1998 BMW Z3

Convertible

1.9L 4-cylinder

Automatic

4usch7339wld16814

Clear

Gasoline

Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE Re-listed due to no-contact, non-paying bidder. Please do not waste my time if you have no intention of even contacting me after you win the auction. NO RESERVE1998 BMW Z3 Roadster 1.9L Engine, Auto Transmission 82K miles 28mpg HWY / 20mpg City Clear Title New Battery Needs TLC This car has not been MD State Inspected, so it can only be sold to a non-Maryland resident. Please read the description fully and ensure that you can meet the obligations of this auction before bidding. As is stated above, this is an auction for a 1998 BMW Z3 Roadster. These are wonderful little convertible sports cars, and are great fun to drive. The Z3 is kind of like a Miata, but with German refinement. They are the perfect car for summer, but make a good year-round daily driver as well. There are no signs of rear subframe failure on this one. The welds in the trunk all appear solid. This Z3 only has just under 82K miles on the odometer, but despite the relatively low mileage, it does need a lot of TLC. This is a "drive while you repair" car, so plenty of time to enjoy it for the next few months of convertible weather. This car is a lot of fun to drive, and if you don't mind doing some work, this is a good chance to get a bargain on one of these amazing convertibles. The 1.9L 4-cylinder engine in this Z3 is small, but still has plenty of power and returns good gas mileage. It does not smoke, overheat or have blow-by. The idle is a little uneven, but then the engine runs smoothly while driving. The 2 rubber intake pipes have large cracks in them, so the idle issue may be related to un-metered air getting into the engine. These pipes are available from Turner Motorsport for about $30 a piece. The automatic transmission performs normally for the most part, but I’ve noticed that when the car is cold and I first start off down the road, the very first shift from 1st gear to 2nd gear is mildly hard, but all shifts after that are normal. The check engine light is on, and the code is “P0734 – Gear 4 Incorrect Ratio.” From what I’ve read online, this fault is a relatively common occurrence with the Z3, and can result in hard shifts, slipping and not shifting into 4th gear. This Z3 goes through all the gears normally, except for the initial first shift when cold, I have not felt any slipping, and it goes into 4th gear without any trouble. There seem to be a lot of possible causes for the P0734 fault. In some cases changing the transmission fluid and filter, or even just the fluid, can fix the problem, but if it doesn’t, a proper mechanic may be needed to check speed sensors, etc. This needs to be addressed because it can progressively worsen and affect drivability. I have checked the transmission fluid, and it is full, but it is very dirty. The brakes feel strong, though the brake pad dash light is on, indicating that the pads will need to be replaced soon. The suspension feels comfortably firm, but there is a bit of a jutter when going over bumps, so it may be time to get the shocks, bushings, etc. checked. I’ve installed a new Duralast battery and new Bosch Icon wipers. The blue / purple exterior of this Z3 has had a re-spray. The paint looks good, but up close you can see some imperfections where the body was not sanded well enough before painting. There does not appear to be any rust. There is a small dent behind the passenger’s side, front wheel arch. There is another dent on the trunk lid, and it appears that the latching mechanism has been damaged such that the lid does not close fully. The factory alloy wheels are in decent shape, but are faded. The rear, passenger’s side tire is good, the other 3 have signs of weather cracking / dry rot, and should be replaced. The exterior lights all work. The wipers work, and are new. The radio antenna is broken off, and the left, rear turn signal lens has a small hole in it. The power top works, but the rear window has become detached and I have had to tape a plastic cover over it. I have not driven in the rain at the time of writing, so I do not know if the top has any leaks. You can remove the top and have someone that makes canvas boat covers sew a latex window in, but it is usually best just to replace the whole top. Sierra Auto Tops has brand new Z3 tops available for $230. The tan interior of this car is very dirty and needs a professional cleaning from a detailer. There are no cracks on the dash and the walnut center console looks good. Carpets are dirty and have some staining. Both seats are firm and supportive, but both have tears. The dead pedal is broken, and the lid for the top storage container between the seats is missing. The heater works well, but the A/C blows warm air. The factory radio needs its code entered to unlock. Usually this can be done by visiting a BMW dealer and showing proof of ownership if the factory radio booklet with the code is missing, as is the case here. This Z3 has dual airbags, power seats, power windows, power mirrors, heated seats, and cruise control. The heating on the driver’s seat does not work. The forward / rearward power on the passenger’s seat works occasionally, and is likely to be a switch malfunction. The driver’s door panel is a mismatch from a car with a black interior and it is missing the handle and mirror controls. All of the dash gauges work. The Check Engine, Brake Pad, and Airbag warning lights are on. The driver’s window is off the track, but can be raised and lowered by hand. This is a great opportunity for someone that wants a fun, well-built little convertible, and doesn’t mind doing some work. It is still a relatively low-mileage car. There is a lot of work to be done, but many of the cosmetic pieces can be found cheaply in a junkyard, through online salvage dealers, or on Ebay. Many other parts are easily available online through RockAuto, Amazon and BMW tuning companies. I would consider this a “drive and repair” car. A competent weekend mechanic can fix most of the defects on this car while enjoying using it, and there is plenty of summer left to do so. It is almost 20 years old, so the owner needs a maintenance plan going forward for things like the brakes, suspension, etc. This car is not in perfect shape, nor is it in near-perfect shape. It needs work. If you want a perfect car, you need to go to the BMW dealership and buy a new convertible, or pay $7k for a used Z3 with a single owner and complete service history. If you don’t mind a used car with flaws and imperfections, and that requires maintenance, then this may be the car for you. I have checked over the car to the best of my abilities, but I am not a mechanic. I have identified all of the flaws that I have found on the car, there may be others that I have not found, so please read the description thoroughly, examine all of the pictures and then come see / drive the car in person before you decide to bid. I welcome bidders to come check out this car, just please give me at least 24 hours notice that you want to come so that I can adjust my busy schedule. I am selling this car on behalf of my father because he does not use the internet. This car is owned by his small, used car dealership. Since this car is owned by a dealership, the buyer has the option of getting a 2-month temp tag, so that he or see can legally drive the car home. I am open to offers made through Ebay in accordance with its rules, and I reserve the right to stop the auction if I receive and accept an adequate buyer offer, but I will not sell the car out from under the winning bidder once the auction is completed. This car has not been through MD State Inspection so it cannot be sold to a Maryland resident. PLEASE READ: This car has not been through MD State Inspection, so it cannot be sold to a Maryland resident. If you have a Maryland Driver’s License, you cannot buy this car. Payment is to be made in cash. Paypal, Checks and Bank Transfers are not cash, cash is physical, paper money. Buyer must have a valid drivers license to purchase. A $200 Paypal deposit should be paid as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours after the auction has finished. The remainder is to be paid in cash at the time of pick-up. Bidders with zero or negative feedback must contact me prior to bidding – I will delete your bids otherwise. Do not send me angry emails when you bid without contacting me, and then find that I have deleted your bids and blocked you from further bidding on the auction. This car is sold AS IS, with NO WARRANTY. Please examine the supersized photos, and contact me if you have any questions. Serious bidders are welcome to come see the car, just give me notice ahead of time so I can adjust my schedule. Since this car is being sold by a dealership, if on arrival for pick-up the buyer has a valid driver's license and proof of insurance, a 2-month temp. tag can be supplied at an additional cost of $35. Payment is to be made in CASH at pick-up. Winning bidder must contact me within 24 hours of the end of the auction. The car must be picked up within 1 week of the end of the auction.