For Sale 1998 Z3 2.8

[Mus Musculus]

Car & Classic have a 1998 Z3 2.8 for sale by auction with no reserve.

Not my car, but reading through the description sent some alarm bells ringing… There are the usual issues with paint bubbling et al, but there's something about the description and the MOT history that doesn't sound right to me.

This bit in particular:

• It completed a 2,500 mile road trip in October of 2021 with no issues to report

When looking at the mileage of the last three years (latest MOT record provided) I see the following:

05/2019 to 05/2021 - 3,631 miles
05/2021 to 04/2022 - 226 miles (where are the disclosed 2500 miles?)
04/2022 to 03/2023 - 14,401 miles (really?)

Unless there's an error and the mentioned trip happened in 2022, the 2,500 miles are not accountable for in the record. But, even if it was the case, where's the explanation for the extra ~12,300 miles between 2022 and 2033?

I hope the car doesn't belong to someone here...

NO RESERVE - 1999 BMW Z3 2.8

 

[Mus Musculus]

This is a bit of a cop out too:

• We’re informed this car has full service history although we’re not able to verify this from the paperwork
• The books and manuals have been exposed to damp at some point so are not in the best shape

I will keep an eye anyway, as the car could be worth it's breaking value… Sad!

 

[Zephyr]

but:

• The vendor reports that this BMW is really fun to drive.

so I guess this puts aside all doubts.…


(potential buyer) - excuse me but the car you are selling has some issues
(salesman) - but the vendor reports that this BMW is really fun to drive
(potential buyer) Oh! Ok! Here, take my money….

 

[Dxbolton]

Could easily be the mot man entered the wrong mileage. Are there any other receipts that can confirm mileages

 

[Mus Musculus]

Could easily be the mot man entered the wrong mileage. Are there any other receipts that can confirm mileages

I suppose, but:

• The books and manuals have been exposed to damp at some point so are not in the best shape

Sounds a bit iffy to me...

There are no other receipts listed that I can see on the advert, but certainly, it could be a mistake (twice, MOT man and vendor).

 

[Mus Musculus]

Maybe I am being too cynical after I bought my own car, as there were clearly MOT advisories that were not mentioned in the last MOT.

But, the DVSA responded as such:

the use of advisories is not mandatory, but testers are instructed that it would be wise to issue an advisory in the following circumstances:
· Where they find a defect on a non-testable item.
· Where they are not certain that a defect meets the criterion to justify failure.
· Where they consider that an item has passed the test, but will require early replacement, adjustment, or repair.

And I got the report by two independent mechanics telling me there should be at lest advisories for the issues I had with the car...

 

[t-tony]

And I got the report by two independent mechanics telling me there should be at least advisories for the issues I had with the car...

But, and it is a big but, it is down to the Tester's discretion and experience. Were these "Independent Mechanics" either current or lapsed MOT Testers?, because a lot who aren't think they know better than the man who puts pen to paper.

Tony.

 

[Mus Musculus]

Were these "Independent Mechanics" either current or lapsed MOT Testers?

Both are MOT testers, and one is the chap I use for MOTs of my Spitfire (although exempt, I still test the car yearly).

 

[Ianmc]

Car has not been "loved"; under bonnet rust clearly shows this.
Also no aircon, non starter for me.
Buyer beware!!

 

[Andyboy]

It's worth the current £1900 bid and a bit more. For £2500 all in it's a deal. There's nothing there that would put me off.

'Nice' ones are £4000+ don't forget.

Really nice ones are twice that.

 

[Jam03]

It's worth the current £1900 bid and a bit more. For £2500 all in it's a deal. There's nothing there that would put me off.

'Nice' ones are £4000+ don't forget.

Really nice ones are twice that.

I agree. It might have been bought as a project. Seems to have had the rear subframe and trailing arms replaced. After that, they got their money’s worth by using it as a daily and putting 14k miles on it in a year…or if those were recreational miles, I salute the seller for enjoying the car.