Making hard decision

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Tilly
Joined: Wed 26 May, 2004 19:45
Posts: 439

  M roadster S50
Location: Sussex

Making hard decision

Post by Tilly »

Hard decision time.

Finding it harder to get in the car with roof up, almost 70, so I am thinking of getting something easier to fit in. Had the M for over 17 years and if I take the very hard decision to sell I would like some advice from members. The car was built in Feb 22 1997 as a LHD German demonstrator. It has 155750 Km on clock and a complete service record from new, either with main agents or specialist BMW independents with a record of every bill paid in its history and every MOT.
Just had Inspection 1 service and MOT( no advisories) at a cost of just over £1100. New dash trim, A/c switch and reverse light switch fitted during service. Only OEM parts have ever been fitted to the car. All major things have been done see my write up on this forum ( viewtopic.php?f=6&t=41946&p=400179#p400179 ) of mechanical restoration work carried out in 2015 at a cost of over £6000. The body work has not been touched so there are blemishes. Comes with BMW boot rack, luggage case and squashy case which fits in the hard case.
Sorry I cannot think how to post current pictures since I do not wish to pay for Photobucket.

Any advice about selling would be appreciated.
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Gazza
Joined: Tue 04 Oct, 2005 20:58
Posts: 9521

  M roadster S54
Location: Romford Essex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Gazza »

You could use Flickr or similar to upload pics
Gazza

"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"

Z3 S54 M roadster Image, BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
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Tilly
Joined: Wed 26 May, 2004 19:45
Posts: 439

  M roadster S50
Location: Sussex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Tilly »

Taken earlier this yearhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/152172483 ... ed-public/

Now I can post I have some more which I can load if necessary. Decided the car will have to go. Time unfortunately to move on and it is a terrible decision to make. I cannot continue to defy age. Going to get a slightly bigger car which is auto with a fixed roof. We will keep the other Z for my wife can still get in hers. Any ideas would really be welcome.
therealdb1
Joined: Tue 25 Jun, 2013 21:47
Posts: 263

  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: Making hard decision

Post by therealdb1 »

I was in a similar situation to you recently.
Starting to struggle with entrances and exits from the Z. Added to that it needed a fair amount of tidying up to make it how I would have liked it so I cut my losses and headed for comfort. A 335i convertible auto with flappy paddles. Ok it is not an M3 but more understated and civilised and I am not regreting the decision so far, it's as snug as a coupe with the lid up and wind in the hair with the roof in the boot. Many more creature comforts too although the voice contol appears to have difficulty understanding my London accent at times so perhaps I should speak to it in German :D
Tilly
Joined: Wed 26 May, 2004 19:45
Posts: 439

  M roadster S50
Location: Sussex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Tilly »

Our first BMW in 1988 was a 325 convertible. We kept it for almost 14 years and only sold it because, having the Zeds, we never used it. It is still going strong and I occasionally have seen it. It was a brilliant car. We have almost decided on the replacement but are now just deciding on colour and spec. We will keep the touring which has the four seats and a large luggage space and my wife's Z3 for top down motoring. I will have another car that I can enjoy which is mid way between both . It doesn't have the raw thrill of the M, very few cars do, but it will be more fitting for my creaking frame.
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Gazza
Joined: Tue 04 Oct, 2005 20:58
Posts: 9521

  M roadster S54
Location: Romford Essex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Gazza »

therealdb1 wrote: Tue 28 Nov, 2017 23:03 I was in a similar situation to you recently.
Starting to struggle with entrances and exits from the Z. Added to that it needed a fair amount of tidying up to make it how I would have liked it so I cut my losses and headed for comfort. A 335i convertible auto with flappy paddles. Ok it is not an M3 but more understated and civilised and I am not regreting the decision so far, it's as snug as a coupe with the lid up and wind in the hair with the roof in the boot. Many more creature comforts too although the voice contol appears to have difficulty understanding my London accent at times so perhaps I should speak to it in German :D
We have a 335i vert, best thing I did was to replace the runflats with normal tyres, transformed the ride.
Gazza

