Z3 rust ??? Corrosion??

[ZippyZed4]

Hey, About to buy a 2001 z3 2.2… are they likely rust buckets underneath?
thanks!!

 

[Duncodin]

Underneath ie floor isn't usually a problem even if it's full of water - they often are. The carpet is about 2 inches of foam and holds a LOT of water.

But places they do like to rust is around the sills. The sill you can see just bolts on and isn't structural but it can give an indication of what the real structural sill might be like. The ends of the sill do rot but you can't see that either because of the plastic wheel arch liners.

All you can do is look closely at the sills and around the jacking points and make a best guess as to what it might be like where you can't see.

 

[AntStark]

Check the rear trailing arms for corrosion too. It really depends on how it’s been looked after and where it is ..coastal cars and/or those used all year may have been attacked by salt. If you can get it on a ramp I would

 

[ZippyZed4]

Underneath ie floor isn't usually a problem even if it's full of water - they often are. The carpet is about 2 inches of foam and holds a LOT of water.

But places they do like to rust is around the sills. The sill you can see just bolts on and isn't structural but it can give an indication of what the real structural sill might be like. The ends of the sill do rot but you can't see that either because of the plastic wheel arch liners.

All you can do is look closely at the sills and around the jacking points and make a best guess as to what it might be like where you can't see.

Thanks for your reply, I have a 1.9 sat on drive needing somethings doing to it but the engine size doesn’t inspire me … are there anythings to look out for mechanically with the 2.2? all reports point to their durability?

 

[ZippyZed4]

Check the rear trailing arms for corrosion too. It really depends on how it’s been looked after and where it is ..coastal cars and/or those used all year may have been attacked by salt. If you can get it on a ramp I would

Thanks for your reply, yes this one looks like a good one so far, will be checking the areas you mentioned so thanks for that… the 2.2 seems to have pretty good all round reports?… hoping to get it for the right price … Z3’s are increasing in price so I hear?

 

[AntStark]

I wouldn’t be thinking it’s an investment! Anything old and mechanical is inevitably a money pit. The 2.2 is probably the best engine for a Zed..sounds ace too
There are a few buyers guides on here if you need to do more research. ..and then infinite wisdom when you need to ask questions

 

[ZippyZed4]

I wouldn’t be thinking it’s an investment! Anything old and mechanical is inevitably a money pit. The 2.2 is probably the best engine for a Zed..sounds ace too
There are a few buyers guides on here if you need to do more research. ..and then infinite wisdom when you need to ask questions

Yeah… I will say they do hold their price though… I bought the 1.9 6 yrs ago and i would still imagine i’d get my £1500 back easy… well once I have done the radiator and MOT … yes, I have also heard the 2.2 sounds sweet… which is just a bonus! 98,000 miles with full service has enticed me

 

[ZippyZed4]

I wouldn’t be thinking it’s an investment! Anything old and mechanical is inevitably a money pit. The 2.2 is probably the best engine for a Zed..sounds ace too
There are a few buyers guides on here if you need to do more research. ..and then infinite wisdom when you need to ask questions

Also… will my z4 18” CSL wheels fit the Z3 2.2?

 

[the Nefyn cat]

This may help

Alloy Wheel & Tyre Fitment Calculator. Offset, Tyre Stretch and Speedo Error | Will They Fit

Alloy Wheel & tyre fitment calculator - it calculates inset, poke, speedo error, tyre stretch and loads more.

www.willtheyfit.com

 

[AntStark]

Also… will my z4 18” CSL wheels fit the Z3 2.2?

Only if you want to ruin the handling .. 16” are the best for handling IMO , 17” look the best ..18” too harsh and increase tramlining ..other opinions are available.

 

[Jam03]

Thanks for your reply, I have a 1.9 sat on drive needing somethings doing to it but the engine size doesn’t inspire me … are there anythings to look out for mechanically with the 2.2? all reports point to their durability?

Never travel without your oil

 

[ZippyZed4]

Never travel without your oilView attachment 297797

So they burn a bit of oil?… do they guzzle Gas too? … my other car is a z4 3.0 e85… about the same consumption?

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Burn a bit of oil? That's one way of putting it. I'm sure it doesn't apply to all 2.2s, but mine has since I got it, and that was a while ago. There are rumours around that the oil control rings get gummed up and let the oil out, never taken one to bits to find out, though. And, no, it ain't leaking out of the normal places, pretty damn spotless underneath.
As for petrol, around 30 something mpg, depending.

 

[Jam03]

I get 30mpg for motorway driving at 75mph. Mixed conditions including very spirited driving drops it to 26mpg, so not too bad. Using about 200ml of oil per tank (250miles).

 

[andyglym]

Meanwhile in the mighty 2.8 M52, not a single drop of oil added in 9 years (oil changes aside)

 

[AntStark]

My 3.0, which is the same M54 engine doesn’t use any. Then again @Jam03 does a lot more mileage than me

 

[the Nefyn cat]

According to what I read on t'interweb ( a well-known fount of truth ) it's a condition that applies almost entirely to the M54 2.2, possibly something to do with the first owners of the 2.2 not feeling the need to scream about for the initial few thousand miles, and this may have encouraged the formation of gummy deposits around the oil control rings. However, that's according to the web, and may not be entirely based on reality.

 

[AntStark]

@Jam03 have you tried using a slightly thicker oil 5w40 or 10w40 ?

 

[Z Victor 1]

I've had both a Z3 2.2i sport and a Z4 2.2i and neither used much oil. Drove down to Spain twice in the Z3 2.2 and didn't need to top it up at all! My Z4 was on 120k miles when I sold it and rarely needed topping up.So not all 2.2 s use a lot of oil.

 

[Stevo7682]

2.2 need exhaust checked.
2.2 and 3.0 have primary and secondary cats flanges between the 2 can rot really badly ( need Zedshed or specialist repair if they go as parts no longer available.)

Stephen.