Just picked up a Z

T

Thomas Darwin

Newbie
Joined
Oct 7, 2016
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4
Picked up a 1999 2.8 z3 yesterday and absolutely loving the experience so far.

73,000 miles, atlanta blue with tan interior.

It does need a bit of tidying up (Scratches on the paint, interior looks worn) but overall a tidy car.

What should be my first priority? I have around £300 in the budget.
 
As Gaz says drive the car! But after that give it a good service if it's ready for one. Pictures! :)
 
Put a 1.9 M44 engine in it, " welcome to the Zorg mob"
 
You could consider a visit to the Zed Shed in Basingstoke the guys there do a cracking job and will save you cash.
If you want the rear Bushes taken care of as well as your water pump. Gear box and Diff oil change but I guess that would depend on how far you are away but something to think about.
 
:welcome:from me:drinks:
 
:welcome: Hi and welcome from me too :coolsteer)
 
:welcome: to the forum from West Cumbria. RON98 Petrol, £300 worth would be my first call. That aside, if it's been well maintained just an oil and filter change. :)
 
I'd have the sill covers off to check for and treat rust and give them a good clean out. Rust appears from the inside out in that area and what looks good from the outside may be nasty on the inside. It's this area that typically kills Z3s unless they get written off.

You might also like to remove the front & rear bumpers and arch liners and do the same there although you would be unfortunate to have much of an issue there.

Sounds complicated but it's not. It will chew up a couple of weekends though.

There are tutorials out there but it all really comes down to removing a handful of bolts on each part.

I treated mine with Por-15. You can see my journal of how I did mine over at .net - http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=44270

Also make sure the car is watertight. Look for evidence of leaks under the boot carpet. It's usually a perished aerial grommet that is the source and nearly every Z3 I look at needs one unless the owner is aware and has already done it. These are £10 from a dealer, fairly straight-forward to sort but are a sound investment.

In short damp and rust proof!
 
Thanks for the advice,

Water pump has been done about 6 months ago by the last owner. It is due an oil service and I will be doing this ASAP, I will get the specialists to give it a once over and highlight any issues re rust etc at that point.

Roof is definitely watertight (drove it back in a downpour). I will check the boot carpet now for damp and the aerial grommet.

Has anyone had experience of ETA motorsport?
 
The sill covers need to come off to make a proper assessment. And if they've never been cleaned and treated inside I'd say most Z3s need some cleanup and treatment in there. As distinct from welding in patches. That happens if you don't service that area :)
 
Hi @Thomas Darwin, :welcome: to the forum from me too in Staffordshire. Anybody mentioned pics yet...we love to see new Zeds.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum from Gloucestershire. Great car a 2.8. As Gaz said buy petrol and enjoy the Autumn, plenty of time for maintenance over the winter when its raining ....... Enjoy :)
Regards
Niall
 
Thomas Darwin said:
Picked up a 1999 2.8 z3 yesterday and absolutely loving the experience so far.

73,000 miles, atlanta blue with tan interior.

It does need a bit of tidying up (Scratches on the paint, interior looks worn) but overall a tidy car.

What should be my first priority? I have around £300 in the budget.
Click to expand...
See what you can do to make the body A1.
 
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