1997 BMW Z3

BMW Z3

BMW’s Z3 sits in a curious spot on the South African used market, tugging at the nostalgia nerve with a price tag that, on paper at least, makes it look like a bargain next to the Mazda MX-5 or Porsche Boxster. But the reality? There’s just one Z3 for sale at R199,995, and that’s your lot. Choice isn’t part of the deal. You get what’s there: a 2.8i six-cylinder, manual gearbox, and the sort of old-school charm you don’t find in modern showrooms. That’s the appeal, because the Z3 was always about emotion over logic. There’s no long list of options, no haggling over spec. You want it or you don’t. The example up for grabs is a 1997 Roadster 2.8i with 146,434 km showing, which sounds steep until you remember it’s a 27-year-old sports car and, if it’s been serviced properly, that matters more than a low odo. BMW’s M52 straight-six made 142 kW here, and paired with a manual ‘box, it’s what the Z3 should have been from the start. You’re not buying one of these to chase numbers or because it’s the logical choice. You want the long bonnet, the top-down drives to Hartbeespoort, and the way that inline-six makes you feel. Against the featherweight MX-5, the Z3 is heavier and more dated, but there’s a richness to that big six that Mazda’s four-pot can’t match. For less than R200k, patience and a proper inspection are non-negotiable. This isn’t a car you buy with your head.