Z3 roadster to sell or not to sell?

[davidd]

I live in North Ferriby near Hull. I have owned a Z3 roadster from new (1998) and it is still used regularly. It is Montreal blue with a beige leather interior and has done 55,000 miles. It has been looked after but not cosseted - regular servicing and cleaning. It now needs some paintwork - both rear sills are showing signs of rust and there are a few other minor paintwork jobs need doing. I have had one quote for this work which is in excess of £3000 so my question to this group is whether it is worth spending that sort of money to return it to being a very good car with one owner and low mileage or just keep running it as it is and spend the bare minimum to keep it on the road. Will I get a reasonable return on the investment?

 

[colb]

What engine is in it?
If sills need doing you won't know what the inners are like until the outers are taken off, most of the 3k you have ben quoted will be labour.
Despite the car being low mileage the value in it you will never get back what you are likely to spend on it if you moved it on. I would sort the sills out and the paintwork that's required and keep it, you won't find another one that has the history like yours.

 

[Nodzed]

Seems a bit high but that said some photos of the actual problem areas would help. You could replace the sills including painting for well under a grand (if you could get a set).
Its a nice car, (virtually identical to my first Z3) so I would say yes to spending some money but shop around.

 

[Z Victor 1]

Looks like the 2.8 and orignal low mileage ones are fetching reasonable money. So some investment is probably worthwhile, but as said I'd shop around for a better price on the bodywork.

 

[davidd]

What engine is in it?
If sills need doing you won't know what the inners are like until the outers are taken off, most of the 3k you have ben quoted will be labour.
Despite the car being low mileage the value in it you will never get back what you are likely to spend on it if you moved it on. I would sort the sills out and the paintwork that's required and keep it, you won't find another one that has the history like yours.

Thanks for your advice. Does anyone have any recommendations for body shops in my area - East Riding/hull? Thx David

 

[davidd]

What engine is in it?
If sills need doing you won't know what the inners are like until the outers are taken off, most of the 3k you have ben quoted will be labour.
Despite the car being low mileage the value in it you will never get back what you are likely to spend on it if you moved it on. I would sort the sills out and the paintwork that's required and keep it, you won't find another one that has the history like yours.

Thanks for your helpful reply. It is the 3l engine and still on original exhausts. In fact relatively little work done bar one set replacement tyres and a couple of batteries. Everything works - electric soft top, alarm etc and internal condition is very good - carpets have been covered from new.

 

[RickyBobby]

Looks like a great example but unfortunately once you go down the route of unescessary maintenance you are unlikely to get your money back.

Despite some of the for sale adverts listing these cars at above £10k the reality is the market is just not there.

So I guess you have 3 options:

1 - keep doing what you've been doing for the past 26 years and enjoy the car
2 - get a couple more quotes for the body work and spend the money now knowing you will likely not get it back when you do eventually sell it
3 - sell it now and let someone else decide if they want to incur the expense of the cosmetic work

I assume the car was supplied with your private when you took delivery of it back in 1998?

 

[Ianmc]

Get it fixed (£2K should do it with new cover sills) and carry on, it's only money!!

 

[Pond]

keep doing what you've been doing for the past 26 years and enjoy the car

I think this option sounds the best, unless the rust is a real problem.
As said, despite what some like to believe, your car is not worth a fortune, either looking 100%, or 80%. So save your money and carry on.

 

[Z Victor 1]

It's a pre facelift Z3, but you say it's a 3litre. Has it had an engine swap?

 

[Shelly]

 

[davidd]

It's a pre facelift Z3, but you say it's a 3litre. Has it had an engine swap?

Sorry I was using 3l to distinguish from the 1.9 - it is the 2.8l.
In response to the number plate query - yes the plate was fitted on first registration 1st May 1998.