Noobs! Introduce Yourselves!

[Tigershark48]

Welcome. Lots of knowledge and wisdom on this forum. Ask for help any time you like.

[therarestbundls]

the last thing i was told was that it has the euro chip in and it was set up to be run on the autobahn and then the guy left Germany and had the car flown back on a c130 transport directly to Florida, the only thing that says USA in the part that says its compliant with USA emissions standards. all the other badges are in German followed by English, and i believe it is in metric if i'm not mistaken. the part that throws me of is that is has a US VIN plate. according to my moms husband the first time the car was ever driven in the states was when he bought from the original owner right after he came back stateside from Germany. being my first BMW i am confused by this because as you stated all of the z3's were built in south carolina, did BMW maybe have a few done in Germany as like a prototype market test or something and maybe i was lucky enough to score one of those. that to me would be super awesome if it were case. regardless i can cruise in automatic or shift over to manual and have tons of fun either way.

[pjkeating]

My name is Paul. Just purchased a 1998 M Roadster, picking it up tomorrow. Really happy with the purchase as it has only logged 28K miles and in pristine condition. Question for you guys. Looked at getting it shipped from Phoenix, but the reputable carriers all quoted north of $1,300 dollars so I'm planning on flying out there and driving the car home to Houston. Tires are good (5 years old) and I'll obviously check fluids before taking off. Any concerns I should be aware of given it's about a 1,000 mile trip? I did verify subframe welds are intact.file-4.jpegfile2-2.jpegfile1-2.jpeg

[solimans]

My name is Paul. Just purchased a 1998 M Roadster, picking it up tomorrow. Really happy with the purchase as it has only logged 28K miles and in pristine condition. Question for you guys. Looked at getting it shipped from Phoenix, but the reputable carriers all quoted north of $1,300 dollars so I'm planning on flying out there and driving the car home to Houston. Tires are good (5 years old) and I'll obviously check fluids before taking off. Any concerns I should be aware of given it's about a 1,000 mile trip? I did verify subframe welds are intact.file-4.jpegfile2-2.jpegfile1-2.jpeg

Nice looking z! One thought I had was that you could rent a u-haul. Trailer it home...


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[me77]

Looks good! Be careful with that Genie garage door opener remote, I have the same one and it leaves a slight dent on the sunvisor.

[uksteve]

Hi I am Steve. I live in the UK. I own a 2001 Z3M. Love the car. It still scares me lol. Been relying on info from this site since I bought the car. Figured I better join the community as I now start to sort out all the little things with the car. First on my list is figuring out the anti theft system.

[Tigershark48]

Welcome Steve. I'm running the less scary 2000 Z3 M and have no experience with anti theft.

[therarestbundls]

Hi I am Steve. I live in the UK. I own a 2001 Z3M. Love the car. It still scares me lol. Been relying on info from this site since I bought the car. Figured I better join the community as I now start to sort out all the little things with the car. First on my list is figuring out the anti theft system.

when i got my 96 z3 i was told that when i put a new battery in it i have to put a 4 digit code into the radio otherwise the car will not start. not sure if that is of any help to you, it was the only thing that came to mind for me because it was insisted on me how important it was not to lose the code otherwise i would have to call over to germany or something. i wrote it down in 3 different places just because lol

[jcjasso]

Hello Gents, my name is Carlos in beautiful Charleston, SC. Currently own a 2017 535 and a 2016 X1 and I'm in the market for a Z3 but after reading about the subframe issues I'm a little afraid to buy it. For that issue, is it better to get an older model with the 4 cylinder engine instead of a late model with a larger engine? What's the best model year? I've found a 2001 Z3 with 86k miles that looks awesome (in pictures), haven't checked it yet.

Thanks for any advice.

[rasmuw]

Hello Gents, my name is Carlos in beautiful Charleston, SC. Currently own a 2017 535 and a 2016 X1 and I'm in the market for a Z3 but after reading about the subframe issues I'm a little afraid to buy it. For that issue, is it better to get an older model with the 4 cylinder engine instead of a late model with a larger engine? What's the best model year? I've found a 2001 Z3 with 86k miles that looks awesome (in pictures), haven't checked it yet.

Thanks for any advice.

