Hi.

I recently visited an elderly uncle. He showed me his car in the garage. It was his weekend runabout and hardly ever used. Never even been out in the rain!

Car spec 1988 Z3 2.8, genuine 3,000 miles. It has been sorn for the last 3 years.

He cannot drive anymore (doctors orders) and needs to get rid of the car. He asked me to make him an offer for it.

Now I don't want to insult him by offering too little, but the car is 17 years old and quotes online seem to vary between £3000 - £4000. Any thoughts? Also, what should I look out for on a car that has spent most of its life standing still under dust sheets? The car is obviously in lovely condition and has extras such as full leaner and electric hood etc. No longer FF owner but still interested. Present car Jaguar XE
............................................

Previous car Td6 SE
................................

Previous LR- Disco 300TDi Auto

I would ask him what he is after, before you offer. It may be lower than you think being family and all, and at the end of the day £3-4k for a car in mint condition does not seem a lot of money to me.

You would need to have it out to have a look at, standing is never great for a car, rubber bushed can perish, brakes can seize on etc. Has the car been started regularly? will it start? Because if it runs and drives then anything else is fairly minor.

There shouldn't be much wrong with the engine and gearbox that a service wouldn't take care of, i would expect that most problems would come from seals and rubber parts which will deteriorate over time regardless of milage.

also check the hood for signs of deterioration in the screen and fabric, and check it folds properly if it has been up whilst stored.

A friend of mine recently took his MG out of storage and put it back on the road. had stood sorn for 10 years un touched, didn't take much fiddling to get it running and through an MOT, and that was a lot tattier, and approaching 40 years old..... There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

Do you want this car for yourself? Or looking to sell it on. If buying for yourself, then factor in new tyres, and maybe a little mot work. But buy it anyway. There are always low mileage specialist dealers looking for cars like this. Especially with history. You would need to not register it to yourself, and keep hold of the small green tear off from the v5. Look at a typical z3 forum as some fastidious members would jump at the chance of owning such a car.
You can become too sentimental to your relation, but think what a pro dealer would offer, and add a drink. You have to be realistic.
If it's for yourself, enjoy it. But think of old tyres, with flat spots. Old brake fluid, and a battery. -and take some canned petrol with you, it may not be running good on ancient petrol. You need to clear that fuel to have complete confidence in its performance/starting, especially if selling on. Run it real low, and half fill the tank. Then drop it in to a detailer. It will look like new!

If I buy it, I would want to keep it for myself, just for the odd weekend etc. I'm just concerned that at it may end up a money pit (like my FF lol). I suppose I could ask him to put it in for an MOT and see how it goes from there. The biggest problem is trying to get a decent valuation I suppose. Thanks for your input folks. No longer FF owner but still interested. Present car Jaguar XE
............................................

Previous car Td6 SE
................................

Previous LR- Disco 300TDi Auto

Just be honest with him, tell him your concerns and that you find it hard to determine what a decent price is. He will probably understand and then discuss what would be fair to both of you . MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

As above, what does he think is a fair value for it?

Anything below £3k and everyone is happy.

If its not been started for a while i'd pull the plugs out and drop a few drops of oil down each bore and spin it over for a few seconds.

This gets oil pressure up and helps save the bores being scraped by well dried out rings.

Then stick new plugs in and think about leads as well if its not coilpacks over plugs.

Then work on the following.
New Tyres
New gearbox oil
New engine oil
New PS fluid
New brake fluid
New rear pads and discs and likely fronts as well
Air and cabin filters
Coolant flush
Ac vacuum and refill(if fitted)
Drain of washer bottle fluid and rinse thru with milton left in overnight and make sure its purged
new wipers

That should cover the starters list for an ultra low mileage long term stored vehicle in the most part and bushes will just need to be on an adoc basis. FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

Thanks for the input. Cheers No longer FF owner but still interested. Present car Jaguar XE
............................................

Previous car Td6 SE
................................

Previous LR- Disco 300TDi Auto