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Thread: Thinking of a base non-M Z3 for hairdresser wife. What's the market like in 2018?

  1. #1
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    Thinking of a base non-M Z3 for hairdresser wife. What's the market like in 2018?

    I've owned an E39 and E46 (330i)
    Great cars, and I enjoy some DIY on them.
    I like to invest in typical BMW prev. maint (cooling system, etc)


    Considering a Z3 as a weekender for the wife.
    Stick shift only.


    What are prices like in 2018?
    Is it worth getting a Z4? Will that cost a lot more?


    I've read to stick with 2000 and newer.
    Any to specs or years to avoid?


    I don't care about engine size, just reliability.
    She barely pushes the 330i, but likes the power on tap at times.


    1.9L is most reliable? That might be toooo slow.
    Yea, it's a sporty BMW. No 4 cyl. i6 only?
    I want middle of the road. Sort of like my 330i.


    Obviously, I am flexible on specs for the right car.
    The best car is the one owned by the right kind of seller.
    Condition and maintenance history trumps specs.


    Any other tips?

  2. #2
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    2000 and newer will be the facelift cars. Some like the style better others don't. Newer cars have DSC, which has been problematic for some owners and requires repair. Any inline 6 will provide more power than the 1.9. 2.8 and 3.0 provide substantially more power. I'm not familiar with the reliability of the 1.9, but the inline 6 engines are pretty bulletproof,
    Wayne

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  3. #3
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    Get her a 2.8

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  4. #4
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    I had a 99 2.3(2.5L) and drove it to 197K before selling it. It ran like a top and didn't leak or use any oil. It was the most reliable car and cheapest to own I've ever had. For non M it's got to be 99 or earlier for my liking. I'm not a big facelift fan

  5. #5
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    If she likes the e46 she would probably feel right at home in a z4

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  6. #6
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    She loves the E46.

    This I don't care about.
    Moot point.
    bmw-z3-rear-facelift.jpg

    - - - Updated - - -

    What about the headlights? Pre and post.
    Are they Xenon vs. Halogen? Angel Eyes?
    I strongly prefer Xenon (angel eyes)

    - - - Updated - - -

    How rare is the Coupe ?

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by BanjoDave View Post
    Get her a 2.8
    Why 2.8 and not the 3.0 ?

  7. #7
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    18 months ago I bought a '97 2.8 with 106k miles for less than $4k. It has much to commend it, and I like the wider rear flares than the 'face lift hips".
    You wife may not be keen on the manual top, but if that's not a deal-breaker, it's a good, simple, reliable and (always, so far) fun to drive. I would heartily recommend a pre-face lift 2.8. Plenty of power and torque.
    Good luck

  8. #8
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    It's the bubble on top of the rear fenders I don't care for.

    The non-M coupe is pretty rare compared to the non-M roadster. About 11K coupes were made vs. 264K roadsters.
    Wayne

    1998 M Roadster
    1994 Honda ST1100--sold
    2017 Yamaha FJR1300ES

  9. #9
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    How does the droptop handle being parked outdoors ?

  10. #10
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    Thinking of a base non-M Z3 for hairdresser wife. What's the market like in 2018?

    What country? UK from the expressions.

    If so personally I would go for the 4 cylinder for fuel cost reasons.
    US 3.0 manual. Just picked one up in mint condition 2001 for $6000 at 80,000 miles.


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  11. #11
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    His location says USA.

    My convertible is lives outside all year round (in the UK), with no problems. Keep the top clean and reproof now and again. The Z3 never came with HID headlights, but there are ways to retrofit projectors with Sky's brackets.

    There are no good or bad Z3s - just different ones. I have a 1998 1.9 which was my choice because I wanted a smaller engine that needs to be 'driven', as all my other cars are big-engined automatics. The larger engined cars can be more prone to the rear subframe mount failure, but there is no particular rhyme or reason. I'd suggest you test drive a few models to see what you like. Buy on condition rather than model year - remember that even the newest Z3 is 16 years old.