"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"

Z3 S54 M roadster Image, BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
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therealdb1
Joined: Tue 25 Jun, 2013 21:47
Posts: 263

  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: Making hard decision

Post by therealdb1 »

So I have heard on the dedicated forum but fortunately the previous owner had already done the ditching and fitted proper tyres so I have only experienced the car without runflats.
I have to say I am more than happy with how it rides but then it only has 34,000 miles on the clock the poor old Z had 140,000!
PaulI
Joined: Sun 28 Dec, 2003 19:37
Posts: 23

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Weybridge, Surrey

Re: Making hard decision

Post by PaulI »

Hi Tilly, can you let me know about your Z3M when the time comes, I could well be in the market for a LHD example! I should really be encouraging you to keep it, I still have my 92 325i convertible plus my Z3!
Tilly
Joined: Wed 26 May, 2004 19:45
Posts: 439

  M roadster S50
Location: Sussex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Tilly »

Hi there,

It is for sale. I have every invoice from new, all old MOT's and 2 current MOT's. The garage in October carried out a new one by mistake but the old one doesn't expire until Feb 18. I am meeting Barney Halse from Classic Heroes tomorrow. He has looked after the car for over 17 years, apart from when he moved from Munich Legends to set up his new company and during that time BMW main agent Chandlers looked after the car. It has just had its inspection 1 service plus a few minor things done which the chief mechanic spotted. As you may know major work was done in 2015 and a full photographic account given on this site. I have all the pics. The car is probably the oldest in the UK and one of the first built in the world.On the US worldwide register three earlier ones are listed but I do not know if they have survived.
As to price, I will discuss with Barney tomorrow and let you know the outcome. It is very hard selling the car. I opened the garage doors this morning and saw the two Zeds parked. I really am not looking forward to the day I see it go but I do want it to go to a good new home and still give pleasure like it has given me over the years.
Paulro
Joined: Wed 07 Dec, 2016 18:47
Posts: 22

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Bristol

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Paulro »

Hi Tilly
I am feeling your pain.
If the other Paul isn't interested could you let me know.
Paul
Tilly
Joined: Wed 26 May, 2004 19:45
Posts: 439

  M roadster S50
Location: Sussex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Tilly »

Will do
Tilly
Joined: Wed 26 May, 2004 19:45
Posts: 439

  M roadster S50
Location: Sussex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Tilly »

Can I say one thing to anybody interested. This car is not a garage queen. It has been driven on roads but not on any race tracks. Its has done 158000Km. I use the revs once the car its thoroughly warm. But its is regularly serviced and anything needing replacing is replaced with OEM parts. I have not touched the outer body work. Over the 17 years many things have been done including underside and sills have been stripped and waxolled. Boot welds strenghened, Cylinder head replaced damaged by main agent, new vanos and cam gears, new gearbox because noisy layshaft bearing, new diff bearings because slight noise. New alternato, suspension bushes replaced, most of the engine sensors gaskets and seals have been replaced and the list goes on and on. The trim around the oil pressure dial had a crack. It has just been replaced at a cost for the part of £127.49 ex VAT. So loved but driven has been my moto and the car has responded. Its a good one but it needs to be driven.
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Brian H
Joined: Tue 16 Dec, 2008 19:55
Posts: 2505

  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Brian H »

Hi Tilly,

I have been a member on here for a few years and have thoroughly enjoyed reading your experiences with your Z3M, all I can say if anyone is genuinely interested you will get a car from a true enthusiast and a car which has had no expense spared.

Good luck with the sale Tilly.

Regards

Brian
Tilly
Joined: Wed 26 May, 2004 19:45
Posts: 439

  M roadster S50
Location: Sussex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Tilly »

Thanks Brian,

Luckily my wife will still have her Zed so I can still remain a member of this great group.
Tilly
Joined: Wed 26 May, 2004 19:45
Posts: 439

  M roadster S50
Location: Sussex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Tilly »

I have decided to let Barney Halse at Classic Heroes handle the sale of my car. He will get the car within the next few days and then tell me what extra needs to be done in his opinion before the car is sold. Once he and I have agreed an asking price, he will sell the car on my behalf.

