Registration - R344 OMD

Chassis No. - WBACH72060LD84456

M.O.T. - July 2023

Odometer - 86,000

The roadster on offer certainly catches the eye, its lustrous red bodywork being complemented by a dark blue hood and silver-coloured, period correct five-spoke alloy wheels, while the interior is trimmed in black leather. The vendor is only the BMW’s fourth keeper in its 24 years to date, and he has no hesitation in describing all major aspects of the car as being in ‘excellent’ order. Indeed, he goes as far as saying it is ‘immaculate inside and out, with unmarked, rust-free bodywork and equally undamaged new wheels shod with relatively recently replaced tyres’. The Z3 has recently been treated to a £650 service, and its odometer currently stands at very credible, though unwarranted, 86,000 miles. The car can now be purchased complete with a partial service history, a full set of handbooks and selection of invoices and old MOTs, plus a current MOT valid until July 23 next year.

Based on the E36 saloon platform, BMW’s characterful Z3 two-seater was in production from 1995 to 2002 and offered with a range of four and six-cylinder engines from 1.8 to 3.0-litres in capacity. The retro styling was the work of Joji Nagashima and, while the model utilised the semi-trailing arm rear suspension of the older E30 3 Series model, the newcomer broke new ground by becoming the first BMW to be solely manufactured outside Germany – ie in Greer, South Carolina, USA. The 1.9-litre (1895cc) version that remained in production from 1995 to 1999, was powered by a 138bhp straight-four engine of sufficient performance to sprint the two-seater to 62mph in around 9.5 seconds and on to a top speed of just under 130mph. In traditional BMW style, the engine was mounted up front, driving the rear wheels.

In summary:

• A very smartly presented example
• Benefits from a recent £650 service
• Described by the vendor as ‘immaculate inside and out’