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Car Forum / BMW Cars / October 2006

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Z3 advice please

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D Ramapriya - 21 Oct 2006 06:20 GMT
Hey guys,

I'm about to buy a '97 Z3 that's clocked 66,000 miles for US$ 10,000.
Money is basically the limiting criterion on a newer model or a Z4.

Any major issues or general impressions on the Z3 now would be most
timely and appreciated, thanks in advance.

Ramapriya
D Ramapriya - 21 Oct 2006 15:02 GMT
> I'm about to buy a '97 Z3 that's clocked 66,000 miles for US$ 10,000.

Well I might not, actually, considering that it's a 1.9-liter engine :(

Ramapriya
perry lee - 22 Oct 2006 11:14 GMT
> > I'm about to buy a '97 Z3 that's clocked 66,000 miles for US$ 10,000.
>
> Well I might not, actually, considering that it's a 1.9-liter engine :(
>
> Ramapriya

In that case, keep looking.  You want at least the 2.8 litre.  We bought
a 98 2.8 litre with the 5 speed and 61,000 miles on it two years ago,
and so far the only problems have been:

Wiper motor fell out of position, reseated

Driver side seat belt sensor replaced

It's the most enjoyable car I have ever owned.

Signature

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
-- Benjamin Franklin, 1759

adder1969@yahoo.co.uk - 24 Oct 2006 10:03 GMT
> > I'm about to buy a '97 Z3 that's clocked 66,000 miles for US$ 10,000.
>
> Well I might not, actually, considering that it's a 1.9-liter engine :(
>
> Ramapriya

bit of a change from the 7-series you wanted a little while back!
D Ramapriya - 24 Oct 2006 10:28 GMT
> bit of a change from the 7-series you wanted a little while back!

True :) It began with a 7-series (not that it's out of the radar) and
has wandered to a Z3, an Alfa Romeo Spyder half-seriously and a '93
Porsche 968 that's being quoted $10,500, apart from oohing and aahing
at every A8 and TT I see :)

I'm yet to achieve stability on what I want, but that's probably
because I know so little of cars. When I bought the used C240 in Feb,
it was my first ever car in life - and at an age of all of 39, can you
believe that? :)

Ramapriya
D Ramapriya - 24 Oct 2006 10:28 GMT
> bit of a change from the 7-series you wanted a little while back!

True :) It began with a 7-series (not that it's out of the radar) and
has wandered to a Z3, an Alfa Romeo Spyder half-seriously and a '93
Porsche 968 that's being quoted $10,500, apart from oohing and aahing
at every A8 and TT I see :)

I'm yet to achieve stability on what I want, but that's probably
because I know so little of cars. When I bought the '01 C240 in Feb, it
was my first ever car in life - and at an age of all of 39, can you
believe that? :)

Ramapriya
adder1969@yahoo.co.uk - 24 Oct 2006 12:00 GMT
> > bit of a change from the 7-series you wanted a little while back!
>
> True :) It began with a 7-series (not that it's out of the radar) and
> has wandered to a Z3, an Alfa Romeo Spyder half-seriously and a '93
> Porsche 968 that's being quoted $10,500, apart from oohing and aahing
> at every A8 and TT I see :)

The 968 *was* one of the best cars money could buy and if your only
concern is how a car drives then probably is still up there although
for the money you could get something a lot newer.   E38 & series are a
bit dated now style-wise, certainly compared to an A8.   Z3s are like
toy cars.
Tom K. - 21 Oct 2006 15:10 GMT
> Hey guys,
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Ramapriya

My '97 Z3 2.8 had the following problems and recalls, all taken care of
under warranty:

1,500 miles - Instrument cluster replaced
8,000 - Starter control module (recall)
26,000 - Fuel Sender & Fuel Pump replaced
27,000 - Driver's seat track & motor replaced
45,000 - Crank position sensor (recall)

The only reason I traded it at 68,000 was to purchase a Z4.

Tom K.
Rex B - 23 Oct 2006 17:25 GMT
> I'm about to buy a '97 Z3 that's clocked 66,000 miles for US$ 10,000.
> Money is basically the limiting criterion on a newer model or a Z4.
>
> Any major issues or general impressions on the Z3 now would be most
> timely and appreciated, thanks in advance.

I bought a '98 Z3 1.9 about 5 months ago.
Mine had 100K miles on it, and I paid $8200 from a used car lot.
It had a noisy throwout bearing, was missing the boot cover and owners
manual.

The 1.9 is a bit underpowered. At 138 HP it has less power and more
weight than a Miata.   Still a good ride, but it would be better with
more torque. As others have said, if you can get a 2.8, or even the
later  2.3 you will enjoy it more.   There appears to be no fuel mileage
advantage to the smaller engines, they all seem to get about 23/29 mpg.
  But I don't regret buying my 1.9. It was a good car for the money,
and still is.  No problems with it that I did not bring on myself.
D Ramapriya - 23 Oct 2006 20:18 GMT
> The 1.9 is a bit underpowered. At 138 HP it has less power and more
> weight than a Miata.  Still a good ride, but it would be better with
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>    But I don't regret buying my 1.9. It was a good car for the money,
> and still is.  No problems with it that I did not bring on myself.

Appreciate the really nice inputs. Funnily, for all its passion for
nouveau cars, the Mazda Miata is missing from the United Arab Emirates.
Looking at its pix, it really is inexplicable.

Ramapriya
 
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