zroadster.net

Hello

I'm looking for a low mileage, full service history car with A/C and heated seats.

Prefer a dark interior ideally with dark carpets. Semi flexible about paint colour but black/blue/silver preferred. Engine wise I'd like a 6 Cyl - ideally a fast one!

Other than that I'll open minded.

Anyone got one/knows of a good one?

Not in a mad rush - really want to buy the right one!

I saw something very, very lovely on ebay today:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z3-2-2i-M ... 2303397213

9k miles 2.2 Sport. It's gorgeous and I don't think over-priced. Okay 15 years takes it's toll on some non-mileage wear related parts so I'm not comparing exactly but this is almost like a nearly-new car and for something modern and comparable, a 1 year old Z4 with 9k miles it would be 2-3 times that price.

Blimey. That's special! Arguably a bit too special for me.

Money is probably more than I can really justify and I don't think I have enough self control/time to treat that car as well as it ought to be treated to retain the condition/value! I'd be scared to drive it anywhere too.

For that money I would want it to be fully loaded. No aircon on this car no trip computer no harman kardon speaker upgade no headlight wash and no mention of power roof. If it had all that I would buy it myself!! Very nice car though.

I think it will sit there for a long time.

I looked at a 12000 miler on ebay recently same car in titan silver one owner and that was £5500 or make best offer. It did not sell. This was an 02 reg. Aircon heated seats but no power roof. 17" split rims and a load of stainless covers on parts of the engine. I did not buy because it seemed too cheap and the guy ignored any questions. I smelled a rat.

Be careful out there!!

BeemerBoyo wrote:For that money I would want it to be fully loaded. No aircon on this car no trip computer no harman kardon speaker upgade no headlight wash and no mention of power roof. If it had all that I would buy it myself!! Very nice car though.

I think it will sit there for a long time.

I looked at a 12000 miler on ebay recently same car in titan silver one owner and that was £5500 or make best offer. It did not sell. This was an 02 reg. Aircon heated seats but no power roof. 17" split rims and a load of stainless covers on parts of the engine. I did not buy because it seemed too cheap and the guy ignored any questions. I smelled a rat.

Be careful out there!!

I guess you can't always have your cake and eat it. There will be people out there who prioritise an ultra low mileage car over even desirable extras. Perhaps someone, as previously alluded to, who was going to spend £20-£25k on a nearly new Z4 and then sees this, says well for half that I can have a nearly new Z3 instead. It's not necessarily going to be an enthusiast. A car like that crosses over into the well-off who want a weekend toy and won't bat an eyelid at spending that sort of money for a reliable car with a new feel to it.

I think that 12k miler you refer to must either have been fraudulent or seriously under priced.

I don't think the 9k miler is particularly over-priced, not least because the rules tend to change for an ultra low mileage car like this.

Jcc wrote:Blimey. That's special! Arguably a bit too special for me.

Money is probably more than I can really justify and I don't think I have enough self control/time to treat that car as well as it ought to be treated to retain the condition/value! I'd be scared to drive it anywhere too.

Well you did say minter in the title Is that a Mike Brewer minter

I collect and trade in collectable Scalextric and from that world I'm used to mint meaning perfect and literally as it left the factory. I'd expect to pay £10k up for a Z3 like that

I suppose I mean honest and loved!

Jcc wrote:I suppose I mean honest and loved!

Steady on, that could take you the other way. That could describe an un-molested, 150k 1 owner car

Seriously, I know what you mean. I think you can start at a budget of about £3k and go up to about £6k. I'd want something with less than 80k miles, preferably more like 60k miles and expect the top end of that price range for anything much less. I'd suggest a 2.2 Sport or a 2.8. You might scrape into that price range for a nice 3.0. If you're happy with a 1.9 then at the top end of that budget you really would be looking at a minter

A 2.2 sport, a 2.8 or 3.0 (what about the 2.5?) - with sub 80k and FSH would be ideal!

These are the ones on ebay I'd personally have a think about:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-52-BMW-Z ... 1957262872

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-02-BMW-Z ... 2211523315

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-BMW-Z3-2 ... 2262146877

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-51-Bmw-Z ... 2152313956

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z3-2-2-Sp ... 2097175189

Not recommending these or suggesting they are the right price etc. Just my picks that would get further investigation.

