Z3 Beginner

[warhammer23]

Good day.
I'm interested in a Z3. Really like the car for a long time.
I've got the BMW bug since my E34.
Now it's time to get an upgrade.
But of course i have some questions if i may ask for your help
I like the e34 and its M50 engine because of simplicity, pure analog era.
For me less is more.

1.Is there any engine available on the Z3 that has from factory a cable operated throttle?
2.If the vanos fails will the engine still work and how will it affect the power delivery i mean will it still be smooth or when i hit max torque it will twitch ?
3.Do all Z3 have electric mirrors and electric windows? Can i install manual operated ones?
4.Is the m43 118 hp a better quality engine than m44?
5.What is your best engine for this car?
6.Any big heads up, major know problems particular to the Z3?

Maybe some silly but like i said i like analog era and i hate electronics
Any input is of great help.
Thank you.

[beerbelly]

2.8 has a cable throttle and its much nicer since I fitted a new cable

[Mike Fishwick]

1. Yes - 1.9, 2.0 and 2.8 litres.

2. Worn VANOS seals just take an edge of performance.

3. Standard on all Z3 models.

4. No - it is a softer engine, but is less powerful, but being a later engine it is more environmentally friendly.

5. Depends on your requirements - 2.2 - 2.8 (all a bit old now) - 3 litre. Forget M Roadsters unless you want more power than you will be able to use.

6. No show-stoppers.

[warhammer23]

Perfect. Thank you for the information.

1.So overall the M44 engine is good. Does it have a DISA on all z3 ?

2.Regarding the M52b28, are all via cable ? or only the single vanos ones?

[Mike Fishwick]

The M44 is very good indeed - tons better than the equivalent VW Golf GTi 16 valve engine. Like the earlier M42 engine it has a DISA valve. The M52 engine does not have DISA - this arrived on the sixes with the M52TU in September 1998. The M44 is very tunable, a pair of Kent 321R cams will probably ass about 15 - 20 bhp, and make it feel like a sports car! We had these, and a good cylinder head job, on our VW Corrado 16V, and the result was amazing.

All 2.8 engines use a throttle cable.

[warhammer23]

Perfect.
I'm a detail freak so i like to know as much as i can.

I did some digging on the bmw parts list.
So this is what i've got regarding all RHD Z3s engines and production dates:

L4s
M43TU/B19 - 118 hp - from 09/98 - until 06/02 - via cable
M44B19 - 140 hp - 07/95 - 04/99 - you said with Disa , part 6 i think
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/Z3-Ro ... ld_system/

L6s
M52TUb20 - 150 hp - 09/98 - 10/00 - Double Vanos - so w/ Disa -part 6
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/Z3-Ro ... ld_system/

M54B22 - 170 hp - 01/00 - 06/02 - it's M54 so 2x vanos and disa - part 7
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/Z3-Ro ... ld_system/


M52B28 - 193 hp - 01/97 - 08/98 - single vanos, the wierd manifold, cable throttle, and are these the years with the Nikasil problems or no problem with RHD ones?
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/Z3-Ro ... on_system/

M52TUb28 - 193 hp - 09/98 - 05/00 - double vanos, different maniolfd & stuff, but you say also with cable ?
here i see disa
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/Z3-Ro ... ld_system/

M54b30 - 231 hp - 09/99 - 06/02


I'm asking about the DISA because i know it all plastic and it will fail, but i think there is an upgrade metal kit, this one.
If i have troubles with it, just do the conversion and i'm am set?

http://www.i6automotive.co.uk/disa-valve-kits/

Thank you for the patience with me

[Mike Fishwick]

The DISA on the older engines - M52TU - does not fail. It's that later M54 engines which have the problem - there are overhaul kits sold for the E46, but not the E36, which is an indicator of their relative reliability figures.

I removed the 126,000 mile old DISA from my 2.8 and found everything to be fine - there is even a small compartment to prevent the pivot rivet from falling into the enigne - but it was really secure anyway.

All my car has asked for are a thermostat and a clutch switch (known problems) after about four years, a viscous fan coupling, a washer pump, and a battery after twelve years. I gave it a new water pump as a preventative measure, and likewise a set of dampers and poly wishbone bushes, at around 80,000 miles. The hood was getting a little worn, but not leaking, when it was replaced about three years ago.

[warhammer23]

Thank you Mike again for the info.

Yes regular maintenance items on your engine, the same for my M50, so good to hear the M52s are also good, also with the disa.

[warhammer23]

My mistake.

You are wright regarding the throttle cable.

I presumed that Disa automaticaly implies digital acc pedal. Like the
M54 engines.

So yes 1.9, 2.0 and 2.8 have cable acc.

And thier Disa is like the resonance flap from the E34 M5 but different scale.

------
Regarding ASC/DSC.

ASC was standard on all 2.8 ?
DSC was standard on all M54s?

[Mike Fishwick]

Forgot to add that my car also asked for a new air con tensioner pulley - about £30 even in France, where BMW bits are more expensive than in the UK, but VW parts are cheaper . . . I'll give it a new alternator belt tensioner pulley this year.

The Z3 has the lowest running costs of any car I have ever owned!