The BMW Z3 is a rapidly up and coming modern classic, with good, rot-free examples keeny sought-after by enthusiasts of the marque.
After all, it was a hugely important car for the Bavarian marque. The Z3 introduced two firsts for BMW. It was the first of the company’s cars to be styled by radical designer Chris Bangle and was the first BMW to be built in the USA, at the new Spartanburg factory in North Carolina.
It was also a massively appealing entry to the sports car market – less hardcore but more practical than a Mazda MX-5 or MGF, and with beautiful BMW build quality and exceptional powertrains.
Today, it’s a great choice of modern classic open-top tourer and offers great value, while the fact it’s based on the ‘E36’ 3-Series platform also means it’s a rewarding car to drive. This makes it something cool and different that you can still use every day.
This is the economical but lively 1.9i model, with a four-cylinder engine and manual transmission. It also has the rare and desirable crocodile skin leather option, sought-after by Z3 fans.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Supplied new by Godfrey Hall BMW in Shrewsbury in May 2001
Owned by current owner since 2013
Service book stamped up 57,890 miles in 2019 – 14 stamps in total
Most services at main dealers or marque specialists
Original handbooks and service wallet
Three sets of keys plus master key
UK V5C
MOT to May 2023
Old MOTs
Folder full of services and receipts
Private sale
THE INTERIOR
Beige Oregon leather with crocodile skin inserts
Matching inserts to door cards
Excellent dashboard
Good beige carpets and trim
BMW dealer floor mats
Original tool kit
Chrome finish M-Sport gear knob
Electric windows
Small cracks to plastic on gear surround
Minor wear to driver’s side seat bolster
Original BMW Business Radio-cassette
Very smart overall presentation
Original toolkit
THE EXTERIOR
Stunning Siena Red
Five-spoke factory alloys
Undamaged and very well-kept roof
Roof and screens kept under cover at all times
Appears solid underneath with no corrosion advisories to MOT history
No visible corrosion externally
Original dealer number plates
New Landsail tyres all round
THE MECHANICS
1.9-litre four-cylinder
136bhp
Five-speed manual transmission
Reported to drive very well with no declared faults
No warning lights on dash
Recently serviced
Extensive engine refurbishment in 2019 with new cylinder head
New water pump in 2021
Well-maintained by current owner
SUMMARY
Good Z3s are getting fewer and further between, which makes an example as good as this one well worth seeking out. It is really well-presented, in one of the best colours for a Z3 and the interior is something else.
Being the 1.9i, it should also prove relatively inexpensive to insure for younger enthusiasts. It’s a great modern classic and a wise investment opportunity.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
NO RESERVE - 2001 BMW Z3 1.9i
About Max Bids
The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.
Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.
Anti-sniping
Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.
Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.
Auto-bidding increments
If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.
Bid Amount
Increment
£0 to £9,999
£100.00
£10,000 to £49,999
£250.00
£50,000 to £99,999
£500.00
£100,000 +
£1,000.00
Automatically outbid immediately
When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.
You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.
Matching max bids
When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.
Pre-authorisation
We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.
What are pre-bids?
A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.
Problem with your bid
Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.
