Z3 or TT?

beanie

beanie

Active member
 Bournemouth/Turin
In the hunt for a practical, fairly cheap to run daily driver my girlfriend has somehow ended up with these two as the leading candidates! I've pointed out the obvious (age, parts, petrol etc) but considering what I drive I can hardly preach about being sensible :lol:

So, as another even less practical 2 seater is looming :headbang: , I thought I'd ask on here for any personal experience as I can imagine a few of you will have had one or the other in the past.

I've been doing a little bit of research and it seems the z3 may have issues with the rear subframe, much like the m3 (Ffs BMW, don't you learn?) and the TT has the typical appetite for coil packs as many VAG cars of that era seem to have. Any other biggies to watch out for?

The z3 we're looking at is the 1.9 as they are strangely expensive over here and the TT is likely to be a 180 cabrio (2/4wd depending on what's about) but any thoughts and experience is appreciated.

Thanks
 
Can't go wrong with either. I owned a TT for 3 years and it was a nice place to be.

Mine wasn't very reliable though, EML was on monthly. Dread to think what it cost me over the 3 years.

Dashpod is an expensive repair. Think mine was £1k at the time.
 
Dashpod repair on the TT mk1s is a relatively easy & cheap fix now Dan / http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-TT-INSTRUMENT-CLUSTER-DASHBOARD-REPAIR-SERVICE-PIXEL-LCD-GAUGE-FAILURE-/171565968027?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27f220ea9b

The Z3 looks great but drives aged imo , the TT MK1 still drives like a new car would

Pity you aren't searching in the uk for a Z3 , one of our forum members has a cracker for sale at what i would say was bargain basement money :?

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=72149
 
we have a 2.2 z3 & i find it a nice drive but not as polished as the z4 (which sometimes is nicer) from what ive read its the 2.8/3.0 cars which crack the spotwelds in the boot that hold on the diff bracket.
good value for money & i cant see you loosing much money if you search out a well priced car, hardtops are getting rare to find (its actually the mounting kits that are elusive)
regards
 
My TT cost more in warranty repairs than the purchase price in the time I owned it! The Z3 is fun in a retro way, but the four pot engines are horrible. The 2.2 is a cheap to run very smooth inline six.
Have you considered an S2000? I have one as a daily driver at the moment. It has more poise in the corners than a stock Z4MC and is really fun to drive. You can't say the same for an understeering FWD TT!
 
Thanks guys- I'd just stumbled on something about the tt dahspods so will look in to it- good to know there's a reasonable solution to it.

The further I dig in to the TT the less reliable they seem- we were put off the early minis because of the scare stories but it seems the TT is similar. The odd coil pack or occasional part now and then is to be expected but I don't want to open myself up to a world of chasing problems as this is meant to be a car to use, not to pamper and restore.

I think the only real big issue I can find with the z3 so far is the boot floor, thankfully it seems you're right smart bear about it being mainly the bigger engined ones that suffer.

Mr wilks, I would dearly love to be buying in the uk-the choice, price and general condition is on another level to here. Although right before Christmas isnt the best time if year to be looking, there is very little out there that really appeals. Maybe things will pick up in the new year.

Z4MC-I'd love to get a 6cyl z3 but the prices are too high sadly. Same goes for the s2000- they start around 9-10 k! Absolute performance isn't really that important either and I'm going to avoid the 8v engine in the z3 so I think the 1.9 should be nippy enough for my girlfriend. The sense of occasion and the fact it's the first time she's had a car like this will more than make up for the lack of grunt. What went wrong (or rather, what didn't go wrong) with your TT?

A few years ago I'd never have considered a sort top, especially not for it to sit outside all year but faced with the option of one now and I quite like the idea! A lot can change though, and we've seen a lovely 106 rallye that for me, really ticks all the boxes- she might never be allowed to use it though :lol:
 
Coilpacks are checked & if from the faulty period are replaced free of charge at Audi :wink:
I had 6 brand spankers fitted + healthcheck & diagnostic scan just last week on our TT , wallet stayed in pocket :)

Worse case scenario they are £25/£30 a pop + labour , , so hardly major expense :?
 
Hi beanie, here is our individual spec z3
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Previously owned a Z3 (1.9L) but ended up changing for a Z4. mainly because my wife found it too hard and uncomfortable to drive. The looks are brilliant but the ride and handling too harsh. Never owned a TT but suspect its a lot more refined than the Z3, there is the other side in that the Z3 could be become a classic and even increase in value.
 
