M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster
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eddie1
Joined: Sat 24 May, 2014 07:41
Posts: 136

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Scunthorpe

M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by eddie1 »

Hi just joined the site. I'm in the process of buying a Z3, minimal 2.8 requirement! preferably wide body. However Bro' in law might sell me his M roadster which is a beaut' in red, 3.2 etc. 100,000 on the clock. 2.8 is a tried and test unit very reliable. the roadster more technical unit 'Vanos' timing are there potential problems there? Also heard of diff/boot floor issues! Appreciate any comments, its head vs heart time, the roadster is a beauty, so spoils it when looking at 2.8 none wide bodies, altho' there are some cracking buys and spec on some of the none wides! help me guys, plus I can save a bundle by not buying the roadster! .... Eddie.

P.S Seen a nice 2.8 wide body, needs a bit of work around the windscreen, it a sort of black tape/vinyl covering can this be repaired?. Nothing major but would be nice to get it done!
roadvoyager1
Joined: Sun 19 Jan, 2014 18:30
Posts: 71

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by roadvoyager1 »

Take a look in the knowledge base for Z3, plenty of information and advice there. I believe all 2.8s are wide body with smaller (4cyl) engines having the narrow body until facelift after which all were wide body with restyled rear wings. I have a 2.8 and there is plenty of power for my needs, however, the model of choice for many seems to be the far more powerful M which is rarer and attracts a goods premium on price. Happy hunting and enjoy driving it; whatever you end up getting!
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Davejue1
Joined: Sun 22 Sep, 2013 07:25
Posts: 1249

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Mansfield

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by Davejue1 »

Hi, roadvoyager is correct that all 2.8's are wide body. There is the 3.0 to also consider which super ceded the 2.8 and although I haven't driven one myself is reported a smoother quicker more refined unit. I have a 2.8 and also find it a superb all rounder. The spot welds on the diff mount can be a problem on any car. Just check when viewing. As said above there is a huge difference in price. You can pick up a 2.8 needing a bit of work for £2000 or less. A good M will set you back £1000's more.
Good luck and welcome to the forum. :)

Cheers
Dave
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"Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional!"
johnz3
Joined: Wed 13 Sep, 2006 10:27
Posts: 670

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Pitsea

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by johnz3 »

The black surround is easily removed using a hair dryer to ease the backing. Done myself a few years ago when I had a 2.8. There is a post somewhere on here that outlines the process.
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Mint
Joined: Tue 01 Nov, 2011 18:43
Posts: 475

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Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by Mint »

Have you seen this? Crackin Zed, worth a look.

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=40114#p372226
Last edited by Mint on Sun 25 May, 2014 13:11, edited 1 time in total.
eddie1
Joined: Sat 24 May, 2014 07:41
Posts: 136

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Scunthorpe

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by eddie1 »

Thanks guys, also heard post 99 engine is the better engine on the 'M', plus two tone leather on 2.8s post 99 models only?
Z3cade
Joined: Sat 09 Jan, 2010 18:18
Posts: 2634

  M roadster S50
Location: Peterborough

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by Z3cade »

If you can afford to buy an M go for it.. You won't regret it ;)
///M Roadster - Evolve Stage 3
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Jonttt
Z Register member
Joined: Sun 28 Dec, 2008 16:32
Posts: 6554

  M roadster S54
Location: Liverpool

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by Jonttt »

The ///M had a facelift from 04/99 production but was same S50 engine. These cars don't attract a premium but have the later lined roof which is worth having.

The engine was changed to the later S54 m3 engine from 2001 to 2002 but there were only 73 RHD cars made so very rare and attract a premium. They also got traction control.

