I'm getting a Z3 Yee-Ha!

Super-Fly-Guy · Post by **Super-Fly-Guy** » Wed 16 Aug, 2006 19:31

I've been driving a smart (for2 coupe) for 3 years now & have toyed with buying alot of different cars over the last 6 months between TT's, E46 330 coupes & E36 M3's I've just been so indecisive but after my friends bought A Boxter s, A New SLK, A Z4. An S2000 & A new MX5 I felt it was just time to become part of this the roadster rage! Going for a '97/'98 Z3 1.9 Either Black or Silver, I'm looking for one with Black Leather and maybe some nice extras but will see what pops up, I live in Northern Ireland & any owners seem to want to keep them so i'm gonna travel across to England and source a nice one..4 Things I wanna do are, 18'S (BBS RK2 or Breyton Magics) Sebring rear silencer, Slightly lowered (35mm??) and I would love to get the MZ3 Side Gills, can these be bought anywhere separately and can anybody suggest any other nice extras or any info on buying the motor??

Tourniquet · Post by **Tourniquet** » Wed 16 Aug, 2006 21:34

Aim a little higher than the 1.9 if you can. nothing wrong with it per se but a little more poke on the straights never hurts, plus the larger engines have wider rear tyres and flared arches.

1: 18" rims
It can be done, but be aware it may increase the cars tendency to tramline (follow the ruts in the road)
2: silencer
as long as it's not one of those ridiculously large diameter 'zorsts' it should be fine
3: lowered
may affect handing adversely, by all means do it but ensure all your tyres are the same make and brand, and are performance oriented (there are plenty of posts in the forums about tyre choice)
4: gills
I seem to recall reading somewhere that the M gills are a slightly different fit than the Z gills. could be wrong but its worth checking into it before hand.
You can usualy find a pair of M gills floating around on e-bay if your lucky, just dont expect to find them immediately.

other mods to consider

strut brace: should help counteract some of the negatives you may get from the rims and lowering
butt strut and body brace: no experience of these myself yet, but more of the stiffening goodness can't be bad

Barry.m · Post by **Barry.m** » Thu 17 Aug, 2006 06:48

If you can stretch it I would pass on the 1.9lt and go for the 2.0lt, it's more responsive.

Alfie · Post by **Alfie** » Thu 17 Aug, 2006 07:21

Forget the ///M gills and spend the money on a strut brace.
NO contest.

And the 2.0 would be a much better bet.

A.

Yella · Post by **Yella** » Thu 17 Aug, 2006 18:31

I have a 1.9 in black and to be honest I'm with the guys above IF I had the choice again I would go for the 2.2 or the 2.8 purely because if you don't you will end up like myself trying to attain more horse power. OK they are indeed nippy little cars but these days 225bhp is standard in most little hot hatches and the 1.9 with 140bhp is just a let down, it may look the part but when a seat ibiza can out run you it aint funny. I have boosted my bhp to around 170 but it's still lacks performance and it looks like a 50bhp shot of nos is order to keep me happy. The rear arches are no where near and sexy as the larger engined models in my opinion although I'm not keen on the facelift models. I used Eibach lowering springs on mine but changed them for FK coilovers as the drop was not low enough with the springs but depends what look and ride you desire. I have spent a fair bit on modifying mine and well I could of just bought a 2.8 to be honest. At the time Insurance and petrol was what swayed me although thats no longer a problem, If you can afford it GET the 2.8.

Just a thought from a 1.9 owner and I've had mine nearly 3yrs It's made me smile but it's pretty much all show no go from these.

///M_aniac · Post by **///M_aniac** » Tue 03 Oct, 2006 09:56

Super-Fly-Guy wrote:I've been driving a smart (for2 coupe) for 3 years now & have toyed with buying alot of different cars over the last 6 months between TT's, E46 330 coupes & E36 M3's I've just been so indecisive but after my friends bought A Boxter s, A New SLK, A Z4. An S2000 & A new MX5 I felt it was just time to become part of this the roadster rage! Going for a '97/'98 Z3 1.9 Either Black or Silver, I'm looking for one with Black Leather and maybe some nice extras but will see what pops up, I live in Northern Ireland & any owners seem to want to keep them so i'm gonna travel across to England and source a nice one..4 Things I wanna do are, 18'S (BBS RK2 or Breyton Magics) Sebring rear silencer, Slightly lowered (35mm??) and I would love to get the MZ3 Side Gills, can these be bought anywhere separately and can anybody suggest any other nice extras or any info on buying the motor??

Hi mate,

Did you make a purchase? I'm from Belfast.

Jimmy · Post by **Jimmy** » Tue 03 Oct, 2006 12:11

The 1.9 16v is the sensible option of the bunch as a 140bhp wont cause you trouble getting up hills, you wont break the bank on fuel & group 14 insurance wont be something you dread to renew

It depends on what you want it for. Show or Go.

