1997 BMW 3-Series

z3 Convertible

2.8L Straight 6 Cylinder Gasoline Fuel

Manual

4USCJ3323VLC04237

Rear Wheel Drive

Gasoline

Power Windows

Up for auction I have a 1997 BMW Z3 convertible. The car has just hit 162,000 miles but drives like 62,000! This is the exact color combo of the Z3 that made its debut in James Bond’s Golden Eye minus the machine guns and missiles. If you are looking at these cars look right past the 1.9 liter 4 cylinder. For the minimal difference in fuel mileage there is a huge return on driving pleasure going with the 2.8 liter I-6 cylinder that is in this model coupled with the 5 speed manual transmission. I have driven both and you will be happy you went with the 6 cylinder that delivers torque that the BMW inline 6 motors are known for. The car is the best of both worlds, German designed and engineered and built right here in the USA. I just bought this car about a little over a year ago to replace my last toy. I have a gas hog SUV that I use for winter and thought I would get something like this that was fun convertible that was easy on fuel. Problem is, it just hasn’t been practical for me. I have two older children that it always seems they need to go somewhere at the same time so I end up taking the SUV more then I would like. I have zero complaints about this car other then how many it seats. I am looking for a mid 2000’s Mazda 3 series 4 door hatch or sedan with manual transmission preferably if someone wants to swap. I know this description is long, but I am very detailed and my car that I sold before this was the same way and the buyer was very appreciative and had no surprises when he flew in from Tennessee to drive it home. Exterior is a beautiful Atlanta Blue (or known as James Bond Blue) with a tan top. The top was recently replaced at the tune of $1200 and is in perfect shape. The body is very nice, I only noted one noticeable door ding in front of the fuel door. The front does have rock chips that accompany this age of vehicle. The lower valance was cracked prior to me from someone likely parking to close to a curb stop and it looks like it was attempted to be touched up. There is a wrinkle/dent behind the drivers rear wheel where the quarter panel and the bumper meet (pictured). That is really the only notable body damage and it is under the front of the car and down low. The right mirror stem has some paint defects, and there is a very small (about the size of a pencil lead) chip in the windshield about forehead height when you are driving. It has always been there but isn’t large and hasn’t spread and likely will not. The car has brand new performance tires on it over $800 worth that have less then 4k on them. Interior, really the only thing that dates this car on the inside is the driver’s seat. The left bolster has wear from the driver getting in and out of the car. Other then that the seats are nice and not ripped or cracked. Carpets are flawless, with new $90 BMW floor mats. No dash cracks or stains smells etc. If the seat didn’t have bolster wear the interior would be 10 out of 10 to me. It has an aftermarket Sony CD player. These cars have a common problem of the nylon bushings wearing out in the seats letting them slide or rock back and forth on the seat rails. I had these replaced when I bought it seat is tight. Has keyless entry. The heated seats worked great on cold days this year. The powertrain on this car is excellent. The motor starts evreytime effortlessly. No strange sounds noises smoke or fluid consumption of any kind. The picture is of the bottom of the car is showing it has zero leaks at all. Transmission shifts smoothly. traction control works awesome. Other then the interior and exterior wear items I have listed there is only a couple things that I can think of that it needs. the hood shocks don’t support the hood. The hood should stay open on its own but I have to use a prop rod. Shocks are $50, I have only been under the hood to fill washer fluid and check fluids so it never bothered me that much. Airbag light is on, no accidents I am aware of. The forums say the light comes on from a sensor bad in the seat or seat belt. The odometer and mileage read out is digital and it seems faint on the backlighting. Easily readable at night but you have to kind of shadow it with your hand in the day light to see it, I tried to picture it. In summary this is a blast of a car, sporty, fun, powerful, economical and just all around unbeatable in it’s category for the money. It drives straight as an arrow with no shimmies or shakes and all mechanics and maintenance are in order. This will be a total no reserve sale. This will sell to the highest bidder. You should have no worry flying into Kansas City MCI airport and driving this home anywhere. I have clean title in my name in hand. I will expect cash payment, no check. If you pay with money order or bank check that is fine but please don’t expect car or title until the check has cleared and in my account. Sorry for the distrust but I have been burnt on a phony bank check and won’t have it happen again. Cash would just be easier and better for me. I will be driving it up until I sell it so mileage will go up. I will need a non refundable paypal deposit of $500 within 48 hours of auctions end and full payment within 7 days of auction end. Please ask all and any question before bidding and if they are helpful to others I will post them. Thank you and good luck bidding.