looking to buy used Z,What to look for
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looking to buy used Z,What to look for
after having BMW's and an audi S4 Ive decided to move on.Now Ive liked the look of the Z and I dont really know much about them.Like with the BMW M3 I know to look for rear sub frame mount tears,Torn tranny mount,Loose inner control arm wear.Im just wondering what to look for to see if the car has been abused.
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An owner whoose wife has title, and just found out her hubby's been cheaten'. O.K, I think carfax is a good investment. Also, a dealer can look up on ECU things like how high the tach has hit etc. As far as liking my Z, I was, and still kinda are a vette guy,(had 4 of them), But this new Z is awesome. GL2U Dave
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I cannot believe that no one is replying to this thread. Where the heck is everyone whose had a Z for awhile? This soon to be EX-BMWGUY needs some tips. You guys helped me an aweful lot when I got mine. But I don't know what to tell him to look for in a pre-owned 350. Start chiming in!!!!!!!! (sorry for yelling)....
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Thanks for the help. Ill never be an Ex BMW guy.My dream was a 99 m3 and Ill have that car forever.
Im just so impressed with the Z and the HP to $$ ratio.
My m3 was 6999 for a dinan SC that added 50 HP. Plus the Z is just a beautifull car.I plan on buying one I was just hoping some folks would know what type of wear to look for to distinguish between average driving and the wear that would happen with a teenager borrowing his moms car for beat runs.
I plan to spend around 25K (thats what they are going for 03's around here) then maybe 3 for mods upfront and over a year a bod kit and some more extras.
Im just so impressed with the Z and the HP to $$ ratio.
My m3 was 6999 for a dinan SC that added 50 HP. Plus the Z is just a beautifull car.I plan on buying one I was just hoping some folks would know what type of wear to look for to distinguish between average driving and the wear that would happen with a teenager borrowing his moms car for beat runs.
I plan to spend around 25K (thats what they are going for 03's around here) then maybe 3 for mods upfront and over a year a bod kit and some more extras.
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a shadow?
[QUOTE]Originally posted by bmwcarguy
[
Same game plan here, just several months ahead of you. The mods will come soon enough. I was, or should say I still am a vette guy. Have had four in the past. Don't think I can outgrow that one. The Z is about one of the finest pieces of auto engineering I've owned. (And there has been many many). Several years ago there was a Nissan ad. Not sure if it was for the 260 or 280 but you might remember it. This kid kinda in a daze, drools over the car and in his thoughts he says,"some day". Everytime I'm out , I feel like a monkey in a cage. But the smile cannot be removed from my face. Blah blah blah. I'm sure you'll hear plenty in no time. Keep in touch, Dave
[
Same game plan here, just several months ahead of you. The mods will come soon enough. I was, or should say I still am a vette guy. Have had four in the past. Don't think I can outgrow that one. The Z is about one of the finest pieces of auto engineering I've owned. (And there has been many many). Several years ago there was a Nissan ad. Not sure if it was for the 260 or 280 but you might remember it. This kid kinda in a daze, drools over the car and in his thoughts he says,"some day". Everytime I'm out , I feel like a monkey in a cage. But the smile cannot be removed from my face. Blah blah blah. I'm sure you'll hear plenty in no time. Keep in touch, Dave
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well i bought a used 2003 touring, but when i bought it, it was barely used only a few thousand of miles, a guy had to trade it in cause he and his wife got pregnant and they needed a family car. so alot of things i did not have to think about. but for the 03's there a quite a few things to look for to see if the bugs have been worked out such as:
1) tire feathering: see if you can get a record of what and how many TSB's, tires and alignments the car has had in the previous ownership. and if the dealer tells you that the car does not have feathering, then they are bulshi!!ing you. Check the car yourself. Turn on the engine and turn the wheel fully to one side and get out and look at the inner half of the front wheels. also listen for it while test driving, when you slow down.
2) look for window grease streaks on the insides of both windows, see if this TSB has been done already
3) if a manual check to see what kind of work was done on the tranny, i know a lot of 03's have had to have multiple tranny's installed. I dont think that this is as broad as the feathering, but i do think a lot had the problem.
4) if its one with the bose system, see if the amp has been replaced. All early 03's with bose had a faulty amplifier and had a recall on them where they switched to another amp, that in my opinion lessened the bass too much. If it hasnt been done and its the original bass, in my opinion keep it.
5) check the exterior paint condition. 03's have a soft paint protector and a lot of owners complain that it chips easily, so look for touch up marks.
6) carfax it, cant ever hurt.
hope this helps and hope i did not scare you away cause despite all of this, i still love my Z.
1) tire feathering: see if you can get a record of what and how many TSB's, tires and alignments the car has had in the previous ownership. and if the dealer tells you that the car does not have feathering, then they are bulshi!!ing you. Check the car yourself. Turn on the engine and turn the wheel fully to one side and get out and look at the inner half of the front wheels. also listen for it while test driving, when you slow down.
2) look for window grease streaks on the insides of both windows, see if this TSB has been done already
3) if a manual check to see what kind of work was done on the tranny, i know a lot of 03's have had to have multiple tranny's installed. I dont think that this is as broad as the feathering, but i do think a lot had the problem.
4) if its one with the bose system, see if the amp has been replaced. All early 03's with bose had a faulty amplifier and had a recall on them where they switched to another amp, that in my opinion lessened the bass too much. If it hasnt been done and its the original bass, in my opinion keep it.
