I dunno, I am skeptical by nature. Any knucklehead can get a DINAN badge off eBay and call their car the real deal. Only a true enthusiast would fork over the sort of cash it takes to transform an already expensive car. I went through this car, well as much as you can via the interwebs, and this is a S3 through and through. Down to the authentic (read: expensive) wheels, engine bits, badging, etc.
1997 BMW Z3 With DINAN S3 Tuning:
From the seller –
“The Dinan S3 offers up a tempting combination of pavement-scorching power and high performance handling that is second to none. The supercharged engine and Free Flow Exhaust produce an impressive 258 horsepower and 222 lb/ft torque. The Stage 2 Lightweight Clutch Assembly provides further improvement in acceleration and quicker throttle response as well as a higher clamp load to better harness the substantial power. The S3 offers a phenomenal improvement in cornering capabilities and substantially reduced understeer by virtue of the Stage 3 Suspenion System, Strut Tower Brace and Lightweight Three-Piece Dinan Performance Wheels, measuring 17 x 8.5″ with 255/40-17 tires front and rear (tires sold separately). Dinan floor mats are included, as well as the carbon fiber ignition module and fuel rail covers.
The S3-M Roadster or Coupe offers the driving enthusiast a balanced, reliable and predictable high performance driving experience beyond compare.”
The Z3 never got the respect it deserves, my guess is it was marketed to the fairer of the sexes more so than it was to men. But this one has much more oomph than your stock Z3. 258 horsepower is a lot of grunt for a little car such as this. More than enough to keep up or blow by any Boxster, S2000, SLK, or Audi TT of this era.
Bidding currently sits at $6k with a buy it now of $14k. The latter seems like a very reasonable sum given the enhancements alone cost $28k.
~Aaron.
I think BMW marketing was on the ball in the case of the Z3 as they do look feminine. Obviously, they realized they weren’t going to sell many of these to men.
I have bought two of these cars, one a ’97 1.9 and the other a ’97 2.8, both for my wife. She loves them; I’m not a huge fan. They are a lot of fun with the top down, but for me the fun ends when the top goes up. At that point it’s pretty miserable.
This one does indeed look like a real Dinan car, but the true test would be to contact Dinan directly.
For reference, I sold our 2.8 car (Atlanta Blue, tan leather, 5 speed, 101K miles) in October for $8,150.
Nice auto, to bad about the color. Silver, and it’s variants, look hideous on any auto.
You can send all the silver German cars my way, Jeff. Not Z3’s or Z4’s though (never really liked them).
While silver cars never stand out, they benefit from…never standing out. For example, a silver Avant is nearly invisible in the right situations. Similarly, silver cars never look as dirty as most other colors (a big consideration here in the New England).
Of course, I’m not trying to convert anybody. Besides, I have the same hang-up with white cars.
Bidding reached $11k, reserve not met.