2001 BMW Z3

This one-owner-from-new car has covered just 22,683 miles since it left the factory in December 2000 and was first registered in the UK on 1.3.01.

A decade ago, on the occasion of its 2013 MoT, it had covered 19,988 miles.

So, as you can see, this car has been sparingly used and led a fairly sedentary life.

Nonetheless, no corners have been cut or expenses avoided in its maintenance and upkeep.

In fact, it comes with a particularly impressive history, laid out in thick tomes that faithfully follow the chronology of servicing, MoTs, repairs and other work with all the unwavering focus and tenacity of a sleuth’s bloodhound.

We long for a world in which all cars might be accompanied by history files this well curated and assembled.

We have driven the car and can confirm that it goes about its business with levels of competence and ability that wholly belie its age.

In fact, your author had one of these cars (similar age) from new.

This example, some 23 years older that the author’s car, feels rather better now than his did brand new.

Nothing rattles, squeaks, sighs or groans.

Everything is tightly screwed together and as solid and taut as the day it left the factory.

This mechanical integrity is reflected in the driving experience – which is a huge amount of fun and is charcterised by lively acceleration, a lovely, slick, notchy gear-shift, and all the balance and poise you could wish for.

The vendor must have ticked pretty much every box on the options list for this car, because it comes equipped for all eventualities.

Unusually, it comes with a hardtop.

Even more unusually, it still has the dolly stand (and the protective ‘glove’) on which to store the hardtop when it’s not required.

It also has every variation on tonneau covers and deflectors you can think of, plus a soft protective cover for the rear screen.

All of these items have no doubt played a major part in ensuring that this car is in the best condition you’ll find outside of a concours show ring or a museum.

It really is quite superb.

The bodywork is pretty much straight and untroubled by any dinks, dents or creases of significance.

The panels, panel gaps and shut-lines are consistent and even throughout.

The wheels are in very decent condition, as is the badging, trim and other exterior fixtures and fittings.

The only meaningful exception to all this excellence is a missing cover for one of the headlamp washers.

We’re guessing that’s probably not a deal breaker.

The Topaz Blue paintwork, too, is really very good wherever you happen to rest your appreciative gaze.

There are one or two small patches of rubbed-away paint on the edges of the hardtop and some stone chips in the usual places – front valance, around the front of the bonnet, and on the forward-facing haunches of the rear wheel arches.

The fabric roof has the odd crease here and mark there, but is intact, functional and undamaged.

There are a few paint chips in the usual places – the ‘nose’ of the car, the front valance and the headlamp covers, plus a few more on the n/s/r wing above the wheel.

There is a tiny bit of blistering at the base of the o/s/f wheel arch where it meets the sill.

The condition of the interior seems to be entirely commensurate with its exterior counterpart – very good indeed and far more a reflection of the car’s low mileage than its age.

The black leather upholstery is free of any rips, tears or other damage worth mentioning, and has yet to earn itself any creases or patina to speak of.

The door cards are fine, as are the carpets and mats.

The plastics on the dashboard are unsullied by scratches, nicks or fading and look pretty much showroom-fresh.

There are a couple of scuffs on top of the sills caused by the egress and ingress of feet.

The roof lining on the hardtop has become rather baggy on both sides.

The boot, which contains a couple of boxes with manuals, tools, spare parts and yet more protective covers, is in fine fettle.

Everything in the engine bay appears to be particularly clean, dry, right and proper.

The undersides of the car look to have a decent amount of structural integrity.

Clearly, you’ll want to see for yourself and reach your own conclusion.

The car’s service book is fully stamped, with all but one of the services carried out by Dick Lovett BMW of Bristol, with the other done at BMW in Cheltenham.

There are paper invoices, all from Dick Lovett again, showing that the car was serviced properly and promptly at all times.

It had four new Michelin tyres in 2019 and a new battery in 2021.

One owner from new.

Every tick in the service box.

All maintenance, repair and parts accounted for.

We can ask nothing more of this car.

You might be able to hunt down a better example than this, but it will take you a very long time and the chances of you finding anything that matches it for condition, mileage and history seem pretty slim to us.

We think this is a very good BMW Z3 indeed.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.