#ZedShed Z3M - Save or not to save!

Lee

Zorg Expert (I)
British Zeds
M Power
#ZedShed
Joined
Mar 26, 2014
Points
213
Location
Basingstoke
Model of Z
Z4 Coupe 3.0si
So we’ve taken this Z3M in to look at, mainly to see if she’s worth saving. Some of you will recognise it from various for sale ads some months back. Safe to say this Zed has had a life.

On the outside she’s untidy.
IMG_6916.jpeg
IMG_6915.jpeg
IMG_6913.jpeg
IMG_6912.jpeg

So we can see a cheap respray on the bonnet, there’s lots of dots in the lacquer also overspray in various places. The Drivers mirror has taken a knock vertically. Passenger lower quarter is beyond saving from rust.

On the rear we can see the boot lid paint slightly off colour and no grommet on the aerial so lots of water expected in the boot. Various dents all over the bodywork.

The under side tells a whole different story. The boot floor has ripped away so this will need rewelding back together.
IMG_6901.jpeg

the inside of the boot echos the same story.
96b99244-72a9-40e0-8df4-258dd70daf93.jpeg

we also noticed imminent failure of the rear brake system. How this car has an MOT is crazy.
IMG_6902.jpeg

the driver side swing arm is beyond repair, you can see the thickness of the arm gone from corrosion.
IMG_6895.jpeg

on the left see how thick it used to be.
IMG_6896.jpeg

not all doom m gloom, someone has fitted new BMW rear shocks, drop links and roll bar plus new caps in the last few years, I say years as the rubber is cracked on the drop links.
IMG_6898.jpeg

rear beam bushes failed as per on most zeds this age.
IMG_6894.jpeg

diff bush de laminating so will need replacing.
IMG_6900.jpeg

Overall rear shots.

IMG_6905.jpeg
IMG_6904.jpeg
IMG_6903.jpeg

the front is not much better. Bar drop links it’s all goosed, we even have one normal upside down Eibach spring and other side normal BMW spring.

Just see the logo up top upside down.
IMG_6909.jpeg

spring other side. Note bump stops goosed
IMG_6910.jpeg

the metal hardware and original shocks that bounce like a bed.
IMG_6906.jpeg
IMG_6907.jpeg

Has once piece solid discs fitted that are non BMW also a mix of callipers and refurbs. (Z3M’s have M embossed callipers)
IMG_6908.jpeg

the owner has some thinking to do. This car needs everything replaced, and she’s really not road worthy, I’ve not even shown other issues like oil leaks etc.
IMG_6914.jpeg


Poor old girl needs a lot of love. Parts alone here will be in excess of 10k. That rear arm I’m told is £1300 from BMW if they have stock. Genuine wishbones £600 last time I bought them from BMW the list goes on.
 

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
That one looks almost as bad as mine Lee. At least my boot floor was intact:whistle:
 

Jam03

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Feb 21, 2022
Points
139
Location
Surrey
Model of Z
2.2i
No sane person would spend the money saving it given the cost of nicer ones. So yeah, it’s probably going to be saved.
 

Zephyr

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
Joined
Aug 10, 2022
Points
139
If this was mine, I would walk the extra mile and bring it to showroom condition.
M's have almost doubled their value during the past five years in Euroland.
No idea of prices in the UK.
 
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Synclare

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
3rd Party Trader
Joined
Jan 1, 2016
Points
147
Location
Staffordshire
Model of Z
1.9
Yeah but on the plus side the rear springs will T-Cut up nicely :p
Screenshot_20250905-194900_Gallery.jpg
 
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S3Graham

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2025
Points
23
I think I’m just about a big enough idiot to try and save it. Lee can hopefully get it roadworthy and I can tackle the suspension when time and money allow.
 

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Grumps

Always happy, apart from when I'm not 🤬
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Apr 27, 2014
Points
226
Location
Forest Town, Mansfield
Model of Z
Z4 e85 2.5i
She's a tad crusty 😳. I suppose it boils down to a heart and wallet decision 🤔
 
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Jam03

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Feb 21, 2022
Points
139
Location
Surrey
Model of Z
2.2i
I think I’m just about a big enough idiot to try and save it. Lee can hopefully get it roadworthy and I can tackle the suspension when time and money allow.
Hopefully there’s a vaguely affordable way of getting it to the point where you can get some enjoyable driving done in it! Good luck!
 

Pingu

Zorg Guru (III)
3rd Party Trader
Joined
Dec 8, 2011
Points
145
Financially, it's probably worth more in parts, £6k in parts and probably worth £6k as it is.

Is it worth spending £7k in parts to make it worth £13k, or is it worth spending £10k (including a £3k spray job) to make it worth £15k.

That's is labour is free. If labour is being charged - scrap it.

It's pretty daunting as a driveway project. Just about doable in a workshop, but it'll be a lot of labour.

I'd scrap it.
 

Zephyr

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
Joined
Aug 10, 2022
Points
139
How many of them are left in the UK?
If the number is around 500ish then its a bet.
it may be better to part and get another in better shape.
if there are less, its not throwing money away, its futureproofing.
 

Lee

Zorg Expert (I)
British Zeds
M Power
#ZedShed
Joined
Mar 26, 2014
Points
213
Location
Basingstoke
Model of Z
Z4 Coupe 3.0si
Other thing to consider is the purchase price. Unfortunately here paid a little too much. We’ve agreed to weld up the subframe, replace brake lines and sort the oil leak. We’ll chuck some fresh beam bushes in there too. Trying to see if we can stretch the budget to change those front shocks. Least it won’t be dangerous on the road.
 

bertiejaffa

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 15, 2014
Points
155
Location
Manchester
Model of Z
Z3M
If "How many left" is to be believed there are only 610 Z3Ms left in the UK, 218 taxed on the road.