My TT was a 225 Coupe but iirc it's the same engine as the 180. It cost on average £3-4K per annum in warranty repairs over five years... The Z3 is fairly bullet proof. Shame the i6 Z3s and S2000s are out if your price range.
Bluestreak, I would agree normally but my S2000 is the GT with a removable hardtop so warm, quiet and secure when required. I am beginning to appreciate the pleasure of driving topless with the heater on high too... :oops:
 
Have you considered an slk if you look for a reliable daily? (probably r170 chassis judging by budget)

As far as cracks at subframes/welds goes: that is something the z3 isn't likely to have. That is a fairly specific e46 problem.
The z3 rear subframe is more like the old e30.
Biggest problem with z3;s is probably the softtop, with the typical quirks as most older softtop cars have: leaks (at the A pillar which is solveable), wear&tear and the plastic rear window.
The slk has obviously a metal top with glass rear window. Not the best looking car imho but well designed. If you get a first gen 200k or 230k (both compressor engines) they're fairly easy&cheap to tune (smaller compressor pulley&new belt). A tuned slk230k has a nice power curve with torque down low, compable with an 225hp audi TT 1.8T quattro. It will feel quick in daily traffic.
 
Mr wilks-Good to know they still honour the replacement though Given the other potential headaches cars can serve up I'll be happy if a few coilpacks are all that go wrong :D

Looks very tidy smartbear-I'd be really happy if we found one like that :thumbsup: how do you find parts prices compared to the z4? Anything you find you're changing more often than should be necessary ( my dads old Citroen zx was forever having issues with rear calipers for example)

Ekim-I'm surprised you found it hard, I'd always imagined it would be softer than the z4. Not driven any yet though so will see how we feel about it at the time. If the TT is anything like the mk4 golf for build I'd expect it will be better screwed together than the z4's let alone the older stuff from BMW!

Bmwz4mc- that's a hell of lot of money, especially considering its essentially just a golf in drag. I think a bit more reading is in order on these!

Guido-surprisingly the slk's are pretty cheap here and they're something I've suggested. I don't think she's particularly keen on them though so it looks unlikely. the subframe thing was news to me too and is something I've only just stumbled upon. It seems it can happen though but perhaps with less regularity then the e46. I think the softop, although a potential issue, should be something that is fairly easy to assess-my biggest concern is having it damaged when parked outside but I guess that's the chance you take.

At the moment it looks like the z3 is winning on paper and I think my girlfriend would prefer one too. We've still not even looked at or driven a single car so anything could happen in the next month or so. Hell, a Suzuki jimny was the starting point for all this so at this rate who knows!
 
I had a 1.9 Z3, a nice example looked great - but they really do feel like an old car now

Niggles - think the boot welds only apply to high end engined cars, rear suspension mounts go, 1.9 engines fairly weak an uninspiring, prone to radiator problems, rocker gaskets leak into spark plugs recesses - all of which I replaced and not too challenging but a pain none the less

Not owned a TT but suspect will feel like a much more modern car

I'd buy the TT
 
I don't think I could swap my Z3 for a TT, completely different cars as the TT isn't a Roadster and no long bonnet stretching away in front of you.

I've had mine since 2008 and never really found it too slow with the 4cyl engine, floor it and it goes and its very smooth. The 4cyls tend to handle better as less weight over the front axle.

Rear diff mounting problems will affect all Z3s even the 1.9s but rarer on the 1.,9s and mainly down to how the car has been abused. Its a relatively easy fix if its only the boot spot welds have popped. Worse cases the diff can pull and tear the boot floor but again you can get a repair kit for this.

Only problem I've had with mine and can be common is the wiring loom snapping where it goes from the rear wing into the boot lid as the years of flexing the loom opening and shutting the boot will cause the loom to fail which means the central locking and boot brake light will fail. I got BMW to replace the loom on mine. Engines are bullet proof although cam position sensors can fail and the bodywork stays rust free if looked after. Hoods will leak but an easy fix. I looked at the TT at the same time as the Z3 but although more modern just doesn't have the retro charm and hence less appealing to me. Only advantage I could see with the TT is a larger boot.





Tim.
 
Tim - hasn't yours done about 25 miles in its life And been coseted and wrapped in blankets?

OP would struggle to find one like yours I'd say - the issues I had are more common in 'typical' mileage / used cars

Just my views ( and I do love your car!)
 
Spikey said:
Tim - hasn't yours done about 25 miles in its life And been coseted and wrapped in blankets?

OP would struggle to find one like yours I'd say - the issues I had are more common in 'typical' mileage / used cars

Just my views ( and I do love your car!)
Click to expand...

Its just turned 26K but high mileage Z3s seem to be holding up well.

Mine looked great until some idiot hit the door so awaiting a call from my local DentMaster to see if it can be sorted.

Tim
 
TitanTim's Z3 looks beautiful, probably one of the nicest I've seen. I looked one over about a year ago, fairly low mileage, with a hard-top, maroon leather interior, lovely condition but with a minimum price of £5500, dealer wouldn't take a part exchange, otherwise I would probably have bought. Keep it for as long as poss.
 
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