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BMW Z3 Maintenance & Repair

104 messages,  Last post on Dec 28, 2012 at 10:38 PM

You are in the Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW Z3, Convertible

Messages Page 11 of 11

#95 of 104 Re: Looking for a car [55396] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 03, 2011 (11:44 am)

Replying to: 55396 (Dec 02, 2011 10:56 pm)
You have to be very careful with Boxsters, especially the early ones, as they have a potentially fatal engine defect---intermediate main shaft bearing failure. Always take any used Boxster to a Porsche specialist, where, if they know what they are doing, they'll remove the oil filter and cut it in half and look for signs of bearing degeneration. If you don't, you may be in line for a $12,000 engine...or...if you catch it in time, a $4000 retro-fit for the bearing.

#96 of 104 Re: Looking for a car [Mr_Shiftright] by hambonecampana

Dec 03, 2011 (11:47 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 03, 2011 11:44 am)
What are everyone's thoughts on the Audi TT? I automatically shy away from Audi's because I worked at an Audi Dealership a while back, and they always seemed to have problems. You got to know customers pretty well as they seemed to be in so often.

#97 of 104 Re: Looking for a car [Mr_Shiftright] Boxster by 55396

Dec 03, 2011 (12:16 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 03, 2011 11:44 am)
EYOW! Thanks for that bit of info. Is there a point where they resolved that problem? I was looking for 2000 or newer. Is there more in a Boxster or other forum etc? How about the 911?

#98 of 104 Re: Looking for a car [Mr_Shiftright] Boxster [55396] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 03, 2011 (12:41 pm)

Replying to: 55396 (Dec 03, 2011 12:16 pm)
This video explains the problem.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvLRMGs-Ti8
 
While there were some attempts at rectifying this issue, you can't be entirely safe until the redesigned 987 in the year 2009 I believe.
 
Not every Boxster will do this of course, but god help you if you don't have any potential purchase thoroughly checked out.

#99 of 104 Re: Looking for a car [Mr_Shiftright] Boxster [55396] [Mr_Shiftright] by 55396

Dec 03, 2011 (1:38 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 03, 2011 12:41 pm)
Thanks. You can be sure any potential purchase will be checked out. I assume even if good at purchase, it could happen at any time unless it was just a certain series of bearings that were bad. I can't imagine any responsible manufacturer allowing a fatal problem like this to continue in production without an upgrade to deal with it. I guess the safest thing is to stay with Japan, and I hate to say that, but they earned it. We have an 03 Toyota Avalon that just turned 100k and still drives like new, but with a suspension upgrade by choice at 50k (See 04 and earlier forum), and just read where a guy just turned 200k with his. Kept it because it was the best of any car he has owned.
 
Maybe the Z3 wasn't a bad choice after all. I will say that the 1.9 seems to be a sweet engine, and sounds like an engine.
 
BTW, it seems that your Spell Check isn't working.

#100 of 104 Re: Looking for a car [Mr_Shiftright] Boxster [55396] [Mr_Shiftright] [55396] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 03, 2011 (1:59 pm)

Replying to: 55396 (Dec 03, 2011 1:38 pm)
what's misspelled?

#101 of 104 Re: Looking for a car [Mr_Shiftright] Boxster [55396] [Mr_Shiftright] [55396] [Mr_Shiftright] by 55396

Dec 03, 2011 (2:16 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 03, 2011 1:59 pm)
I corrected misspellings myself as I knew they were there when I clicked on spellcheck. It said No spelling errors found, so I fixed myself.

#102 of 104 Is it worth it ? by photooo7

Dec 26, 2012 (11:55 pm)

I recently wrecked my Jeep and now have a chance to buy a 2000 BMW Z3. It has the power top and a optional hard top and rack. The car truly is mint. Only 30,000 miles from individual who found it to be not a practical car for them so it sat in a garage. My problem is the only other cars i find like this within 500 miles usually have close or over 100,000 miles or more. I would have to pay $3000- $4000 over current book value for this car. $13,000- $14,000 is what I think I can buy it for. Forget practical, Would you pay the "over price".
 Any input would help. Thanks, John

#103 of 104 Re: Is it worth it ? [photooo7] by lhs2miler

Dec 27, 2012 (6:35 am)

Replying to: photooo7 (Dec 26, 2012 11:55 pm)
I'd say yes, but it's a tough call. 3 years ago I got a 1999 BMW Z3 Coupe for $16k with 12k miles on it. It's had some work to do from sitting around so long, but otherwise very pleased. Though I think the coupe is worth more for the uniquness factor. I think 13,000 is reasonable, realizing it'll still have some work down the road.

#104 of 104 Re: Is it worth it ? [lhs2miler] by photooo7

Dec 28, 2012 (10:38 pm)

Replying to: lhs2miler (Dec 27, 2012 6:35 am)
I bought it. Drove it. I'm in love with it. I'm used to all out American muscle. I have a 1970 Z/28, too nice to drive. A 1969 big block Camaro convertible, too Wild to drive . A 1995 Trans Am. OK to drive. But this Beamer just seems to shout " class " to everyone who sees it. Fun to drive. A different kind of power.

Messages Page 11 of 11

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