This number seems higher than I expected, I remember this being more around the 500 mark a few years ago, maybe the data has got more accurate as we get more digital.
 
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Dino D

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 28, 2014
Points
176
Location
Kent
Model of Z
2.8 Manual
If "How many left" is to be believed there are only 610 Z3Ms left in the UK, 218 taxed on the road.

This number seems higher than I expected, I remember this being more around the 500 mark a few years ago, maybe the data has got more accurate as we get more digital.
I think the Zedshed here has bumped those numbers up (or eBay has been selling more M/// stickers)!

tough call and hard to make it stack up in pure accounting terms (as seconds hand buyers are a funny bunch preferring ‘stock’ but knackered over refreshed, improved and used.

If it’s never being sold then easy decision 😁
Even easier if you conly get it to drive half as well as your white one did @Lee

Im voting favour of a refurb because its make good reading and I’m not the one the paying 🤣
 

Jack Ratt

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
The West Country
Joined
Dec 3, 2013
Points
200
Location
TRURO, CORNWALL
Model of Z
2.8i AUTO and 2.8i MANUAL
Is the M rear axle/swing arms a different set up to 2.8/3ltr? If Z3M swing arms aren't available anymore and secondhand ones rare as a Dudley virgin how can you keep it on the road?
 

Bazza

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
The West Country
Joined
Oct 15, 2013
Points
156
Location
Verwood Dorset
Model of Z
2.8 Roadster
So we’ve taken this Z3M in to look at, mainly to see if she’s worth saving. Some of you will recognise it from various for sale ads some months back. Safe to say this Zed has had a life.

On the outside she’s untidy.
View attachment 347165View attachment 347167View attachment 347169View attachment 347171
So we can see a cheap respray on the bonnet, there’s lots of dots in the lacquer also overspray in various places. The Drivers mirror has taken a knock vertically. Passenger lower quarter is beyond saving from rust.

On the rear we can see the boot lid paint slightly off colour and no grommet on the aerial so lots of water expected in the boot. Various dents all over the bodywork.

The under side tells a whole different story. The boot floor has ripped away so this will need rewelding back together.
View attachment 347181
the inside of the boot echos the same story.
View attachment 347179
we also noticed imminent failure of the rear brake system. How this car has an MOT is crazy.
View attachment 347183
the driver side swing arm is beyond repair, you can see the thickness of the arm gone from corrosion.
View attachment 347185
on the left see how thick it used to be.
View attachment 347187
not all doom m gloom, someone has fitted new BMW rear shocks, drop links and roll bar plus new caps in the last few years, I say years as the rubber is cracked on the drop links.
View attachment 347189
rear beam bushes failed as per on most zeds this age.
View attachment 347193
diff bush de laminating so will need replacing.
View attachment 347191
Overall rear shots.

View attachment 347195View attachment 347197View attachment 347199
the front is not much better. Bar drop links it’s all goosed, we even have one normal upside down Eibach spring and other side normal BMW spring.

Just see the logo up top upside down.
View attachment 347201
spring other side. Note bump stops goosed
View attachment 347211
the metal hardware and original shocks that bounce like a bed.
View attachment 347205View attachment 347207
Has once piece solid discs fitted that are non BMW also a mix of callipers and refurbs. (Z3M’s have M embossed callipers)
View attachment 347209
the owner has some thinking to do. This car needs everything replaced, and she’s really not road worthy, I’ve not even shown other issues like oil leaks etc. View attachment 347213

Poor old girl needs a lot of love. Parts alone here will be in excess of 10k. That rear arm I’m told is £1300 from BMW if they have stock. Genuine wishbones £600 last time I bought them from BMW the list goes on.
Will this be a breaker Lee ?
 

S3Graham

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2025
Points
23
Will this be a breaker Lee ?
I don't think so! Not unless someone wants to pay me what it owes me and break it themselves. I'm committed to saving it, I wanted a project car, Though maybe not QUITE this big, the boot floor is scary (and the brake pipe) but Lee can work his magic with those bits. I'm exploring options for the rear trailing arm, already have a quote for a new one from BMW.

Other than the fact that the parts can be expensive i'm really not seeing a huge deal. It's a near 30 year old car that needs all the suspension and bushes front and rear. I had expected that. I've come from a C5 RS6 where parts just aren't available and prices are ridiculous. Alternator for example is a £5000 job, rear discs and pads? £2500 and no longer available.

Yes there are other bits like the paint not being amazing in places, outside temp does work, passenger window needs a regulator and it needs a new front wing but its really not THAT bad and certainly wont stop me driving it. I've found a set of front discs and calipers, am pricing up a H&R or KW Suspension kit also.

I rebuilt all the suspension on my track TT front to back over a 6 week period, I have a garage at home with a pit and im an aircraft engineer by trade so have the skill set. Dropping the subframes and replacing all the arms is just a case of nuts and bolts. BMW do seem to be getting better and producing parts for them now, stuff is available if you can stomach the costs and wait a few weeks.
 

S3Graham

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2025
Points
23
Is the M rear axle/swing arms a different set up to 2.8/3ltr? If Z3M swing arms aren't available anymore and secondhand ones rare as a Dudley virgin how can you keep it on the road?
From what I can gather, BMW went a long period not making spares, so prices went nuts. There's a set on EBAY uk for £2500 per side currently. I found a set in the states for $1500 each, Then I rang BMW and they told me they have 73 in stock for £1300+vat.
 

IanA

Zorg Guru (I)
British Zeds
Joined
Oct 4, 2014
Points
94
Location
Oxon
Good luck with this S3G. I think it's a classic heart vs. head situation. However, when you come to amortise the cost over the time you've owned the car plus the sheer pleasure of driving an as new car; the actual £p will pale into insignificance.
 
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