It's official - The BMW Z3 is a classic car

[Stormy_be]

Having that escort restored and rally prepared will cost A LOT.
Having race seats, seatbelts, fire ext., hydro handbrake, roll cage, wheels not to speak about body and engine restoration & modifications and certainly a lot a things I'm not yet mentioning...
Just try to have those mods done on ANY car: the final amount spend is huge

 

[badman gee]

The asking price isn't always met!

 

[zedonist]

point is, it does not matter on a classic whether it is modded or not it will still go up in price and be desirable to someone

 

[GazHyde]

I have moved the musical chat to here - http://zroadster.org/forum/threads/z3-top-zed-leppelin-or-the-mick-joey-and-bonzo-band.4087/

 

[Brian4]

The Z3 is popular now as there is a buyers guide in this months Car Mechanics, similar write up to the other one.

 

[oldcarman]

Great News, can start pushing the selling price up!

NOOO! I want to import a coupe after the 97 z3 arrives in Canada from Britain. Hopefully in time for summer and I don't miss one of the two days. Anyone got snow tires for sale??

 

[oldcarman]

point is, it does not matter on a classic whether it is modded or not it will still go up in price and be desirable to someone

Hi, after years of listening to this debate , IMO no matter what you have it comes down to perceived values of worth to the individual. Either way there's going to be " someone itching to lay down their money"which is all we can hope for after we've had our turn with the car. I've given cars to young people that showed promise and wouldn't be able to purchase their dream for years to come if ever. The joy i've gleaned is immeasurable in dollars and cents. Drive 'em, fix 'em, sell 'em. I owe, I owe, It's onto the next one we go!!!

 

[t-tony]

I like a nice BMW box...

But I'm not paying £32 for one !..that's really interesting tony and not at all a surprise..

just to add a slightly different perspective to the debate..

I trained as a Guitar maker and repairer when I left school and we had similar issues with Gibson, Fender,Guild, Gretsch and Rickenbacker guitars with OEM vs aftermarket ,often the parts manufacturer was the same for both with the exception of a logo, and when this was not the case, at anything but the lowest price points aftermarket was and still is the same or better quality than OEM....whilst the all OEM guitars will be worth considerablely more in monetary value in years to come (an all original pre CBS 60's fender strat can now go for £15,000 and a 59 les paul with PAF pick ups in good nick can go for £500,000.. and I have seen them go for more.. in perspective either one with aftermarket pick-ps and hardware might be half the value or less and it isn't half the guitar!..

I'm a pro player and have 20+ guitars to upkeep..I care about function and reliability over potential future resale value...so I suppose what i'm saying is you set your stall out based on what you intend to do with the thing, my 3 go to telecasters are not fender and don't have any fender parts!...and they play sound and feel great, although I admit they are at the "top end" of the market at £1500+ a piece.

my guitars I play and my car I drive often and hard on both counts so my main considerations are not about keeping it original but about keeping it working..however I have a feeling that an all OEM Z3 in 20 years may well be worth more than a modded one...in the meantime it will however cost you a bucket more to keep on the road if it's your daily drive.

my tuppence.

You may or may not be surprised to learn that through several suppliers in the motor trade they can supply original manufacturer parts with the manufacturers own part number ground off. So you get original parts at replacement prices. These include Ford, Vauxhall and VAG . Also if you can get the original Bosch part number off a part call your nearest Andrew Page outlet. Also applies to Valeo parts and others.

 

[oldcarman]

You may or may not be surprised to learn that through several suppliers in the motor trade they can supply original manufacturer parts with the manufacturers own part number ground off. So you get original parts at replacement prices. These include Ford, Vauxhall and VAG . Also if you can get the original Bosch part number off a part call your nearest Andrew Page outlet. Also applies to Valeo parts and others.

Hi, just want to add a few words to this. T-tony is dead on with his answer and facts. Every manufacturer sub contracts for parts and the contractors usually will make runs of NLA parts from OEM shelves. They just put the number on differently from original. Later, JIM

 

[PeterJ]

I purchased my Z3 because of its classic styling and was nothing to do with the fact that it was a BMW (I would have purchased it whatever make it was). I have nothing for or against BMW OEM parts, but I cannot agree that everything OEM is always best ... frankly speaking, I am not interested in resale value as (1) It is tiny $'s (relatively speaking compared to say, buying a new Z4), (2) I will not sell & (3) Zero chance of getting back what I have spent. The Z3 can be kept as OEM as possible, or modified like (for example) a low hung street racer or have its classic roadster roots enhanced... all of which can work well provided they are done with some forethought & planning with a committed owner ...

 

[joey]

There are distinct advantages to owning an oldish car..especially a Z3

Weak points are known and can be rectified..

Value can only appreciate at this point..

It's a car not a laptop..so can be self maintained..

Oem quality parts can be bought at very reasonable prices..

plenty of Zs are being broken for parts making body parts, engines and clutches readily available

no need for that BMW service stamp anymore so local indy fine hence cheaper servicing if not inclined to self maintain.

the only disadvantage I can see at this point is you might be unlucky and get a lemon but working on the assumption based on some high milers I have seen is that they are capable of 300k plus, with regular servicing before new engine,clutch, etc you could buy a car with 70% of its life left for 10-15% of the original value..

and honestly what other affordable roadsters are out there anyway?..

Z4,MX5,SLK230,BoxsterJag XK8,...and other than the mazda they are all potentially very problematic at high mileage and cost considerably more to service than a Z3

my tuppence

 

[oldcarman]

Joey's right!! This is the most affordable car in it's class. Cheap to buy, cheap to run, parts a plenty, helpful knowledgable people to solve problems you can't figure on the best forum I've ever seen!! I'm soooo glad the Z3 was top of Trinity's list, pretty smart that 9 year old. Can't wait to get going!! Jim

 

[joey]

Jim..

This forum was literally a lifesaver for me when I bought my Z..couple if early niggles were windscreen washer pump and power hood failure..bmw wanted £150 just to diagnose the issue and said it might cost as much as £600 to fix..they wanted £75 for the washer pump and £50 to fit and £ 70 for a microswitch and £200 to diagnose and replace..

Fixed both in 15 mins with the grand cost of £5 for a washer pump and £3 fir a microswitch thanks to this knowledgeable and helpful bunch..and great banter too!..

Easily the best forum I have been a member of hands down..

 

[Brian4]

Agree the forum is helpful and really sociable bunch. It was a very useful place when I first joined to get a few niggles and then we went out and met a few other members for a day out and we are both hooked on the car.

I was pleased to get the Z3 featured in the magazine as they are a reliable fun car and I was guilty when they first came out of the usual comments, but I had never driven one. I believe they have aged well in terms of styling and due to their reliability and corrosion protection will go on for a long time.

PS I do like our zed.

 

[Cantona]

Great to see that the Z3 has now started to be recognised as a 'classic'..........a got a copy of the magazine today

Hi, where can I get a copy, which month was it? Thanks.....

 

[Aceman]

Contact Practical Classics Magazine for a back issue on the following number, it was around January last year so probably the February possibly March issue as magazines usually publish around a month early.

UK enquiries: 01858 438884

 

[Cantona]

Ok thank you I shall try that number....

 

[Brian4]

Hi Cantona

My car was featured in the March 2014 issue

the other option is to contact the editor

danny.hopkins@bauermedia.co.uk
or katharine.england@bauermedia.co.uk

My pic on the left is from the photoshoot.

 

[Cantona]

Hi, thanks for your help, I shall email them asap, cheers...

 

[bertiejaffa]

OEM.... pah!