Revealed in 1995, the Z3 was the first mass produced Z car from BMW, built on a cutdown E36 3 series floorpan and using the earlier E30 rear suspension. The styling played heavily on the mid ‘90s fashion for retro looking designs with an almost 1930s influence to the the front of the car.
A wide range of engines were offered from 1.8 to 3 litres, the pick of the bunch being any of the straight 6 models with their distinctive growl. The Z3 is one of the few non British cars driven by James Bond, and there was a Golden Eye special edition in 1996!
Costing over £31,000 when it was ordered in October 1998, this was an expensive car with some choice options ticked - air conditioning, a passenger airbag and metallic paint all added to the bill, and with only three previous owners it has been very well cared for over the years, still in extremely tidy original condition and with plenty of stamps in the log book.
The current owner is something of a serial Z3 owner having owned quite a number of them over the years, often buying cars that need work so he can improves them, this one didn't need any improvement but having never owned a 2.8 couldn’t say no, but as there are are always other Z3s to try, unlike most people has decided to sell the good one one on and find a project!
As well as the original invoice from Cooper BMW of Reading, the car has its handbook and service stamps from new, with the book continuing to be filled in up to the latest service at 67,900 miles in 2020, and passed its MOT easily in March this year.
As it has been a weekend fun car for some time the mileage has only crept up slowly but it has had any maintenance as it was required, a new battery in 2019, a lower suspension arm and bushes 2018, and the same year it was treated to four new Toyos and a wheel alignment.
With extensive amounts of leather and soft touch plastics, the interior has a real luxury feel from a high point in BMW’s build quality, overall the condition in excellent, showing almost no signs of wear.
The black leather seats are in superb condition, there is just a small amount of patina showing on the drivers side bolster, and he door cars are immaculate, the leather steering wheel unmarked and the dark carpet with fitted floor mats superb.
Even the sill kick plates are not scratched and the chrome capped gear shift also as new.
Behind the seats is the factory wind deflector for comfortable top down motoring and the boot looks as though almost nothing has been carried in it, and under the boot floor the tool kit is all complete.
The widebody Z3 suits its dark metallic Montreal Blue paint perfectly, and it is in fantastic original condition. Overall the paint has a deep gloss and even factory finish with just a few small age related stone chips and light scratches around the nose and wheel arches. The panels are excellent with good panel gaps, no dings no apparent corrosion.
The black hood is in great shape, the fabric is unmarked and not faded and the rear window good, not cracked or opaque and just 2 light fold marks. The alloy wheels have not been kerbed, and with the exception of a tiny bit of flaking lacquer on one in great shape. The tyres were new in 2018 but have barely driven 1000 miles.IMG_1848.JPG5.39 MB
Mechanics
A full log book of service stamps and buying a full set of decent quality tyres shows the type of owner the car has had and the care this BMW has been given over the years.
The engine bay is immaculate and we are not aware of any leaks or running issues from the normally very reliable straight six.
These Z cars have developed a strong following in recent years and the value has followed.
This example is possibly the best spec - the 2.8 straight giving plenty of power, a smooth drive and the best noise with the top down, the manual gearbox is a joy to use and it even has air con and is in a flattering colour.
The milage is very low for a 21 year old car and the condition reflects that.
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