Afternoon all,
So I am Simon who bought the car from Matt who originally bought it from Lee with 99k on the clock. I have been the very proud owner of this lovely car for a few months now and intend to put much love her way.
So far I feel she has driven really well with no mechanical or other problems at all. As a new owner to Zs, in fact a new owner to BMW, its not like I know what to look out for or would necessarily know a good drive from a bad drive at this stage of ownership, but to my mind the engine runs beautifully and the driving experience has felt fantastic; very bumpy in places but fantastic! Sadly there are potholes and speed bumps everywhere where I live so it is with some regret that I have spoken to Lee about putting it back to the original height. He agreed since I won’t be taking it to the track but I know I’ll miss the look of it being lowered and any extra cornering ability. That was quite a tough decision but practicality ruled at the end of the day.
As time goes on I am looking forward to learning more about these cars, improving my driving skills (hard driving for example), correct maintenance, which I’d like to do myself by learning from the guys and what to look out for etc. It goes without saying that I would be unable to do this without this forum and members contributions so thanks in advance to all those who make this great community what it is and inviting me to be part of it.
Lee and others have already started working on the car as you can see above and as the owner I am thrilled, excited and grateful that the car is in such experienced hands and being treated with the love and respect she deserves.
So a little more about me. I am 51, currently live and work in Bristol but was born and raised in Croydon originally. A place called Old Coulsdon more specifically, if anyone knows that neck of the woods. It’s South London basically.
I have loved the Z3 and all variants of it from the beginning. I can honestly say that a car design has never captured my attention as much as the Z3. Not as much as cars from the 50s and 60s did anyway. Up to seeing the Z3 I always loved the AC Cobra and of course still do. I also loved many early Triumph cars and my late Dad would pull them apart and rebuild them just like the guys at the Shed do. I just find the shape so interesting and very iconic. To my mind, it was obvious it was going to become a classic from the word go being so unique. I do think its a marmite situation with the Zs though as while I know many people who love them I know just as many who don’t. I remember at the time many people calling it a hairdressers car and saying it wasn’t a man’s car. Of course I completely disagree and think that’s bonkers. You’ve got to be one hell of a hairdresser to drive a Z3M! I am loving it and this car is giving me the best driving experience to date. I smile before I even get in it.
When I bought this car I wasn’t particularly looking for the M version as all designs of the Z3 interest me. It was the look both inside and outside I wanted, and of course the fact its a convertible. The Z3 to me is the best 2 seater sports convertible made in a long time. I did want at least the 2.2 version though and started looking at those and others. Sophie was the end choice since I knew her history from joining the forum; meeting and chatting to Lee particularly, who not only owned this car but shared a wealth of information with me on what to consider on any car before purchase. It all ended up falling into place quite nicely and felt like it was just meant to be with Sophie. Thanks again Lee.
As a new owner and someone who grew up with cars in the late 70s and early 80s it was extremely hard for me to get my head around buying a car with (what I thought at the time) was very high mileage on it. Lee helped me through that and said it was a psychological barrier I needed to get past. He was right but it was a big challenge for me. Sometimes its hard to trust people as well when you still don’t know them. All that ‘human’’ stuff was playing out anyway. I realise now how important the history of a car is; its not about the low mileage (garage queens in some cases) that probably need more work than mine does because they are not being driven. Besides, I haven’t bought this car to keep or sell on, I’ve bought it to use and enjoy as my daily driver for as long possible, so let’s see how this all pans out over time.
Since owning Sophie she has had a full service at an indie just after purchase, been to Redish motors in Bristol and a trip to Swansea to have a replacement maroon coloured hood, which I love. Lee was really keen on this when he first saw it too. It does compliment the car and the interior very nicely and is a nice change from black.
I would thoroughly recommend Jack for changing the hood and Redish Motorsport are superb at what they do.
Here’s some photos from the work carried out at Redish.
And here’s Jack of Jack Smith Trimmers in Swansea. Great guy, superb price for a new hood and highly recommended. Do give him a shout if you want a new hood although he’s booked up for the next 8 months I think at least. His son also works in the business and will likely take it over at some stage.
Finally, here’s a picture of me filling up Friday morning with my new door sills en route to Basingstoke! Thank God it didn’t rain!
Lee has pretty much given you all a run down of what we are doing so here’s looking forward to the weeks to come and watching Sophie become even more beautiful as she ages gracefully! Cheers to all the lads working on her.
The sills fell apart
very interesting thread especially as you pre-owned the car I think this was the car that you owned when we first meet Just a couple off years ago now 
