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  • Looking to buy an Mcoupe (new member)

    Hi all, this is my first post on the site although I have been reading it for a little while as I am currently looking to buy a Z3M Coupe - so please go easy on me...

    I currently drive a 2004 TVR T350c which is an absolutely amazing car and the best thing I have ever driven, even amongst lots of other exotica. In 3 years I have done over 20000 miles In the UK and Europe and am a firm beleiver that TVR's and all other sports cars are there to be driven (always with respect of course). I also have a daily run-around for the more mundane tasks.

    A new house purchase has forced me to evaluate my car situation to try and free up some cash thanks to the stupidly large deposits required at present to be able to secure a decent mortgage rate so hence my reason for looking to part with my beloved T350c.

    The idea is to replace the TVR with a Z3M Coupe up to the value of about £10-11k whilst I purchase and do up the house. Then once the house is done I intend to get straight back into a TVR and possibly keep the Z3M as a track day toy (owning what should be 2 future classics).

    I have recently seen a 98/S Estoril Blue Z3M with circa 90k miles that I quite like the look of. It has a few tasteful upgrades/modifications but is still essentially OEM which I like. The chap I spoke to was very helpful and told me the car has been stored for the last 12 months but gave me lots of info on the car with a bit of an overview of the work done which was reassuring. It has been serviced locally recently and not with BMW or a specialist.

    The couple of areas of concern for me relate to the boot floor problem and the Vanos (probably predictable I know...) because when I asked about the boot floor I was simply told that it was fine and shows no sign of needing anything doing to it. How in depth should I dig into this and when viewing the car what can I actually check for potential future problems.

    Regarding the Vanos I was told by the seller that the car is still on the original Vanos (at 90k miles) and has never shown any problems because it has always been run on the correct oil (not fully synthetic if memory serves me correctly) but when I asked when the valve clearances or the Vanos were last checked I was just told that they hadnt been, aside from the regular servicing. Should I be worried about this and should I be hearing alarm bells ringing?

    Am I worrying too much? perhaps wrongly because I know lots about valve clearances etc.. from the TVR as it is these combined with a lack of oil to the top end of TVR's Speed 6 engine which if not checked regularly (12k miles) and treated with respect when cold that leads to all the documented problems with TVR engines. For info, my T350c has now done 43k miles on the original engine following being looked after carefully and warmed up properly. Most people think (wrongly) that the TVR Speed 6 engine needs a rebuild every 10k miles.

    Any help would be hugely appreciated and thanks in advance.

  • #2
    Welcome to the Forum. Apologies for the delay in approving the post.

    On the vanos issue, do a forum search as this issue has been well discussed, but I am sure some others will come along with some advice.

    The boot floor is a real issue, particularly if the car has been stiffened up with mods. If it happens, it happens. c_w mended his and did a good thread on that. Just make sure you check it out before purchasing.
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    • #3
      Welcome

      Have a look here at this one - owned by a forum member, low mileage and all the nasties taken care of. Oh, its in the best colour too

      http://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9988

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      • #4
        welcome to the forum, there are lots of cars for sale at the moment some of which have been around for a while so sellers may be willing to do a good deal also check out at many as possible would be my advise. good luck with your search

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        • #5
          Originally posted by offyourmarks View Post
          Welcome

          Have a look here at this one - owned by a forum member, low mileage and all the nasties taken care of. Oh, its in the best colour too

          http://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9988

          +1. This is the one I'd go for I've seen it in the flesh it's a cracker
          oh and welcome
          [GROWING OLD IS COMPULSARY ---- GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL

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          • #6
            Thanks for the welcome messages and bits of advice on my potential purchase.

            I have to admit that the imola car looks beautiful but think I have my heart set on an estoril blue one so going to try view a few of them over the coming weeks.

            Ive definitely got concerns about the one I mentioned and would need to get somebody to check out the boot floor and investigate whether there are any issues showing. Its also an issue for me about the servicing and the fact that the valve clarances have not been checked/adjusted recently - but this may be me being over careful from owning the TVR...

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            • #7
              Test drive one first too, it may be a very different drive to the TVR! especially if standard.

              Valve clearances are not a big deal IMO, and rarely need adjusting. Bootfloor is either obvious or not but often has a bit of creaking from the back when setting off.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Stub101 View Post
                I have recently seen a 98/S Estoril Blue Z3M with circa 90k miles that I quite like the look of. It has a few tasteful upgrades/modifications but is still essentially OEM...
                sounds like this one: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1852944.htm

                best thing to do, is view it. have you done this?




                Click here to email me

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                • #9
                  Indy - you are indeed correct and I will hopefully get to view it over the next couple of weeks (with 2 others I have seen) as unfortunately I am travelling quite a bit with work at present.

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