Import Z3s

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swabyk
Joined: Mon 18 Jul, 2016 17:38
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  Z3 roadster 1.9

Import Z3s

Post by swabyk »

Hi guys,
What’s the view on Japanese import Z3s?

I have some concerns about knowledge of a cars exact history and mileage proof etc. I wondered if anyone had any experience of buying an import?

Thanks
Ken
NZ00Z3
Joined: Thu 23 Jun, 2016 01:26
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: Import Z3s

Post by NZ00Z3 »

Down here in New Zealand where we don't have any car manufacturing plants, Jap import cars make up a sizable % of the cars on the road. I've owned several over the years. The mileage appears to be correct on them.

There are many Jap import Z3's around here. We don't give its imported status much thought when looking to buy them.

Ensure you get to see the Japan auction sheet. It will give you a condition rating and a diagram/list of known damage. I usually on look at 4/5 to 4.5/5 condition graded cars.
DC
Joined: Tue 15 Sep, 2009 17:31
Posts: 571

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Inverness-shire

Re: Import Z3s

Post by DC »

swabyk wrote: Wed 08 Nov, 2017 21:13 Hi guys,
What’s the view on Japanese import Z3s?

I have some concerns about knowledge of a cars exact history and mileage proof etc. I wondered if anyone had any experience of buying an import?

Thanks
Ken
Mine is a 1998, imported to a dealer who specialised in imports when it was 10 years old and owned by me since then. A very positive experience, 23k and BMW service documents with it confirming regular servicing and mileage, in Japanese of course.
The car was indistinguishable from brand new and had never seen road salt, (still hasn't as summer use only), fault free and immaculately clean.
It's now covered a further 23,000 trouble free miles and never failed an MOT or had advisories, I've just had my second set of new tyres fitted along with new brake pads and fluids changed.
I paid top price for the car at the time and it's been well worth it as I've had very little expense since.
Just my personal experience of course and I was concerned at the time about history etc. but once I saw and inspected the car and documents I realised I couldn't get a better one so took the plunge.
Insurance hasn't been a problem either, just the same as normal.
Dave.
Dave. 1998 Arctic Silver Z3 M44 1.9 Automatic
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motco
Joined: Tue 18 Aug, 2009 18:12
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  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: Import Z3s

Post by motco »

The one caution applied to Japanese imports of Japanese cars (typically MX5s) is the lower level of corrosion protection applied there. In the case of 'foreign' built cars from Japan this worry may not apply. You need to know from BMW ideally whether the US factory differentiated European standard RHD cars from Japanese spec RHD cars. It is possible that the same protection was applied.
DC
Joined: Tue 15 Sep, 2009 17:31
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  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Inverness-shire

Re: Import Z3s

Post by DC »

motco wrote: Fri 10 Nov, 2017 09:26 The one caution applied to Japanese imports of Japanese cars (typically MX5s) is the lower level of corrosion protection applied there. In the case of 'foreign' built cars from Japan this worry may not apply. You need to know from BMW ideally whether the US factory differentiated European standard RHD cars from Japanese spec RHD cars. It is possible that the same protection was applied.
My Z3 is European spec as regards corrosion protection but as you rightly say, you have to be careful with other makes as cars made in Japan for the Japanese market don't always have adequate protection for this country.
Dave.
Dave. 1998 Arctic Silver Z3 M44 1.9 Automatic
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Re: Import Z3s

Post by vzh7gk »

motco wrote: Fri 10 Nov, 2017 09:26 The one caution applied to Japanese imports of Japanese cars (typically MX5s) is the lower level of corrosion protection applied there.
Heh, the UK market MX-5s weren't a great deal better, as I found to my cost! :head:
Graham (G4FUJ)
Prescott marshal and Hill Controller
Found another Z3 so back here after a long break :) 1999 1.9, Palmetto Green
1 Morgan 4/4 (selling in Spring) and a Land Rover 90 (keeping forever)
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motco
Joined: Tue 18 Aug, 2009 18:12
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  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: Import Z3s

Post by motco »

vzh7gk wrote: Fri 10 Nov, 2017 13:58
motco wrote: Fri 10 Nov, 2017 09:26 The one caution applied to Japanese imports of Japanese cars (typically MX5s) is the lower level of corrosion protection applied there.
Heh, the UK market MX-5s weren't a great deal better, as I found to my cost! :head:
Honda S2000s were not too good either. Japanese cars seem to lag behind ours in that area.
swabyk
Joined: Mon 18 Jul, 2016 17:38
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  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Import Z3s

Post by swabyk »

Thanks all, appreciate the comments and feedback
PaulI
Joined: Sun 28 Dec, 2003 19:37
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Weybridge, Surrey

Re: Import Z3s

Post by PaulI »

The Japanese tend to maintain their cars to a very high standard, always clean and original dealer servicing, I'd have no problem buying a Japanese import at all.
PaulI
Joined: Sun 28 Dec, 2003 19:37
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Re: Import Z3s

Post by PaulI »

Check out this import for condition! Stunning!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... 500&page=1
petecossie
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Re: Import Z3s

Post by petecossie »

PaulI wrote: Sat 11 Nov, 2017 14:52 Check out this import for condition! Stunning!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... 500&page=1
swabyk if you can get one in this condition you'll be doing well. Only thing for me is the KM speedo, is it still OK for the MOT? I think it would cost a bit to get a MPH version and then I think there is problems setting it up. Perhaps MOT experts will pass comment on it in due course.
Pete C

2000 Z3M Coupe - Cosmos Black Metallic/Black Interior.

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Re: Import Z3s

Post by vzh7gk »

There are a number of companies doing KM to miles conversions on speedometers.
Graham (G4FUJ)
Prescott marshal and Hill Controller
Found another Z3 so back here after a long break :) 1999 1.9, Palmetto Green
1 Morgan 4/4 (selling in Spring) and a Land Rover 90 (keeping forever)
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Z3crazy
Joined: Thu 04 May, 2017 13:37
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Location: Breda, The Netherlands

Re: Import Z3s

Post by Z3crazy »

Why would a KPH speedometer be a big deal for the MOT? It's hardly a safety issue. Plus, if you get the numbers mixed up you'd be going slower. An MPH speedo would be a bigger problem on the continent.

I know for a fact that here in the Netherlands a MPH speedo is not a fail on an imported car.

Dave
If it ain't broke, don't fix it
Z3 1.9 2000, Cosmos Schwartz
Buzzy-Beans
Joined: Tue 14 Nov, 2017 15:01
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Re: Import Z3s

Post by Buzzy-Beans »

I believe it is a requirement of the DVLA to have an MPH speedo.
gookah
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Re: Import Z3s

Post by gookah »

not a fail according to the MOT manual. It has to work, be covered with an unbroken lens and be lit. No mention of speed measurement in MPH
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I have an element of 'M-styling' on my car, If that's a good enough reason for the manufacturers to adorn a 320 with the M badge, then its certainly a good enough reason for me..
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