Oldcarman from Canada

[oldcarman]

Hi, just joined your forum after carefully reading of one of the member's thread and dread of having to sell his beloved 98 coupe due to a family addition. Congrats by the way, grasp every moment cuz before you know it your car will disappear into the sunset as the brat wheels out of the drive. I'm a retired letter carrier in Canada and have been searching the Zed situation in the UK and Europe for a car. Found a 97 which is awaiting export in Hounslow, Middlesex and I may have bought parts from a few of you over the past few months as I try to get options which I want for the car and save some costs. My finger likes to talk a bit so I will cut it off now, not the finger the comment and invite anyone to PM me with any questions, etc. And does anyone know who will certify steam cleaning the car by mobile ASAP. JIM

 

[GazHyde]

Welcome @oldcarman

How long till your Zed makes the trip over to you? Must be a bit nerve wracking buying unseen like this, did you have someone check it over before you bought it...

Cheers, Gary

I moved this post in to the introduction section, so people can welcome you properly

 

[joey]

hi oldcarman , and welcome,

good luck with your intrepid purchase!, please do let us all know how it pans out.. +1 on what Gaz said did u have anyone check it out?..

cheers

Joe

 

[Zeti]

Summer is close, get ready for ride!

 

[oldcarman]

Welcome @oldcarman

How long till your Zed makes the trip over to you? Must be a bit nerve wracking buying unseen like this, did you have someone check it over before you bought it...

Cheers, Gary

I moved this post in to the introduction section, so people can welcome you properly

Hi Gary, thanks, I noticed the intro section later on as I go through the forums and get my bearings. Actually, no to answer your question. I emailed back and forth with the seller when I first decided to research the UK market and the car didn't sell and it went away as I contacted other sellers and gathered the info I would need to import the car into Canada. Really liked what I had seen in the first ads pics and after about two months contacted the seller again expecting that they had sold the car. They hadn't and we negotiated a price, now it's sitting as I purchased a hardtop/ prep kit, roll bars and deflector(s), small storage lid, rear CD player, rear window and I'm sure a few other bits. The seller had told me that the car had the top prep kit installed so it took quite a while to find the deal, which happened finally last week. Then throw in the holiday season during which the seller had a close family member pass and the week long celebration of their life it's been rather lackadaisical. The seller has to track down his proof of ownership and once I can get the car steam cleaned it's on the boat for Halifax. I've approached many valet/ steam cleaners in the area via email and only have had three replies and only one co. that is not mobile that can meet my requirements. The scary part is if it gets to Canada and can't be imported I must either ship it somewhere or destroy it. Once it gets clearance it will store in my friend's garage until I fly out in spring to drive it to the centre of Canada and see what I've done to myself. Anyhow, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. JIM

 

[t-tony]

Welcome Jim,you're a braver man than me. Hope all goes well for you.

 

[oldcarman]

Welcome Jim,you're a braver man than me. Hope all goes well for you.

Hi and thanks for the welcome. I've been going through the forums to get a feel for the membership. So far so good!! I'm not sure braver would be my choice of words but it's an experience. It's frustrating me that only a few steam clean/ valet co.s will even reply to my emails, and there've been a lot. Who certifies and cleans cars coming into the UK?? They're the one's I need and no tax no MOT means they have to be mobile. I'll keep plugging along and once the car is cleaned and paperwork taken care of it onto the high seas it goes. JIM

 

[t-tony]

I can understand your problem there Jim. A few years ago a mate emigrated to New Zealand and had to take his mechanics tools with him as he had got a job at a Honda dealer there. But he had to thoroughly clean and disinfect all his tools and tool boxes etc. before they could be shipped out to him.

 

[GazHyde]

It's frustrating me that only a few steam clean/ valet co.s will even reply to my emails, and there've been a lot. Who certifies and cleans cars coming into the UK?? They're the one's I need and no tax no MOT means they have to be mobile.

I'll tag @Summit Detailing in this thread, as Chris is a professional mobile valeter. Probably won't be for him as it's out of his area, but he may be able to recommend someone...

 

[oldcarman]

I can understand your problem there Jim. A few years ago a mate emigrated to New Zealand and had to take his mechanics tools with him as he had got a job at a Honda dealer there. But he had to thoroughly clean and disinfect all his tools and tool boxes etc. before they could be shipped out to him.

