Potential M Roadster Buyer

[Tony V.]

hello everyone, even though this is my first post, i have been a viewer for quite some time. I used to own a '05 330ci manual... loved it. had to move into the city and get rid of the car about 4 years ago. now im married and looking at houses in long island and back on the car hunt.

looking for a weekend car, something to cruise around in for under $20K. came across a specific car that i fell in love with, problem is it's expensive. im trying to figure out if its worth the money, and also if its a good investment. i plan on driving 3-5k miles per year.

link: 1999 BMW Z3 M Roadster

questions:

1. what is the real value of this car? its low mileage, amazing color and super clean... but is it worth $27K or even close to that?

2. what are the main issues with this model that i need to be concerned with either now or in the future?

3. am i better off with a car that has more miles as long as its been serviced properly for $15K?

4. is anyone on this site selling one cheaper than this? with this color and low mileage.

 

[Ianmc]

Assume that is a S52 engined car. In the UK we had the S50 engine on this model which is significantly more powerful I believe (later replaced by S54 as in the USA). Will be difficult for UK owners to apply personal experience to your specific questions.
That said, low mileage (and this is very low) always seem to attract a premium. I personally prefer a higher mileage car that has been well looked after than a low mileage "garage queen" but others don't. If this was a UK car, my guess is that it would sell in the £15K to £20K band (could be a little more if the right buyer is around). Hope this helps a little. By the way, these are great cars to drive and own!!

 

[roadvoyager1]

@FRANKIE may be best person to comment. He lives on the east coast USA and has a Z3M. Most of us on the forum are UK based and the Z3M was a different spec. for US and UK markets.
The car certainly ticks a lot of boxes for investment potential. For a car to cruise in you don't really need an M. a 2.8 or 3.0 probably would be more than adequate for this purpose and be less expensive to buy and maintain.
Is it worth the asking price. By UK market prices it is probably realistic for a dealer supplied car.
Have a look in the knowledge base for issues, although many are age and milage related. One big concern is failure of the diff mounting bracket due to spot weld failure in the trunk floor. This is common to all of the larger engined models.
Are you beter with a higher milage/low cost vehicle? Only you can decide if you want to take the risk/miss a potential opportunity! Car prices are volatile and the Z3 is a newcomer to the "classic" market.
Enjoy search for your Z3. Whatever you choose there is a wealth of information and a great community here on Z.org so keep us updated on your progress.

 

[andyglym]

Some good and valid points raised above. Additionally you would need to weigh up the potential cost of all the consumables such as shocks, springs, top mounts, various bushes and the cooling system. If these are all in order and no more money is needed to feed the beast then it looks like an attractive proposition, if however just cruising is your main aim then the 2.8/3.0 will do that just fine with loads of torque. Looks nice though. Good luck.

 

[Pingu]

I wouldn't be too concerned about the cost of spare parts. Spare parts are cheap in the US - I've paid $100 shipping for rear dampers and it was still cheaper than buying Bilsteins in Europe. The car was made in the USA and lots of the parts were sourced on your side of the pond (Mexico, Canada and US)

In the UK, the ship has sailed if you want to buy an M Roadster as a quick investment - I don't know if the same is true in the US. They will probably hold their value until the next set of homeowners pay off their mortgages and start buying Z4Ms, E46 M3s, and then I expect them to drop a little.

The UK version is a very fast car (engine developed in mid 90s) with early 1980s rear suspension and late 80s front suspension. It makes for a very entertaining drive - especially in the wet. The US engine is not as powerful, but would still be powerful enough to get you into trouble, or to show you are a driving God - depending on whether it is a skid or a slide.

Be wary if you are the type of driver who says to his passenger "Watch this!!" - especially if you have not tested the car's limited in a safe environment first. We have trackdays in the UK, and I'd recommend doing one - especially if there is plenty of run-off.

I'd buy it if you want an entertaining car. I wouldn't buy it as an investment. The people who make money from cars don't have to insure them, tax them or put petrol in them.

 

[FRANKIE]

hello everyone, even though this is my first post, i have been a viewer for quite some time. I used to own a '05 330ci manual... loved it. had to move into the city and get rid of the car about 4 years ago. now im married and looking at houses in long island and back on the car hunt.

looking for a weekend car, something to cruise around in for under $20K. came across a specific car that i fell in love with, problem is it's expensive. im trying to figure out if its worth the money, and also if its a good investment. i plan on driving 3-5k miles per year.

link: 1999 BMW Z3 M Roadster

questions:

1. what is the real value of this car? its low mileage, amazing color and super clean... but is it worth $27K or even close to that?

2. what are the main issues with this model that i need to be concerned with either now or in the future?

3. am i better off with a car that has more miles as long as its been serviced properly for $15K?

4. is anyone on this site selling one cheaper than this? with this color and low mileage.

