Got an offer… sold it…

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Zephyr

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My Titan silver 2001 Z3/1.9/M43, has now 23.000 miles on the clock, is a sport edition, has a hardtop and new continental tyres.
During my ownership, I have replaces all gaskets, all hoses, changed all fluids and installed new sensors, belts and I am on the process of refurbishing the disa valve and replacing the idle valve as the final steps of making it almost as good as new.
Took it at a car meeting this morning and got a very serious offer for 15.500 € cash or a swap with a pre facelift 2.8 wide-body with 86.000 miles (both cars have km on the clocks but I converted for better comparison), no hard top, with good service history (no rust at all) and 5.000 € cash.
I drove the car and its like night and day compared to mine in speed and handling.
on the other hand, mine is an immaculate example probably one of the best around here, and surely will only go up in value (only 39 Z3s currently for sale in Greece and none is even close to how mine looks and feels).
I am somehow tempted by the six cylinder engine and the condition of the offered swap, but not quite sure if after all I went through to make mine “mine” such a move makes sense.
what would you do?
 
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That was unexpected! At least you have a new project to play with. The M43 is a completely different car to drive..more engaging I find due to its lower power..but also more tiring over long distances. I can’t quite let my M43 go yet 😁

where are the pictures 😉?
 
AntStark said:
That was unexpected! At least you have a new project to play with. The M43 is a completely different car to drive..more engaging I find due to its lower power..but also more tiring over long distances. I can’t quite let my M43 go yet 😁

where are the pictures 😉?
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No pics unfortunately. Just cash. Maybe I also put the wife’s Range Rover for sale and see what comes next.
Anyway, while it lasted, it was a bitter sweet taste of ownership. Too much money spent for what it was. The new owner intends to keep it as a garage queen, maybe that was this Z’s destiny.
 
It’s a shame if that’s how it will end up. Did you tell them about this forum ? 😁
 
Zephyr said:
He called and we had a long discussion.
The Z3 is sold for cash.
The offer was way too good to refuse.
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Hi Stanley,

It's a shame, but for the money on offer I think you did pretty well. Well done!

I myself have this love/hate relationship with my 1.9, but I've decided that for the time being that will be my daily toy… Daily meaning a 38 miles drive to the office once a week, and some aimless driving when it's sunny (uh!).
 
well done on your sale...but....there is no way you are turning your back on Zeds
 
bombur said:
well done on your sale...but....there is no way you are turning your back on Zeds
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Looking at the empty garage space, I am sure something will take its place, but not just right now.
Bought this car and had very high hopes, travelling around with the top down, using it on winter for some weekends at the mountains (that is why I bought a hardtop), having fun… but there was always that little or big something that kept me occupied fixing it and day by day the fun was replaced by a constant anxiety that something else that I haven't yet addressed would go bad and it will leave me stranded at the side of the road.
parts are not easy to come by in this place and with so few Zs around not cheap.
Maybe another open top will take its place, but definitely not a Z.
i told the owner about this forum and even showed him some of my threads but I don't think he will ever join, he doesn't speak English…
 
Think you did well there but amazed with your definitive position regarding another Zed - in addition to the Z3 with the E85, E89 and G29 if there isn't one that fits the bill I'd be suprised if there is a convertible from another marque that would be suitable.
 
My mantra is "Anything is for sale if the price is right", but I would likely have another Z.

Tony.
 
I think you’ve come out of this well. That car is such a good example that the pressure to keep it perfect was detrimental to your ownership experience, I think. I hope you find a suitable replacement and I also hope you will remain a valuable source of information and amusement to everyone on this forum!
 
I was a Z3 owner for a short time last year and felt the need to get a Z4 after to see if it was better. I then bought a second Z4 and made one pretty good one... but then sold both as the Z4s didn't give me any great ownership feelings. Don't get me wrong they were a pleasure to drive... but something just didn't do it for me.

I've been out of a Z3 for nearly 10 months now and one came up cheap and my heart said to get it. That wouldn't have happened with a Z4 so I feel there's something quite special about the early small engined Z3s that puts a smile on my face, similar to the mark 1 MX-5 I think. Just my opinion, obvs!

Let's hope this one isn't a money pit :)
 
BoxClever said:
I feel there's something quite special about the early small engined Z3s that puts a smile on my face......
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My sentiments entirely having just returned to M44 ownership via a number of other Zed configurations ;)

But as you say everyone's different so I guess it's just horses for courses.
 
I have both a 1997 m44 1.9 and a 1998 2.8 both in Boston Green , the 1.9 is a good car but in my opinion lacks something it is totally standard but just seems to lack sole, maybe its to quiet the 2.8 is totally different car feels more complete and has that wonderful soundtrack !
 
So… after some thinking, finally joined the hairdresser squad.
Made a good deal on the Range Rover also, the wife accepted to keep the much newer and practical 118i/F40 as a daily, I will be rolling with my company Vitara and the Z is now replaced with an ultra low mileage 2023 Miata (vidal sasoon edition🤪)
Photos are from the former owner as he appears to be a much better photographer than me.
This car started its life as a demonstration vehicle, then was registered to a Mazda employee and finally ended in my possesion.
I guess I am not made for a Z, but as D.A has said, I may not have gone where I intended to, but ended up where I should be.
cheers

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Really nice car! I was looking for an MX5 when I bought the Z3, but I wanted an older car (with all the implied issues), and old MXs were even more problematic than the Zs.

Maybe I should leave all that old car stuff behind and get something newer… ;) Still, I am slowly warming up to the Z3, so who knows?

I am glad you got something that you like. :thumbsup:
 
Similarly I've come to realise that the appeal of the Z3 for me is one of nostalgia - it's serves as a great contrast to the Tesla company wagon.

I still don't think you tried hard enough if you couldn't find a Zed that suited your needs but at the end of the day if your happy that's all that matters - enjoy :thumbsup:
 
Zephyr said:
So… after some thinking, finally joined the hairdresser squad.
Made a good deal on the Range Rover also, the wife accepted to keep the much newer and practical 118i/F40 as a daily, I will be rolling with my company Vitara and the Z is now replaced with an ultra low mileage 2023 Miata (vidal sasoon edition🤪)
Photos are from the former owner as he appears to be a much better photographer than me.
This car started its life as a demonstration vehicle, then was registered to a Mazda employee and finally ended in my possesion.
I guess I am not made for a Z, but as D.A has said, I may not have gone where I intended to, but ended up where I should be.
cheers

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That’s one of the nicest mx5’s I’ve seen. Hopefully you will spend less time tinkering with it and more time driving and stopping in exotic locations to sample the coffee and cake
 
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