A good friend of mine had a 4 cylinder z3 that was eventually totaled from a collision (not his fault). With the insurance money, he bought an M Roadster and has loved the transition from light and not so quick to a little heavier with a lot more power. From my reading on the forum, any of the six cylinder Z3 have enough power to put a smile on your face. All Z3 are subject to the subframe failure, but it seems that the more powerful cars that have been driven aggressively are more prone to the failure. Many have M cars have not experienced the failure, but all keep an eye on the spot welds. Some forum members have done the Randy Forbes subframe repair as a preventative measure, while others have had no choice. Forced induction or tracking a car almost necessitates the fix. If you want to avoid the worry, buy a car that has had the RF repair already; those are harder to find, and they will cost more.

[Tigershark48]

More power doesn't necessarily mean you'll drive it aggressively. I have a low mileage M roadster with no sub-frame issues. My outings are not ultra-conservative, but never wide open throttle accelleration pounding through the gears stuff. I'm not worried in the least about spot welds failing. I did change the rubber oem sub-frame bushings to Ireland Engineering poly-urethane recently as an extra precaution. Those are supposed to minimize any excessive flexing in the subframe from the drivetrain torque. If you're leaning towards a 4 cylinder, you obviously don't plan on racing the car or driving it that way. If you buy a 6 cylinder with good spot welds, no matter how many miles, you should be okay. The poly bushings would be a good upgrade.

[jcjasso]

I did change the rubber oem sub-frame bushings to Ireland Engineering poly-urethane recently as an extra precaution. Those are supposed to minimize any excessive flexing in the subframe from the drivetrain torque. If you're leaning towards a 4 cylinder, you obviously don't plan on racing the car or driving it that way. If you buy a 6 cylinder with good spot welds, no matter how many miles, you should be okay. The poly bushings would be a good upgrade.

Thanks guys. Where can I get the Ireland Engineering Polyurethane bushings?

[MartyBtoo]

Thanks guys. Where can I get the Ireland Engineering Polyurethane bushings?

http://www.iemotorsport.com/bmw/CTGY/Z3-parts.html

Marty

[Zedsled]

Hello I’m a N00b, my names Matt. 1998 Z3 2.8 got this car from ex bestie he was second owner from 99-2017
found this forum re searching randy Forbes my subframe is sepperating ugh

how do I add pics?

[jsun]

when i got my 96 z3 i was told that when i put a new battery in it i have to put a 4 digit code into the radio otherwise the car will not start. not sure if that is of any help to you, it was the only thing that came to mind for me because it was insisted on me how important it was not to lose the code otherwise i would have to call over to germany or something. i wrote it down in 3 different places just because lol

Is the code required with an after-market stereo unit, such as Sony and Kenwood?

[rasmuw]

Matt—You will need more posts before you can attach pictures.

[Tigershark48]

10 posts required to post pictures. Goes fast if you feel talkative.

This week in Wisconsin, we're expecting the temperature to break 80. Time to start enjoying some top down weather.
Looks like AZ is getting hotter too.

[delvec]

Is the code required with an after-market stereo unit, such as Sony and Kenwood?

I have a Kenwood aftermarket head unit....No code is required for aftermarket units.

[jsun]

I have a Kenwood aftermarket head unit....No code is required for aftermarket units.

Thanks for the info!

[CLOWN5HOE]

New 2000 M Coupe owner here. Titanium Silver / Black. 100K+ miles. Cosmetically very nice, but needs serious maintenance TLC.

[therarestbundls]

having a little trouble after swapping out my battery, i turn the key to position 2 to turn the radio on so that i am able to input the 4 digit code however my radio will not come on and the car will not crank. the dash lights come on, the digital clock comes on, the back lights around the radio come on but not the radio nor the headlights or running lights. the hazard lights work when i push the button but not the regular turn signals and the windows will not go down. all while the key is turned to the 2nd position on the ignition also the brake lights dont even come on when i press the brake pedal. am i going to have to replace the radio to fix this issue, or is this going to be something kinda major. i have the 4 digit code that was provided that my mothers husband called over to germany to get. im guessing the dealership close to him was unable to get it or something. i am completely stumped, i have power but it wont turn over almost as though it is security mode or something. any help with this would be tremendously appreciated.

[stungeon]

I am new. Just purchased a 2000 2.8 Z3 manual shift. 50k miles. Seems to be in great shape.


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[Tigershark48]

Wekcome Stungeon. Congrats on your Z3.

Fun car. Enjoy!

[jsun]

I am new here too. Got a white 2000 2.8 Coupe with 100k miles two weeks ago. Car is in great condition and it is perfect mechanically. It's a 4-speed auto but I just couldn't refuse the car...

[Tigershark48]

Welcum jsun.

Congratulations on your fun, classic car. Enjoy!