Why did it take me so long !

SimonGT

Newbie
British Zeds
Joined
Jul 24, 2025
Points
3
Model of Z
2.8 Roadster Manual
Its taken several years until i had the Z3 epiphany, the best fun per £ available. So, after years of talking my budget up and down through school/university fees and various family costs ...... almost on ropey 911's, ugly boxsters and rotten MX5's, and maybe i just buy more motorbikes ..... i got to the Z3 and have no idea why i didn't go sooner ..... so apologies for doubting

Picked up an immaculate (so far) silver 1999 Z3 Roadster 2.8 manual hardtop, red leather and all the options. I'm even considering digging out the old nokia 6310 to fit in the nokia branded mobile holder. 43k miles and sooooo clean..... although the rears have a 2002 manufacture stamp and the consistency of a plastic bucket .... goodyear eagles (91Y) getting fitted tomorrow

Not looked back or regretted one moment since the weekend.

Very very happy, and have been nipping out at 7am every day since to take it around the country lanes trying to find something wrong, which has so far come down to a stiff accelerator pedal...... maybe an old cable or sticky spring, either way i think thats a simple investigation and fix and until then i need to man-up as this is pre fly-by-wire tech ! .... but what a proper, analogue, tactile car ! ..... it even smells like a car should.

And thanks, it was digging through this forum for a couple of weeks to understand the car better, which gave me the confidence to buy one.

Finally, my Gen Z kids proclaimed it as something a north london hipster would drive, so finally i am cool as well !!!!!

Looking forward to the rest of the summer being rainy :-(
(photos off the auction site, so apols, not a plug)
 

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David62

Dedicated Member
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
May 13, 2024
Points
39
Location
Leeds
Model of Z
2.8l roadster
Presumably has a clean MOT?
 

David62

Dedicated Member
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
May 13, 2024
Points
39
Location
Leeds
Model of Z
2.8l roadster
oh, and i've already ordered the seat fitment kit from XBR :)
Replacing the seat bushes is a "happy" afternoon's work, but at least the interior clean can be completed while the seats are out!
 

ktnez99

Zorg Guru (IV)
British Zeds
Joined
May 18, 2018
Points
164
Location
West Midlands
Model of Z
Z3 2.8L
Hello and welcome @SimonGT
You're in the right place for helpful advice and banter on all things Z. Good choice of engine size, too.
 

SimonGT

Newbie
British Zeds
Joined
Jul 24, 2025
Points
3
Model of Z
2.8 Roadster Manual
Put a new set of tyre on yesterday. No wonder the car has never seen the rain, it would’ve been a handful.

The 2002 dated driver side Michelin pilot sport was fitted the wrong way round, the direction of rotation was pointing backwards not forward 🤣….. whilst the passenger side was fitted pointing forwards. 🤣🤣🤣

That can’t have been much fun with a limited slip differential on a damp road !!!!
 

Mint

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
East Anglian Crew
Joined
Sep 23, 2012
Points
222
Location
Stafford
Model of Z
2.2 Sport Individual
Hi Simon and :welcome: to the forum from me too in Stafford.
 

OjamesB

Regular Member
British Zeds
Joined
Apr 25, 2025
Points
23
Location
South East England
Model of Z
Z3 M Roadster
Put a new set of tyre on yesterday. No wonder the car has never seen the rain, it would’ve been a handful.

The 2002 dated driver side Michelin pilot sport was fitted the wrong way round, the direction of rotation was pointing backwards not forward 🤣….. whilst the passenger side was fitted pointing forwards. 🤣🤣🤣

That can’t have been much fun with a limited slip differential on a damp road !!!!
I thought the 2009 Michelins fronts on mine were dated when I bought my zed this year, oversized and cracked like you wouldn’t believe - you’ve outdone me.

Welcome and good luck with the car.
 

Nodzed

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
M Power
Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Points
231
Location
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Model of Z
Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
:welcome:
 
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