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[LUFC]

I'm new to the website and think I have already done this - maybe I'm wrong - please be patient - thanx

I have a 1997 BMW Z3 Roadster wide bodied 6 cylinder 2.8 in racing green - manufactured in the USA - I believe quite rare now ?
Any info appreciated

thanks

LUFC

 

[Zephyr]

From your VIN number the two letters before the last five digits, read lbxxxxx, lcxxxxx, lfxxxxx or lgxxxxx (where X are numbers) ?
you probably have an 307 - Dunkelgrün

 

[Shelly]

 

[LUFC]

From your VIN number the two letters before the last five digits, read lbxxxxx, lcxxxxx, lfxxxxx or lgxxxxx (where X are numbers) ?
you probably have an 307 - Dunkelgrün

My VIN shows LBxxxxx - so what does that mean ?

 

[Zephyr]

My VIN shows LBxxxxx - so what does that mean ?

LBxxxxx were vehicles produced mainly for Japan and UK (and other countries that drive RHD), this designation (LB) was used between 1997 and 1998.

So you either have a variance between LB85000 and LB89410 or LB08000 and LB08827
If you have a green colour its either a 275 - Bostongrün, or a 307 - Dunkelgrün, or a 430 - Oxfordgrün II.

If your vin is within the first batch, and it is a Dunkelgrün, you have one (1) from a total of sixteen (16) cars produced from that batch in this specific colour.
If your vin is within the second batch, your car is the ONLY one in that specific batch.
And this makes it even more rare.
Also if your car belongs to the small batch and is indeed a Dunkelgrün, it also has brown seats, wood trim and the original wheels were the starfish deep dish ones.
cheers.

 

[LUFC]

Zephyr,

Thank you for your response - much appreciated !

I only provided my VIN re first two letters (LB) - it is actually LB86161

As you quote LB85000 to LB89410 can I assume that only 4410 were manufactured - also LB08000 to 08827 - only 827 manufactured ?

So how do I establish the 2nd factor of your reply i.e. do I have a 275 - Bostongrün, or a 307 - Dunkelgrün, or a 430 - Oxfordgrün II. ? what do these references mean ?

My V5C just records the colour as "Green" - I was of the opinion that it is Racing Green ? - I'm sure there will be a reference somewhere as to which particular green it is BUT I don't know where to find this ?

My car does not have brown seats, wood trim and starfish deep dish wheels (whatever they look like) ?

For info I have the original wheels and seats for my car in my garage - it is currently fitted on the car are the M- Series seats and wheels - I understand these again are rare and worth a few quid ? I also have a spare soft top (virtually new) which was undamaged and came of a Z3 which sadly collided with a tree - oh dear !

I got all of the above on purchase - the guy who I bought it from was very knowledgable about the car whereas I'm very ignorant - he had a pet name for the car and we still meet up from time to time !

Your knowledge and info seems remarkable - where does it come from ?

I'm guessing that this website is American based as when I registered it asked me for my date of birth in the American format e.g. 9 eleven year i.e. 11 sept xxxx- where are you located ?

I hope I'm not being a pain but new to the site and fascinated by your info - any further help greatly appreciated

regards
LUFC

 

[t-tony]

No, this forum is UK based. There are some US members though.

Tony.

 

[Zephyr]

Zephyr,

Thank you for your response - much appreciated !

I only provided my VIN re first two letters (LB) - it is actually LB86161

As you quote LB85000 to LB89410 can I assume that only 4410 were manufactured - also LB08000 to 08827 - only 827 manufactured ?

for that batch, yes. There were also other three batches, the total of the 2.8 wide body is way over 58.000 vehicles.

So how do I establish the 2nd factor of your reply i.e. do I have a 275 - Bostongrün, or a 307 - Dunkelgrün, or a 430 - Oxfordgrün II. ? what do these references mean ?

you can check the sticker under your hood\bonnet on the right side over the wheel arch

My V5C just records the colour as "Green" - I was of the opinion that it is Racing Green ? - I'm sure there will be a reference somewhere as to which particular green it is BUT I don't know where to find this ?