5) check the exterior paint condition. 03's have a soft paint protector and a lot of owners complain that it chips easily, so look for touch up marks.
6) carfax it, cant ever hurt.
hope this helps and hope i did not scare you away cause despite all of this, i still love my Z.
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reading my mind
Originally posted by grifferjr
well i bought a used 2003 touring, but when i bought it, it was barely used only a few thousand of miles, a guy had to trade it in cause he and his wife got pregnant and they needed a family car. so alot of things i did not have to think about. but for the 03's there a quite a few things to look for to see if the bugs have been worked out such as:
1) tire feathering: see if you can get a record of what and how many TSB's, tires and alignments the car has had in the previous ownership. and if the dealer tells you that the car does not have feathering, then they are bulshi!!ing you. Check the car yourself. Turn on the engine and turn the wheel fully to one side and get out and look at the inner half of the front wheels. also listen for it while test driving, when you slow down.
2) look for window grease streaks on the insides of both windows, see if this TSB has been done already
3) if a manual check to see what kind of work was done on the tranny, i know a lot of 03's have had to have multiple tranny's installed. I dont think that this is as broad as the feathering, but i do think a lot had the problem.
4) if its one with the bose system, see if the amp has been replaced. All early 03's with bose had a faulty amplifier and had a recall on them where they switched to another amp, that in my opinion lessened the bass too much. If it hasnt been done and its the original bass, in my opinion keep it.
5) check the exterior paint condition. 03's have a soft paint protector and a lot of owners complain that it chips easily, so look for touch up marks.
6) carfax it, cant ever hurt.
hope this helps and hope i did not scare you away cause despite all of this, i still love my Z.
well i bought a used 2003 touring, but when i bought it, it was barely used only a few thousand of miles, a guy had to trade it in cause he and his wife got pregnant and they needed a family car. so alot of things i did not have to think about. but for the 03's there a quite a few things to look for to see if the bugs have been worked out such as:
1) tire feathering: see if you can get a record of what and how many TSB's, tires and alignments the car has had in the previous ownership. and if the dealer tells you that the car does not have feathering, then they are bulshi!!ing you. Check the car yourself. Turn on the engine and turn the wheel fully to one side and get out and look at the inner half of the front wheels. also listen for it while test driving, when you slow down.
2) look for window grease streaks on the insides of both windows, see if this TSB has been done already
3) if a manual check to see what kind of work was done on the tranny, i know a lot of 03's have had to have multiple tranny's installed. I dont think that this is as broad as the feathering, but i do think a lot had the problem.
4) if its one with the bose system, see if the amp has been replaced. All early 03's with bose had a faulty amplifier and had a recall on them where they switched to another amp, that in my opinion lessened the bass too much. If it hasnt been done and its the original bass, in my opinion keep it.
5) check the exterior paint condition. 03's have a soft paint protector and a lot of owners complain that it chips easily, so look for touch up marks.
6) carfax it, cant ever hurt.
hope this helps and hope i did not scare you away cause despite all of this, i still love my Z.
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Hi BMWCG, Check out some other forums too.....zchickz.com, **********.com, 350zfrenzy.com, 350zmotoring.com, everything350z.com,350zforum.com,zcar.com, etc.... you'll find them all. Everyone else has.... GL2U, Dave p.s. I always check out the links page everywhere I go.... This forum though is the largest and first one I check daily.
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Ive spent about 30 hours in the past week reading everything.I almost feel like I know the cars inside and out.
Im actually going to check out a 03 Enthusiast edition this afternoon.
I wasnt planning on buying so soon but I am having a hard time waiting
Im actually going to check out a 03 Enthusiast edition this afternoon.
I wasnt planning on buying so soon but I am having a hard time waiting
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From: Miami, FL
Id' be most concerned about the feathering. If it has brand new tires that might be a sign in feathered in addition to checking if it has signs already on the car.
Originally posted by bmwcarguy
Ive spent about 30 hours in the past week reading everything.I almost feel like I know the cars inside and out.
Im actually going to check out a 03 Enthusiast edition this afternoon.
I wasnt planning on buying so soon but I am having a hard time waiting
Ive spent about 30 hours in the past week reading everything.I almost feel like I know the cars inside and out.
Im actually going to check out a 03 Enthusiast edition this afternoon.
I wasnt planning on buying so soon but I am having a hard time waiting
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton, Florida
The Wait
Originally posted by bmwcarguy
Ive spent about 30 hours in the past week reading everything.I almost feel like I know the cars inside and out.
Im actually going to check out a 03 Enthusiast edition this afternoon.
I wasnt planning on buying so soon but I am having a hard time waiting
Ive spent about 30 hours in the past week reading everything.I almost feel like I know the cars inside and out.
Im actually going to check out a 03 Enthusiast edition this afternoon.
I wasnt planning on buying so soon but I am having a hard time waiting
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 224
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From: STL
I have an 03 Enthusiast for sale. I could even be talked into delivering the car ( if an airport that Southwest Airlines OR American Airlines serves is relatively close to the deliver point. I have free return flight privelidges on both airlines). Make sure to check out the pictures of the car. PM me if you would like more info.
Here is the link.
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=89374
Here is the link.
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=89374
Last edited by danotto; Aug 29, 2004 at 05:04 AM.
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