Cars getting under your skin? - Z3

[Cotty]

I always liked the idea of a 2 seater BMW but the Z3 never really did it for me, maybe its the styling, looks great from the rear but front is questionable. Ok James Bond had one but im not James bond.

Someone local to me bought one and leaves it on the street. I see it walking to work and again going home. It started with "nice idea not for me". "actually its not that bad" to "looks good from this angle", Oh you can get a hard top for them

Searches PH clasifieds, 2.8 Z3 under £5k

[MondeoMan1981]

OP... you are not the only one who has spotted these...

[Diabolik]

If it was me I'd have to save for the 4.

[Sline]

I really want one to build a Z8 rep

[Cotty]

MondeoMan1981 said:

OP... you are not the only one who has spotted these...

I realise that but I did not realise you could pick them up so cheap.
I used to have 2.8i TVR so having a 2.81 BWW might be nice

[BarnatosGhost]

I think the Z3 is unfairly underrated.

Ok, not the sharpest blade, but overall it is a solid, attractive convertible with a great set of engines. I for one like them a lot.

And they can't get much cheaper than they are now.

[Cotty]

Diabolik said:

If it was me I'd have to save for the 4.

See now the Z4 never really did it for me either, still the front does not quite gel

Oh I love the idea of the Z4 coupe, but not the execution.

[Smike]

Cotty said:

See now the Z4 never really did it for me either, still the front does not quite gel

I agree with you on the Z4, the back looks great but the front does not quite gel
- it's the same with the recent 6-series for me, a dose of the Ford Scorpio codface

[wackojacko]

Personally if I had to save upto buy it I'd make sure the saving worth while and get a Z3 M Coupe...I'm Planning on owning one in the next few years........ Hate the Roadster but adore the Coupe

[Cotty]

BarnatosGhost said:

I think the Z3 is unfairly underrated.

Ok, not the sharpest blade, but overall it is a solid, attractive convertible with a great set of engines. I for one like them a lot..

Everyone bangs on about the MX5 but what are they 1.8l? I could not bring myself to have my a fun car with a smaller cc then my day to day car.
I understand the power to weight ratio argument and agree. Small engined light car V big capacity TVR, ill still take the TVR.

[plg]

My wife loves her Z3.

It's a slow 1.9 for insurance purposes, but I have to say, on a clear blue sky day, it makes for a very easy going, top down, fun drive in the dales.

Not quite hoon territory with so little oomph, but nice all the same. Fairly responsive, well behaved, good heater...

And yes, more power needed....

[ewan221]

I actually prefer the looks of Z3 over the Z4 and owned a 2.0l one a few years back, was nice enough I suppose but way underpowered, did almost buy Z3M roadster and that did feel quite impressive on the test drive :-)

[Cotty]

wackojacko said:

Hate the Roadster but adore the Coupe

I love the coupe, from the rear.

[redstu]

I've liked the look of the z3 for some time.
It would probably need to be the later 3.0 as it's got nearly 40 bhp more than the 2.8.
The m would be very nice but probably wasted on me!

[LuS1fer]

These are built in the US IIRC.
Are they not older-style BMW running gear and suspension?
A girl I know had one and didn't like it so swopped it for an E36 3-series convertible which she found much better - not exactly scientific ...I know!

For me, the Z3 always looked like it had a big nose and small ar*e but I've always found that when you get an idea about buying a car, they suddenly look much better.

[wackojacko]

Cotty said:

I love the coupe, from the rear.

Dude that's Explicit stuff ........this is a public forum

Only joking , Love the look and stnace of the Coupe. Preferably in Laguna Seca Blue

[BMWBen]

Damn, I sold my Z3 for £3000 right at the beginning of the recession, in the middle of winter when prices were at rock bottom. Looking at prices now...

Feel like winky with the gold

[Cotty]

LuS1fer said:

I've always found that when you get an idea about buying a car, they suddenly look much better.

Funny that

[Risotto]

Diabolik said:

If it was me I'd have to save for the 4.

Personally, I'd much prefer a 1 for the looks, the depreciation resistance and of course those tricky doors.

Shame they only did LHD...

[BarnatosGhost]

Cotty said:

BarnatosGhost said:

I think the Z3 is unfairly underrated.

Ok, not the sharpest blade, but overall it is a solid, attractive convertible with a great set of engines. I for one like them a lot..

Everyone bangs on about the MX5 but what are they 1.8l? I could not bring myself to have my a fun car with a smaller cc then my day to day car.
I understand the power to weight ratio argument and agree. Small engined light car V big capacity TVR, ill still take the TVR.

Well so would I, but that's not the whole argument.

You have £20. Do you go for a nice 100 mile drive in a nice MX5 or Z3, or a nice 50 mile drive in a nice TVR?