I really do not want to be directly involved with the selling as I would find it too upsetting. In this way the car goes and I won't see it again. If anybody is interested please contact Barney directly.

My new task will be to clear out the garage so that the new car which I have bought will fit and hopefully this will partially take my mind off the loss. My wife has also said I can drive her car whenever I want open top fun.

Finally I would like to thank the members of this group for all the help and advice they have given me over the years and I hope that I can still rely on that assistance for the remaining family Zed.

PS Not been thinking straight in my first post I mistyped the Km numbers. The exact mileage reading is 157,574 Km
Tilly
Joined: Wed 26 May, 2004 19:45
Posts: 439

  M roadster S50
Location: Sussex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Tilly »

can you let me know about your Z3M when the time comes, I could well be in the market for a LHD example! I should really be encouraging you to keep it, I still have my 92 325i convertible plus my Z3!
PM sent
Tilly
Joined: Wed 26 May, 2004 19:45
Posts: 439

  M roadster S50
Location: Sussex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Tilly »

I am feeling your pain.
If the other Paul isn't interested could you let me know.
Paul
PM sent
Tilly
Joined: Wed 26 May, 2004 19:45
Posts: 439

  M roadster S50
Location: Sussex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Tilly »

Feeling a bit overwhelmed today. Four people have already applied to buy the car. Although barney has not got the car to evaluate what cosmetic work needs doing and therefore he has not set a selling price or even advertised it,it seems the car is in great demand in Europe. There has even been an enquiry from the USA. Although I am sad that she is going, I am happy that the car will end up in a good home and like the car there are some great Zed enthusiasts around the world who have been very supportive. Still I am not looking forward to next week when I drive the car for the last time , just hoping it is a good day so I can have the roof down, heated seats on and hear the roar of the engine. The new car may be more sensible for me but it won't have the passion.
Tilly
Joined: Wed 26 May, 2004 19:45
Posts: 439

  M roadster S50
Location: Sussex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Tilly »

A far wiser person than me once wrote "Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all." After driving the Roadster over to Classic Heroes one last time today with the roof down and the sun shining I am not so sure. Returning home in the replacement vehicle I tried to think of the positives. The new car is easier to get into, yes it is quieter, the automatic gears make it easier to drive in traffic, it has the efficiency but where is the passion. Many road testers over the years have pointed out the flaws in the Roadster but when I first saw Blackie18 years ago until I saw her for the last time today the passion was there. I hope the next owner experiences just some of that emotion and pure enjoyment.
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Gazza
Joined: Tue 04 Oct, 2005 20:58
Posts: 9521

  M roadster S54
Location: Romford Essex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Gazza »

Tilly wrote: Thu 14 Dec, 2017 17:22 The new car is easier to get into, yes it is quieter, the automatic gears make it easier to drive in traffic, it has the efficiency but where is the passion.
Same goes for most new/newer cars. I've been told the new shape M3/M4 is very quick but uninvolved.

I prefer to drive the car rather than the car drive me.
Gazza

"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"

Z3 S54 M roadster Image, BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
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Tilly
Joined: Wed 26 May, 2004 19:45
Posts: 439

  M roadster S50
Location: Sussex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Tilly »

Speed is not everything and the Roadster on normal roads was plenty fast enough. What I liked about the M was you had to drive it well. It could be very unforgiving if you were not concentrating. In addition you had five gears and a limited slip diff. No four wheel drive, traction control, suspension management, stability management and so on which takes you ages to set up so you can get to sixty two seconds quicker.
Tilly
Joined: Wed 26 May, 2004 19:45
Posts: 439

  M roadster S50
Location: Sussex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Tilly »

The car will be for sale at Munich Legends for £7995 as seen. I hope somebody drives it and enjoys it as much as I have.
Tilly
Joined: Wed 26 May, 2004 19:45
Posts: 439

  M roadster S50
Location: Sussex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Tilly »

