Do I get a 2.2L San Remo or Sport?

NabsNabsNabs

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Hey all,

Still looking for my first Z, I was set on getting a 2.2 'Sport' but trawling the stock on the market I am very much liking the look of the San Remo individuals....Looks very classy in my mind. The Blue on silver with multispoke alloys has a vintage look about it.

I want to get a car that will hopefully appreciate a little but give me some fun as well from driving it as well as maintaining like a hobby. I would expect to hold it for maybe 10 years. I wont be getting any bigger than a 2.2 as emissions ratings are too high.

The Sport appealed due its better suspension and LSD and I like the type 78 alloys, but the San Remo's look so cool....
To that regard, what are people's thoughts on them?

I have seen a number for sale, so they don't feel much rarer than a 2.2 Sport - Is there any idea on numbers?
Of the ones I have seen, it seems like nearly all have the non M wing mirrors....which makes me think they are either look-a-likes spec'd that way rather than an official individual edition car.
Is it perhaps the case that they didn't come with M mirrors in the UK?

Otherwise, would what people think as a better investment? ( I re-iterate, unfortunately I cant get one of the bigger engines )

Help much appreciated!
 

Eddie Zedder

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This may help
 

NabsNabsNabs

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This may help
Yeah I've seen this before - I believe the "M außenspiegel beheizt" is the M heated mirrors when translated, however given that brochure is in German and every San Remo I see for sale in the UK has normal mirrors, makes me think that it was not included in UK specs.....unless either everyone has had to replace them, or there was a load of copy cat specs made less the mirrors....Incidentally every San Remo looking car ( without M mirrors ) I see is a Y reg which is at least consistent with the limited period run descriptions. Would be good to know if someone has seen a UK car with them to help understand if these were part of the UK spec.
 

Eddie Zedder

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Hopefully there will be some San Remo owners along soon to help with your quest.
 

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miller1098

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Lol don’t even think about making money if you’re going to use the car,it doesn’t happen whatever anyone says.its just a matter of losing the least but if it doesn’t turn your head in the car park don’t bother. Buy the car you like and accept the fact your paying for the car that makes you happy.Good luck
 

Nodzed

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UK San Remo 2.2 (M mirrors)


 

Nodzed

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My advice is get the best car for the money you have to spend. San Remo will be scarce, sport much easier, there is a very nice 2.2 sport for sale on here that's had the full ZedShed treatment.
 

Z Victor 1

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Not strictly true @miller1098, I made a profit on both my 2.8 and 2.2 Z3 s. £2000 profit on my 1999 facelift 2.8 and the only thing I did was fit new water pump, thermostat and belt due to age and the thermostat was stuck open.What makes the biggest difference is mileage, no matter what we know about well looked after cars.No 'investor' wants a high mileage Z3.
 

miller1098

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Not strictly true @miller1098, I made a profit on both my 2.8 and 2.2 Z3 s. £2000 profit on my 1999 facelift 2.8 and the only thing I did was fit new water pump, thermostat and belt due to age and the thermostat was stuck open.What makes the biggest difference is mileage, no matter what we know about well looked after cars.No 'investor' wants a high mileage Z3.
I think I prefaced my comment with “if you use it” use=mileage,that’s not an investor. I think you were very lucky to make a profit if you used your car or bought it at the right price.I still think it’s tricky to buy a car to use and stay ahead especially 20 year old ones. But well done I need some tips ;)
 

Kyle auty

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Hi Billy
Hope your doing ok. I take it your still looking? Any joy with the cars you have seen? As already said get the most for your money, the lower mileage means more mileage for you to enjoy over the time you will have the car.
kyle
 

Kyle auty

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Low mileage san remo - only done 65k
Think I’ve sent you this one already. Just check all the advisories have been done as part of the deal. 👍 looks a nice car.
 

Nodzed

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Low mileage san remo - only done 65k
Think I’ve sent you this one already. Just check all the advisories have been done as part of the deal. 👍 looks a nice car.
I dont think that's a full blown San Remo Individual, I think it's just had a few bits ordered from the individual catalogue like seats. If it was SR pack car it would have M mirrors and be sold as a SR
 

Kyle auty

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I dont think that's a full blown San Remo Individual, I think it's just had a few bits ordered from the individual catalogue like seats. If it was SR pack car it would have M mirrors and be sold as a SR
I know a chap that has a san remo and his has non M Mirror’s but is still stamped up as an individual. He also checked with bmw, and they confirmed it was a san remo. They must have made them with both style of mirrors.
 

Z Victor 1

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I think I prefaced my comment with “if you use it” use=mileage,that’s not an investor. I think you were very lucky to make a profit if you used your car or bought it at the right price.I still think it’s tricky to buy a car to use and stay ahead especially 20 year old ones. But well done I need some tips ;)
Quite right, my 2.8 had only 37k on the clock when, in a moment of madness, I sold it. I had bought it well and hadn't added very many miles. I used the 2.2 sport a lot, went over to Spain a couple times etc, but again I bought it well and it was at 65k when I sold it. One reason I sold it was that I could see from prices that I could still make a profit on it , but had it gone past 70k it seems prices start to drop.
 

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Don't get worrying about mileage unless its going to spend its life in the garage and or that's the only thing you care about. You can buy a totally sorted one with 100+k on the clock and you can buy a bag of bolts with 40k on the clock (trust me I have looked at quite a few of them and unfortunately the disillusioned owners still think they are worth top money because of the low mileage) I know which I would buy and mileage would not be an issue. Condition condition condition. (and mainly the bits you can't see) I went to look at an M with a genuine 27k on the clock and still walked away even when I was offered it for silly money, why? because it was a heap, looked OK but it was a bag of bolts.

Just an opinion ;)
 
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NabsNabsNabs

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Lol don’t even think about making money if you’re going to use the car,it doesn’t happen whatever anyone says.its just a matter of losing the least but if it doesn’t turn your head in the car park don’t bother. Buy the car you like and accept the fact your paying for the car that makes you happy.Good luck
I know what you mean, but when I'm thinking of using it, I'm talking 1-2k per year at the very max, it wouldn't be my primary car and would be for the odd blast now and then. Ideally looking at something around 60-80k so I can 'use' and still end up with a respectable lowish milleage after several years.
 

NabsNabsNabs

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Don't get worrying about mileage unless its going to spend its life in the garage and or that's the only thing you care about. You can buy a totally sorted one with 100+k on the clock and you can buy a bag of bolts with 40k on the clock (trust me I have looked at quite a few of them and unfortunately the disillusioned owners still think they are worth top money because of the low mileage) I know which I would buy and mileage would not be an issue. Condition condition condition. (and mainly the bits you can't see) I went to look at an M with a genuine 27k on the clock and still walked away even when I was offered it for silly money, why? because it was a heap, looked OK but it was a bag of bolts.

Just an opinion ;)
Thanks for the advice!
 

NabsNabsNabs

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I dont think that's a full blown San Remo Individual, I think it's just had a few bits ordered from the individual catalogue like seats. If it was SR pack car it would have M mirrors and be sold as a SR
This was one of the cars that prompted my original question! The German spec list notes M mirrors but almost every UK car I see doesn't have.
 

Z Victor 1

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Like others have said, it's best to buy on 'condition'. I've also looked at lots of low mileage 'immaculate' cars that looked perfect on the advert photos, but on inspection were absolute heaps. I very much doubt that you would be able to turn a profit easily on an 80 k Z3. Good luck with your search.:thumbsup:
 
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