There was not that much real world difference between the 2.8 and 3 litre so to me it more depends on condition and which style rear you prefer. I prefer the earlier pre arse lift looks but again there is not much in it.
Happiness is not around the corner........happiness is the corner
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Gareth 161
Joined: Thu 08 Mar, 2012 23:41
Posts: 137

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Cornwall

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by Gareth 161 »

Is there a 3.0 in the pre facelift body as I currently have a 2.8 pre facelift(I also prefer this body shape) but was thinking of getting a 3.0 with the bit more power over the 2.8.
2001 3.0 Z3, 2008 Subaru Forester Xten
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BladeRunner919
Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
Posts: 2225

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by BladeRunner919 »

Gareth 161 wrote:Is there a 3.0 in the pre facelift body as I currently have a 2.8 pre facelift(I also prefer this body shape) but was thinking of getting a 3.0 with the bit more power over the 2.8.
No, there isn't.
Gareth 161
Joined: Thu 08 Mar, 2012 23:41
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Cornwall

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by Gareth 161 »

Shame-Means I will either have to play around with my current 2.8 to improve the output or look for an early pre facelift Z3M, presumably with the S50 engine?
2001 3.0 Z3, 2008 Subaru Forester Xten
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Gazza
Joined: Tue 04 Oct, 2005 20:58
Posts: 9521

  M roadster S54
Location: Romford Essex

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by Gazza »

Gareth 161 wrote: look for an early pre facelift Z3M, presumably with the S50 engine?
All M's are pre-facelift ;)
Gazza

"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"

Z3 S54 M roadster Image, BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
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bazza1966
Joined: Thu 21 Nov, 2013 10:09
Posts: 92

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by bazza1966 »

Gareth you could always get your 2.8 super charged it would run at about 400BHP about 80 more BHP than Z3? :lol:
Bazza (East Dorset)
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Jonttt
Z Register member
Joined: Sun 28 Dec, 2008 16:32
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  M roadster S54
Location: Liverpool

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by Jonttt »

That's if you prefer forced induction over NA. To me one of the main appeals of the striaght 6 BMW s is they are not forced induction.

Give me 325bhp NA over 400 forced any day ;-)
Happiness is not around the corner........happiness is the corner
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
Posts: 818

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by lightning »

I would look at the Z3 3.0

It has 231bhp where the 2.8 is 193. Also they strengthened the boot floor on the later ones, meaning diff mount failure is less likely.
I had a 2.8 and now l have a 3.0.

Both are great cars but the 3.0 is better, and noticeably faster. Plus the 3.0 came with uprated "sport" suspension which gives improved handling.
Or so l am told. The 3.0 seems to have a slightly firmer ride, but l never pushed either car to their limit.
eddie1
Joined: Sat 24 May, 2014 07:41
Posts: 136

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Scunthorpe

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by eddie1 »

Well in the end I got a 2.8, 97 model 68,000 on the clock good natural clean engine. Black paint wide body, very good condition all round. A little bit of work on the alloys, plus a little corrosion on the bottom of the wheel arches. All very minimal, I will get the wheels done, with only one wheel having the most work required! it will pay to have them all done To match. Looked at a few 3.2s, a 90m+ trip to Manchester was the best seen, this car had clearly been stood outside for a while as the was a lot of corrosion on the engine, and the discs were well brown with rust, wheels were quite blown too. The other 3.2 at Bedford was a waist of a journey ( 120 miles each way! ) never again will I trust a dealers photo set. The car looked great on the photos, an unusual green. The guy swore blind it was good, getting there from 30ft away I could see it was rough at £8000, it needed a lot of work. He dropped it a grand, but it still wasn't enough! after 10 mins I drove home again. I'd seen the 2.8 before and knew it was a good motor, I just wanted to look around a bit, there's a lot out there! In the end I love this car, plenty fast enough and looks great. Get the little rust sorted on the wheel arch bottoms and the wheels done, with some new hub badges and she''ll look great. ...... 'well chuffed' as they say! ...... Oh yeah there's a 3.2 estoril blue, in Bristol with a two and a half grand Schnitzer exhaust, for nearly £9,000 a really nice motor, would have sounded amazing. But it was the schnitzer that put me off, I like original! The 2.8 cost me less than half that and does it for me! ...... Happy days!
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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by Southernboy »

Congrats Eddie.... My last Z3 was a '97 2.8... and a really magic car it was too. I know you'll enjoy your new toy.... and if you kid yourself that it's just the wheels and a bit of rust...well that's OK... I'm sure you'll find other little "bits" to restore.... :wink:
"Normal is overrated"
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Davejue1
Joined: Sun 22 Sep, 2013 07:25
Posts: 1249

