Highlights
- Rare 2.8-litre coupé variant of the Z3 range
- Japanese import, now registered on UK plates
- SORN each winter and garaged year-round by the current owner
- Recent suspension and brake overhaul reportedly undertaken
The Appeal
The BMW Z3 coupé is one of the more distinctive shapes to emerge from Munich in the late 1990s. With its shooting-brake silhouette and the characterful M52 engine, it occupies a unique niche - part sports car, part grand tourer, and wholly unlike anything else in BMW's catalogue. A rare outlier compared to the marque's otherwise straight-faced, somewhat conservative styling.
This left-hand-drive example was imported from Japan and is now registered on UK plates. The current owner, who purchased the car in July 2023, has taken a careful and considered approach to its upkeep, reportedly SORN'ing the car each winter from late October and returning it to the road only once frost and salt have cleared in March. It is garaged and covered when stored outside.
Mechanically, we're told that the car has benefited from a thorough overhaul of its suspension and brakes, with front and rear shock absorbers, top strut mounts, front discs, pads and callipers all replaced. With an MOT valid until late May 2026, this rare ex-Japanese coupe is ready and waiting for its lucky new keeper.
Mechanically, we're told that the car has benefited from a thorough overhaul of its suspension and brakes, with front and rear shock absorbers, top strut mounts, front discs, pads and callipers all replaced. With an MOT valid until late May 2026, this rare ex-Japanese coupe is ready and waiting for its lucky new keeper.
Key Information
- Mileage: 110,713 km (reported to be correct)
- Country of registration: Japan (now registered on UK plates)
- Technical inspection status: MOT valid until 27 May 2026
- Technical specs: 2,800cc straight-six petrol, 4-speed automatic
- Paperwork: No specific documentation detailed
The Detail
- Handsome silvery paintwork in good order
- Highly original throughout
- Alloys in good order
- Engine bay well-presented
- Interior in very good order
- Some patina to the upholstery
- Wooden veneers in good order
- Instruments clean and legible
- Reported to have been serviced regularly during current ownership
- Front and rear shock absorbers and top strut mounts replaced
- Front discs, pads and callipers replaced
- Electric adjusting and heated seats reported in working order
- Air conditioning in good working order
- Original Blaupunkt cassette radio present and functional
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