Hi from sunny Belfast

[r100elp]

Hi to all. I have just sold my MX5 and am looking into buying a Z3 for no other reason than I miss that wind in your hair feeling ( even at this time of year).
I think I know what I would like but pickings are not plentiful this side of the irish sea. Idealy I would like a 1.9 M44 engined car but am I right to assume that the 1.8 M43 car took over at the same time as the rear end and interior changes took place approx 2000? I also would like heated seats but its not a deal breaker as the best car i've seen so far didnt have the heated option and I suppose this would be one less thing to go wrong! Is there anything I need to look out for as prices seem to vary widly? As I said I looked at a 1999 M44 engined car with only 57K miles in pristine condition but it was £3.5K. The only other ones I can find near to me have the M43 engine is it really that much different? I have even considered a trip to Scotland to view a car with 114K miles for £2.5 but again this is a 2000 car with the M43. Any help or advice would be greatly appriciated as I feel like sometimes with my lack of choice! If you think any of the cars I mentioned are good value let me know and if I can work out how to post links to them I will add these too. Thanks in advance.
http://www.usedcarsni.com/107460744
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190732738350? ... 1438.l2649

[PCSAM]

hi mate welcome to the madhouse im sure wee will be able to find you a nice car . i had a m44 1.9 (150bhp) the other one 1.9 is actually a 1.8 with (140 bhp)
don't touch that blue car in ayr Scotland , its a minger mate . i went with a friend to have a look at it
ill have a look about for you up this end of the world ... a few in and near Glasgow .....

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-moto ... 1010550814

[Del]

I don't think there's a great deal of practical, performance difference between the Z3 engines:- M44 1.9 and M43(TU) which was also a 1.9. The M44 has a little more BHP but the M43(TU) produces better torque lower down the rev range. The M43 engine was used from mid-1999 onwards and so the cars with it in will tend to be newer, facelift models.

I would spread your search if at all possible. Decent 1.9 models seem to crop up for £2,000 - £2,500 across the UK generally.

[r100elp]

hi mate welcome to the madhouse im sure wee will be able to find you a nice car . i had a m44 1.9 (150bhp) the other one 1.9 is actually a 1.8 with (140 bhp)
don't touch that blue car in ayr Scotland , its a minger mate . i went with a friend to have a look at it
ill have a look about for you up this end of the world ... a few in and near Glasgow .....

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-moto ... 1010550814

Thanks for the advice about the Ayr car and I went to see the red one but it would need a new front bumper and there were patches of rust or bubbles around the wheel arch and petrol filler. The other car I posted I have a feeling it was imported by a BMW garage from the Rep of Ireland to Belfast and given a new reg which is why they think its a 2001 car but its not as I checked the vin but I dont think the seller was aware of this. It also is not an individual model as far as I can see from the details I've found out ..... but its still a lovely car but im not sure its worth that much money but on the plus side my daughter doesn't like the colour and when she told this to my wife my wife said that doesnt matter because thats the one we are getting! which was news to me

[Del]

The M43 found on all facelift cars has only 8v, 118bhp and 133lbs of torque,

That must be the M43TUB19 then?

[Del]

Preface lift M43 are badged as 1.8

I think you may be have been confusing the M42B18 (1.8) used in some early US Z3s and possibly in the UK, with the M43B18 and/or M43TU19 (low bhp version) which were not.

in the 3 series from 1999 it has only 103bhp

Was this enquiry talking about E36/E46 models?

Both preface lift M44 and facelift M43

Finally, for the absence of any doubt for a prospective member. I assume you meant pre-face-lift and not some vehicle elevation equipment used by experts such as yourself?

[r100elp]

OK this is all above me but I have started to look futher afield but I really don't fancy a 335 mile trip home for my first drive but this looks a nice car any comments please?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

Scrub that its now sold

or in Glasgow

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

One big bug bear on this search is how inaccurate adverts on all the sites and especially when listing standard equipment. You think it would be easy to spot that a car does not have headlight washers so why are they listed? Makes me think the car is not what the seller thinks it is. The number of cars I've phoned about only to later find out it has a different engine than advertised is huge. Rant over

[geminimustang]

Is it the photos or are the panels different shades of grey? The door and rear panels look a different shade to bonnet and front wings.That's my perception.

[r100elp]

Have a look at the Sterling Grey 2.2 that is for sale on the forum now:

http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... 8a#p343799

It looks a nice car but wrong engine (insurance) and year (tax) plus high miles for top end of my budget. I also agree about the photos and the colour of the panels.

[r100elp]

Why?

Insurance will be the same

Tax is only £50 quid more

Panel colours are down to metallic and the light

Do some home work before dismissing the bigger engines, what is important with a zed is getting a nice example both body and mechanical. Bigger engines do not mean higher insurance. If you are mechanically minded then just get a great body example.

As I said price seems a little high too.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

Insurance is never the same I live in Northern Ireland its already high enough without going to a six pot 2.2

[r100elp]

Why?

Insurance will be the same

Tax is only £50 quid more

Panel colours are down to metallic and the light

Do some home work before dismissing the bigger engines, what is important with a zed is getting a nice example both body and mechanical. Bigger engines do not mean higher insurance. If you are mechanically minded then just get a great body example.

You are a bad man! I sent off a request for insurance for 3 different Zeds

1. 1.9 120 bhp 2000 car £220
2. 1.9 140 bhp 1999 car £295
3. 2.2 170 bhp 2001 car £355

Ok as stated tax is £270 instead of £220 and with the low mileage I'd be doing mpg doesn't really come into it.

Now all I need is a nice low mileage 2.2 for under £3K

Oh yeah and close to Northern Ireland

[marcusplowman]

Any luck with your search yet?

[r100elp]

No luck yet unless I'm prepared to spend 8 hours driving back from Kent

[///M_aniac]

No luck yet unless I'm prepared to spend 8 hours driving back from Kent

Hi mate, for the right car, you might need to travel. The trip would be exciting; an adventure, time for you and the car to bond - bloody good day out!

Don't be put off by the distance. I waited 2 years for my ///M and went to Aberdeen for it. I don't regret a single air, motorway or nautical mile.

[r100elp]

Ok is this worth an 8 hour drive?
http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-moto ... 1002544942