Description
I have had my lovely BMW Z3 as a second car for the last three years. It is sadly for sale as it is not getting enough use, and my husband keeps filling the space on the driveway with other things.
It is a 1997 car wearing main dealer plates from BMW Park Lane. The Z3 was very popular around that time because of its gorgeous looks (still stunning today) and its use as a Bond car in Goldeneye. It lived in West London for the first 20 years of its life before I moved out to Oxfordshire two years ago. It has central locking and three BMW keys (two of which I had made at the main dealer, at considerable expense, as I hate only having one!).
The car has the 1. 9i 16v engine, with 140bhp. Although this doesn't sound a lot by modern standards, in such a light car it can more than hold its own. The auto box is great for relaxed driving, and there is a sport mode which makes it rev the gears higher when making progress (makes a really big difference).
Outside, the car looks great from a few yards, as the pictures show. We keep it clean and waxed. On close inspection, it has quite a lot of little cosmetic imperfections (but don't we all), including minor scuffs and scratches on the bumpers, small dents on the passenger door etc. I mention these as it's better to be brutally honest, and have you impressed when you see the car, than for you to expect perfection and be disappointed.
The alloys look very smart, although they too show imperfections upon a very close inspection. The locking wheel nut key is present in the BMW toolkit. The tyres are Dunlop Sport BluResponse which are wonderful - they give great grip and confidence even in the wet. The right rear was new in 2016; the other three, whilst matching Dunlops with plenty of tread, are starting to perish. I will get these three tyres replaced for the car's new owner.
The black leather interior complements the black paintwork well, and is in good condition showing only very mild wear. The floor mats were recently replaced. There is a Kenwood CD stereo fitted, with a USB connection, and Bluetooth to link to a smartphone (my phone connects automatically when the car starts). There is a small microphone wired in, so presumably there's a handsfree system built in too - but I have never tried to use this.
The convertible roof was new less than five years ago and is mohair. The roof is still in good condition but unfortunately water does get in somewhere. According to a couple of owners forums, the D-shaped seals at the top corners of the windscreen can be tweaked to fix a common Z3 leak point - I haven't attempted to do this, but it seems to be the place to start. I have a cover for the Z3 which I will include in the sale.
The documented service history is considerable, much of the maintenance having been carried out at BMW main dealers or specialists:
08/ 1998, 13k - Service (BMW main dealer)
09/ 1999, 18k - Inspection I (BMW main dealer)
07/ 2001, 27k - Service (BMW main dealer)
04/ 2005, 36k - Inspection II (BMW main dealer)
12/ 2005, 39k - MOT (independent)
12/ 2006, 42k - MOT (independent)
03/ 2007, 43k - checkover for new owner (BMW main dealer)
03/ 2007, 43k - Service (BMW main dealer)
04/ 2007, 43k - new rear window (BMW main dealer)
12/ 2007, 48k - MOT (BMW main dealer)
02/ 2008, 50k - Service & 4 tyres (BMW main dealer)
03/ 2008, 50k - rear shock mounts, alternator & AC belts, bulbs (BMW main dealer)
01/ 2009, 54k - MOT (independent)
01/ 2010, 57k - Service, MOT & Inspection II (independent)
01/ 2011, 59k - MOT (independent)
01/ 2012, 62k - MOT (independent)
01/ 2013, 64k - MOT (independent)
05/ 2013, 65k - replace coolant pipe (independent)
08/ 2013 - 4 tyres (Dunlop Sport BluResponse)
10/ 2013, 68k - replace radiator (independent)
01/ 2014, 70k - MOT (independent)
12/ 2014 - new mohair hood (convertible roof specialists, £550)
01/ 2015, 75k - MOT (independent)
04/ 2015 - Service (independent)
02/ 2016, 78k - MOT (independent)
07/ 2016, 79k - Service, MOT, Inspection II, cambelt & tensioners, replace all gaskets, rear shock mounts, thorough overhaul (BMW specialists, £2400)
10/ 2016, 80k - replace bulging OSR tyre (Dunlop Sport BluResponse)
01/ 2017, 81k - MOT & service (independent)
02/ 2018, 83k - MOT (independent)
04/ 2018, 83k - Service (independent)
08/ 2018, new gas struts for boot
04/ 2019, 84k - replace ABS module (specialist auto electrician)
04/ 2019, 84k - MOT (independent)
We live in central Bicester, Oxfordshire, near M40 J9/ J10 and both main line stations. For any questions, or to arrange a viewing, please get in touch.