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Mansfield

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by Davejue1 »

Good man, welcome to the club. I love my 2.8. Yes of course the M is a more superior car but it's horses for courses. You get what you pay for and the 2.8 represents fantastic value for money. Enjoy, I'm sure you will! :)

Cheers
Dave
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"Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional!"
eddie1
Joined: Sat 24 May, 2014 07:41
Posts: 136

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Scunthorpe

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by eddie1 »

Thanks Guys, Southernboy,I not saying the car is perfect =, its 17yrs old. So I'm not saying its nearly mint. Its just very good for a car that age. Serviced regularly, with BMW stamps. Nice clean oil, Garaged Last 2yrs, a woman owner, who never drove it. 'true!' Sure, I expect problems along the way! But it is a nice example, I've always liked the Z3 2.8, the M is the kiddie, and a totally different car. My bro' in law has a beauty in red, he's drove mine and likes it. I think he quite likes the black! This is plenty of car for me, I'm just gonna enjoy it! ...... thanks again guys, look forward to attending some of the meets!
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Davejue1
Joined: Sun 22 Sep, 2013 07:25
Posts: 1249

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Mansfield

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by Davejue1 »

You could start by coming to shepshead In august. :D
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"Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional!"
eddie1
Joined: Sat 24 May, 2014 07:41
Posts: 136

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Scunthorpe

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by eddie1 »

Dave, where is Shepshead? I live in Scunthorpe, North Lincs!
eddie1
Joined: Sat 24 May, 2014 07:41
Posts: 136

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Scunthorpe

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by eddie1 »

Plus I've tried loading a picture, however, it keeps say the file is too big, is there another way?
eddie1
Joined: Sat 24 May, 2014 07:41
Posts: 136

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Scunthorpe

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by eddie1 »

Near Loughborough, right?
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Mint
Joined: Tue 01 Nov, 2011 18:43
Posts: 475

  blank

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by Mint »

eddie1 wrote:Plus I've tried loading a picture, however, it keeps say the file is too big, is there another way?
You can't load photos straight to the forum, you have to host them somewhere else. Have a look at this thread http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7658
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Davejue1
Joined: Sun 22 Sep, 2013 07:25
Posts: 1249

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Mansfield

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by Davejue1 »

Yeah near Loughborough. Click on forum at the top of the screen and read the link on how to download pics. You need to use a site such as photobucket but it will explain there what to do . :)
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Koolflyer
Joined: Fri 05 Jul, 2013 15:51
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by Koolflyer »

'Shepshed, Leics'.......two miles west of Loughborough, just west of M1 (J23).......really nice venue, perhaps see you there? Cheers Pete. (and you Dave :wink: )
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1997 Z3 2.8 (M52) Roadster Montreal blue
2013 330d (F31) M Sport Alpine White
peter2b
Joined: Sat 01 Nov, 2014 18:47
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  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: cheshire

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by peter2b »

Any one going from my area fancy making a convoy (sy13)
Peter2b
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Jonttt
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Joined: Sun 28 Dec, 2008 16:32
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  M roadster S54
Location: Liverpool

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by Jonttt »

Your about 12 months too late :shock:
Happiness is not around the corner........happiness is the corner
Image Video or Journal Garage: 2015 FFRR Black Edition, Porsche Boxster GTS, 1997 Porsche Carrara C4S, Ex 2001 BMW S54 Z3m Roadster
peter2b
Joined: Sat 01 Nov, 2014 18:47
Posts: 963

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: cheshire

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by peter2b »

I thought there was a meet this year at shepshed
peter2b
gookah
Z Register member
Joined: Thu 07 Aug, 2008 09:51
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: M Roadster or 2.8 wide body?

Post by gookah »

peter2b wrote:I thought there was a meet this year at shepshed
peter2b

Yes 16th August, you were replying to an old thread... :D

here is the one you need, Midland Meet. http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... =1&t=42111
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I have an element of 'M-styling' on my car, If that's a good enough reason for the manufacturers to adorn a 320 with the M badge, then its certainly a good enough reason for me..
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