Jumping Off The BMW Ship
 

I recently had a friend list my Z3 on Facebook market place. After 9 years, and 7k miles of ownership I think I’m done… The E39 540, F15 X5, and the ‘88 E30 M3 are all actively for sale. The only car staying is the 997.2.

Amazing! Bon voyage!

wow that is a siesmic shift. I've followed your discussions, but does it really come down to services issues near you, exhaustion from managing such a large fleet other issues or a combination of all of the above?

Welcome… we’ve been BMW free for a bit over 3 years now after having at least a total of 6 BMWs or Minis between my wife and me for 19+ years.

Current fleet is 2 Teslas and one Mazda…

yeah i have been done for awhile

2000 325iT
2008 E90 M3
1999 E36 M3

so does that mean you decided on the T?

I mean I technically have 19 weeks to fully decide. Regardless, I am attempting to unload everything. Over it…

Wow, the M3. It'll be interesting to see what that goes for.

Allegedly the market is somewhat flat for them right now so it may not be going anywhere. It is not like I am forced to sell, especially given that BMW of North America has had it in their possession since 2006. If I really needed to sell it, I would have sold it along time ago.

Edit: Though this one did sell for $180k plus max BaT fee of $5k last October. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-bmw-m3-76/

This is an interesting development.

I’m thinking about a manual M3 so I guess I’m trying to go back to BMW.

Why, you appear to loathe BMW and everything they currently produce.

Wow! That's quite the move. Good luck with all that!

I'm BMW free for the moment, but as I've mentioned many times, I'm looking at a CPO 5er in the next year or so.

Thanks! I already have multiple perspective buyers for the Z3 and it could be gone by next weekend. It would probably be sooner, but we have out of state family coming in this weekend so I will not have the time to deal with showing it.

Sale Pending on the X5. Local party seriously interested in the Z3.

I actually looked for the z3 ad yesterday curiously interested and saw it was taken down. If the local buyer falls through, please repost

Definitely worth picking up. I just didn’t have the garage space.

Local party on the Z3 is on vacation this week and currently owns nine BMWs so uncertain if he will commit. My BMW CA and family friend knows him as he has sold him several BMWs, most recently a 2023 X5. I was asking $12,300 obo on FB Marketplace via a friend whom accidentally deleted the ad. Mudgeon price = $11k. Mechanically it is nearly perfect. It could use front brakes, but not immediately as it has not hit the wear sensor yet. The front and rear bumper covers could use some refurbishing from the second owners ability to apparently brush things. The seat bushings need to be replaced which is an extremely common issue on Z3s. The body is in great shape and all factory VIN tags/stickers are present. I have new Whalen bushings for DIY. If anyone is truly interested in it send me a PM and we can discuss the details as to what I have had performed to it mechanically over the past nine years.

Congrats. I miss the way BMWs used to make me feel but that magic is long gone from their lineup.

With very mixed emotions the X5 will be departing Monday. After 74 months of ownership I gave its final bath yesterday morning. It will be staying in the Southeast.

That X5 is (IMHO) that last of the good looking X5s. I find the new ones to be either bland (next gen after this) or too fussy (current state).

Agreed and this mostly why I am second guessing selling. I have never desired a G05 X5, even with the LCI. If I had I would have ordered one long ago.

I love that era X5 - probably the best - but also love the newer ones. My neighbor has a tanzanite blue X5M comp and I think it looks great.

Interesting...personally, the only X5 gen that I really liked design-wise was the 2nd gen model. I still think those look good whenever i see one. But from what I've read, they're made of chewing gum and paper-mache so I'd be scared to own one now. I do also like the G05.1 when equipped with Msport package and in the right colors (carbon black for example). Can't quite warm up to the front-end of the facelift versions.

The X5 is gone…. I thought I would be sad or emotional about it, but so far nothing. It is looking more and more like I am over BMW. On that note the G87 M2 is loaded on a ship. We will see if I follow through.

I’ve had several X5s, and have never really mourned their departure. They are handy, but not a car you really love.

But, for you, it is another step away from BMW, I guess.

Next up the Z3. I probably need to get on that soon…

Ah. Thought that one was gone already.

The “serious” local buyer whom my BMW CA knows and has sold cars to, totally flaked. He already owns 9 BMWs so I am guessing his wife quickly reeled him in. :lol:

I'll bet! Plus, hard to make a case for a sweet old two-seater.

did you reload the Ad for the Z3?

Especially when he already owns a ‘99 Z3 2.3 with a factory hardtop albeit an automatic.


My friend has not. I no longer do social media. I gave it up in 2014.

Well, then, I can see why he wants your car.

Can you post or link a couple Pics. I have a friend that is seriously interested

Topaz; 3.0; stick. Enough said!

I am the 3rd owner since May 5th 2014. Purchased with 77k miles, currently it is sitting at 85k miles. There is a long list of things that I have had done to it mechanically and either via an independent shop(s) or myself. As previously mentioned, the front and rear bumper covers could use refurbishing thanks to the second owner’s inability to park properly #ParkingIsHard. Nothing major, but if one wanted the car to be perfect they might want them repaired. Zero door dings… A paint correction and ceramic coating were performed in 2014. Since then it has only been hand washed by myself. All factory VIN tags/stickers are present. Prior to purchasing in 2014 I Elcometer paint gauged the entire vehicle, no paint work was detected and none has been performed during my nine years of ownership. Clean Carfax. Current known issues, the rubber bead around the rear window is coming loose. Normal with age… The last window replacement was in 2014 at BMW of Chattanooga. The seat bushings need replacing… normal Z3 issue. I have Whalen seat bushings to go with the car. Typical Z3 A-pillar leak when the car gets wet. 23 year old roadster as of yesterday (built 9.12.00) so not surprising that an old convertible has some leaks. I try my best to keep it out of the rain. :lol: If they or anyone else is seriously interested in it then we can get into the specifics via phone as to what has been performed mechanically during my ownership. It is exceptionally sound.

Edit: Truthfully it is foolish of me to sell it, especially since I searched for two plus years for this exact car. I am not forced to sell by any means, but it is time to move on…

This is exactly what I was hoping to get, thank you.

You are welcome. It will probably go back up on Facebook marketplace sometime this weekend. It is whenever my friend can get a moment to do it.