from North Yorkshire.Ian& Sue.
To Z3 or not to Z3?
- Thread starter ChrisBpt
- Start date
from North Yorkshire.Ian& Sue.
to the Forum.
six cylinder Z3 all day would be my suggestion..Good 2.2s come up frequently for not a lot of money...
If you want the most smiles per mile SLK 55 AMG - All year round car with the folding roof and that monster V8 is such a joy!! Having said that, still looking at Z3M myself, being more of a "driver's car". Question for everybody though - does the hard-top actually keep it waterproof? Haven't heard yet of a Z roadster with soft top that doesn't have water in the boot (and sometimes on passenger seat) after a rain storm!!! Had a baby one (Z that is) years ago and had the canvas roof removed and re-fitted twice and it still got rain in.
Thanks
Thanks
Hello and Welcome to the forum from Sunny Scotland.
I am a 99% of year hard topped Zer. I love the look of the car with the Hardtop. Also makes a huge difference to road noise and general comfort for the car, especially in winter. Despite the HT, I get 1 small leak from the passenger side A pillar corner which is very very common and more to do with the rubber seal than the hardtop.
As for budget, I would suggest 5k with £600 a year contingency to be a more than reasonable budget for a 1.9i or even a smaller 6 cylinder.
Facebook market place is awash with value for money cars, not just Z3s. Cast your eyes that way and i am sure you will find something good.
Scooblitz
I am a 99% of year hard topped Zer. I love the look of the car with the Hardtop. Also makes a huge difference to road noise and general comfort for the car, especially in winter. Despite the HT, I get 1 small leak from the passenger side A pillar corner which is very very common and more to do with the rubber seal than the hardtop.
As for budget, I would suggest 5k with £600 a year contingency to be a more than reasonable budget for a 1.9i or even a smaller 6 cylinder.
Facebook market place is awash with value for money cars, not just Z3s. Cast your eyes that way and i am sure you will find something good.
Scooblitz
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5k you will get more than a reasonable 1.9 with the way prices are now. If they get much lower people will be paying you to take them!
If was looking for your requirements, I'd look for a 2.2i in nice condition, with recentish valuable work done. I'd expect to be paying 4k or less. 1k for a hard top with fitting kit and button.
The facelift cars, in my opinion, are built better than the prefacelift cars without technical upgrade (TU). Cabin feel is better with door insulation, hood insulation, modern ABS, OBD2, Dual vanos etc.
Look for cars that have clean body work with as little rust as possible. Check the sills, 4 arches and front quarter panel as particular common spots. Everything else is replaceable and usually very reasonable on parts cost.
The facelift cars, in my opinion, are built better than the prefacelift cars without technical upgrade (TU). Cabin feel is better with door insulation, hood insulation, modern ABS, OBD2, Dual vanos etc.
Look for cars that have clean body work with as little rust as possible. Check the sills, 4 arches and front quarter panel as particular common spots. Everything else is replaceable and usually very reasonable on parts cost.
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BMW Z3 buyer's guide
The BMW Z3 was the Bavarian outfit’s contribution to the back-to-basics roadster revolution of the late 90s. Here's how to buy one
classicsworld.co.uk
Might be worth a read?
The SLK 200 also comes in 6 speed manual. Welcome by the way.
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2016
- Points
- 231
- Model of Z
- Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
Z3 hard tops are very quick and easy to put on and take off as long as there are two people, so no issues, bigger issue is storing the darn thing when it's off. which ever Z3 you decide on go wwith good service / maintenance history over mileage. High mileage is irrelevant on a well maintained car. Just an opinion, others can be found. 
Dado
Zorg Legend
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2017
- Points
- 65
- Model of Z
- 2.2 mtec
A very good nick Z3 2.2 around 01/02 year with less than 60000 and service history might be more than people seem to think, found 3 in particular listed on one of the sites, 1 was 9.5k the next 10k and another at 10.5k.
I know that's the advertisers price not the sale price but these were private sales not dealers........
Not a hard top among them either.
I know that's the advertisers price not the sale price but these were private sales not dealers........
Not a hard top among them either.
A personal view.. Absolutely ridiculous prices and totally unrealistic.. Willing to be proven entirely wrong though.. I. Today's market no more than 5.5k
Things are worth whatever someone's prepared to pay. No harm in.asking a high price. I've never seen anybody barter upwards.
Tony.
I have just goit through a similar decision making process having reduce my work hours and giving up a company car.
I chose the Z3 2.8 example but would quite happliy have purchase a 1.9.
Only thing I would change is to have spent a little more on an already fully sorted car.
£5k should get you a mint 1.9 £6.5k a similar 2.8
Prices are pretty good or buyers at the moment - just dont't believe the valuation that some owners put on their cars most over estimate. Be prepared to walk away. I viewed 10 or 12 cars before making my choice.
I chose the Z3 2.8 example but would quite happliy have purchase a 1.9.
Only thing I would change is to have spent a little more on an already fully sorted car.
£5k should get you a mint 1.9 £6.5k a similar 2.8
Prices are pretty good or buyers at the moment - just dont't believe the valuation that some owners put on their cars most over estimate. Be prepared to walk away. I viewed 10 or 12 cars before making my choice.
Agree with both comments - there are some silly asking prices about and cars are only ever woth what someone is willing to pay.Things are worth whatever someone's prepared to pay. No harm in.asking a high price. I've never seen anybody barter upwards.
Tony.
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Just had a look, private group, you have to sign up to be able read the posts.