New Member

[Grimmers67]

Hi all, I recently purchased a Spare time project car .It's a 1997 z3 2.8i Roadster. It needs some tlc but just a bit worried about mileage 185,000 ? I've had modern M Cars but nothing this old ? Any advice?

[Greydog]

Morning Craig

Welcome to the Forum

The BMW straight 6 engine is one of the worlds great engines and capable of Star Ship Enterprise mileages, they are also plentiful so unless originality is high on your list easily changed. The drive train is also tough but often not serviced any where near their requirements so Diff prop and Gearbox will need TLC often first. Suspension bushes will be tired so plan a full refurb. 

If you are not aware www.realoem.com will help with Part numbers and the small exploded drawings help with how stuff fits. Another useful site is www.pelicanparts.com an American site that has some really great "How To's" with pictures. If you don't have Diagnostic's BMW 1.4.0 is still cheap and will give dealer level access for finding and sorting issues.

Hope this helps

Dave

[Grimmers67]

35 minutes ago, Greydog said:

Morning Craig

Welcome to the Forum

The BMW straight 6 engine is one of the worlds great engines and capable of Star Ship Enterprise mileages, they are also plentiful so unless originality is high on your list easily changed. The drive train is also tough but often not serviced any where near their requirements so Diff prop and Gearbox will need TLC often first. Suspension bushes will be tired so plan a full refurb. 

If you are not aware www.realoem.com will help with Part numbers and the small exploded drawings help with how stuff fits. Another useful site is www.pelicanparts.com an American site that has some really great "How To's" with pictures. If you don't have Diagnostic's BMW 1.4.0 is still cheap and will give dealer level access for finding and sorting issues.

Hope this helps

Dave

Ma

 

I'm very Grateful Dave for your advice to a novice project virgin ! Where shall I start ? Put it in for a service and see what comes up as it's been SORN for 6 months ? I'm fine messing around with Trim etc but not Engine's! Also where can I acquire x2 replacement Door Cards including Handles?

 

Regards 

 

Craig 

[Greydog]

Hi Craig

As its been off the road and recognising your not mechanically minded (Yet) I would indeed put it in for a service and ask them to give it a pre-MOT inspection so things underneath will get looked at, such as suspension and any chassis issues that may be there and hidden from view.

You will need a trusted Independent Garage or perhaps BMW Specialist to help with that 

There is a Register of BMW Specialists so an Internet search should help you find one within a reasonable distance. Same applies for BMW Specialist Dismantlers there are several so an Internet search should provide you with a list. Use www.realoem.com put the last 7 digits of your Vin into the search box it will call up your model. Then search the trim section it always helps if you have Part Numbers it will also give you a list of any fixings and fasteners I keep a box of spares as plastic clips are easy to break. Once you have the information hunt for best prices with the Dismantlers, don't dismiss BMW they have some good deals on Classic's 

Good Luck

Dave