United Bimmer Community - BMW Forum - View Single Post - Year Model or Miles...which matters more?

**ejalbertini** · 08-17-2006, 03:37 PM

I went down this road recently.

I decided that, for my use, I'd get as much fun out of a Z3 as a Z4 and at a much lower cost. And, I liked the looks of the Z3 over the 4.

I talked to people who own or had owned Z3s and pretty much got a "thumbs up" that it was a good car to own.

My criteria were: 6cyl, roll bars, red, one owner, reasonable mileage; not from the snowbelt. After looking at a few, I decided that the 2000 year model would be my floor because of the improved top, altough it was power operated which I had hoped to avoid for simplicity sake.

I tracked Z3s on Autotrader for over a month and I subscribed to Carfax reports. While Carfax isn't bulletproof, it sure helps eliminate a lot of undesirable cars.

I evaluated 107 Z3s. I called about several but actively pursued onlly the one that I purchased. The car had been on Autotrader for over a month with only one crappy picture and brief (and erroneous) description. The owner said that I was the only person who called. It had 49K milesand met my criteria. I had a friend who lived 50 miles from the car go and evaluate it against a two page check list of items that I gave him to look at. He gave me the go-ahead and I made the deal and had the car delivered by the seller to my friend's house where we picked it up. I've been very happy with my Z-3. My only regret is that I waited so long to get off my motorbike and into a Z3.

/Emil

08-17-2006, 03:37 PM	#7
ejalbertini Name: ejalbertini Title: United Newb Status: Offline Join Date: Apr 2006 User not setup in Rate My Car. Click here to set it up. Your Ride: Z3	I went down this road recently. I decided that, for my use, I'd get as much fun out of a Z3 as a Z4 and at a much lower cost. And, I liked the looks of the Z3 over the 4. I talked to people who own or had owned Z3s and pretty much got a "thumbs up" that it was a good car to own. My criteria were: 6cyl, roll bars, red, one owner, reasonable mileage; not from the snowbelt. After looking at a few, I decided that the 2000 year model would be my floor because of the improved top, altough it was power operated which I had hoped to avoid for simplicity sake. I tracked Z3s on Autotrader for over a month and I subscribed to Carfax reports. While Carfax isn't bulletproof, it sure helps eliminate a lot of undesirable cars. I evaluated 107 Z3s. I called about several but actively pursued onlly the one that I purchased. The car had been on Autotrader for over a month with only one crappy picture and brief (and erroneous) description. The owner said that I was the only person who called. It had 49K milesand met my criteria. I had a friend who lived 50 miles from the car go and evaluate it against a two page check list of items that I gave him to look at. He gave me the go-ahead and I made the deal and had the car delivered by the seller to my friend's house where we picked it up. I've been very happy with my Z-3. My only regret is that I waited so long to get off my motorbike and into a Z3. /Emil