Welcome to the forum from Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. I see you're intested in an ///M. I know the feeling. I had purchased a 1.9L '96 as my first Z. I took a trip over to the UK to meet the other forum members and I had experienced their Z3 ///Ms. Theirs are very fast compared to the ones over here. The acceleration is so fast that you are pressed back into the seat and end up having to adjust your seat belt. I love my 1.9 but was crazy to get an ///M after coming bact to the US. I searched around for about 6 monthe and found one in San Deigo for close to $12,000. I offered them $8,000. to see where it would go from there. To my surprise, they accepted the offer. My cousin who lives out there checked over the car, which had about 96k miles on it and said it was a beauty, which as it turns out, really was. It looked like new. A forum member from the UK, @miller1098, who has a '99 ///M, flew over to Philly, and we both went out to California to see and then get the car, which was a 2000, one year later that @miller1098's car. He knew all about them and what to look for and what to avoid. He was extremely impressed with the car and said if I didn't want it, he might buy it. That's all I had to hear. I felt the clutch was a tad weak to I got the car for $7800. We both drove it back to New Jersey.
You can go on E-bay or on Craigslist. Check out the cars for sale in California and Florida. If you find one you like, I might be able to go with you to drive it back if you don't ship it. I've flown down to Florida and drove cars that I've bought back in the same 24 hours.........Frankie

 

[FRANKIE]

hello everyone, even though this is my first post, i have been a viewer for quite some time. I used to own a '05 330ci manual... loved it. had to move into the city and get rid of the car about 4 years ago. now im married and looking at houses in long island and back on the car hunt.

looking for a weekend car, something to cruise around in for under $20K. came across a specific car that i fell in love with, problem is it's expensive. im trying to figure out if its worth the money, and also if its a good investment. i plan on driving 3-5k miles per year.

link: 1999 BMW Z3 M Roadster

questions:

1. what is the real value of this car? its low mileage, amazing color and super clean... but is it worth $27K or even close to that?

2. what are the main issues with this model that i need to be concerned with either now or in the future?

3. am i better off with a car that has more miles as long as its been serviced properly for $15K?

4. is anyone on this site selling one cheaper than this? with this color and low mileage.

Here's one on E-bay for about one third the price, 117k miles..........

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1999-BMW-Z...ash=item33de5493d5:g:WgkAAOSwDEtaRTLl&vxp=mtr

 

[FRANKIE]

hello everyone, even though this is my first post, i have been a viewer for quite some time. I used to own a '05 330ci manual... loved it. had to move into the city and get rid of the car about 4 years ago. now im married and looking at houses in long island and back on the car hunt.

looking for a weekend car, something to cruise around in for under $20K. came across a specific car that i fell in love with, problem is it's expensive. im trying to figure out if its worth the money, and also if its a good investment. i plan on driving 3-5k miles per year.

link: 1999 BMW Z3 M Roadster

questions:

1. what is the real value of this car? its low mileage, amazing color and super clean... but is it worth $27K or even close to that?

2. what are the main issues with this model that i need to be concerned with either now or in the future?

3. am i better off with a car that has more miles as long as its been serviced properly for $15K?

4. is anyone on this site selling one cheaper than this? with this color and low mileage.

Nice California car: auction now at 6,999.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1998-BMW-Z...ash=item2a9f996f5f:g:gkQAAOSw-JJafnmt&vxp=mtr

 

[FRANKIE]

hello everyone, even though this is my first post, i have been a viewer for quite some time. I used to own a '05 330ci manual... loved it. had to move into the city and get rid of the car about 4 years ago. now im married and looking at houses in long island and back on the car hunt.

looking for a weekend car, something to cruise around in for under $20K. came across a specific car that i fell in love with, problem is it's expensive. im trying to figure out if its worth the money, and also if its a good investment. i plan on driving 3-5k miles per year.

link: 1999 BMW Z3 M Roadster

questions:

1. what is the real value of this car? its low mileage, amazing color and super clean... but is it worth $27K or even close to that?

2. what are the main issues with this model that i need to be concerned with either now or in the future?

3. am i better off with a car that has more miles as long as its been serviced properly for $15K?

4. is anyone on this site selling one cheaper than this? with this color and low mileage.

Craigslist 2000 they say it's an M. 102K miles Florida car, no rust 12,995 is asking price

https://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/cto/d/bmw-z3-roadster-mint/6490020225.html

 

[FRANKIE]

hello everyone, even though this is my first post, i have been a viewer for quite some time. I used to own a '05 330ci manual... loved it. had to move into the city and get rid of the car about 4 years ago. now im married and looking at houses in long island and back on the car hunt.

looking for a weekend car, something to cruise around in for under $20K. came across a specific car that i fell in love with, problem is it's expensive. im trying to figure out if its worth the money, and also if its a good investment. i plan on driving 3-5k miles per year.

link: 1999 BMW Z3 M Roadster

questions:

1. what is the real value of this car? its low mileage, amazing color and super clean... but is it worth $27K or even close to that?

2. what are the main issues with this model that i need to be concerned with either now or in the future?

3. am i better off with a car that has more miles as long as its been serviced properly for $15K?

4. is anyone on this site selling one cheaper than this? with this color and low mileage.

