Photos provided by the vendor

Highlights

Highly collectible, Rare 1997 optional Wide Body 2.8i
Great condition
2.8-litre straight-six

APPEAL

At its launch, BMW created a sure-fire hit with the Z3 two-seater roadster. The only mild criticism to be heard at the time was it felt somewhat underpowered. It wasn’t long before BMW corrected this, using the same engine as the BMW 328i, it launched the Z3 2.8 litre, generating a meaningful 193bhp, 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 140mph.

A range of other engines were also launched but this 2.8 is certainly one of the more sought after, with its creamy smooth engine and punchy performance, there was many a pleasurable mile to be had in one of these, whether cornering around country roads or eating up lengthy stretches of motorway.

A reluctant sale by its current owner, this one looks fantastic in its Montreal blue paintwork and recently replaced blue hood. It’s also has the rarer wide body, and looks particularly handsome in its M Sport wheels, roof up or down.

HISTORY AND PAPERWORK

First registered in 1997
Maintenance book shows stamps up to 64,00 miles (some main dealer)
From 2011 to 2021 the car was driven quite lightly, averaging 1,000 miles or less per year
Purchased by current owner in March 2022 as a daily driver
Full post-purchase inspection carried out by TWG Motorsports in Peterborough
V5c present
Several MOT certificates and historical receipts
Toolkit, jack and brace
Original owner’s handbooks and service book
2 keys
MOT expires 15/01/2024

INTERIOR

The interior presents exceptionally well and really is in fine shape for a car of its age
Oregon Black leather seats in very good condition – some small creases and wear commensurate with age and mileage
M-Sport gear knob
Leather steering wheel
Door cards all good
Carpets and mats all in excellent condition
Roof mechanism reportedly in perfect order
Electric windows
Wind deflector
Aftermarket Pioneer stereo with minidisc player
All gauges and dials work
Clean and tidy engine bay

EXTERIOR

Montreal Blue Metallic paintwork in very good condition with a nice deep shine to it
Bodywork appears free from dents
Some minor scratches appear on a few of the panels, most noticeably the boot lid
Few small stone chips to the bonnet and front wings some of which have been touched up
Two small patches of rust bubbling to near side of the bonnet as illustrated in the photos
New roof fitted within last 5 years. Hood fabric in excellent condition, even coloured with no signs of sun fading
Good tyres all round
M Sport 10-spoke alloy wheels appear to be in excellent condition
Both sills replaced in 2021

MECHANICS

2793cc straight-six petrol engine
5-speed manual gearbox
Minor service / oil change in January 2023
New viscous fan coupling fitted in 2022
New front suspension anti-roll bar links fitted in 2022
New catalytic converter fitted in 2023
Both front end track rods replaced in 2021
Clutch is reportedly tight with a low bite and handbrake is firm as it should be
Solid and responsive brakes
Small surface rust on underside but nothing structural or problematic
Starts on the button and settles nicely to idle
All electrics reported to function correctly
The vendor advises that the car is in excellent mechanical shape. The engine pulls hard and it handles impeccably

SUMMARY

A well cared for, increasingly collectable and highly usable roadster that is enormous fun to drive and has the all-important power up front to provide the kind of driving experience that BMW has become known for.

Behind the Z3M and the Z3M Coupes which have increased massively in value over the past few years, these rare late 1997 2.8 models with the original wide body option before it became standard sit in a highly collectible spot and are already appreciating in value.

The blue roof and black leather interior make it a classic colour combination too, and with Spring just around the corner, possibly too good an opportunity to let pass.

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