Z3 2.2 (2001), 100k miles, same owner since 2005, £3495 - a good buy?

[inhocsigno]

Thank you everyone for the continued feedback - appreciated!

The consensus seems to suggest skipping on the roof-damaged one that I originally posted about; in fact, after reading Mr Jeffryes' thirilling story of his 2.2 adventure, and some of the comments above, I see the point of buying a car that's been driven regularly and maintained by an enthusiast. Plus sadly I lack the skill set, house and equipment to address problems myself. In fact I'm beginning to feel already a little guilty for having to keep her outdoors in the English weather! I anticipate asiduous washing, waxing and a good cover (or is that not a good idea)?

Yes, the black one on e-bay linked above does indeed no longer come with the hardtop, thank you @Pond, noticed after posting - I will enquire nonetheless, it's a nice-looking car. I've been reading and looking for photos (pre / post-facelift), I prefer the rear light configuration of the pre facelift and am very curious to compare the rear arches in real life; I love the design of the mk4 mx5's arches, if I could find a pre-face lift 2.8 in the right confition it would tempt me (despite the interior). Is the original 2.8 engine still okay - thinking MOT emissions test wise. Strangely I can't seem to find too many pictures comparing the cars' appearance directly, especially from multiple angles!

I had a look at Mathewsons Auctions, thank you @Paul Rice - I'm curious what they'll have in June as well; I would rather wait a bit more and find one that compels me.

Thank you guys; I'll keep reading and looking.

 

[AntStark]

Arches

 

[inhocsigno]

Thank you, I had seen this one and it's marginally helpful; it's not a deal breaker, both wide bodies look fine and muscular enough; it's the service record and overall specification that will make, I think, the difference.

 

[inhocsigno]

https://bid.humbertellis.com/auctio...-details/dc77a675-efba-48e1-b789-b15800c0f60b - found it with about 40 seconds left on the clock - latest bid was around 4,400! very low mileage, but possibly long-time parked / not used.. Local too, so could have visisted if I knew! Still, the dark interior, so phew..

 

[inhocsigno]

https://shorturl.at/dFN18 - interesting but expensive, also no MOT history beyond 2017 (imported?)

 

[AntStark]

Lovely those Individual Saphire editions ..not sure white leather would stay white with me. Last run out sport model so fully loaded with extras . Stunning car

 

[Jam03]

https://shorturl.at/dFN18 - interesting but expensive, also no MOT history beyond 2017 (imported?)

I think that might have also been for sale at the same place for more than 2 yrs. I visited that used car lot when I was looking as it’s not far from me. I didn’t see this one, but it might well have been there, but was beyond my budget. They had a 2.0 for sale that looked nothing like the condition promised in the advert. Worth looking in person to be sure. Lovely spec and colour. Not sure why the seats have a black section on them.

 

[Pond]

https://shorturl.at/dFN18 - interesting but expensive, also no MOT history beyond 2017 (imported?)

Very expensive considering the dealer couldn't even be bothered to give the seats a clean. They are minging and need more than a clean.

The lack of MOT history looks like it came over from Northern Ireland recently. It's a NI plate and shows as not being changed, so is not a 'cherished plate '. NI MOT checks only go back to 2017.

Two minutes of internet searching can disclose all manner of things.

 

[hard top]

Not sure why the seats have a black section on them.

I was also just about to post a comment about the black section on the seats, I was trying to work out if they were seat cushons or a repaired section ?

 

[AntStark]

I think maybe arm yourself with a list of key things to look for (plenty of buyers guides on here) and just get out and have a look at a few..you’ll soon get a sense of what’s good and what’s not.

 

[inhocsigno]

Used BMW Cars for Sale in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear | Gumtree

Find amazing local prices on used BMW cars for sale in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear ✅ Shop hassle-free with Gumtree, your local buying & selling community.

www.gumtree.com

Looks honest judging by MOT history; bit weary of low price. Just wrote to seller suggesting 1st or 2nd of May for visit. Thoughts?

