nuneaton
Model of Z
Z4 20i MSport
:welcome: Welcome from the midlands......I know nothing about Z3s but there are plenty here who do.
 

Jack Ratt

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
The West Country
Joined
Dec 3, 2013
Points
200
Location
TRURO, CORNWALL
Model of Z
2.8i AUTO and 2.8i MANUAL
Hello from Cornwall. Enjoy your Zed, you've picked a great time to buy one :cool:
 

ZTec

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Oct 18, 2014
Points
171
Location
Llantwit Major
Model of Z
Z3
Welcome to the forum, from Llantwit Major near Cardiff. Sounds interesting. Mines a 1.9 and I love it. Definitely suspension bushes and a good service, safety first, fun stuff can be done later.:thumbsup:
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
Hi Ben, welcome from near Lincoln. LED's are fun things to mess about with and can transform a car. Get the oily bits sorted first and then have fun doing whatever you feel like.:)

Tony.
 

BMBabe

Zorg Expert (I)
Staff member
Supporter
British Zeds
Community Admin
Joined
Sep 4, 2014
Points
206
Location
Aylesbury
Model of Z
Z3
Welcome from Aylesbury you will love your Zed and this forum is AWESOME!! :D:D
 

Grumps

Always happy, apart from when I'm not 🤬
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Apr 27, 2014
Points
226
Location
Forest Town, Mansfield
Model of Z
Z4 e85 2.5i
Hello from Mansfield. I used to work as a manager in the car trade and we used to import a lot of cars from Jersey and Guernsey. I imagine if it started out its life there it would have been a daily rental car which is what we used to buy. They've never done any mileage as as the islands are so small. If I recall we'd have the cars weeks before they could be put up for sale as they cannot be sold until they were changed to UK plates.
Maintenance wise. A good service would be first on the list. Channel island cars are restricted on speed and miles they can do so a good clear out would be a good start. Enjoy the forum. :)
 

BCav

Newbie
Joined
Apr 16, 2015
Points
3
Thanks again for all the kind words and advice; everyone is so nice - I feel like I must owe you guys money.

Am based in Surrey so will find a good BMW specialist there - again any suggestions welcome.

Enjoy the weekend - i am imagining you will all be topless...
 

Grumps

Always happy, apart from when I'm not 🤬
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Apr 27, 2014
Points
226
Location
Forest Town, Mansfield
Model of Z
Z4 e85 2.5i
Thanks again for all the kind words and advice; everyone is so nice - I feel like I must owe you guys money.

Am based in Surrey so will find a good BMW specialist there - again any suggestions welcome.

Enjoy the weekend - i am imagining you will all be topless...
£50 should cover it! :D
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
You're a cheapskate Dave, Free advice is much dearer than that.=))=))

Tony.
 
Top