About to buy!

[Ricardo Antunes]

Hello people,
I'm Ricardo from the very far island of New Zealand.
I don't have a Z3, YET!

I'm browsing for a descent Gen 1.
The catch is:
1 - there is no manual cars here. So, fun is 1/2.
2 - the cars here are 99.99% Japan used imports, thus, how mileage.
3 - people here like to modify the cars (not in a good way) or do not take good care of the cars
4 - sun here is brutal to cars

So, as I can tell the damage by whether/cosmetics/interior/wear damage what are hidden (notorious) details that I should look for?

I'm specially interested in a 97 running on 1890cc engine (Not my first engine choice, but considering how the car is preserved it seems alright. Moreover, not a manual so mehhh)

If you guys want to take a look on the ad and give me some feedback that will be much appreciated.
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/z3/listing/2515737752

Enjoy the open sky!
Ricardo

 

[Grenville]

Hello Ricardo, welcome to the forum. I am in Australia and that car is a darned good price for the few kilometres on it. The wheel rims look poxy and yes, manual would be ideal, but this is a good price entry into Zed ing. Check the boot for katipos and wetas.

 

[Ricardo Antunes]

Hello Ricardo, welcome to the forum. I am in Australia and that car is a darned good price for the few kilometres on it. The wheel rims look poxy and yes, manual would be ideal, but this is a good price entry into Zed ing. Check the boot for katipos and wetas.

Thanks Greeville,
The wheels look awful (I have to say that I love the ugliness. And if I change my mind It wont be hard to get a new set).
Well, maybe a bit. Kiwis like to “polish” their wheels on the curb.

 

[Grenville]

And do nasty things with sheep.

 

[Jack Ratt]

Hi Ricardo welcome to the forum. Firstly it looks a nice example and there's nothing wrong with BMW auto box either. The pepper pots are like Marmite or Vegemite to you guys down under and some will love them for their old style looks while others will take the opposite view. Personally I quite like them. The price looks ok too

 

[Bampz]

Hi Ricardo to the forum from Wales UK, nice looking example zed , no experience with auto box but general sensus seems good , if it's fitted with the m44 engine that's quite a lively and economical engine so would be good fun , advice take it for a run and see how it feels and drives , o and I quite like the wheels very retro

 

[DelGue]

Welcome to the forum. I bought a '97 1.9 in July and l love it. My iinterior is in a bit rougher condition than that one, but coming along. Retro wheels look pretty cool, actually.

 

[Mazza]

Hi Ricardo , and welcome to the forum from me in Bognor Regis on the South Coast of England.
From the pictures the car looks ok.
Shame your on the other side of the planet as I have a 1998 1.9 manual in Silver but would have preferred an automatic ( just because I’m really lazy )
However, I ‘experienced’ a 3lt recently and its given me ideas ( although, probably way above my driving ability)

 

[Ianmc]

Looks very original, with aircon (essential in my mind), heated seats could be added. Like the wheels. Is price circa 2,000 UKP? For me auto would disqualify, but not all would agree.

 

[mrscalex]

The car looks nice enough Wheels definitely not for me although many like them.

Ridiculous as it may sound, have you thought about shipping from the UK. Z3s are pretty cheap and plentiful here compared with the rest of the planet. You could potentially cover off the what £2k? shipping cost by finding a nice cheap car from a forum member here.

 

[Shelly]

 

[mwpe]

Hi Ricardo and welcome from Surrey UK, looks a nice car, those pepperpot wheels suit the early model.

 

[Ricardo Antunes]

And do nasty things with sheep.

That makes the soft merino.

 

[Ricardo Antunes]

Hi Ricardo welcome to the forum. Firstly it looks a nice example and there's nothing wrong with BMW auto box either. The pepper pots are like Marmite or Vegemite to you guys down under and some will love them for their old style looks while others will take the opposite view. Personally I quite like them. The price looks ok too

Thanks Jack,
Nice to know that to know that there is no hidden bomb, such as engine does not disintegrate as in some Porsches so that your have to exam vin numbers to find what came from a good batch.
Good stuff about the looks of the wheels is that I believe they are 'steal' safe, like Marmite. No one steals that from the the supermarket.

 

[Ricardo Antunes]

Hi Ricardo to the forum from Wales UK, nice looking example zed , no experience with auto box but general sensus seems good , if it's fitted with the m44 engine that's quite a lively and economical engine so would be good fun , advice take it for a run and see how it feels and drives , o and I quite like the wheels very retro

Hi Bampz,
Nice. I drove a 2.2L for sale yesterday. It was alright although slightly pulling left. Just a matter of alignment, I thought. Then, I remember the number was loose on that side and the panel gap was larger than the other side as well: accident alert.

 

[PHILIP BAXTER]

Hi Ricardo, and welcome from me in Cardiff.

 

[Ricardo Antunes]

Welcome to the forum. I bought a '97 1.9 in July and l love it. My iinterior is in a bit rougher condition than that one, but coming along. Retro wheels look pretty cool, actually.

Hi DelGue,
I spend some time browsing for the price of interior repairs. For instance, I tested drive a 2.2L yesterday that needed the driver's seat up down motor. I've found it for 500USD!
As long as everything works its fine, the leather and plastics, even switches can be bought online for a fair price.
But, I must say the the price for the seat motor was chocking.

 

[Keet]

Hello and welcome to the forum

 

[Ricardo Antunes]

Hi Ricardo , and welcome to the forum from me in Bognor Regis on the South Coast of England.
From the pictures the car looks ok.
Shame your on the other side of the planet as I have a 1998 1.9 manual in Silver but would have preferred an automatic ( just because I’m really lazy )
However, I ‘experienced’ a 3lt recently and its given me ideas ( although, probably way above my driving ability)

Hi Mazza,
Manual would be the FUN, but no chance here. And even if I imported one as mrscalex suggested, when I'll need a clutch I would have do buy from abroad.

I drove a 2.2L yesterday and I found another 1.9L which I'll try later today. If it happens that I don't close the deal on either the 1.9Ls I might save some more $ for some more bhp's.

 

[andyglym]

to the forum from West Cumbria, England.