Looking for a Z3

[ErikT]

That's a nice looking 'vert. I was only kidding about buying the beetle.

There's always about 10 days every year when I wish i had a convertable (usually in the fall). It's a little tough to put a roof rack and surfboards on a softop, so it wouldn't do me much use. I have seen roof racks on M coupes though (z3 generation).

As for buying on ebay...I think the risk is about the same with buying any used car. Even if you have it inspected, there are still no guarantees. Substitute the vibe you may get from a sketchy salesman with the vibe you get from reading ALL of the feedback posted for the seller. The presentation of the car, the number of similiar cars they've recently sold & the feedback should help.

[Car54]

That's WAYYYYYY too much for that car...no matter how clean!

[Biggins]

That's WAYYYYYY too much for that car...no matter how clean!

Do you think so? I think the price isn't bad so long as it doesn't creep too close to $12k.

I couldn't find a decent 1.9 Z3 for under $8500, and I looked hard for over a month Dec 07-Jan 08 in the prime of winter.

[pseto]

well I never bid on it as it ended up around $10,700.

I agree Chris, $10k was the max for that one to me, so I'll keep looking.

[Car54]

Those with 100k pop up all the time for $9kish....if you had all service records for that price, and no maintenance needed (unlikely on a Z3) it could be a decent deal.

Looks like it got wholesaled...so it will be around again.

Hey Chris....we talked long ago about you might want a no option E46 325 coupe...I know a guy selling one for around $11k

[330cic0539]

Paul, I have bought 6 BMWs off Ebay since 2003. Like someone else said - you can substitute a shady Ebay seller for a shady dealer. I rely heavily on the seller's previous auctions and feedback as well as a Carfax report. Sometimes if your lucky the car is local and you can check it out in person. I found my current 325ci and my previous 530i on Ebay and then went to check them out in person. The other 4 cars were further away and I had to fly and drive them home - makes for a great road trip - especially the trip from Arkansas to DC. Once again anything can go wrong on such a long trip but I have been lucky. Did you check out the Z3 at Koons in Annapolis for $17,000? I believe Jonathan left you a voicemail message about it. Good luck!!

[pseto]

Paul, I have bought 6 BMWs off Ebay since 2003. Like someone else said - you can substitute a shady Ebay seller for a shady dealer. I rely heavily on the seller's previous auctions and feedback as well as a Carfax report. Sometimes if your lucky the car is local and you can check it out in person. I found my current 325ci and my previous 530i on Ebay and then went to check them out in person. The other 4 cars were further away and I had to fly and drive them home - makes for a great road trip - especially the trip from Arkansas to DC. Once again anything can go wrong on such a long trip but I have been lucky. Did you check out the Z3 at Koons in Annapolis for $17,000? I believe Jonathan left you a voicemail message about it. Good luck!!

Thats Scott, I'm finding that eBay isnt as bad as I thought it would be. $17k is more than what I wanted to spend, so I dont want to tempt myself by going to Annapolis

[pseto]

anybody know how to identify a Z3 with the sports package? is it the ///M steering wheel?

[jhm5]

anybody know how to identify a Z3 with the sports package? is it the ///M steering wheel?

yes. the sport seats. more side bolster - same seats as M Roadster and M Coupe except the leather pattern was different.

all Z3s, i think from 2000 model year, had M steering wheel and shifter knob. They upgraded the interiors a bit that year, so the sport seats would be the most obvious indicator of sport package.

sport package may have varied a little year to year and depending on whether it was the smaller 6 cylinder or larger one.

In 01 model year, the 3.0 Z3 sport package consisted of sport seats and 17" cross spoked wheels.

[pseto]

i saw a 96 1.9L today with only 37k and on its 4th owner (i'll run a carfax to check) and manual top. other than having to replace the front bumper, the airbag light was on. the owner said that its normal and the inspection guy verified it was normal (although the inspector's first thought was to fail him).

any ideas?

[woodym3]

The airbag light can often be solved by replacing the seat belt receptical and resetting the light.

[jhm5]

Maybe an air bag warning light is a common problem with the Z3, but it certainly is not "normal." that should be fixed, probably seat belt receptical as woody says above.
You really want a 4-cylinder?
As for the manual top, I highly recommend that. It's very easy to operate and less likely to present maintenance issues.

[pseto]

kinda up in the air about the 4 cyl. obviously the MPG is nice, but it didnt have much pep. i still have a few more to look at, but i would like a 6 cyl (wife wants the 4 cyl).

manual top was OK, very easy to operate and less mechanical issues to worry about. however, i havent seen many problems with the power one, so either is fine.

[pseto]

http://downingatlanta.com/downingatl...s_info_new.htm

An reasonable addition to the 4-cylinder cars. About 200 hp when you're done.

Vic

any idea of the price? sounds tempting

[Biggins]

any idea of the price? sounds tempting

~$3-4k