    Regardless of what spec the car is, when the sun's out and the roof is down you'll be having a good time.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by magnetchief View Post
    US 3.0 manual. Just picked one up in mint condition 2001 for $6000 at 80,000 miles.
    Is that considered a good deal?

    I'm not going to worry about 1.9/2.8/3.0
    I will see what comes my way.
    Condition is everything.
    If test driving a 4 cyl feels too slow, then I will narrow my filter at that time.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by OnTheFence View Post
    Is that considered a good deal?

    I'm not going to worry about 1.9/2.8/3.0
    I will see what comes my way.
    Condition is everything.
    If test driving a 4 cyl feels too slow, then I will narrow my filter at that time.



    Mint condition 3.0 for $6k.
    I would consider that a great deal.



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  14. #14
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    What is the word on the 2.3L motor?
    Good or bad?

    1.9
    2.8
    3.0

    No mention of 2.3

  15. #15
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    See my post above

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by OnTheFence View Post
    Thinking of a Z3 for hairdresser wife. What's the market like in 2018?
    I'd say there is a large market of hairdresser wives.... And I'd say there is many dudes who would trade their hairdresser wife for a nice Z3.
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  17. #17
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    4 cyl too slow? Is your wife going to race it?

    The great thing about convertibles is they are fun even when you are putt-putting around.

    I garage mine though. Prob want to get a decent car cover if keeping it outside.

  18. #18
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    4 cylinder is perfectly adequate for daily driving.




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  19. #19
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    I just bought an M, but starting out looking at all Z3 and Z4 models as well. Several good buying options out there. An excellent search site is cargurus.com. They have pretty much taken over that niche of classified sites. Autotrader is pretty much over. Very typical pricing is $8-10k. Good luck.

  20. #20
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  21. #21
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    My most recent experience was searching for my current purchase. Autotrader had a half dozen offerings nationwide with only two being mediocre and the others way over the hill. Cargurus had several pages of Z models with over a half dozen decent to very nice prospects both private and dealer inventory. I had been looking everywhere for months with no prospects whatsoever. Discovering Cargurus was a revelation. All of a sudden I was finding nice cars.

    My brother is sales director for 14 dealerships. He said Cargurus is their primary search site for all of their car listings and is growing in leaps and bounds. He said Autotrader is dying and, at present, is more like using Craigslist. For all of their listings, my brother’s organization is paying upwards to $80k per month for Cargurus. He said their sales results totally justify the cost. He also said Autotrader fees for dealerships are very high with the poor sales results being a losing proposition. Private sellers don’t necessarily see that, but really lose out when posting on Autotrader.
    Last edited by Tigershark48; 11-17-2018 at 05:41 PM.

  22. #22
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    I bought a 2001 3.0 but I enjoyed driving the 1.9 more because it felt like I was back in my 1973 2002 model. I was amazed that it felt so similar. I just couldn't find one that had seats that weren't ripped or the mileage or color I wanted. I found the 3.0 silver with black with 59K and sport seats and the M option with upgraded rims. I don't need the power and would trade the 3.0 in a minute for the right 1.9. Most will probably say I'm crazy.

  23. #23
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    Not crazy at all. I gave up on classic cars, because the majority of them were grossly overpowered. Chevys and Mopars frequently run 700 hp or more. I drove an Austin Healey Replicar with a 350 Chevy engine which was ridiculous. Every start from a stop I did either killed the engine or smoked the tires. The thing shook and shimmied all over at all speeds. The less overpowered they are, the more refined. Not a fan of replicars, but a V6 would have been far more pleasant to drive.

    I ended up with the M Roadster which is way up on power from your beloved 1.9, but it’s also way better to drive than the firebreathers I had been looking at.

    I recently went from a history of very fast sportbikes to a BMW F700GS. Not boring, just a lot more relaxed. I’m very happy with the change. It all comes down to personal choice.
    Last edited by Tigershark48; 11-17-2018 at 05:15 PM.

  24. #24
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