Should I give up

[donutholer]

I recently purchased this 1999 2.5l z3 with 200k miles

I bought it for as a fun car as it was very cheap, 1,300 USD.
I’ve done more research and realize the trunk welds aren’t exactly amazing and am wondering how it looks. I know it’s not perfect I just want to know if it’s worth continuing to work on it or if the frame is too far gone. In addition, the getrag shifter has a pretty gnarly 5th gear lean.

So far, I’ve changed the oil, spark plugs, rebuilt the CV joint, replaced axle boot and put some sparco bucket seats in.

Parts I have yet to install are a sparco steering wheel, free exhaust, thermostat and a new soft top. I’ve spent around 700 in parts

appreciate any input at all. For what it’s worth, my state is offering $2,000 for this car as a incentive for getting old high emission cars off the road.

Is it worth continuing to fix and work on this car? Or should I cut my losses and try again.

 

[donutholer]

no rust in the underside. Small oil leak, nothing that drips onto the ground

 

[Rudyrov]

Depends on what the car means to you.

 

[donutholer]

Depends on what the car means to you.

It’s just a fun car, but there’s a lot of other cars that are also “fun” I’m just wondering if it’s worth sinking more money into this car if I don’t know if the chassis is good or not

 

[Delk]

Someone has done thier own subframe strengthening. Not the best work by the look of it but it maybe fully functional. Looks like they cut the floor and fitted a beam that ties into both the chassis rails. Look it over well to make sure its structurally sound. If it is its just cosmetic and seam sealer and a carpet will go along ways to cover it up.

The 2.5 is a good engine. The exhaust on yours does look to be a bit special.

 

[Zephyr]

You are in the US. Parts there are expensive and probably not easily availabel. Ditch it.

 

[donutholer]

You are in the US. Parts there are expensive and probably not easily availabel. Ditch it.

Parts are pretty cheap if we are talking about engine and such. Trim pieces are more expensive but I’m not too worried about the car cosmetically. I’m worried the car isn’t salvageable

 

[donutholer]

Someone has done thier own subframe strengthening. Not the best work by the look of it but it maybe fully functional. Looks like they cut the floor and fitted a beam that ties into both the chassis rails. Look it over well to make sure its structurally sound. If it is its just cosmetic and seam sealer and a carpet will go along ways to cover it up.

The 2.5 is a good engine. The exhaust on yours does look to be a bit special.

Im not sure what structurally sound is. Someone of the pictures look dubious, I’m guessing
the car already had its subframe welds fail and someone did a hack job putting it back together
The exhaust I think is just a straight pipe after the cats haha. I have a new one to put on just waiting for my friend help me push the car onto some wood so the jacks fit.

 

[Delk]

Im not sure what structurally sound is. Someone of the pictures look dubious, I’m guessing
the car already had its subframe welds fail and someone did a hack job putting it back together
The exhaust I think is just a straight pipe after the cats haha. I have a new one to put on just waiting for my friend help me push the car onto some wood so the jacks fit.

Get someone that knows how to weld or some reasonable engineering knowledge to look at it. Looks like a good sized box section was welded into the rails. If the underside diff hanger is done well this could be just fine. The floor isn't really structural so being stitch welded in isn't important and more cosmetic.