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buying advice

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
Tysonwills
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buying advice

Post by Tysonwills » Fri Jul 21, 2017 8:39 am

Hi guys looking for some serious advice and think this is the right place.
Have been planning to buy a z4 for 6 months now and finally have saved a budget of 6000 pounds approx to spend.
As this is going to be my first Z4 I want to get the best possible result.
Through reading the posts on here it needs to be at least this spec.
post 2006
2.2 or 2.5 the 3.0 is to expensive for me to insure
below 75000 mileage if possible.
Living in Northern Ireland the market is limited but have seen this and would be greatful if I could get some feedback on if its a good offer or not.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/-totally- ... 1241073178
If anyone knows of a better offer I would be greatful for the advice.

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Marlon
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buying advice

Post by Marlon » Fri Jul 21, 2017 8:43 am

Those 19" alloys are going to divide opinion - not my cup of tea. It has standard sports seats, which aren't as good as M Sport seats. The plate and the M badges smell of 'boy racer' to me. The ad is very short on information like service history - I'd keep looking
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z4pilot
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Post by z4pilot » Fri Jul 21, 2017 8:59 am

Looks tidy enough - I'd disagree slightly with Marlon and say that things like the painted calipers show that it's owned by someone who clearly cares about how the car looks at least. With the exception of the M badges, the other mods are no different to what lots on here have done to their own cars. If the service history stacks up, it could be worth a look - 75K miles is not a huge issue for these engines if properly looked after. Interested how a private sale can claim warranted mileage though....
Now Gone - 2008 Coupe, Montego Blue, Champagne leather and Piano Black interior, Eibachs & Koni Sport shocks, Style 230 19s, Eisenmann Quad - approaching perfection...

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kis
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Post by kis » Fri Jul 21, 2017 9:05 am

Largely agree with Marlon.

Nothing really in the add to help it sell. Does it have cruise? Electric seats?
Has it got full service history or just part history? Whats been serviced? Is the DISA okay? Roof? (not a single picture of the soft top fully up).
One of the tyres has Mazzini visible? Cheap tyres - not really ideal. Which gives the impression that other things may have been skimped on?
The list you've said post 2006? This is pre?

Z4Pilot has quite rightly pointed out, it does look neat, but that's just internally and externally. Should be mechanically looked after as well... (and have proof!)
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG

BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71

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Crazy Harry
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Post by Crazy Harry » Fri Jul 21, 2017 9:10 am

A check on the tax and mot for that registration shows it has current tax and mot. I can't get a result from the Gov MOT history site - it just says 'no vehicle matched the data'.

I don't know if this means that the registration has been changed and not all the Gov sites have caught up yet - other forum members will be able to explain I'm sure. If you can get the past details you can see how often it had advisories when tested - or fails that were then corrected which will give some impression of preventative maintenance (how much it was loved) or reactionary maintenance. I would want to know more about when and who did the services. Just little things for me M badges and the font used on reg plate saying dig deeper.

Good luck with your search :thumbsup:

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Post by Carmad84 » Fri Jul 21, 2017 10:01 am

It all depends how fussy you are really!

The car looks great, I personally like the alloys. However as you can see not to everyone's taste. These cars are reliable and as long as the test drive and having a look at the car all stacks up i would be happy to buy it.

The only thing i would say is buying a Z4 now is you are paying a premium, I bought mine in April which is a 2003 2.5 with a few options on it and including a hardtop for £3,100. But you have to factor in the time of year it is and the short supply of them where you are.

What ever you do make sure you are happy, you are the one who has to drive it.. I tend to buy a car which i fall in love with, as long as the price is right.

Tysonwills
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buying advice

Post by Tysonwills » Fri Jul 21, 2017 11:52 am

gardenersteve
still looking if you could give me some more info on the car

jnwright71
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buying advice

Post by jnwright71 » Fri Jul 21, 2017 1:15 pm

Hi,

Why not get on a plane and come and buy mine ? I doubt you will find better for your budget. - viewtopic.php?f=41&t=97768 :thumbsup:
2006 Z4 2.5si roadster - Silvergrey, oregon peal grey leather, cruise, BT

Tysonwills
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buying advice

Post by Tysonwills » Fri Jul 21, 2017 1:46 pm

Ok guys really good advice.
Can you summerise the points it is lacking in so I can negotiate with the seller.

Tysonwills
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buying advice

Post by Tysonwills » Fri Jul 21, 2017 1:47 pm

thanks for the offer jnwright71 but by the time i buy my plane ticket and get it back I would be way out of my budget

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kis
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buying advice

Post by kis » Fri Jul 21, 2017 2:18 pm

On the M54 you want to look out for mostly DISA failure and / or roof motor failure. If they've not been attended to, you can rest assured they will do - probably one week after you've bought it!!

Other than that they are fairly solid, you just need to know it's been looked after - service receipts and garage stamps in the service book.

Also it would be handy to have a list of what's been rectified, for example if they've recently replaced the alternator or batter, then that's another worry off your mind as it should last for a good few years.

Wheels, you can play the modified route? Non standard... more insurance, etc. Also it's not quality tyres as I mentioned before. So another negotiation point.

I'm just talking mostly mechanically BTW. You can easily check exterior / interior yourself. Make sure no rust, dents, etc. Also check lights, the 3rd brake light is prone to cracking.
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG

BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71

Tysonwills
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buying advice

Post by Tysonwills » Fri Jul 21, 2017 2:23 pm

Cheers Kit this is great advice that I can use even if I dont go for this one

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kis
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buying advice

Post by kis » Fri Jul 21, 2017 2:25 pm

:thumbsup:
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG

BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71

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kis
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buying advice

Post by kis » Fri Jul 21, 2017 2:31 pm

Oh and cracked rear springs, just visible through alloy spokes... rears are very prone to cracking!
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG

BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71

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Crazy Harry
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buying advice

Post by Crazy Harry » Fri Jul 21, 2017 2:54 pm

Take a code reader with you and see if the car throws up any codes - you can search this site for codes or if you post on here and someone will tell you if you need to walk away. Any codes are early indicators of potential problems but also an opportunity to negotiate a price drop.

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