Highlights
- Well presented example
- Excellent 1.9 engine mated to manual transmission
- Extensive history file
- 12 month MOT
The Appeal
Very much the underdog of the sporty roadsters, the BMW Z3 is arguably the go to option for someone looking for the left field option in their enthusiast car. More than capable of holding its own against the big dogs, the Z3 effortlessly blends style and driving quality with an air of uniqueness to it that one simply doesn’t get with other roadsters of the same nature.
With its marvellous bright red paintwork, T165 SPH certainly stands out from the crowd. With a fresh 12 month MOT now on the car, this is one that really wants for nothing and as such is ready to be enjoyed right from the first moment of ownership. A truly impeccable example, presenting wonderfully from both a mechanical and aesthetic perspective, this must surely be one of the finest examples of BMWs legendary roadster on the market today.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 30/04/1999
- Delivered through BMW dealer William Jacks of Cobham
- Acquired by its current owner in 2017, having only covered around 3000 miles since then
- Accompanied by highly extensive collection of service history from throughout the car’s lifetime
- Current MOT valid until August 2023
- Correct V5 registration document present with the car
- Original leather BMW book pack
- BMW service book with several stamped services
- BMW owners literature
The Interior
- Great clean highly original interior
- Excellent red embellishments
- Factory sports seats
Simple, but high quality, very much the design brief laid out for the designers of the Z3, and that becomes most apparent when examining the little roadsters cabin.
With subtle leather appointments, courtesy of the M-Sport trim optioned on this particular car, the Z3’s interior presents incredibly well and has worn its miles wonderfully. The two excellent, body hugging sports seats are of a great standard and exhibit quality fabric upholstery and strong unmarked bolsterings all round. Sat behind we find a well designed wind deflection system to drastically reduce wind noise in the cabin during open top driving.
A subtle compliment to the exterior red paint scheme, both the handbrake and gear stick gaiter come wrapped in sumptuous red leather, a truly lovely detail that works perfectly to set the cabin. We also find the car to be fitted with matching red protective floor mats.
The dashboard and adjoining centre control panel are both of an excellent quality, the plastics still rich in colour and distinctly lacking in wear, fading or sun damage. In the centre we find a small selection of switchgear along with an Alpine head unit, all of which is in good order and is reported to function fully.
At the sides sit two neat and smart door panels, both of a similarly high quality to the rest of the interior trim, and in the rear we find a clean boot area, within which sits the rather extensive factory Z3 tool kit.
The Exterior
- Wonderful red paint scheme
- Convertible top
- Factory alloy wheels
The long bonnet, curved lines and low slung body, the Z3 certainly ticks all the boxes when it comes to the essentials of roadster styling. Whilst many of these BMWs were finished in a more subdued silver or black, this particular example has gone down the more adventurous route and as such was finished from the factory in BMW’s Bright Red paint. As a result this Z3 really does stand out from the crowd and looks wonderful from an aesthetic perspective.
Having been subject to some respray work in April of 2021, the car’s paint presents wonderfully and is of an extremely high standard. With sun fading so often being a worry on cars of this colour, it is great to report that this Z3 exhibits a wonderful deep shine and is still incredibly rich in colour.
The long sweeping bonnet piece, befitted with stylish vents on either side is in good order and sits with quality consistent panel gaps. Make no mistake, this is a car that has borne the test of time incredibly well and presents more like a nearly new sub 10 thousand mile example.
Of course the key part of any roadster comes in the form of the roof, and the one on this particular Z3 is in excellent order. The contrasting black upholstery is of a wonderful standard and the rear screen is notably lacking in creasing or damage. The roof itself can be removed quickly and with ease.
At ground level we find four wonderful factory BMW five spoke alloy wheels. All four present wonderfully and help to further set the car off from an aesthetic perspective.
The Mechanics
- Excellent 1.9 litre inline 4
- 12 month MOT
- Subject to extensive and regular maintenance
Good for 138bhp, the high revving 1.9 litre inline 4 shoehorned under the bonnet really is the perfect engine for this car. Blending great performance with economy and reliability, a 1.9 Z3 is very much the “golden child” of the lineup. Buyers looking for a genuine usable sports roadster that won’t break the bank will certainly struggle to do better than this.
With a fresh MOT valid until August 2023, T165 SPH is an absolute mechanical gem. The mighty inline 4 fires into life almost immediately, settling into a comfortable idle with a subtle engine note being provided from the rear exhaust system. The engine itself presents wonderfully and is of an incredibly clean nature, courtesy of consistent and regular maintenance at the hands of both the current and previous owners of the Z3.
On the road the BMW is reported to provide a wonderful dynamic drive, with the 1.9 supplying plenty of power, which is so excellently complimented by brilliant, recently refreshed suspension. Whether it be on a rewarding B-Road or on a long distance road trip, the Z3 is at home.
Summary
BMW’s entry into the world of simple sports roadsters was undoubtedly a hit, and in recent years has garnered all new levels of appreciation with both BMW and driving enthusiasts. Providing an arguably far more interesting alternative to its Japanese and other European counterparts the Z3 is simultaneously fun, dynamic and importantly, reliable.
With a fresh MOT, and an extensive service history, T165 SPH is an ideal candidate for the buyer looking for a fun roadster to simply jump in and enjoy.
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