Z3 2.8i Steel Grey

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Wed May 16, 2018 11:02 pm

So the breadvan went. I seriously toyed with another Z4 but then I decided to stay E36 and find a project Z3. Fast forward a few days and I just picked up a 19 year old 2.8 in Steel Grey - same colour and engine size as my very first BMW over 10 years ago. Electric sport seats, chrome pack and I think one of the last Mk1 pre-facelift cars as it’s got the M52TU engine and that colour I think was a facelift option.

Lots planned. Picked up some style 68 wheels this evening too that I found on eBay. They need a refurb, but once done should look good on the car. Then it’s all about making sure the handling is as sorted as possible and getting an Inspection 1 done on her. A good, honest 82k mile modern classic motor though.

Know it's not a Z4 and this is a Z4 forum, but figured I'd post anyway as this is a good community and I'm guessing a few of you may be interested in the work.

Jobs I’m going to do/considering are:

- Inspection I
- General health check: boot floor, springs etc.
- Check brakes and refurbish calipers.
- Condition the leather seats
- Investigate Bluetooth and DAB head unit to replace Alpine CD. Or go back to OEM and add module.
- H&R arbs.
- New throttle cable
- Refurbish headlight plastic
- Seat runners need sorting on drivers side as it has the classic ‘shift’ on the runners.
- Refurb Style 68’s and fit a set of Eagle F1s
- Clean and waterproof treatment the roof.
- Clean the car!

Bring on the summer!

Smartbear · Post by **Smartbear** » Wed May 16, 2018 11:07 pm

I do like the retro look of the z3, the 2.8 was single vanos if I remember right?
Mrs smartbear had a 2.2 sport individual for a while & i enjoyed smoking around in it

: EBD6992F-C6FF-46B9-A539-4EE3284676A2.jpeg (269.14 KiB) Viewed 2764 times

: B5D6C175-89E8-420F-9625-4D27D1CA6467.jpeg (345.67 KiB) Viewed 2764 times

Rob

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Wed May 16, 2018 11:08 pm

Very nice! Love that interior Smartbear.
2.8 prefacelift usuallynis single vanos, but I think mine has the face lift engine in it which I think is double.

Monkeydonkeyratmagic · Post by **Monkeydonkeyratmagic** » Thu May 17, 2018 1:26 pm

Dual vanos came in 99 iirc. When I was hunting for a z3 I struggled to find a 99 build date and later.

Nice though. They are pretty rare to find in clean Nick these days.

Marlon · Post by **Marlon** » Thu May 17, 2018 2:53 pm

19 years and 82k miles, very nice find. I don't know much about the Z3 but learning stuff already on this thread

jabber · Post by **jabber** » Thu May 17, 2018 4:54 pm

Very nice I have owned a couple of z3s would have liked another one but difficult to find one without mega miles

paddy wright · Post by **paddy wright** » Thu May 17, 2018 11:15 pm

Very nice mate!

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Mon May 21, 2018 8:42 pm

Still miss my Z3 even if it did have the wrong engine

I still scour the ads at times but nice examples are getting rarer now. Yours looks a nice one

Tim.

Bing · Post by **Bing** » Mon May 21, 2018 8:54 pm

Very, very nice - looking forward to seeing this at Brands sometime over the summer... or on a run if we ever manage to sort one

Z4 COUPSTER · Post by **Z4 COUPSTER** » Mon May 28, 2018 9:27 pm

Love a run out in my Z3. I'll prob never sell it tbh. It's a "connected" drive which I don't get in the Z4s.
We'll done looks lovely.

Joycey · Post by **Joycey** » Mon May 28, 2018 9:46 pm

Very nice cars and the 2.8 is personally my favorite engine, very tunable.

I've just finished tuning a 2.8 from 199bhp to 224bhp. Mostly bolt on mods with a final tune to tie it all in.

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Mon May 28, 2018 9:50 pm

Thanks all. The car needs a bit of work. Few dents here and there I didn’t notice when viewing, and after a few drives out in her, she really does need a new clutch and possibly also rear brakes.

DAB BT headunit has been fitted, as has my Storm V1 shifter (transformed gearchanges). Inspection 1 is booked (Bing/Lynchey = Monday 11th if you’re free

), then the suspension needs tackling to really get it planted.

Must admit I’ve wondered if this was the right move for me after 3 x ///M cars, but I’m going to stick with it and see how much I can get sorted for a set budget.

A few pics of the car and from today with son number 2 on his first roofless drive.

Z4 COUPSTER · Post by **Z4 COUPSTER** » Mon May 28, 2018 10:02 pm

Looks lovely.cat park dings ahhhh! And you can't fault the drive on them. Look forward to a "old school " runout

Joycey · Post by **Joycey** » Mon May 28, 2018 10:11 pm

Don’t confuse the notchy gearbox for a worn clutch. Quite common on Z3’s.

Give it a service and Change the clutch hose for a braided line.

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Mon May 28, 2018 10:13 pm

Joycey wrote: ↑Mon May 28, 2018 10:11 pm Don’t confuse the notchy gearbox for a worn clutch. Quite common on Z3’s.

think the clutch is definitely on its way out or in need of serious adjustment. Super high biting point and slips every change unless you release ultra slowly.

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Z3 2.8i Steel Grey

Z3 2.8i Steel Grey

Z3 2.8i Steel Grey

Z3 2.8i Steel Grey

Z3 2.8i Steel Grey

Z3 2.8i Steel Grey

Z3 2.8i Steel Grey

Z3 2.8i Steel Grey

Z3 2.8i Steel Grey

Z3 2.8i Steel Grey

Z3 2.8i Steel Grey

Z3 2.8i Steel Grey

Z3 2.8i Steel Grey

Z3 2.8i Steel Grey

Z3 2.8i Steel Grey

Z3 2.8i Steel Grey