 

[inhocsigno]

Used BMW Cars for Sale in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear | Gumtree

Find amazing local prices on used BMW cars for sale in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear ✅ Shop hassle-free with Gumtree, your local buying & selling community.

www.gumtree.com

Looks honest judging by MOT history; bit weary of low price. Just wrote to seller suggesting 1st or 2nd of May for visit. Thoughts?

Meh, https://zroadster.org/threads/z4-2-0l-engine.18372/ - and it does say oil leaks in the MOT; and that exhaust manifold business sounds scary; and I won't know the power comparisons since I haven't driven the larger engines. sigh.

 

[Jam03]

Meh, https://zroadster.org/threads/z4-2-0l-engine.18372/ - and it does say oil leaks in the MOT; and that exhaust manifold business sounds scary; and I won't know the power comparisons since I haven't driven the larger engines. sigh.

That post is about a 2.0 Z4. This one is a Z3 which is a 6cylinder. That said, it’s reasonably high mileage and a bit untidy, so you may be able to haggle

 

[inhocsigno]

That post is about a 2.0 Z4. This one is a Z3 which is a 6cylinder. That said, it’s reasonably high mileage and a bit untidy, so you may be able to haggle

Thanks; getting tired and losing focus; good time to call it a night.

 

[inhocsigno]

Hello, everyone:

I talked with the man selling the 1997 2.8:

Pardon our interruption...

Good impressions. For a 1997 specimen, the car sounds solid; seller gave off good and honest vibes. He said he paid nearly 6,000 for it last year.

What do you think about £5400 + MOT before purchase? My concern is: that roof/new window assemblage, I'd like to make it look right - would the £300 roof-quote mentioned above address this? In any case, this is really really really stretching my budget and I might have to semi-starve for a month. And you will probably say that at this price I should just wait.

Also at this price I'm thinknig the individual sapphire edition above might be attainable - they look like very different creatures, different stories; honestly my heart leans towards the 2.8.

Also, I'm planning to see the above-cited 2.0 litre in Newcastle over the weekned; also a 2.2 in Middlesborough soon (dealer car, not the right colour but want to experience the engine).

Exciting but also anxious times.

Thanks again for all your help

EDIT: Asked about the cooling system - said he didn't touch it, works fine; he did get a thermostat but never had to use it - thermostat included in the sale.
EDIT: The sill weld job: apparently there was corrosion at the very end of the inner sil - removal of rotten bit + steel welding job was performed to pass MOT; should this worry me?

EDIT: All of the work that's been cited, especially the new CAT and suspension overhault, I like.

EDIT: I would really have liked to be able to see the blue individual edition in person, travel arrangements from Durham however very challenging

 

[bertiejaffa]

croydon softtops for a new roof

the carpet is in 2 parts - if you put the seat all the way back and up and then put your hand under it you can go between the carpet joins and feel the foam padding - it will be wet so use that to you advantage of the leak.

also look under the 2 storage bins in the sides of the boot, they remove easily and if there is boot ingress you wil see water in there.

All the issues can be fixed, you just want to start with as cheap an option as possible

 

[AntStark]

It’s the outer sills that are known to rust (they are cosmetic ), the inner ones are structural and thick steel. If it was so bad they had to cut a bit out I would question what else under the car is rusty? Ask if they have any pictures of the repair. Ask if the new CAT was a BMW one, cheap ones just don’t usually last and you’ll be back with the same emissions issue. Those wheels are non standard for a Z3 ..many people have them but it will alter the original feel of the car…personal preference obviously.

 

[inhocsigno]

Thank you (the CAT point, appreciated), I'll enquire and update here; existence of repair photos was mentioned.

 

[inhocsigno]

2001 BMW Z3 2.2 Sport Edition, Manual, FSH - 17 Stamps. | in Southwell, Nottinghamshire | Gumtree

I wonder about approximate cost to address the issues. Very good price and the desirable 2.2.

 

[AntStark]

That one sounds much better.. lots of good preventative work done on it. Style 32 alloys are very nice. @t-tony Is this one near you?
Hood is a consumable item really,getting it changed is no big deal. If you are bothered about the heated seats then again its not a massive job