The GF is continuing her quest for a small convertible and has found a nice one near us at a decent price? I have a lot of experience with NA and NB Miata but I don’t know anything about Z3’s except they are probably expensive to repair. What are common problems? Timming belts? Any years or options to stay away from?
Thanks ed
" The people shall have a right to bear arms, for the defense of themselves and the State" Art 1 Sec 32 Indiana State Constitution
YAT-YAS
May 03, 2018, 07:15 PM
Mars_Attacks
They are a timing chain engine with a pair of VANOS variable valve timing gears. No timing belt.
#1 issue with my 325ci convertible has been the lower control arm bushings. Stupid easy to replace and cheap.
Vacuum leaks are a gremlin that will trigger a lean code.
Oil filter is a canister on top of the engine. Again, stupid easy to change.
____________________________
Eeewwww, don't touch it! Here, poke at it with this stick.
May 03, 2018, 07:37 PM
trapper189
My parents own a 1997 Z3 2.8 automatic with 17,000 miles. The driver's seat can become "loose", but there is a fix for in on the internet. Personally, I wish it were a manual transmission.
May 03, 2018, 09:55 PM
cparktd
Sister and hubby have close friends who several years ago, maybe 10 or so, bought two. His and Hers. They kept them a few years and sold them both and bought two Miatas. Only thing I really heard was he got tired of the constant upkeep problems and cost. IIRC the last straw was a 1,200 brake job, for one axle. But he is an extreme neat / perfection freak. They also sold the Miatas off after a couple years and bought minivans... LOL!... when kids started coming along to tote around.
Some people spread happiness wherever they go… some whenever they go.
May 03, 2018, 10:12 PM
jimmy123x
Don't pull all of the way up to and run into parking stops with the front, it cracks the radiator and you'll end up losing coolant and blowing the motor. I had a tenant who's a dingbat. She blew the motor twice in her z3, once in her z4 that replaced it, and now she has a PT cruiser (even worse).
May 03, 2018, 10:25 PM
sigmoid
Bought honey a Z4, runs great! Water pumps are a regular replacement items at intervals Her smiles are worth the upkeep
________,_____________________________ Guns don't kill people - Alec Baldwin kills people. He's never been a straight shooter.
May 03, 2018, 10:48 PM
Dusty78
Tell her to get a 2003-2008 Z4. They are very basic cars compared to other bimmers. Not a lot of electrics and such. The engine and trans are bullet proof. Just remember that BMW 3.0 liter 6’s need the valve cover gasket replaced at about 60k miles. The convertible top motors and hydraulics tend to go bad in Z4’s due to water getting into the system but if it does you can still manually operate the top so no biggie.This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dusty78,
_______________________________________________ Use thumb-size bullets to create fist-size holes.
May 03, 2018, 11:17 PM
OKCGene
FWIW there is a guy on YouTube named Nathan. He's an independent BMW repair guy and likes to show people how to fix their own BMW cars, as well as how to buy used ones. I've learned a lot from him. If nothing else you learn what to look for when buying a used one, including how to find a good mechanic, parts, what services, how to avoid bound ripped off, etc Nathan's DIY BMW
For some reason those never did anything for me...... I will suggest that to the GF and see what she thinks?
" The people shall have a right to bear arms, for the defense of themselves and the State" Art 1 Sec 32 Indiana State Constitution
YAT-YAS
May 04, 2018, 07:44 AM
Seayall
I bought a 1998 Z3 at an auction last November. Car had 77K miles on it. Other then a couple oil leaks to address the car runs good. Fun to drive, not tons of power but enough for the size car it is. I found a local shop that handles BMW's so I have not had to take to the local dealership so the costs have not been bad.
May 04, 2018, 07:57 AM
kz1000
My dad bought one new. Got lemon lawed. Defective motor.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Yidn, shreibt un fershreibt"
"The Nazis entered this war under the rather childish delusion that they were going to bomb everyone else, and nobody was going to bomb them. At Rotterdam, London, Warsaw and half a hundred other places, they put their rather naive theory into operation. They sowed the wind, and now they are going to reap the whirlwind." -Bomber Harris
May 04, 2018, 11:20 AM
Fdan
You mentioned the BMW but has she considered a used Porsche Boxster? Might be worth a look...
___________________________________________ The annual soothsayers and fortunetellers conference has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.
May 04, 2018, 05:18 PM
LtJL
Barbie Car.
May 04, 2018, 06:07 PM
Valpo Fz
I didn’t think about a Boxster. I really wanted to push her towards a Miata but there just aren’t many in the area that are in good shape for good prices.
" The people shall have a right to bear arms, for the defense of themselves and the State" Art 1 Sec 32 Indiana State Constitution
YAT-YAS
May 04, 2018, 06:26 PM
Dusty78
What is she looking to spend?
_______________________________________________ Use thumb-size bullets to create fist-size holes.
May 05, 2018, 07:26 AM
Valpo Fz
quote:
Originally posted by Dusty78: What is she looking to spend?
Between $6 to $8 k give or take a little.
" The people shall have a right to bear arms, for the defense of themselves and the State" Art 1 Sec 32 Indiana State Constitution
YAT-YAS
May 05, 2018, 08:08 AM
Dusty78
quote:
Originally posted by Valpo Fz:
quote:
Originally posted by Dusty78: What is she looking to spend?
The problem is that she is looking to buy a convertible at the wrong time. The worst time to buy is spring. Kate fall and winter is when all the deals pop up. I am on my 3rd convertible and I would see the same car that was $35k in winter selling for $40k in the spring.
_______________________________________________ Use thumb-size bullets to create fist-size holes.
May 05, 2018, 10:20 AM
jimmy123x
quote:
Originally posted by Valpo Fz:
quote:
Originally posted by Dusty78: What is she looking to spend?
Between $6 to $8 k give or take a little.
At that price range and age a BMW is going to cost a fortune at the mechanics to keep it going.
May 05, 2018, 11:44 AM
Valpo Fz
She really likes the Z3, but the maint makes me nervous. I could probably do a lot of it my self but I am really comfortable with Miatas and since I will be working on it...... also there are a ton of Miata parts and support out there. I would like to wait until fall and that was the plan we had discussed. I have to replace my septic system and that is got me not wanting to contribute some $$.
" The people shall have a right to bear arms, for the defense of themselves and the State" Art 1 Sec 32 Indiana State Constitution