T-tony, my problem is being thousands of miles away going through the yellow pages for steam cleaners and valet services that list my requirements as part of their performed services, I email, send pictures, copy of actual form with a checklist and just don't get a reply. If you know anyone looking to fill a niche in the job market there it is. Get a van, steam cleaner and get certified with the gov't and start working. I'm not just talking wash, wax,and polish. Just blast steam at fungus and bacteria from a hose into every nook and cranny sign a paper, collect $$ whoops£££.

 

[Summit Detailing]

Thanks Gaz.
Jim - let me know whereabouts the car is located & your contact details, either here or by pm & I'll put you in touch with people who will be able to help, local to the car.

Cheers

Chris

 

[bessieblue]

welcome Jim ,hope everything goes well, did you buy it here because it was cheaper ?

 

[Brian4]

Thanks Gaz.
Jim - let me know whereabouts the car is located & your contact details, either here or by pm & I'll put you in touch with people who will be able to help, local to the car.

Cheers

Chris

Now that's what I call service

Jim welcome from me as well and hope all works out for you. Really helpful people on here

 

[oldcarman]

Thanks Gaz.
Jim - let me know whereabouts the car is located & your contact details, either here or by pm & I'll put you in touch with people who will be able to help, local to the car.

Cheers

Chris

Hi Chris, thanks, I've been going in circles with this for some time and was beginning to think nobody liked me and everyone hated but then I ate some worms.... The car is situated at <<edited by GazHyde>> This joining the forum is turning out pretty good so and well worth the $$$$$. Thanks again let me know what else you need.

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EDIT by Gaz: address removed for security. I'll email it straight to Chris for you

 

[oldcarman]

H

hi oldcarman , and welcome,

good luck with your intrepid purchase!, please do let us all know how it pans out.. +1 on what Gaz said did u have anyone check it out?..

cheers

Joe

Hi Joe, good to know ya. And no didn't get it checked out but after back and for thing with the sellers son for about six months and the feeling in my 66 year old gut feel safe to pull the trigger.Looking forward to digging into the bones of the forum as this is my first venture into BMW land. JIM

 

[oldcarman]

Summer is close, get ready for ride

Thanks, gotta get the car over the water, portage exactly 1/2 way across Canada and then ride, ride , ride

 

[oldcarman]

welcome Jim ,hope everything goes well, did you buy it here because it was cheaper ?

Hi bessieblue, thanks for the welcome and yes and no to your question. My 9 yr old granddaughter, Trinity wanted a z3, not a z4 gramps, or a Ford F-150. Always liked her first choice so sat down and worked out a budget and went A huntin'. The rest of the story's up top here, save my old fingers and eyes please!!

 

[Mint]

from me too Jim. How long will it take to get it across to your side of the pond? I don't know whether I could be that patient. Once I'd bought mine I wanted it straight away.

 

[joey]

Thanks Jim,

and nice to make your acquaintance sir..


I get the feeling its going to be a great fit with you and the Z3...

they are new enough that you don't have the reliability issues of some of the older sports cars like MGs and Triumphs etc etc but not so new that you need a degree in software engineering to work on them yourself, engine management is late first early second generation so is quite simple and as a result stable.

mine is my daily drive and engine wise hasn't missed a beat , i have had to replace some braking and suspension components but its a 15 yr old car..and its my daily drive so you have to expect to replace some of the obvious things, the good news is parts are cheap in comparison to other prestige car parts and the aftermarket stuff available is generally of good quality, once you have it running well it should take no more than a yearly service with fluids and consumable replaced to keep it running like a top!...

enjoy!

 

[oldcarman]

Genuine BMW E36 M3 Z3 M Boot 6 Disc CD Changer A in good working condition 50 pounds buy it now email or text for details 07955668431 cash on collection preferred but can post if buyer pays postage . i have this advertised elsewhere so i can cancel bids and remove from auction at any time.

from me too Jim. How long will it take to get it across to your side of the pond? I don't know whether I could be that patient. Once I'd bought mine I wanted it straight away.

Hi Mint and Joey, wow this is certainly an enthusiastic crowd. Car should be about 2weeks from shipyard east to Halifax, clear customs storage in my friend's garage in Dartmouth till the weather is nice enough to fly out and drive it home. I'm hoping for April so it's here when my new grandson arrives in May from Santiago, Chile where my son lives. I have a 76 tr7, 76 mini. 58 Benz 190SL and several other benzzz. Along with a bunch of 50s-60s chev Pontiac stuff also 66 mustang 289-271 hp with a few others sprinkled around the back of my property. Just bought a CD 6 disc for £10 sitting in the car waiting testing. So maybe? Later guys, JIM