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An automatic Japanese grey import for £3k. Hmm, I suppose it's got a hard top (worth £400?), but you can still pick similar cars up for under a grand -
As for the Z3 gaining modern classic status, maybe one day, in about the year 2050, but there are far too many around today and most of them are just fugly. I've only seen a couple with particularly favourable front grille/colour/wheel/interior combinations that I actually liked the look of.
As for the majority, the kindest thing to do to them is strip and flog the panels and interior and fit a Tribute kit. At least that way, remaining owners of the few decent looking Z3's will find their cars attaining classic status much sooner. We're practically doing their owners a favour!
I hear what you are saying but the prices have steadily increased in the last two years. Although they may have made 300,000 only around 5% were 2.8 and 3.0 models which makes them reasonably rare.
I sold some parts to a chap the other day who restores them!
I went the the Bath and West Classic car show last year and there were 3 BMW Z3's being shown! Its happening now.
Z4 much better car and more sensible choice than the Z3 but the body depth is even greater than the Z3 - look at side on comparison photo - it hasn't got the natural haunch/pinch at the waist. The Z3 250 already looks a bit too tall side on, the Z4 will be worse - just means you need to be careful about what you're trying to replicate else you could end up with something looking like what the current MINI is to the mini. You have to be clever about how you adjust the ratio of the dimensions - look at the range of 355 shapes that came out based on MR2 (Extreme got closest in the end by adjusting everything MR355 went down the exact dimension route and it never gelled or looked quite right)
The dash of the Z4 is a problem also, far too modern. I believe Porsche Boxsters will be the next donors, prices are dropping like a stone. I'm not saying I like them, just a prediction.
Yep - Veranti have said they will be releasing a Boxster based Miura. That should be interesting(!) as, yes, whilst it is mid engined literally nothing lines up! of course if they were to go down the route of taking inspiration from the recent Miura concept then different kettle of fish...in fact i think best of use of obvious modern donors probably is recreating concept cars that never hit the road.
Neil from Veranti has said he wants to do a collaboration with us on the Miura. Steve from Severn classics used to be his build agent but is snowed under with Classic car restoration projects.
If anyone wants one of these kits or a build please let us know? Kit price will be £4995. I know its a bit more than the Tribute kits but The finished article has a potential, higher resale value
An automatic Japanese grey import for £3k. Hmm, I suppose it's got a hard top (worth £400?), but you can still pick similar cars up for under a grand -
As for the Z3 gaining modern classic status, maybe one day, in about the year 2050, but there are far too many around today and most of them are just fugly. I've only seen a couple with particularly favourable front grille/colour/wheel/interior combinations that I actually liked the look of.
As for the majority, the kindest thing to do to them is strip and flog the panels and interior and fit a Tribute kit. At least that way, remaining owners of the few decent looking Z3's will find their cars attaining classic status much sooner. We're practically doing their owners a favour!
Agreed.
Some people are paying that silly money. Don't know why. I don't get the demand for these 20 to 30 year old cars, shite old BMWs that should have been in the scrappage scheme seem to fetch 100 times more than they are worth. Look at this one http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C516023
Have you checked out the donor cars of choice from 25 years ago, ie the Mk1 and Mk2 Escorts. Even the Cortina's Mk3 , 4 and 5 are now highly priced / prized collectors cars !
Nice Alpina, but the 3.0 CS was an expensive and desirable car even when it was new. The list price in the U.S. for 1974 was almost $12,000 which was about £6k at the time. With the Alpina premium plus purchase tax, special car tax etc., it wouldn't surprise me if the UK price was around eight or nine grand.
You could buy a nice house in London for eight grand or three nice houses in the countryside for nine grand back in '74. I'm a country bumpkin so I don't know these things, but can you buy a nice house in London today for £120,000?
Nice Alpina, but the 3.0 CS was an expensive and desirable car even when it was new. The list price in the U.S. for 1974 was almost $12,000 which was about £6k at the time. With the Alpina premium plus purchase tax, special car tax etc., it wouldn't surprise me if the UK price was around eight or nine grand.
You could buy a nice house in London for eight grand or three nice houses in the countryside for nine grand back in '74. I'm a country bumpkin so I don't know these things, but can you buy a nice house in London today for £120,000?
No , but you can buy a big detached house with a couple of acres in France for that sort of money. Looking to buy in the south west of France in next couple of years with a similar budget!
I would advise against it! It may seen cheap in the beginning.
1/ The french do not like the english. Its a generalisation but its hard to make friends
2/ You can only keep UK registered cars for 6 months. If you are caught after that at tolls and road blocks which are common they with fine you on the spot and impound the car, never to be seen again.
3/ You cant get any good car parts there and the post is atrocious.
4/ Any tradesmen who knows you are English will double the cost of their services.
5/ You won't get a customised car registered in France.
6/ The schooling is crap if you have kids
7/ Cars shows are minimal and rubbish.
8/ You spend most of your time and money coming back to the UK regularly.
9/ Internet is crap, slow and expensive.
10/ Power supply in rurals is temperamental.
I could go on but it brings back too many bad memories.
You get the idea
I'm going to Wales, at least its closer to England
I would advise against it! It may seen cheap in the beginning.
1/ The Welsh do not like the english. Its a generalisation but its hard to make friends
4/ Any tradesmen who knows you are English will double the cost of their services.
6/ The schooling is crap if you have kids
7/ Cars shows are minimal and rubbish.
8/ You spend most of your time and money coming back to the UK regularly.
9/ Internet is crap, slow and expensive.
10/ Power supply in rurals is temperamental.
I could go on but it brings back too many bad memories.
You get the idea
I've been so many times , every time I go it gets better ! Rural France is stunning , the people are great , you can live like a king. I wouldn't like to live in or near a big city , same problems as over here. There are many parts of the UK I wouldn't like to live , I'm lucky here in rural Worcestershire !
I reasonable seriously looked into moving to France down near Perpignan a few years back.
+ Bigger house with lots of space
- there are only 2 of us so don't need the big house and space is great if you have use for it. See later points
+ Lots of interesting old farm machinery and always the hope of a 'barn find'
- What do you actually do with old, knackered farm machinery and 'barn finds' in the UK are probably better finds
+ The rural relaxed life style
- Nothing to do and no-one interested in doing it
+ Get away from it all
- Need to commute further/flights to work to pay for it
That's the mistake I made..a holiday destination is not the same as living there.
Went there on holiday to France many years running and loved it
The reality of living there is not so rosy
I live in a farm in rural Berkshire, and love it but its very expensive.
After all I don't care if you still want to go there, its not for me, that's all I'm saying.
Moving to South Wales is very cheap, same distance to most car shows (no ferry crossing) kids are all grown up, my best friend lives there. You can get grants to start a business and cheap premises, they speak the same language (sort of), beautiful scenery, etc Its perfect for me but not everyone.