This one's a tidy looking 1.9 but is low mileage, on open auction and might go for a good price.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-BMW-Z3-B ... 2647263160

Jcc wrote:A 2.2 sport, a 2.8 or 3.0 (what about the 2.5?) - with sub 80k and FSH would be ideal!

2.5 is US (possibly other non UK markets) only.

mrscalex wrote:These are the ones on ebay I'd personally have a think about:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-52-BMW-Z ... 1957262872

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-02-BMW-Z ... 2211523315

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-BMW-Z3-2 ... 2262146877

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-51-Bmw-Z ... 2152313956

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z3-2-2-Sp ... 2097175189

Not recommending these or suggesting they are the right price etc. Just my picks that would get further investigation.

This one's a tidy looking 1.9 but is low mileage, on open auction and might go for a good price.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-BMW-Z3-B ... 2647263160

Thanks for these; very kind.

These are all Z3s - but I was beginning to lean towards the Z4 - am I missing some benefits to the Z3 though?

mrscalex wrote: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-52-BMW-Z ... 1957262872

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-BMW-Z3-2 ... 2262146877

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-51-Bmw-Z ... 2152313956

These are all very nice!

Looks like only the 3.0 has the A/C and heated seats though?

Jcc wrote:These are all Z3s - but I was beginning to lean towards the Z4 - am I missing some benefits to the Z3 though?

Just personal taste. I don't like Z4s. I like Z3s. I like classic, affordable, maintainable British sports cars and the irony in my head is that a Z3 fits that bill seeing as our own motor industry has failed to produce anything itself for 40 years.

mrscalex wrote:

Jcc wrote:These are all Z3s - but I was beginning to lean towards the Z4 - am I missing some benefits to the Z3 though?

Just personal taste. I don't like Z4s. I like Z3s. I like classic, affordable, maintainable British sports cars and the irony in my head is that a Z3 fits that bill seeing as our own motor industry has failed to produce anything itself for 40 years.

The good Z3s are commanding such a premium it's probably a better investment! Harder to find one to fit the bill though.

Yeah, a Z3 rings my bell too... I just don't like the shape of a Z4 roadster ... But hey ho, each to his own.



Bonzo

I had my first Z3 (1.9) and found it under powered, I did quite a bit of work on renewing shocks, bushes etc and loved the car but the lack of power started to bother me. I swapped it for 3.0 Z4 and didn't like it at all. I kept it only a few weeks.
To me the 4 was boring after the character and aesthetics of the Z3.

After this, I had a 2006 Boxster S, a great car that made you feel special, but it's too sorted and difficult to work on yourself. I now own a 3.0 Z3 Sport and (after driving mine), my son has the same. Mine is 63k with good history and hard top with fittings etc. I got it for 4K this year. My sons is 100k with good history and he got it a few weeks ago for 3.2k. If you look and haggle, you will get one for the price you want to pay.

To me, when you get into the drivers seat, you feel like you're getting into a 1960s roadster but with the under pinning and running gear of a modern car - so nostalgia with reliability. To me the 3.0 is ideal, its (nearly) as quick as the Boxster S, easy to work on, increasing in value and, most important, FUN to drive.

Do your homework, don't rush, wait for the right deal and you should be happy.

Still looking!

Jcc wrote:Still looking!

That's possibly because you're not sure what you're looking for. But you'll know when you see it

mrscalex wrote:

Jcc wrote:Still looking!

That's possibly because you're not sure what you're looking for. But you'll know when you see it

I do, I do!

Looking for a 3.0, 2.5si or 3.0si Z4. Sub 70k miles. Full service history. Small number of owners ideally. Ideally a sport but will consider an SE. Ideally without wood dash. Would like heated seats, air conditioning. Prefer dark interior. I think that's about it!

This may do the job.

2.2 sport 2001, titan silver with aircon, heated seats and what looks like M roadster seats with extra blue leather on steering wheel, 3 owners from new only 50,000 miles looks immaculate. Roof may be power operated but it does not say.

