Z3 2.8i Steel Grey

[inkey$]

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]

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 :driving:

Rob

 

[inkey$]

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]

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]

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

 

[jabber]

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

 

[paddy wright]

Very nice mate!

 

[TitanTim]

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]

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 :lol:

 

[Z4 COUPSTER]

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]

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$]

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]

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

 

[Joycey]

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$]

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.

 

[Z4 COUPSTER]

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.

Give it a couple of run outs prior to changing, s's said the box is a very mechanical feel and I know if the car has been standing fir a while the friction plates get "damp" I found out this info on one of the Z3 forums. Worth a try before spending the bucks!

 

[Joycey]

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.

Quite rare to find the clutch going at 80k I’ve only ever had to change one clutch and that was at 170k. But if it’s a heavy clutch user anything is possible oke:

 

[jabber]

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.

Quite rare to find the clutch going at 80k I’ve only ever had to change one clutch and that was at 170k. But if it’s a heavy clutch user anything is possible oke:

The clutch on one of my previous z4s went at 60k the plate fell apart!

 

[inkey$]

Update on the car. Following jobs now complete:
- Inspection 2 - done. Apparently "a very clean example"
- eBay OEM 'Style 68' alloys; properly refurbished (dipped, fixed, powder-coated and lacquered)
- New, full set of Kumho Ecsta P71s fitted
- Front braided brake hose
- Replaced thrittle cable (this has helped with the slight clutch slippage)
- All annoying dents and dinks removed (thanks again for the tip Lynchy). I now have the cleanest Z3 in London

Next up:
- Replace seat bushes
- Braided rear brake hose
- Braided clutch hose
- Bilstein B4 shocks
- New wheel bolts
- Eibach Pro 30mm lowering springs
- New Longlife or Powerflow backbox

Got to say, she took some getting used too after the breadvan - mainly the reduced 100+ HP :lol:

 

[Pastry]

Lovely car I used to have a 1987 2.8i and it is a great engine and the only reason I sold it was to upgrade to a Z3MR :driving: