1999 BMW

A great example of this most enigmatic and stylish of cars that refuses to be categorised. Part coupe and part shooting brake it is highly practical in use and great to drive and of course comes with the practicality and longevity synonymous with this era of BMW. I had one of these as an everyday car covering many thousands of miles in the early 2000’s and never regretted my choice. A wonderful companion on all manner of drives and it always passed the ‘do you look back at your car’ test.

This example reminds me of that nearly new example I had as it is in fantastic original order throughout and has covered only 16,000 miles from new in the hands of three owners. There is a showroom freshness to the detail condition that one rarely finds, even in the best examples.

Finished in the great shade Estoril Blue with Estoril and black leather interior, this ZM was ordered with the desirable options of front side airbags, electric glass sunroof, headlamp wash and the HiFi speaker system upgrade. It was supplied when new by BMW North Ascot on the 19th of November 1999 as noted in correspondence on file and in the original stamped service book.

The first owner retained the ZM for just five months, the second owner based in Wargrave near Reading acquiring the car in April 2000 at 6,000 miles. His tenure was slightly longer, until the 23rd of November 2005 to be precise. During this second ownership the car was barely used, the mileage increasing by less than 1,000 miles in five and a half years.

In 2005 the ZM arrived at BMW dealer Barons of Hindhead, an immaculate low mileage example of a desirable model with a growing reputation as a cult car. It was soon spotted by an employee of the dealership who immediately purchased the car as detailed in extensive correspondence on file. It was not a trade sale, the car being fully checked and sold as an approved used BMW with warranty, indeed the extensive checklist, internal document file and warranty book remain with it.

This was not a fleeting fancy, the ZM remaining with this owner and more latterly his wife until very recently. The car was clearly cherished and garaged during the last 20 years as indicated by the amazing condition and detailed in the many invoices from Barons on file. The ZM being returned to have any fault corrected however small, they carried out every MOT inspection, these also remaining on file.

Indeed, many of the 12,500 miles covered in these last 20 years must have been driving from home to Barons and back.

The ZM comes with everything, the above-mentioned extensive history file of invoicing, MOT certificates and correspondence, the complete original book pack including the original stamped service book, all keys including the rare valet key and tools.

What a wonderful and usable little car for not a lot of money.