The car has sold. It went very quickly within hours of being advertised. I received £5000 for it. I have to admit the whole process was extremely upsetting. I would have liked an enthusiast to have purchased the car. People have asked me why I did not sell it privately. Apart from the distress of seeing the car go somebody close to us tried to sell his Audi. Two guys turned up after the advert was placed, broke his leg and stole the car. I was also asked why such a low price. Well the hype surrounding selling a car is unbelievable as are the expectations of the sellers. Advertised prices in my humble opinion are often totally unrealistic. The words future classic, investment opportunity, collectors car etc, often are used. I initially let a professional try and sell it for a high price. After six months it had not sold. They did not want to reduce the price and were very happy that I moved it to another garage. I must admit that garage also did not leave me with a positive feeling but this time I just did not wish to play games. I tried very hard to arrange for an enthusiast to own the car but in the end I just wanted to move on and not get into a protracted unpleasant fight.
In a recent letter in Autocar entitled "money can buy you love" the author asks when you go on holiday, how much money do you get back on that holiday when you get home. Buy a new tele it will be worthless in a few months. His advice buy the car you have wanted drive it and enjoy. I had almost 20 years of fun with my car. Yes it cost money, averaging just over £3000/year which covered depreciation, repairs, servicing, tax, insurance and petrol. It was worth every penny for the pure enjoyment it gave me. I hope that its new owner has as much fun.
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Gazza
Joined: Tue 04 Oct, 2005 20:58
Posts: 9521

  M roadster S54
Location: Romford Essex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Gazza »

That has to be the cheapest Z3M on the planet.
Gazza

"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"

Z3 S54 M roadster Image, BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
ImageImage
Tilly
Joined: Wed 26 May, 2004 19:45
Posts: 439

  M roadster S50
Location: Sussex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Tilly »

Gazza wrote: Fri 27 Jul, 2018 18:26 That has to be the cheapest Z3M on the planet.
Yes but it sold quickly. I'll let others try and make a profit. I had the fun with a great car and I am happy at that. The only unhappiness was the selling process. It may sound mad but I would have preferred to have given it away if I could somehow have found a way to select a suitable enthusiast. I just could not think of a solution. I suppose I was too upset at having to sell it after so many years. That's old age for you. So many Ms for sale at very high prices. Most have been on the market for months. I have seen it before and I think we will see it again fairly soon. A collapse in prices. Many cars were bought as investments and stored or use very occasionally on the hope of making a tax free gain. I saw it between 1980 and 1988. I watched one Ferrari go in stages starting at £50K to£75K to£150K to £300K till in 1988 it went for £1.6 million. During this time it put on 900 miles. The market then collapsed and a few months later was for sale at £350K.
Ms are meant to be driven and enjoyed but it seems at the present time too many people are viewing older BMW's just as investment opportunities. I'll be interested to see how much my old car will finally be advertised for. Say £5K for all the cosmetic work. One in Germany with higher mileage and not the service record is being advertised for just over £30K. Just look at some of the advertised dealer prices in this country. Still if people are prepared to pay these ridiculous prices who can blame the dealers for putting such a high mark-up on cars.
Tilly
Joined: Wed 26 May, 2004 19:45
Posts: 439

  M roadster S50
Location: Sussex

Re: Making hard decision

Post by Tilly »

Update.

By accident I phoned Munich Legends and was told the sale had fallen through.I immediately phoned the person( enthusiast) who wanted to buy my old car. This was a few weeks ago. Today I heard that he had bought it and was over the moon. For me it was always about letting a lover of Zeds get the car and despite all the hurdles it has happened. That was always more important than the money. I hope that he gets as much pleasure as I have had over the years.The story continues. :) :) :) :) :)
turbitoz
Joined: Fri 29 Jul, 2016 10:32
Posts: 1

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Watford

Re: Making hard decision

Post by turbitoz »

And I am the lucky new owner of Blackie18 :) Its been a bit of a rocky journey but it's got a home now and I have promised Roger I will take care of the car in the best way possible so the saga continues, I will be posting mostly on the sister site zroadster.org - find me there @mario. Thanks guys
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