Z3 problems, probably set for scrapping

karl · Post by **karl** » Fri 17 Jul, 2009 12:00

I've had a few car issues recently, started when the car began to overheat. This manifested itself in intermittent problems with heat being delivered to the cabin and then temp guage rising and falling from the red. I had the car recovered to the local specialist where it was diagnosed with a broken radiator and split cooland pipe near the head.

Unfortunately this has not fully resolved the issue. The car is very rough on starting for a couple of seconds and is then driveable fine. The car does not overheat after this although I have not taken it for an extended run, the most likely culprit I am told is the HG. What is happening they believe is on initial startup, water is being burnt from the chamber (due to HG failure).

To complicate matters the car failed it's MOT due to corroded brake lines, all of them. Probably £100 in parts but significantly more in man hours.

A little background on the car. It's a '98 2.8 and was bought by me in Jan 2001 on 27k. It has now had a couple of return trips to the moon and has reached 193K. A good life I think you will agree

With the mileage and age in mind, I have decided not to spend any further money on it and let it go to the best offer. Do you think this is the best approach, put it on ebay with the faults listed and see what I get? Is it worth more elsewhere or in parts?

The condition of the car shows it's age. There are the usual stonechips and a few rust spots (bit more on one wing mirror and in front of one of the rear arches). The 17" round spokes at the front could do with a refurb, the lacquer has peeled in a number of places. Tyres are pretty good and are Bridgestone S03s.

I suppose I'm thinking are the parts worth more than the sum. There's a brand new radiator in there for starters (list price of £200). It also had a suspension overhaul at 156K. Fitted Bilstein dampers and H&R springs, the equivalent of the suspension that was fitted to the sports model. It has roll hoops, wind deflector (fabric), ACS short shift kit (which is great). Hardtop in Cosmos Black has just been put in the stock exchange forum @ offers over £400

Who would this be worth something to and a rough idea of what I should be looking for?

Any guidance on this appreciated. I have had great times with this car, gutted that I will be parting company with it.

Cheers
Karl

Althulas · Post by **Althulas** » Fri 17 Jul, 2009 15:37

On pistonheads decent ones are going for 4.5 to 6K but might be worth while getting a quote fro repairs and then deducting that from ??5K, but there are plenty for people to buy without the hassle of a project car. Would it better to PX for another Z?

karl · Post by **karl** » Wed 22 Jul, 2009 12:54

any other thoughts? It would make a great project car for someone. I can't decide if I'll get more money by selling in one piece or by stripping it down

PVR · Post by **PVR** » Wed 22 Jul, 2009 13:12

Buy a new car and use the scrappage allowance of 2k?

karl · Post by **karl** » Wed 22 Jul, 2009 13:49

Thought of that then had a look at found I could get similar discounts anyway (depending on model)

We've also bought another car and I'm swapping cars with my wife, we bought her a Merc A-class

I think I just can't face that after 8 1/2 years I will be Zed-less! And scapping for a few hundred quid seems wrong

c_w · Post by **c_w** » Wed 22 Jul, 2009 13:58

Scrapping it seems a bit OTT for the problems mentioned. Someone might want this as a trackday car as the 2.8 is pretty quick.

Someone on www.northloop.co.uk may want it.

gypsycatcha · Post by **gypsycatcha** » Wed 22 Jul, 2009 14:54

I scrapped my old compact after 7 years of service and really wish i didnt. All it needed was some attention and tlc

but the result was me getting my zed

I think u should get some pics up and try and sell it. Like others have already said, someone good with there hands or fancy a project will snap her up. Atleast give her the chance to find love again before the grubby monkeys get their hands on her.

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Mon 27 Jul, 2009 10:23

Can't advise without seeing total cost to sort the HG and the pipes for the ticket.

Brake lines are easy money for testers who reckon on getting the work from the failure. Assuming you know what constiutes a fails and what doesnt' there may be some madness in cleaning up the existing lines and connectors and treating them with waxoyl coating then getting a test elsewhere. I am not advocating running a car with dnagerouis parts or you selling same but it would be a shame to take car off the road due to an issue that might not present itself for another tester in dslightly diferent circ.s .FWIW the tester I use knows he wont get work on back of any failures- he does my tickets only.

As for cost to do the HG I would shop around for prices and get quotes from reputable indies or maybe see if you can find a qualified and competent mechanic who does private work for cash. Another option would be to find a salavage donor engine but consider nikasil issues if sourcing a non Z3 lump....cant comment re any other compatability issues..........I have taken time to do a quick search online and theres a salvage Z3 2.8 with seller claiming a good lump fitted here http://www.partsgateway.co.uk/cgi-bin/nnm.cgi?pid=14

Once you have figures for work,(& with a realistic market value for the car sorted), you will know if its worth selling sorted, selling as project, breaking, or keeping etc.

Obviusly it seems the HG failure is as result of the engine overheating as result of coolant leak from the damaged radiator.

karl · Post by **karl** » Mon 27 Jul, 2009 10:50

Thanks for taking the time to reply, some great points you have made. Agree on the brake lines and MOT testers, I can't believe that all lines passed last year and then this year they all need replacing.

The partsgateway idea is a good one, i have asked for a quote for any available M52 non-nikasil engine and I'll see what they come back with

Cheers

Karl

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Mon 27 Jul, 2009 10:58

No problem,

I checked credentials of the partsgateway site and was usnure initially who was breaking the car...............a check of thext shows its quarry motors so you shouldnt have problem there.........for a price they would transpant too & the savings from getting lump elsewhere and labour elsewhere should be considered against hassles and costs to collect the lump and deliver it with car to mechanic premises.

Worth trying fab recycling also but theyre not always cheap.........be careful if using non bmw salvage firms and I would avoid using the sites where you enter details and they get circualted nationally.I have had probs in pats with misdescribed and non delivered parts from dodgy breakers promising ther world.

Re the pipes - most cars of that age have some visible surface marks, however, if rubbed smooth & coated properly then you may be more succesful on a test elsewhere.....once again I would only do this if they arent rotten or in need of replacement.

Some also use grease as in link below but some may feel this isnt as good as prevention as waxoyl which dries forming a waxy rubber like coating when dried anyway proof of someone who cleaned lines and passed

http://www.e46zone.com/forum/index.php? ... st&p=61439

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Mon 27 Jul, 2009 11:17

This breaker useful but I would avoid flood damaged cars http://www.bmspares.co.uk/new_breakers_Zseries.htm

and these folk good http://www.cooksferry.com/

That's enough to keep you busy for a while.

Obviously trawling/searching other bmw boards will give details of bmw breakers up and down the u.k.

Good Luck - Whatever you decide.

Oh and btw my brake lines recently passed M.O.T.

topfuelking · Post by **topfuelking** » Mon 27 Jul, 2009 17:46

hi
when i damaged my 2.8 i got a s/hand enging and gearbox for £300
from http://www.bmwowner.com/forum/

karl · Post by **karl** » Mon 27 Jul, 2009 21:24

thanks for the replies, plenty for me to search through

topfuelking - How much work (hours) was there in swapping the engine and gearbox out? Will give me an idea of the fitting costs if I can source the engine

Cheers