Author Topic: Anyone have a Z3? (Read 4567 times)

Snowman · « **Reply #20 on:** February 16, 2005, 12:46:53 pm »

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...turbo:

http://www.ultimate-racing.com/Products/Honda-CA-S2KTurboKit.shtml

airbalancer · « **Reply #21 on:** February 16, 2005, 04:40:53 pm »

Sat in a 03 Z4, O my God, it was great
but at 49K a little to high
mmmm 50th brithday in 2 years mmmmmm
Screw the son he can walk!

william_w · « **Reply #22 on:** February 16, 2005, 07:12:48 pm »

IMHO I think the Z3 has probably reach the bottom of its depreciation curve at $10k. Just like the Miata hit theirs at $4k or the Boxster at $25k. So from an economical point of view, if you can find a clean one for $10k, I would say go for it. And if you can find 2, let me know, I'll be interest in getting a clean one for $10k too.

initial_D · « **Reply #23 on:** February 16, 2005, 07:24:06 pm »

The Z3 is definitely more of a chic magnet than a Miata.

bmwz3

The 318is engine is somewhat underpowered, but it had gotten good receptions for its willingness to rev and flat torque band. The 318is sedan and hatch was popular in Europe.

My neighbor has a Z3 with the 4 cylinder engine, and they just bought a new Mini Cooper S a while ago, they loved the Z3, and it served well for them.
The Z3 is built on a shortened E36 platform, the rear suspension is the semi-trailing arm axle from the E30, not enough space for the regular E36 components. My experience in the 4 cylinder Z3 is somewhat brief, having driven one in the Rockies a while ago, the car definitely isn’t fast, but the engine does have enough power to cruise at 160km – 180 km / h with ease, and it was very stable. Well, if you can find one for close to $10K, don’t even hesitate. As for cost of ownership, can’t be as bad as the old MGs and Triumphs of yesteryear.

84im · « **Reply #24 on:** February 16, 2005, 09:06:06 pm »

For the right price a used M roadster would be nice. 240 hp and lots of torque! As far as the looks go, I'm finally warming up (to it). If a 2000 M roadster and a 2000 Boxster were the same price, I'd buy the Boxster. On the other hand, I'd buy a Miata over a four cylinder Z3 (which, price wise, are in the same ball park).
97 Boxster have come way down in price, but I wouldn't touch one with a ten foot pole.
Ron

safristi · « **Reply #25 on:** February 17, 2005, 07:34:40 am »

I can't see NO car in that pic...am I goin' blind???

Mdxtasy · « **Reply #26 on:** February 17, 2005, 07:40:41 am »

You might be going blind Saf....do you have hair on your palms too? Sticky keyboard?

safristi · « **Reply #27 on:** February 17, 2005, 07:44:17 am »

It's cruel to inflict the mocked...do I get a"HANDY-capped!" parkin' 'SPOT" !!!!

...correction "hanky-capped!!!"

(Message edited by safristi on February 17, 2005)

william_w · « **Reply #28 on:** February 17, 2005, 09:00:38 am »

I agree, from my own personal experience, the 1.8 liter engine used in the Z3 may not win you any drag races, but there are plenty of power at the higher range. In my 318i, I think the car comes alive after you hit 100km/hr. I have no problems going upto 160/hr and I can sense there are enough power left that I can go faster if I push it alittle more.

Whereas with my wife's Neon, once it hit 120km/hr, you can feel a significant power dropped off. And it has a hard time going pass 140.

And I can attest to the fact that running a BMW does not cost more than running a MGB of yesteryear. Since I own both, and the repair cost for the MG is similar to the BMW.

johngenx · « **Reply #29 on:** February 17, 2005, 09:10:58 am »

And I can attest to the fact that running a BMW does not cost more than running a MGB of yesteryear. Since I own both, and the repair cost for the MG is similar to the BMW.

Well, I don't know how to to tell you this, but not many of us have old MGB's, so we have no idea of what it costs to run one. I did have a TR6 and it was very needy.

I agree that the key to a 1.9L Z3 is not power, but fun handling. My only beef with the 1.8/1.9 engine is it's lack of torque. I shopped the 318 when I bought the C230 and found it a poor match for the automatic. Of course, the Z3 should never be slush-box equipped.

Giant Dwarf · « **Reply #30 on:** February 17, 2005, 01:12:09 pm »

I looked long and hard at picking up a '98 or '99 Z3 2.8. For the money they were among the best values in my opinion. I had personal experience with the 2.8L drivetrain and could attest to its solid and sound build quality and its smooth, satisfying and linear power/torque and was keen to have it in a car smaller and lighter than my 328i. My reading turned up more quality control problems with the original Z3s ('96-99 I believe before the mild facelift) than with the 3-series sedans -- of particular note, interior trim bits of low quality. Still, with fewer electric bells n' whistles than my sedan, I figured it was a pretty safe bet.

I came very close to a "James Bond blue" '98 and still -- on nice days especially -- wish I had gone for it. The I6 makes a nice snarl and exhaust note with the top down and overall the car just felt really right.

Plus, I like the wider-fender look of the bigger-engined models better than the 1.9's and 2.5's (2.3) Z3s.

Bottom line, for the sake of a couple grand (at the most), the 6 cyl cars are so good, I'd look for one of them.

(sigh... ahh, to have a roadster...)

safristi · « **Reply #31 on:** February 17, 2005, 01:23:45 pm »

"long AND hard" who ya kiddin'!!!!

Brigitte · « **Reply #32 on:** February 17, 2005, 05:51:35 pm »

Good one, Saf...

barrie1 · « **Reply #33 on:** February 17, 2005, 10:02:34 pm »

WE had an old MG one time. We put a 283 in it with 2x4 barrel carbs on it. My cousin was crazier then us and put a 350HP 327 in his 1961 MG. They were both fun cars for drag racing.

Author Topic: Anyone have a Z3? (Read 4567 times)

Mdxtasy