Hello from East Sussex.
I purchased my little "Princess" in August last year, but I have only just got round to saying Hi to you all. No excuses for my lateness!
I have been over Zroadster like a rash for the past few months and the info provided here is fantastic - I will now endeavour to contribute when and where I can.
A bit of history on me and Z3s, I owned a new 2.8 in 1999, but could never get on with the colour - a sort of dark metallic grey - I love silver, but was persuaded to buy the new colour - mistake. So I sold after a few months, never really giving it a chance.
I am a BMW junkie, cut me open and its says BMW round the edges! I have a BMW GS bike and only really like 3 series. I have had lots of them - all silver (except 1 black and 1 dk blue - never again!) currently have a 330CI cabrio (auto), which has been the fun car since 2003.
Early last year in a MLC moment, I went out to find a Z3M but ended up purchasing an E46 M3 Cabrio, Great car and after a bit of surgery sorting out the geometry, it was a real flyer, but unfortunately a **** magnet.
I like spirited driving but I dont want to race and I got fed up with the continued irritations that just wanted to play. So that got sold.But now I had the M bug, I realised what I had been missing - gears and power were fun! The rear seats on the 330 have only ever been used for luggage so why have 4 seats when 2 will do. I could not afford a Z3M when they first came out but the prices now made them very attractive - time to start looking again - this time properly!
I decided that only an S54, in silver, with black/red leather would do and so I hunted. In August I found an ad on Autotrader - Z3M 2001 18500 miles - had to be an S54, phoned up the guy and we chatted, he was owner 4 and was in Derbyshire. We set off immediately and drove the 240 miles to Chesterfield, as it was late when we arrived, we agreed to meet up the next day.
On arrival at his house, he just gave me the keys and said "take it for a spin"! So I did! The car was very very clean, really tight, looked genuine and just felt right. After the usual phone calls, the deal was done.
I have researched the history, managed to contact owners 2 and 3, recovering most of the missing bits of history and confirming it as totally true.
Although she had only recently had an Inspection II service, I had all the fluids changed, fitted new Pilot Sports, decent bulbs and reset the geometry.In September 2010 we set off on a trip to the South of France, taking in some fantastic alpine roads, including the Cols du Cayolle, Gallibier and Torini, the latter being part of the original Monte Carlo rally route. She performed brilliantly, the handling was rock solid and performance outstanding - she has not been remapped or derestricted - managed to hit the limit on a stretch of the A6 just north of Lyon if you know what I mean
Total Trip covered 2500 miles.She came with a hardtop - that will probably live in the shed forever, the rest of the spec is as follows: Harmon Kardon hi-fi - (radio replaced and cd changer now removed as it equals 2 pairs of shoes) Air-con, cruise control, apart from that she is in standard form and will stay that way as this is a long term love affair
What is great is that my wife Hilary loves it and I just want to thank her for her tollerance with my string of foibles and for actually paying for it!
Southcoaster aka Gerald
This photo was taken at the top of the Col du Gallabier (2645m)
, BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
