To Z3 or not to Z3?

[ChrisBpt]

Hello all,

I am in the market for a new car. As my annual millage is a lot less than it used to be and it would be really nice to own something with a bit of soul rather than just another modern wind tunnel job. I got my head turned by a very top notch, 1.9 Z3 in Hampshire which is on the market by a forum member (thanks again for all your advice mate) but really need one with a hard top.

For 8 months of the year I pretty much work every hour I am awake so need something that is reasonably reliable when I need it. However, I only actually drive around 3-4 hour per week for those 8 months. The car would be garaged at night but would be street parked 10 hours per week (Oct-May). For this reason I think I really need one that has a hard top (appriciate I will need to use a bit of waxoyl...UK weather and all that). I have limited mechanical experience, I can do basic servicing and have done simple things over the years but for 8 months of the year I will probably have to pay someone to do the work as I don't have time. I've got a very good honest garage near me but would like to keep servicing cost below £600-700 per year (not including MOT).

I am hoping to find a reasonably lowish milage 1.9 Z3 with a hard top that has been well looked after for hopefully under 5k. My question to the forum is am I being realistic and do you have any tips?

Thanks everyone

Chris

 

[bear2020]

Buy a car with a folding tin top, easier all round then. No faffing around taking the top off and storing it and if its a reliable car you want an older Z3 unless it has had everything done to it won't be as reliable as a newer car. Have to face it these cars are getting older, need more attention and more parts replacing as they get even older.

Saying that you can pick up some nice ones looking on facebook and ebay well within your budget. I personally would not opt for the 1.9 but the bigger 6 cylinder as they tend to be more reliable and sound better (My mate had a 1.9 that he finally scrapped with 197k on the clock but it drank as much oil as it did fuel and he was not allowed to park on any other mates drives )

 

[AntStark]

Welcome Chris..glad you found your way here . The issue with a hard top is it is a bit of a faf to put on and remove. So it either stays on all the time …in which case there is no point getting a convertible..or it stays off and gathers dust in the garage. A Z3 is as reliable as any other car if it’s been maintained properly . A car with a new roof should be completely water tight..fabric technology has moved on a bit in 20 years. 5k will get you a good car …have you also looked at an SLK ? (Say that last bit quietly)

 

[Stevo7682]

Hi and welcome from me in Scotland

@AntStark not quietly enough

That's at least an hour on the naughty step for that statement

Stephen.

 

[AntStark]

I have given myself a good talking to .. won’t happen again !

 

[t-tony]

Why talk about SLK when there are E89s out there?

Tony.

 

[AntStark]

Why talk about SLK when there are E89s out there?

Tony.

Not for 5k there ain’t Tony

 

[t-tony]

Hadn't spotted that minor detail

Tony.

 

[ChrisBpt]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I had considered a SLK as a neighbour had one for sale a few years ago. I seem to remember reading up on them and reading they were difficult to work on and quite expensive when it comes to maintenance. I do think the roofs are pretty cool though. Regarding hardtops, I would probably keep the hard top on from Oct-May and enjoy the soft top the rest of the year. My old man had a hardtop for his old GTC scimitar back in the day and I do seem to remember that being tricky to pop on so I know what you mean. I just really like the look of the Z3 and it would be nice to have something less sensible than my previous cars. I'm not even worried about having something super quick either to be honest I would just like something that is fun to drive that has some character. Do you guys do most of the work on your cars yourselves?

 

[Richard29]

I would get a Z3.

 

[Paul&Di]

Hello Chris. Welcome to the forum from Lincoln.
I have a z3 it's great fun.
It's the ideal car.try for a 6cyl in my experience engines are know to be bullet proof if its been cared for.
Although the 4cyl's are supposed to be a better Balanced car.
There are often cars for sale on this forum.
Good luck.

 

[Shelly]

 

[Ianmc]

I think all SLKs are automatic, which is a no no for a sports car IMO; also adds to the hairdresser image.

 

[ChrisBpt]

I think all SLKs are automatic, which is a no no for a sports car IMO; also adds to the hairdresser image.

Yeah my brother would never let me live it down

 

[ChrisBpt]

Thanks for the welcome everyone

 

[Duncodin]

Welcome Chris..glad you found your way here . The issue with a hard top is it is a bit of a faf to put on and remove. So it either stays on all the time …in which case there is no point getting a convertible..or it stays off and gathers dust in the garage. A Z3 is as reliable as any other car if it’s been maintained properly . A car with a new roof should be completely water tight..fabric technology has moved on a bit in 20 years. 5k will get you a good car …have you also looked at an SLK ? (Say that last bit quietly)

I love my hardtop. Z3 with hardtop is such a good looking car IMO. I leave mine on all the time except for the odd occasion that I do decide to lose my hat.

 

[bear2020]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I had considered a SLK as a neighbour had one for sale a few years ago. I seem to remember reading up on them and reading they were difficult to work on and quite expensive when it comes to maintenance. I do think the roofs are pretty cool though. Regarding hardtops, I would probably keep the hard top on from Oct-May and enjoy the soft top the rest of the year. My old man had a hardtop for his old GTC scimitar back in the day and I do seem to remember that being tricky to pop on so I know what you mean. I just really like the look of the Z3 and it would be nice to have something less sensible than my previous cars. I'm not even worried about having something super quick either to be honest I would just like something that is fun to drive that has some character. Do you guys do most of the work on your cars yourselves?

You learn pretty quickly to work on your own car even if you have no mechanical knowledge! They are pretty basic everything is bolt on, anything plastic will snap its at that age, just goes hand in hand with the age of the Z3

The SLK not a bad car but they do rust badly and look like a constipated frog to me. As for being a hairdressers car hmmm people say it about the zeds so take that with a pinch of salt!

 

[AntStark]

You can breathe easy..all small, 2 seater convertibles lost their ‘hairdresser’ status in 2007 with the introduction of the new Fiat 500.

 

[Richard29]

My wifes cousin commented that my z3 was hairdressers car. Whilst himself driving a nissan micra.

 

[Mint]

Hi Chris and to the forum from me too in Stafford. Good luck with your search.