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[Flintstone64]

I’m here looking for as much information as possible to enable me to buy a Z3. Currently I have a Mk2 Escort RS2000 owned since 1989, which although fun isn’t actually as good as everyone remembers, not that I’d say that on the Ford forums!
My ultimate Z3 would be the M version but a 2.8 or 3.0 would more than do.

 

[Gatsoburner]

Welcome. A few out there on the market. All depends on what you pin yourself down on, it'd be a mare dipping from those 3 back and forth.

I guess budget be a player too and if youre in for the long haul. Have you driven any ? ive only drove my 3.0 so can't offer an opinion on the others.

Good luck, lots of knowledge on here either way

 

[Flintstone64]

Welcome. A few out there on the market. All depends on what you pin yourself down on, it'd be a mare dipping from those 3 back and forth.

I guess budget be a player too and if youre in for the long haul. Have you driven any ? ive only drove my 3.0 so can't offer an opinion on the others.

Good luck, lots of knowledge on here either way

I haven't driven any yet, in fact the last BMW I drove was my Mum's E30 320 in the 90's!
Initial I thought the 2.8 would be the one to focus on, but since reading a bit more the 3.0 seems a good option. Maybe £6500 might get me one.

 

[Gatsoburner]

Well if its forum based purchase you'll be pretty well looked after id like to think.
Anything elsewhere do some research front to rear of the car and ' issues ' a Z3 can have. All sortable i must add.
Done a few things myself which I'm happy to share on my experiences .

Where you based ?..

 

[Shelly]

 

[Nodzed]

 

[Pond]

I haven't driven any yet, in fact the last BMW I drove was my Mum's E30 320 in the 90's!
Initial I thought the 2.8 would be the one to focus on, but since reading a bit more the 3.0 seems a good option. Maybe £6500 might get me one.

2.8s are more common and the 3.0 litres do seem to command a premium.
I have a 3 litre (M54). It's quite 'pokey' actually and a nice engine (fairly torquey for a n/a). Not driven a 2.8 (M52) but wouldn't imagine there is a massive difference in driving characteristics.

In the current market (which is all over the place) you may struggle to get a really good 3 litre for £6,500. They all rot if not looked after, which is more important than engine size IMO.

If you are also seriously looking for an 'M' just remember they are not only much more expensive to buy but all running costs come with 'M tax'.

 

[Flintstone64]

The M is outside my budget. Certainly agree about bodywork, from my RS experience rust can be hidden in unexpected places.
Apparently the M54 is a better engine, something to do with the Vanos?

 

[Pond]

Apparently the M54 is a better engine, something to do with the Vanos?

The later M52 (TU) engine has double vanos, same as the M54.
People with much more knowledge than me will tell you the M54 is almost identical to the later M52, apart from a few bits and 10% more power.
If you look at cars, check for rot behind the sills covers, especially around the jacking points.
Check MOT histories for signs of corrosion.
Also check for moisture inside the car, as the Z3 is prone to letting water in if drains get blocked through lack of maintenance.

 

[Stevo7682]

Hi and welcome from me in Scotland .

As said the pick of the non M car would be the 3.0 but the 2.8 is more than capable now the only potential issue would be if you prefer the pre face-lift body shape then it would need to be a 2.8 as the 3.0 is face-lift only .
I own both the 2.8 engines the single vanos and the later twin vanos Tu engine got to say if you are looking for a 2.8 the Tu is definitely a better engine just that bit more flexible than the earlier unit.
2.8 Tu is only available on the very last of the pre face-lift models and the first of the face-lift model before the new engine ranges were introduced .

Where abouts in the Uk are you as there may be a local member or two who may be able to meet up give a look over a zed up close and maybe take you for a quick blast as you will find a lot of nice helpful folks on here .

Stephen.

 

[Flintstone64]

Hi and welcome from me in Scotland .

As said the pick of the non M car would be the 3.0 but the 2.8 is more than capable now the only potential issue would be if you prefer the pre face-lift body shape then it would need to be a 2.8 as the 3.0 is face-lift only .
I own both the 2.8 engines the single vanos and the later twin vanos Tu engine got to say if you are looking for a 2.8 the Tu is definitely a better engine just that bit more flexible than the earlier unit.
2.8 Tu is only available on the very last of the pre face-lift models and the first of the face-lift model before the new engine ranges were introduced .

Where abouts in the Uk are you as there may be a local member or two who may be able to meet up give a look over a zed up close and maybe take you for a quick blast as you will find a lot of nice helpful folks on here .

Stephen.

Thanks Stephen for the information. Did post face lift cars all have the wide body? I understood the pre face lift 2.8 were the only wide body, then they all changed to wide body?
I live in Suffolk.

 

[Stevo7682]

Thanks Stephen for the information. Did post face lift cars all have the wide body? I understood the pre face lift 2.8 were the only wide body, then they all changed to wide body?
I live in Suffolk.

This may help.

So pre face-lift 4cyl are narrow body
and 6cyl wide body .

All face-lift use same body 4and 6 cyl but face-lift body is narrower than pre face-lift wide body

So they tend to be classed as narrow, wide and face-lift
But a lot of people advertise face-lift model as wide body.
Stephen.

 

[Mint]

Hi and to the forum from me too in Stafford.