Z3?
Author
Discussion

missmusic

Original Poster:

10 posts

101 months

Thursday 7th June 2018
quotequote all
Hi, I've been offered a very low mileage Z3; had a good range of cars before but never a BMW; any advice on pro's/ con's/ things they're prone for welcome!
Thank you :-)

motco

17,656 posts

277 months

Thursday 7th June 2018
quotequote all
missmusic said:
Hi, I've been offered a very low mileage Z3; had a good range of cars before but never a BMW; any advice on pro's/ con's/ things they're prone for welcome!
Thank you :-)
Model and year would help.

akirk

5,778 posts

145 months

Thursday 7th June 2018
quotequote all
I have owned mine (2001 - 3.0 auto) for over 6 years
it has had virtually zero spent on it
now has 139k on the clock
cracking car

but for me I would always want the 3.0l as it is an addictive engine...
the lower models with 4 cylinder / or even lower 6 cylinder wouldn't interest me as much...

so depends which one - drive it and see if you enjoy it...
they are gradually going up in price, but not by much and are still a very cheap car for what they offer - the chassis is not as good as a Boxster, but value for money is very good on these

missmusic

Original Poster:

10 posts

101 months

Thursday 7th June 2018
quotequote all
motco said:
Model and year would help.
Hi, 1999 1.9 manual. 6,000 miles but been stood

motco

17,656 posts

277 months

Thursday 7th June 2018
quotequote all
missmusic said:
motco said:
Model and year would help.
Hi, 1999 1.9 manual. 6,000 miles but been stood
Sorry but I know little about that model, mine's a 2002 2.2i Sport. I suggest you look at both zroadster.net and ZRoadster.org for tips. They should both have plenty of advice if you dig for it.

Like the other reply, I love mine and have had it for nine years. Good Luck!

akirk

5,778 posts

145 months

Thursday 7th June 2018
quotequote all
missmusic said:
Hi, 1999 1.9 manual. 6,000 miles but been stood
I like to have the power - so wouldn't have the 1.9
however, some drivers prefer the balance - it is more MX5 in feel with a better weight distribution
and still a fun car...

If though it has only done 6,000 miles in 19 years, then you might have an awful lot of suspension / hoses / etc. to replace - but if you are happy to do that, then it all comes down to cost and whether you enjoy driving it...

Trevor555

5,552 posts

115 months

Thursday 7th June 2018
quotequote all
missmusic said:
Hi, 1999 1.9 manual. 6,000 miles but been stood
Stood outside?

Or in a garage?

missmusic

Original Poster:

10 posts

101 months

Thursday 7th June 2018
quotequote all
Trevor555 said:
Stood outside?

Or in a garage?
In a garage. Just found out its been stood for 3 years. £3200, will put a test on. The low mileage worries me... I don't doubt it is correct as it has all the history but...?

Trevor555

5,552 posts

115 months

Thursday 7th June 2018
quotequote all
missmusic said:
In a garage. Just found out its been stood for 3 years. £3200, will put a test on. The low mileage worries me... I don't doubt it is correct as it has all the history but...?
The last Z3 I watched on ebay done under 10,000 miles got bids over 5k and didn't meet reserve.

It did look like new under the bonnet though.

I'd imagine you'll have sticky calipers to deal with.

If the car isn't corroded underneath I'd get it bought.

helix402

7,913 posts

213 months

Thursday 7th June 2018
quotequote all
Very low mileage Z3s tend to have lots of surface corrosion underneath. Brakes pipes are often the first item to fail.

akirk

5,778 posts

145 months

Thursday 7th June 2018
quotequote all
on ebay, that model sells for c. £1-£2k
admittedly wih higher mileage, but these are pretty bullet-proof cars, so mileage wouldn't worry me, and there are ones with as low as 40,000 miles...

I think that £3.5k is expensive, esp. if you have to then recondition the car

there are 3.0 litre models with low mileage (60-70k) which have sold on ebay in the last couple of months for less than that...

worth way under £2k I reckon... that low a mileage is as much a negative as a positive, and it is not a collector's car there are loads around...

Trevor555

5,552 posts

115 months

Thursday 7th June 2018
quotequote all
akirk said:
and it is not a collector's car there are loads around...
Loads around with under 10,000 miles?

Like I said, if it's not corroded underneath get it bought.

I'll probably give you a profit on it if it's a proper car.

akirk

5,778 posts

145 months

Thursday 7th June 2018
quotequote all
Trevor555 said:
akirk said:
and it is not a collector's car there are loads around...
Loads around with under 10,000 miles?

Like I said, if it's not corroded underneath get it bought.

I'll probably give you a profit on it if it's a proper car.
There are not likely to be many collectors setting out to buy a 1.9 as a collector's car...
therefore that mileage is basically irrelevant...
6,000 miles for £3.5k or £60,000 miles for maybe £1k? or a 60,000 3.0ltr for under £2k?
the person buying a 1.9 v. a 6 cyl 2.2 or 2.8 or 3.0 is probably doing it for price reasons, when you stack it up against the other options it is expensive...

m ileage that low is only relevant when collectors are looking for a difference between otherwise pristine cars... for this type of car it is simply an indication that it probably hasn't been serviced very often, and consumables have probably deteriorated... If the owner has still had it serviced every 6-12 months then may e a different story, but I doubt it... ultimately, the mileage is a red herring, it is not a valuable car...

Trevor555

5,552 posts

115 months

Thursday 7th June 2018
quotequote all
akirk said:
6,000 miles for £3.5k or £60,000 miles for maybe £1k? or a 60,000 3.0ltr for under £2k?
A 60,000 mile 3.0 for under 2k??

Let me know when you've returned to earth, I'll have m,y chequebook ready.

I suggest you go to a classic car auction near you and just see what just about any old car done 6,000 miles will make.

akirk

5,778 posts

145 months

Thursday 7th June 2018
quotequote all
Trevor555 said:
akirk said:
6,000 miles for £3.5k or £60,000 miles for maybe £1k? or a 60,000 3.0ltr for under £2k?
A 60,000 mile 3.0 for under 2k??

Let me know when you've returned to earth, I'll have m,y chequebook ready.

I suggest you go to a classic car auction near you and just see what just about any old car done 6,000 miles will make.
typo, I meant £3k smile
one sold for £2.5k on ebay in April...

I am sure that classics with low mileage sell well, the z3 1.9 is not exactly a classic...
however, if you are so convinced they are worth a lot, do come and buy mine from me wink

Trevor555

5,552 posts

115 months

Thursday 7th June 2018
quotequote all
akirk said:
typo, I meant £3k smile
one sold for £2.5k on ebay in April...

I am sure that classics with low mileage sell well, the z3 1.9 is not exactly a classic...
however, if you are so convinced they are worth a lot, do come and buy mine from me wink
Sorry, 139,000 miles doesn't appeal to me.

Any Z3 done 6,000 miles and in an uncorroded state does appeal to me.

I'll be at Kings Lynn auction next Saturday 16th.

You are welcome to join me if you're local, I think you'd find it very interesting.

Sorry for the sarcasm in my previous post, unlike me, but even at £3,000 you'd never buy a 60,000 mile, nice 3.0cc, unless it's all rusty.