But the 1.9 is a lil breathless (even modified) & quite allot of cars will have no worries keepin up.

Modifying it will make it more responsive & will gratley improve handling esp on the 1.9 but it wont make it a Porshe

IMO

1.if you want to scare your friends for less money than a MX5 & still want looks to boot buy a Lotus S2 Elise.

2.If you want an awesome car which is more practical than that, looks timeless & you can actually use it, with nice performance get a 2.8 Z3.

pjharris101 · Post by **pjharris101** » Fri 20 Oct, 2006 12:57

If you can buy a 2.8.

Test drive one - You WILL fall in love with the torque.

High torque (at a low rpm) is far more important than high bhp.

ChrisXL · Post by **ChrisXL** » Fri 20 Oct, 2006 13:50

Forget about the Sebring silencers, they look so chav. Good for Golf and Astra though

All IMO of course.

Going through the list of all your mates cars I think the 1.9 would be rather disappointing to you. Don't get me wrong, it still is a very nice car, has the looks and is not severly underpowered.

Still, better take the time and look for a nice 2.8 prefacelift model, single Vanos. Shouldn't be too much of a price difference.

Paul.Stuhlfelder · Post by **Paul.Stuhlfelder** » Fri 20 Oct, 2006 14:49

Save the pennies a little longer, and embarras your mates in a MZ3

ChrisXL · Post by **ChrisXL** » Fri 20 Oct, 2006 14:51

True

Kipper · Post by **Kipper** » Fri 20 Oct, 2006 18:05

Agree with Alfie - fit a strut brace, I've just done it and worth every penny.

If you can afford it get at least a 2 litre, in my opinion you need a six cylinder engine, 2.2 is sweet, 2.8 is a cracker for the money.

whiteminks · Post by **whiteminks** » Sat 21 Oct, 2006 08:22

Hi Superfly guy,

I think the M's are great but take a lot of pennies to keep running.
Unless you are a millionaire you might be better to go for a non-m.
I have the 2.2i sport roadster which is great on petrol ( for a Z3) and really has some welly!

I can afford to use it daily and it would be such as shame to leave it in the garage because of high running costs.

I must say originally I went for the Z3's looks and wouldn't have minded a 1.8, 1.9 , 2.0 or 2.2 but a really nice 2.2 came up and I bought it. I wouldn't give up the power now because it is just fantastic for overtaking etc...
If you buy the 2.2 Sport roadster you also get some of the benefits of the M like the suspension and the classy chrome trim etc.........
Difficult decision but I hope you find one to suit soon!

Ruud1boy · Post by **Ruud1boy** » Sat 21 Oct, 2006 10:05

Go for a 2.8. It'll cost you about the same money & although you'll spend a bit more on fuel, it's worth it.

I was choosing between 2.0 & 2.8 & the smaller engined cars just felt s-o-o-o s-l-o-o-o-w!!!!

big cheesy · Post by **big cheesy** » Sat 21 Oct, 2006 18:24

Lots of recommendations for strut braces. I fancy one but is it easily fittable by a mechanically challenged moron (me) or am I best finding someone to fit for me.

Kipper · Post by **Kipper** » Sat 21 Oct, 2006 19:04

I'm mechanically inept so had mine fitted when serviced.
I understand if you have half a clue it's a doddle.

Just make sure the car is on an even surface and check there's enough clearance for the bonnet to close without hitting the strut.

If in doubt ask a mate or your local garage.

Tourniquet · Post by **Tourniquet** » Sat 21 Oct, 2006 19:28

Tis simplicity itself. undo 6 nuts, put on brace, put 6 nuts back on.

All you need is the right type of brace (it is shaped differently for 4 or 6 pots), a socket set, possibly an allen key set and prefferably a torque wrench in the 16lb/ft range. Opinion is divided over whether you really need to use a torque wrench. I did.

johnz3 · Post by **johnz3** » Sat 21 Oct, 2006 19:29

Sorry to appear thick but can someone expalin the benefits of a strut brace. Thanks

Tourniquet · Post by **Tourniquet** » Sat 21 Oct, 2006 19:47

Because the Z3 is a convertible its chassis is prone to flexing and twisting more than a car that has a roof.

The brace helps to counteract this flex. the practical upshot is less tendancy to understeer (less weight transfer under load), fewer creaks and groans, more pleasant handling over slightly rough roads and an extra bit of metal in your engine bay to grin at.

zroadster.net

I'm getting a Z3 Yee-Ha!

I'm getting a Z3 Yee-Ha!

Re: I'm getting a Z3 Yee-Ha!

Strut Brace