South Florida, 82k miles $5000.

https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/d/bmw-z3/6484183352.html

 

[FRANKIE]

hello everyone, even though this is my first post, i have been a viewer for quite some time. I used to own a '05 330ci manual... loved it. had to move into the city and get rid of the car about 4 years ago. now im married and looking at houses in long island and back on the car hunt.

looking for a weekend car, something to cruise around in for under $20K. came across a specific car that i fell in love with, problem is it's expensive. im trying to figure out if its worth the money, and also if its a good investment. i plan on driving 3-5k miles per year.

link: 1999 BMW Z3 M Roadster

questions:

1. what is the real value of this car? its low mileage, amazing color and super clean... but is it worth $27K or even close to that?

2. what are the main issues with this model that i need to be concerned with either now or in the future?

3. am i better off with a car that has more miles as long as its been serviced properly for $15K?

4. is anyone on this site selling one cheaper than this? with this color and low mileage.

3.0 92000miles asking $7500

https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/d/2001-bmw-z3-30i-price-drop/6483789551.html

 

[FRANKIE]

hello everyone, even though this is my first post, i have been a viewer for quite some time. I used to own a '05 330ci manual... loved it. had to move into the city and get rid of the car about 4 years ago. now im married and looking at houses in long island and back on the car hunt.

looking for a weekend car, something to cruise around in for under $20K. came across a specific car that i fell in love with, problem is it's expensive. im trying to figure out if its worth the money, and also if its a good investment. i plan on driving 3-5k miles per year.

link: 1999 BMW Z3 M Roadster

questions:

1. what is the real value of this car? its low mileage, amazing color and super clean... but is it worth $27K or even close to that?

2. what are the main issues with this model that i need to be concerned with either now or in the future?

3. am i better off with a car that has more miles as long as its been serviced properly for $15K?

4. is anyone on this site selling one cheaper than this? with this color and low mileage.

Don' t know much about this one. $1950.

https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/d/2002-bmw-z3/6462887762.html

 

[hard top]

https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/d/bmw-z3/6484183352.html

Not an ///M Frankie.

 

[FRANKIE]

hello everyone, even though this is my first post, i have been a viewer for quite some time. I used to own a '05 330ci manual... loved it. had to move into the city and get rid of the car about 4 years ago. now im married and looking at houses in long island and back on the car hunt.

looking for a weekend car, something to cruise around in for under $20K. came across a specific car that i fell in love with, problem is it's expensive. im trying to figure out if its worth the money, and also if its a good investment. i plan on driving 3-5k miles per year.

link: 1999 BMW Z3 M Roadster

questions:

1. what is the real value of this car? its low mileage, amazing color and super clean... but is it worth $27K or even close to that?

2. what are the main issues with this model that i need to be concerned with either now or in the future?

3. am i better off with a car that has more miles as long as its been serviced properly for $15K?

4. is anyone on this site selling one cheaper than this? with this color and low mileage.

$10,500 asking, 146k miles

https://orlando.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2000-bmw-z3-roadster-very/6492084218.html

 

[Vince zuppa]

I just purchased the M for $14,500
Drove down to Louisville from Chicago to purchase.
Great guy sold me the car , super fair price.
44,300 miles , car looks brand new: he was the 2nd owner and had it for 9 years. I looked for over a year for this car.
I am seeing the same car with similar miles post in Chicago for $17k
Scary fast and fun to drive , need to be careful though , I almost slid into my neighbors house on a corner ... showing off like a dork.
You definitely need common sense driveling the M ... loving it
I grew up driving a Triumph tr6 which I also love

 

[Jack Ratt]

I just purchased the M for $14,500
Drove down to Louisville from Chicago to purchase.
Great guy sold me the car , super fair price.
44,300 miles , car looks brand new: he was the 2nd owner and had it for 9 years. I looked for over a year for this car.
I am seeing the same car with similar miles post in Chicago for $17k
Scary fast and fun to drive , need to be careful though , I almost slid into my neighbors house on a corner ... showing off like a dork.
You definitely need common sense driveling the M ... loving it
I grew up driving a Triumph tr6 which I also love

That's a great price Vince, hope you enjoy your new toy

 

[FRANKIE]

I just purchased the M for $14,500
Drove down to Louisville from Chicago to purchase.
Great guy sold me the car , super fair price.
44,300 miles , car looks brand new: he was the 2nd owner and had it for 9 years. I looked for over a year for this car.
I am seeing the same car with similar miles post in Chicago for $17k
Scary fast and fun to drive , need to be careful though , I almost slid into my neighbors house on a corner ... showing off like a dork.
You definitely need common sense driveling the M ... loving it
I grew up driving a Triumph tr6 which I also love

Congratulations on the purchase. It's amazing just how fast they are. Flew out from Philadelphia to San Diego to drive mine back after the purchase. 3200 mile drive. Had a forum member from the UK with me for the drive. What a trip. You must be having a great time but I know you're getting a lot of snow now. A bummer. Best of luck with it.............................Frankie