Selling a red BMW Z3 cheaply - with a "small" catch

Created: 01/23/2022, 11:47 am

By: Sebastian Oppenheimer

Used car prices are exploding - even strange vehicles are becoming interesting.

A currently offered “BMW” certainly also belongs to the “special” category.

Baltimore - The 1990s - some may still remember - was the decade of the roadster renaissance.

The premium brands also jumped on this train: Mercedes, for example, brought the SLK onto the market in 1996, Audi preferred to wait a little longer and only pushed the TT in 1998 - its roadster version even followed a year later.

BMW, on the other hand, entered the roadster race as early as 1995 with the Z3.

In the USA, a red copy of the Munich two-seater is now available relatively cheaply - but there is a catch, as 24auto.de reports.

This BMW Z3 is currently for sale: Under the skin of the Munich, however, is another car.

© Facebook Marketplace (Jason McPherson)

Selling a red BMW Z3 cheaply - with a "small" catch

The seller from the Baltimore area would like to have 3,900 US dollars (equivalent to around 3,440 euros) for the car.

But: The car, which at first glance might well be mistaken for a Z3, is not a BMW at all!

Beneath the BMW skin is a 1990 Mazda MX-5 – known in the US as the Miata.

That's a bit strange: Because the Mazda MX-5 was actually the vehicle that once triggered the roadster boom.

(Ferraro or Camari? That's how much money a weird replica fetched on eBay)

Red BMW Z3 for sale - "I don't care about your opinion, snowflake"

It is not known why the conversion took place.

In any case, in the description of the vehicle on Facebook Marketplace, the seller emphasizes that he did not do it himself: the optical "tuning" was done 20 years ago by a previous owner.

And according to his own statements, he doesn't care that one or the other car fan might look at his "false flag" vehicle with a little pity: "I'm not interested in your opinion, snowflake." (BMW M4: tuner has solution for controversial kidney - "will go like free beer")

Inside, the BMW is clearly identifiable as a Mazda MX-5 – there is also a Momo steering wheel on board.

© Facebook Marketplace (Jason McPherson)

Red BMW Z3 to sell cheap - The rims cost extra

According to the seller, the Mazda MX-5 was fitted with a BMW Z3 fiberglass body kit that was sold in the 1990s.

Even today there are such "conversion kits" with which, for example, a Toyota can be converted into a Lamborghini Urus.

A Borla exhaust, a Momo steering wheel and suspension from Bilstein are also installed on the "BMW".

While the car can be mistaken for a "real" Z3 from the outside (at least at first glance), the Japanese slumbering underneath is clearly recognizable in the interior.

(Trouble about auction of "The Fast and the Furious"-Mazda - "No movie car")

Red BMW Z3 for sale cheaply: car is a "project"

A powerful argument for a sale: the car runs – and drives.

In addition, the BMW recently received a series of maintenance work, according to the owner.

The Z3 or Mazda has 129,000 miles (around 208,000 kilometers) on the clock - and on closer inspection it looks a bit worn out on the outside.

Nevertheless, there is a warning: the car is a "project" - the interior needs to be revamped and the wiring for the headlights needs to be repaired.

After all: The taillights and the interior electronics are functional.

And if you have an eye on the mounted BBS rims in the offer - they are not included.

The seller wants another 800 US dollars (around 700 euros) extra for this.

Who do you think is going to strike?