£5,950 I reckon you would get this under £5k.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... 01/6222831

Car is in Essex, I would try and take a club member with you to view if you are serious to check it out.

Also take a look at the dealers web site they have quite a lot of Z3 and Z4 for sale.

http://www.leisureshopltd.co.uk/used-bm ... =0,5000000

http://www.leisureshopltd.co.uk/used-bm ... =0,5000000

hope this helps

Thanks. I've been looking at these guys - but their prices just seem a bit too high. I think if I don't have any joy in a month or so I may venture up there!

this is the one!

3ltr Sport in black with 18" AC Schnitzer wheels

its got electric roof, aircon, heated sports black leather seats, trip computer and headlamp wash!

2 previous owners its on a 51 plate with 97,000 miles. Don't let that put you off mines got almost 96,000 on and its bomb proof.

£5995

Would not mind this myself as its one of the rare 5 speed manuals. Many 3ltrs are autos.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-51-Bmw-Z ... 2152313956

This dealer has only sold 2 other cars, a Merc SLK and a Porsche Cayman but the feedback about them looks excellent.

Good luck.

Lovely looking black 3.0 and only up the road from Bristol. Looks nice with the AC wheels but wouldn't think they were "genuine" at that price? Seen these wheels sell for over a £1000 in here, Seems a little expensive as just browsing says above they are about at the right money, mine came for £3800 with the hardtop and 1 owner from new just over a year ago, full BMW history it does have 100k on the clock but I'd rather enjoy the drive than lock away a mint low mileage garage queen!

That is lovely. Quite tempting but I think I prefer the Z4 on balance and although I do like the Z3, I'd really struggle to justify spending £6k on a Z3/Z4 with that mileage. I'm not saying it's not worth it. (But I think I'm quite tight!)

I don't think that's a sport model.

If it has the LSD fitted then its a sport. The chassis number would confirm on vin finder.

Anyway its gone so keep looking.

The 3.0 came with an LSD as standard (unlike other engine sizes at that time).

BMW VIN also shows it as having Style 64 wheels originally which are non-Sport. And it doesn't specify Sport in the build list either.

The Sport version on a 3.0 only added staggered Style 78 alloys, Sport seats and aluminium finish on centre console - which this one doesn't have.

So it's not a Sport, even though it has Sport seats - that was an option on non-Sport cars.

In my view, although it's a very pretty car and no doubt a very nice one, it's a bit over-priced with 97k miles on it. It's a bit of a difficult one to price but personally I'd move onto the next one unless I could pick it up for £5,000.

It appears to be for sale still. Also the wheels are 17" not 18" according to the listing.

Thanks for clarifying that. Just when you think you have the specification of these cars clear in your head then anomolies pop out of the woodwork. It just shows JCC how important it is to do your research and take advice from enthusiasts in the know.

Agree on price but condition and service record is everything. If its had brakes tyres suspension clutch cooling system exhaust all renewed plus a full quality service history then its probably a bargain at £5995 but if its untouched then I would say £4k maximum at that mileage and spend the £2k putting it right.

Not sure if its sold but the ebay auction has ended. Looking at the car again all things considered it is a very nice clean car with some desireable and expensive extras.

Anyway I think JCC has decided on a Z4 so for me concentrate on finding a clean 2.5si or 3.0si Sport model in manual transmission.

Keep searching.

Bit of a clanger really on that front. Missed out on a 2006 3.0 si the other day. Price was right and I was ready to put the deposit down but they needed me to travel to the Midlands the following day which I just couldn't do.

Not sure if you have seen this. Looks like it only needs a couple of bits sorting and fairly decent price.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/142161311472

Rob_v6 wrote:Not sure if you have seen this. Looks like it only needs a couple of bits sorting and fairly decent price.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/142161311472

Thanks for this. Looks nice but part service history makes me a bit nervous!

Thats a great Z3. At that price even if you have to spend a grand on it its still a good price. Its in Northern Ireland so some time and cost to retrieve the car. Maybe a bargaining point? Offer £3500 cash.

BeemerBoyo wrote:Thats a great Z3. At that price even if you have to spend a grand on it its still a good price. Its in Northern Ireland so some time and cost to retrieve the car. Maybe a bargaining point? Offer £3500 cash.

