Z3 M owner returns

[Thesurveyor]

I have been absent from these pages for a long time, having bought my Z3M Roadster back in 2014. My car had been unloved and required lots of cosmetic improvements and minor tweaking. I haunted these pages buying seat bushes and a hard top, learning about Vanos. We took it around Northern Spain in 2016 and I posted a long article on here about that. It's since been to Le Mans a couple of times and even Hockenheim for an F1 Grand Prix.
Then my daughter bought a tidy little Z3 herself and we were a 2 Z3 family during lockdown.
ULEZ has put paid to her roadster sadly (Though she's swapped a 2 litre 4 cylinder for a 6 cylinder 2.5 litre Z4 (E89) which bizarrely keeps Mr Khan happy when the older car didn't!
I've had nothing to do to the Z3M for ages. regular servicing through ETA in Kent, they also replaced suspension with KW. It's been totally reliable, I miss having to research a problem and find a solution on here or elsewhere. I'm not one for changing the original spec or modifying just for the sake of it.
I've had a windfall and I'm going to scratch that V8 itch whilst I can, so the M is going to be up for sale. I've got so many bits and pieces for it, and so many tales to tell, that I would love it go to someone who will appreciate it. It's high mileage and owners, so I can't ask the silly money you see in the classifieds. Especially if someone will love it.

 

[Zephyr]

Looks like a great car. Too bad it is so far away from me. Good luck with the sale.

 

[Mus Musculus]

Can you add further details (year, miles, etc.)? Have you advertised the car somewhere else?

 

[Thesurveyor]

Yes, it is for sale on Pistonheads and Autotrader and you can probably tie the advertisement up with my profile picture here. I'm being very realistic for a 1998 car with 115,000 miles and 10+ owners. But I've had it 9 years and have nine service stamps including 2 big "B" services where they shim all 24 valves! I have spent £10,700 on it in my ownership and have the bills to prove it! There is nothing wrong with the car at all, it's just that like so many of us petrol heads say: "So many cars, so little time."

 

[Shelly]

 

[Thesurveyor]

Thanks all, always a friendly bunch on here. I’ve decided to move the Roadster on. I could blame the ULEZ expansion because I live right on the edge of the zone, but in truth, I just fancy a change. Got a big Euro trip (landmark birthday) coming up in the Autumn and would like a different car from the last time we did something similar.
The WBAC offer is £3k!! Most dealers don’t want to know, but if they’ll offer in part ex it’s under £10k and the car is insured for £16k. There’s still just time for someone to grab themselves a bargain!

 

[Pingu]

Auction is the only way to find out what it's really worth, and it attracts people with deep pockets who don't know what they want til they see it.

As long as it passes the reserve, it's no longer your problem.

 

[Thesurveyor]

I agree, if I had my time again - and was a lot more patient - that’s what I’d do. My advice to anyone in a similar position is to sell your “collector’s car” before even looking for a new toy.