Make mine a 3.0i, final year of production ;-)

Manual! More fun and less likely to have expensive faults.

Both are great engines and from the same series, so if you get a good
deal on a 2.5 go for it.

Buying on ebay is fine, I've bought and sold BMWs there in the UK. Just
be sure to check for good feedback and don't get ripped off. Pay a
deposit up front, but don't pay the rest until you've seen the car in
person and checked the paperwork.

Email the seller and ask a (sensible!) question. If you get a terse
answer from someone who can't spell or punctuate a sentance it's not a
good sign! If they sound nice and helpful so much the better.

Been the owner of the Z3 since it was new in 99 and its a fun car. As
the years went by the engines got bigger so if speed is your thing go
for the bigger engines. There is a sub-frame issue but you can check
for signs of trouble by pulling the carpet from the bottom of the
trunk and look for broken spot welds on the left hand side of the
floorpan close to the front of the trunk floor. If they are broken go
find another candidate.  

Manual is more fun than automatic if you don;t have to drive in heavy
stop-and-fo traffic.

RJD

Good luck Milo - you'll love the Z3!

I have successfully purchased 4 cars on eBay and there are still
plenty of Z3s listed.  Check the seller's previous ratings.  Do a lot
of communications via email (if possible) or eBay email.  See if the
seller will provide his / her phone number.  It sure relieves a lot of
concern to talk with the seller.  Study the pictures posted
carefully.  Save them on your PC and blow them up looking for body
flaws or too large gaps in the sheet metal (possible accident
damage).  I have not regretted any of my eBay auto purchases.

I purchased my 2001 Z3 on eBay.  At the time I was doing a lot of stop
and go driving so I got an automatic.  Now I wish I had a stick, but
I'm still happy.  Of course if speed and power are your thing - get a
3.0 M series.  Also, there are a lot of after market add-ons if speed
is your delight.

My Z has been very dependable.  It doesn't appear to have ever been
garaged (I don't have a garage) and the top shows it.  I will need a
new top in a year or so.  The plastic window was totally fogged and
had a dark line across the center when I purchased it.  Mequirer's (or
whichever your favorite brand) plastic cleaner made it (almost)
perfectly clear.  The center line still shows, but it is hardly
noticeable.

I suggest you read the forums / groups on the car to help make your
decision.  If you ask the same question at

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/z3rides/  you will get a lot of
support and answers.

Check out the Z3 forums by signing up at bimmerforums.com

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/

Regards,

Dave