Would the lack of service history not worry you?

I think you will be lucky to find a Z3 with a full, main dealer history. As the cars get older and worth less, owners are less inclined to lavish £500+ extended oil services on the car. Personally, I would want straight/honest bodywork, a car that hadn’t been lowered/modified and mucked about with and (for lower mileage cars) evidence of an engine oil change at least biannually since the formal BMW service regime stopped. This generation of engine is bullet proof and can easily take some “service abuse”.

I guess it all depends on budget. If the eBay one had FSH and 100% condition the seller would be wanting to sell it for more. Although the fact it is in Ireland does limit the market a little.

The one I purchased off grandadg90 had full dealer history, all MoT history, original receipts / invoice etc but I was willing to pay the extra to have all of this.

I don't think I'm looking for full main dealer service but some of the ones I've seen have had every Tom, Dick and Harry have a pop at servicing them as and when! I guess it'll be a balance ultimately; cost vs quality!

If you are still looking for a Z3 in good condition bridgend car spares in Kent have one in their yard. I have no idea of cars history but it is exactly the same spec as mine I believe which is Topaz Blau exterior with blue interior and a very nice looks like new dark blue roof.

Its a 2.8 with +-60k miles on the clock.

If i remember rightly chap told me they had decided it was too good to break so they were going re attach the front panels and sell it. Its bonnet and quarter panels are off the car presently but simply need bolting back on as the car belonged to someone who was going to mod it but then ran out of money so gave it back to them. I don't believe it has had an accident or any accident history looked 100% straight and unmolested however it was dark out and were under lights in a yard.

If honest or if I was a buyer I would actually prefer to buy this over one with its panels attached as they have a body shop on site and I would ask them to rust seal the quarter panels and sills before re attaching to try prevent them rusting in future.

http://imgur.com/a/2x5oV
http://imgur.com/a/2x5oV

jimmyh wrote:If you are still looking for a Z3 in good condition bridgend car spares in Kent have one in their yard.

Thank you I'm investigating!

Thanks for the heads up, but was an insurance cat c/d which I'd rather avoid.

Couple of quick questions please!:

1. Is it necessary or desirable to garage a Z4? If not what would you recommend to do to keep it in good shape?
2. Does anyone know the typical price/mileage of an inspection 2 service please? (Looking at a car that may need one soonish!)

Does anyone have any thoughts please?

Not sure if you've found your ideal car yet? But I'm now selling mine. It's a z3 3.0 54000 miles fully serviced with factory ac schnitzer package. All the extras. Wind breaker. Hard top, tonneau cover. Car cover ac wheels originals not dodgy copy ones. If you're interested email me on antanderton@virginmedia.com. I'll be sad to see it go but if it goes to a good home I'll be happy.

Antoninus wrote:Not sure if you've found your ideal car yet? But I'm now selling mine. It's a z3 3.0 54000 miles fully serviced with factory ac schnitzer package. All the extras. Wind breaker. Hard top, tonneau cover. Car cover ac wheels originals not dodgy copy ones. If you're interested email me on antanderton@virginmedia.com. I'll be sad to see it go but if it goes to a good home I'll be happy.

Thanks. What sort of money are you looking for, please? I'm interested.

Still looking!

Antoninus wrote:Not sure if you've found your ideal car yet? But I'm now selling mine. It's a z3 3.0 54000 miles fully serviced with factory ac schnitzer package. All the extras. Wind breaker. Hard top, tonneau cover. Car cover ac wheels originals not dodgy copy ones. If you're interested email me on antanderton@virginmedia.com. I'll be sad to see it go but if it goes to a good home I'll be happy.

I could be interested in that if Jcc isn't.

Hi there. Ping me your email and I can send you details. Thanks Tony.

tfp wrote: I could be interested in that if Jcc isn't.

I'm out. Outside my range I'm afraid.

Jcc wrote:

tfp wrote: I could be interested in that if Jcc isn't.

I'm out. Outside my range I'm afraid.

Shame it wasn't my colour choice. A very nice looking car, probably one of the best out there.