topnotchrally

I have a ‘99 523i touring manual. Uk import. Terrific car. 

Beautiful. If it was manual it'd be on it's way to my driveway.  (Are there ANY manuals?!?)

A fair price imho. I’d have paid that. (Damn)

2 hours ago, E30 325i Rag-Top said:

It could be an error in the VIN decode information, that tends to be with SA built cars though?

Do E34 have the build sheet under the rear seats like E30s do?

Why do you mention SA?  Vin says make in Great Britain, and it's LHD.... Don't think they made LHD in SA.

The plot thickens...  I got photos from Webbs.  The colour IS blue, this VIN is right...  so why is the vin info from BMW wrong?  The colour and year are wrong on the VIN decoder?

4 hours ago, E30 325i Rag-Top said:When does viewing start for the auction?

Webbs has informed me the car will be on site on Monday. 

I requested photos of these from Webbs but of course they have not provided them.

Please me more specific in your information, what things 'don't line up'?

It seems this is NO hard data on the providence of this car, but a lot of speculation. If I'm wrong about this please let me know. 

I am moderately serious about buying this car, so I started doing some research about the things that have been mentioned here.

My first step was to talk to  Webb's.  They are useless and seem oddly interested in putting in any effort.

I asked them to confirm it has been painted, they guy wouldn't even give me his opinion on if the paint was original or not, just refused to comment... said I should come look myself... not helpful. 

I asked them to provide the Japan auction record (I checked that it is available), they refused... they won't invest $80 to help sell a $40k car... not good customer service. (ok, I could buy it myself, but I'm not that serious, yet)  Also, perhaps there's a reason they don't want the record known?

There is speculation the car has been assembled from pieces. This arrises mostly from the mis-matching interior colours (are there any other reasons?).  'Cream' is a fragile colour so this could just be from sun damage... any other opinions or things to support this speculation?

The VIN data is concerning, sort of.  Should it be Black? If it was made in 1988, why is it labeled 1993  Should it be 3.8?  on the 3.8 thing I've done some reading and there is no conclusive evidence it should be 3.8 http://marker.to/zAH7jk  If it was built for USA or Japan, it should be 3.6

I ask Webbs to send me a photo of the vin plate(s) and door jam.  They haven't come through...

Any nutters (like me) out there want to chip in to get the Japan report. 😱😀

24 minutes ago, Palazzo said:

I’m with you.

What they said.   It's 240hp... single throttle body... a nice motor but not 'really' M worthy. I had an M3 in Canada with this motor.. great fun but then I only paid $12k for it.. 15 years ago.  And the steering wheel was on the 'right' side. 😀

21 minutes ago, Blackie said:

Not my cuppa tea, but each to their own. Would have expected a manual box for 30k??

I like it more than I expected to but...what he said.

Yep, I don't get it. The black 'highlights' on the hood (bonnet) are horrible.  Tacky Interior touches...

This is a LHD M3 Sedan, why does the passenger seat have a handle, on the wrong side, to tilt it forward?  It would seem this is the drivers seat from a RHD coupe. Were they produced this way?

6 minutes ago, Sammo said:

If you're looking for trouble free premium  euro motoring on a budget, there is also a blacked out 996 with uncerted cheap coilovers for $29k.

Awesome, is it automatic too?

No sure where the seller got the idea it has M-sport suspension.  The VIN decode doesn't show it.

Other than the carpet on the dash (?!?!) it looks a tidy and well optioned car.  Has cruise control, electric seats and best of all, fold down rear seats.  And, it's MANUAL. I should hope he can get $6k for it. It's a bargoon at $4k.

Manual? 4 speed or 5 speed?

343,000 kms?

Factory sunroof?

On 9/6/2022 at 6:29 AM, KwS said:

The body coloured front lip and door handles is a..... choice.... 😬

 

Ugggg. I agree... and the little M stickers on the door handles... not my taste.  Or do we call this 'personalization'?

4 minutes ago, Bennyboy said:

At least they put a new knob on, right? 
 

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/m3/listing/3774378882

That's worth 17 grand, right?

Lol, interesting.  It's dropped $2000 in value in a year.  https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/3346079202

Nice story about the 'old man', seem a bit of a tale since it was sold less than a year ago (see above).  Doesn't look like any of the  interior has changed.

4 hours ago, E28E30 said:

No auto wipers either.  And nothing M about it.

Your manual 2.8 must have been lovely to drive

'been'?  Still have it, just returned from a lovely afternoon out... it's bloody great!  (LSD is a must have).

(I see my statement may have been confusing, I meant that I couldn't get that price IF I was going to sell it, which I am NOT!)  🙂 

As you haven't stated... can we assume it is automatic transmission?

It's looks to be in great condition and a nice colour combo but... priced for perhaps 2027, or later...

I'd saw half the price is right for today. What could they be thinking?  I couldn't get that price for my mint 2.8 manual Z3 in green/tan with lower kms.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/3765528153

Other stupid things in the ad.

"BMW Z3 1.9 Roadster M in Manual"

It looks like this was ordered with an M steering wheel and shift knob but it ends there.  No M suspension and most importantly, no LSD.

"Featured include - Headlights, Electric Front Seats, Auto Wipers, Remote Central Locking." 

Nice,  it has headlights!

"This little rocket"    

It's a 1.9.. it's fun but it's not a rocket!

Also, it may have had a dodgy respray as orange peel is visible in the picture of the RR corner.

Kudos for the original radio! (I loath aftermarket radios)

Interesting to see what it goes for?  The last one sold for $16k in similar condition but with only 100k kms on it.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/3755234023

(Mine looks 'well used' and with 280k kms, what could I get for it? Hmmm)

I've been looking for something to 'waste' my Airpoints on, this is it! Thanks for the tip.