My car does not have brown seats, wood trim and starfish deep dish wheels (whatever they look like) ?

For info I have the original wheels and seats for my car in my garage - it is currently fitted on the car are the M- Series seats and wheels - I understand these again are rare and worth a few quid ? I also have a spare soft top (virtually new) which was undamaged and came of a Z3 which sadly collided with a tree - oh dear !

please check your full vin (17 digits) at www. Mdecoder .com and check colour and specs. Copy paste them here if you want so I can explain better each one of them

I got all of the above on purchase - the guy who I bought it from was very knowledgable about the car whereas I'm very ignorant - he had a pet name for the car and we still meet up from time to time !

Your knowledge and info seems remarkable - where does it come from ?

had many bmws (maybe too many) back in the day and always wanted to know more. My info comes from files I have gathered during thirty or more years. Unfortunately no info after 2010… lost my interest after the Bangle era.

I'm guessing that this website is American based as when I registered it asked me for my date of birth in the American format e.g. 9 eleven year i.e. 11 sept xxxx- where are you located ?

I hope I'm not being a pain but new to the site and fascinated by your info - any further help greatly appreciated

regards
LUFC

my answers inline. cheers. (Expand the text above)

 

[LUFC]

Zephyr,

I have just checked all my paperwork from the previous owner as I thought there might be reference to her (he called her Rose) colour ?

And I quote from an email I have from him:-

"The story begins in June 2006 when I spotted her after several years of hoping to find a 2.8 widebody and was lucky to find one, and in the best colour in my opinion Boston Green - made in Greer, Spartenburg, South Carolina in July 1997 - 1st registered in uk on 12/9/1997.

So colour likely to be 275 - Bostongrün, ??????????????????????????

thoughts

LUFC

 

[Zephyr]

Free BMW VIN Decoder : ///M Decoder

BMW VIN decoder will check your BMW VIN and show you full vehicle specification

www.mdecoder.com

write down your 17 digit vin at this link and copy paste the results here.

 

[LUFC]

Free BMW VIN Decoder : ///M Decoder

BMW VIN decoder will check your BMW VIN and show you full vehicle specification

www.mdecoder.com

write down your 17 digit vin at this link and copy paste the results here.

Hi - I have taken the opportunity to look under my bonnet - there is a label on the front near side suspension strut that says BMW - bostongrün -metallic - but underneath this it says dunkelgrün, - to the left there are the numbers 275/6 and to the right 2122499 !

So I'm still assuming it is boston green and what you describe above as a 275 - Bostongrün - BUT not quite sure why it then stipulates Dunkelgrün, (i.e. as you quote a 307 - Dunkelgrün, ? - a little confused and hope you can clarify

regards

LUFC

 

[LUFC]

Free BMW VIN Decoder : ///M Decoder

BMW VIN decoder will check your BMW VIN and show you full vehicle specification

www.mdecoder.com

write down your 17 digit vin at this link and copy paste the results here.

sorry meant to say on my last email that this link with 17 digit VIN shows bostongrun !

 

[t-tony]

I think, although I could be mistaken, the the body colour is Boston Green while the under bonnet colour is Dunkelgrun (a none gloss colour).

Tony.

 

[Zephyr]

You have one of 2.258 Boston Green from that batch.
having sport seats and probably 17 rims this narrows it to 1.250. (RHD).
From a total (all batches before the facelift) 9.560 of that colour.
How many are still in UK I have no idea.
Probably some local can assist you with that.
The total production of the Z3 was close to 300.000 so quite rare yours.

 

[LUFC]

I have the opportunity to acquire some spare parts for my BMW Z3 roadster that might otherwise be hard to source - anybody any info of likely cost of securing the following before I decide whether to go ahead ?

01 pair of matching door cards
02 pre facelift undrilled boot lid with all electrics - rear brake light - lock etc
03 pre facelift rear light units (x2)
04 pair of front indicator units
05 set of new Mintex rear brake pads

I may never need them but wonder whether I should purchase as likely hard to obtain going forward ?????

thoughts - what would you pay ?

LUFC