What's a Z3 Worth?

[Mike Fishwick]

We have all become used to the value of our Z3 getting lower and lower - some years ago, out of sheer curiosity I checked with 'Webuyanycar.com' and found that they valued my 1998 2.8 at a princely £830!

One does not see many home-registered Z3s in France, and they do not have a media industry constantly decrying it, so it is regarded with some awe. Having said that, our village has two Z3 owners - my 2.8 and the mayor's 1.9

It was refreshing therefore to see how the French value our cars - for a 1998/99 2.8 litre model the average price is around 18,000 Euros after 150,000 miles, and a very late 2000 model 2.8, with 50,000 on the clock at 28.000 Euros! Curiously, a 1999 2.8 coupe, on 150,000 miles, will cost only 16,500 Euros.

Of course, these cars are all LHD, but in the UK overtaking opportunities are becoming fewer as drivers leave little space for an overtaking car, and seem to get some kind of kick from stopping such 'lunatic' practice . . .

 

[RickyBobby]

The WBAC valuation is a joke - always will be for cars like this but I agree the Z3 does seem to offer ridiculously good value in the UK.
I often wish I still had my 1999 2.8 and find myself browsing the classifieds to scratch the itch.
The problem for me is the lack of indoor storage - I'm not for one minute suggesting they shouldn't be driven but in the UK parking them up on the drive is less than ideal.
This photo is case in pont it sold on ebay yesterday for just over £3,000 with recent work to replace all the body panels - and yes I was hovering over the bid button but just managed to resist.

 

[Iamjonw]

Those French valuations are nuts, may convert mine to LHD ;-)

Having said that I think the UK market is currently undervalued/at the bottom and the only way is up. Will be interesting to see how cars are valued when you cannot buy a new internal combustion powered vehicle and what happens to fuel supply, vehicle taxation and such like. One thing is certain - the Gov will start to tax electric vehicles more aggressively as sales of fossil fuels diminish and there is a hole in the tax revenue.

 

[Toby]

Will be interesting to see how cars are valued when you cannot buy a new internal combustion powered vehicle and what happens to fuel supply, vehicle taxation and such like. One thing is certain - the Gov will start to tax electric vehicles more aggressively as sales of fossil fuels diminish and there is a hole in the tax revenue.

Some will hold value, or appreciate, and inevitably most will drop. Regarding the taxation hole - likely plan will be some sort of road pricing unless they find a reliable way of taxing the electric you use to charge the vehicle. If they go down the road pricing route they should in theory remove the duty on petrol and diesel, but we can guess what will happen

 

[andyglym]

Some will hold value, or appreciate, and inevitably most will drop. Regarding the taxation hole - likely plan will be some sort of road pricing unless they find a reliable way of taxing the electric you use to charge the vehicle. If they go down the road pricing route they should in theory remove the duty on petrol and diesel, but we can guess what will happen

Currently circa £30 Billion from fuel duty so unlikely they'll stop taking it. Easy target.

 

[colb]

UK prices make Z3 and Z4's the budget buys to get into the sports car ownership, they are extreamly good value right across the range just ensure the bodywork is in good order and the underside is not too crusty, have seen some awful examples of shiny on top but a rusty wreck underneath. Engines seem ok and long lived despite high miles. The 1.9's M43 and M44 engines are ok but the 6 Cylinders are better. I would avoid the 2.0l Z4's but thats probably just me with my 2.5 speaking. I like leather interior, fabric is the less desirable.