This story really begins all the way back in 1998. I was only 14 when I saw my first BMW Z3 — a beautiful Estoril Blue roadster cruising up Congress Street in Portland, ME. Later, I saw one again in the James Bond film GoldenEye. While the movie was great, it was the car that stuck with me. Years later, in 2017, while visiting Bar Harbor with my wife, we came across a stunning Hellrot Red Z3 M parked on the street — and the spark was reignited.
Through the years I always wanted one of these roadsters, though the dream faded as life moved on. I rekindled my interest in cars after purchasing a 2015 BMW X5 with my now-wife in 2018. That car brought back the excitement — and soon, the search for a fun second car began.
I test-drove several Bimmers — an F82 M3 Competition, an F80 M4 (which I loved), and a 435is xDrive. Ultimately, I went a different route and bought a Lotus Evora, but the BMW passion didn’t fade.
After the X5 was totaled in an accident, we spent a couple of years without a BMW. Then in 2022, I convinced my wife we needed a second car — something sporty and fun. I suggested the Z3, and she agreed. After a test drive, she loved it just as much as I did when I was 14. I really wanted one in yellow.
That’s when I found it — a 1998 BMW Z3 2.8 in Dakar Yellow, listed on Facebook Marketplace in New Jersey. Risky? Sure. But the seller had detailed photos and a high-quality walkaround video, so I took a leap. After negotiating the price, I booked a one-way flight and the seller kindly picked me up at the airport.
Seeing the car in person confirmed everything — this Z3 had been meticulously cared for, even with over 260,000 miles. The engine bay was spotless, there was no rust, the trunk welds were solid, and the interior was in great shape aside from a few marks near the stereo. I exchanged cash for the title and drove it 6 hours home to Maine.
I’ve now had the car for about a year and a half. Strangely, it gets more of my attention than the Lotus, even though it draws less attention from others — which I actually enjoy. It’s quiet, quick, and with the 5-speed manual, nearly as fun as the Lotus to drive.
Unfortunately, my wife doesn’t drive manual, and with two young kids — one just two years old — we haven’t had much time for lessons. I've grown very attached to this Z3, and that likely means I'll be hunting for a second one soon — this time with an automatic.
