about to purchase a z3...your thoughts | Forums BMWauto.net || BMW AUTO - cars, motorcycles, tuning, ads, photos  
 

  Home    |    BMW website    |    BMW History    |    Contact us    |
  FORUMSbmwauto.net BMW Disscussion forums || www.bmwauto.net/forums
   Menu
    General BMW
    BMW 3-Series
    BMW 5-Series
   BMW Z-Series
    BMW European Delivery
    BMW FORUMS - home page

  What's Going On?
There are 61 guests on-line

  BMW Forums » BMW discussion forums » BMW Z-Series
  about to purchase a z3...your thoughts

 about to purchase a z3...your thoughts



Hello everyone,

My girlfriend has been in the market for a z3. We test drove several z3's and one 2006 mazda miata mx5. I have to say I was impressed how the mx5 handled and it had a little pep. It has more body space than a 05 miata and it actually looks nice.

Ok, that was me trying to show a unbiased opinion. I have a 330ci and I will forever bleed bmw through my veins. My girlfriend normally drives like "Ms Daisy"; let me tell you something... in the z3 she took curves punching the gas through them!!! So z3 it is.

I have done a search on common z3 problems and came up with the following:
-rear diff/subframe section tearing(cracked trunk floor area)
-leaky roof(its a vert)
-fuel gauge not reading correctly
-rattle in glove box (was mentioned in cold climates we are in fort myers florida area)
-paint chips

Anything else I should be looking for ? Of course I want to get it as a CPO vehicle.
Trying to stay within the $25-27k range, with mileage under 30k. I have been able to find a few vehicles that fit the criteria. The other question is I am noticing some of the z3 come w/or without the OBD, what should I be looking at here? I am noticing that it is listed as a option. I thought all vehicles after 1999 had this as standard.

Appreciate any help
(she knows I want to steal her 3.64 diff and put it in my auto 330ci, so I will have to come up with a plan for another diff for her)
   Reply » about to purchase a z3...your thoughts

Quote:

I have done a search on common z3 problems and came up with the following:
-rear diff/subframe section tearing(cracked trunk floor area)
-leaky roof(its a vert)
-fuel gauge not reading correctly
-rattle in glove box (was mentioned in cold climates we are in fort myers florida area)
-paint chips


Some other "common" problems:

-Loose or rocking seats (noticeable when braking heavily). Fix available.
-Stereo not up to par with rest of vehicle (fixable, though it's more of a design flaw )

Also ask if any of the sellers if they've performed all the recalls - a lot of the 2.8 liter cars had a thermostat problem that was fixed by a recall.

   Reply » about to purchase a z3...your thoughts

Quote:
Some other "common" problems:

-Loose or rocking seats (noticeable when braking heavily). Fix available.
-Stereo not up to par with rest of vehicle (fixable, though it's more of a design flaw )

Also ask if any of the sellers if they've performed all the recalls - a lot of the 2.8 liter cars had a thermostat problem that was fixed by a recall.
I have one for sale with CPO on it until 100k or march 2007... Its the silver 3.0I 2001 model 28k miles

if you are interested I will help you arrange shipping. Im putting it up on consignment on saturday to get more advertising so better contact me quick because I have to sign a sales contract agreement to do this. This would mean that they have exclusive right to sale the car.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...sp=y&cardist=0

I just bought the 2001 M/// Roadster need to sale the Z Roadster

PS I do not have any of the problems you discribe

   Reply » about to purchase a z3...your thoughts

Cracks: Make it a condition of buying the car, that you can have it hoisted so you can inspect the differential mount and sub-floor yourself. This is what I did. As for what to look for, search the boards .. there are plenty of pictures. If the car is crack free... check that off your list and don't look back. Don't lose sleep over it. Inspect it once a year. If a crack develops, then get it attended to. Just enjoy the car and deal with that repair if and when it's even necessary.

Leaks: You could always ask for the buyer to test the roof right in front of you. If they leak, it's usually at the joint in the rubber seal along the window. The neoprene seals need to have gummi phlege or Wurth Rubber Care put on them twice a year. The seals fatten up, and stop the leaks. Check the condition of the rear window too. If the fabric is pulling away from the black rubber seal, either walk away from that car, or ask that the top be replaced. In actuality, it won't lead to a leak necessarily. But.. it will start to unravel and look bad ... in no time.

Fuel guage: Doesn't happen as often as you'd think. There are fixes. Not a reason to not get a Z3.

Rattle: The glove box frame is under-engineered. By the time the car hits 30k miles it will almost certainly have the problem by then. If left unattended, the frame can break = new dash. There's a cheap kit for sale on ebay that will reinforce the frame. It's a must do mod. You mentioned cold climates... The rattle is more noticable in the cold because the vinyls and plastics are hard. But.. the actual frame sag is made much worse in hot environments. Virutally garauntees you'll have the problem. Anyway.. easy fix. Just do it. :-)

Chips: The early Spartenburg paints were soft. They scratch easy and they chip easy. Fortunately on the scratches (as the previous owner will likely have scratched the heck out of the paint with the same poor car washing techniques most folks use) BMW put a ton of clear coat on these cars. Take up auto detailing as a hobby and learn how to remove some clear coat, or, pay to have it done. Either way, once she's scratch free, if you use correct washing and drying techniques the car will never see another scratch again. Doesn't matter if the paint is softer. As to chips... don't follow vehicles so closely, especially tucks. But this is the same advice for any fine auto. :-)


I presume she wants an auto.. as you mentioned the 3.46 diff. The 5 speed steptronic auto in the '01 and '02 3.0i is the one you want. Crisp. Fast shifts. Very tough. But.. don't rob her 3.46 outta there. The auto needs the 3.46 to be quick. (likely tho you were kidding anyhoo)...

   Reply » about to purchase a z3...your thoughts

Yep good advice.. I would be happy to take photos if there was a serious offer. If there were cracks this would be covered under the CPO warranty.

   Reply » about to purchase a z3...your thoughts

Re. OBD... all have OBD-II. You might be thinking of the OBC (on-board computer), which provides trip computer functionality. Nice to have, but by no means necessary (the M's don't have it).

To be exact, the S54 cars aren't OBD-II compliant. Anyone looking at scanner software for an S54 should be aware that not all scanner software has the workarounds for the S54. Auto Enginuity does, if you're looking for a PDA solution (my personal preference for these cars since there's no convenient place to keep a laptop).


Page 1 of 5

1 2 3 4 5



  BMW Forums » BMW discussion forums » BMW Z-Series

 

Forums BMWauto.net (c) 2001-2007