I don't think I've ever looked at number or previous owners when I've bought a car.
I'm not saying that if I was offered identical cars, in the same condition, for the same price, and then told the number of owners, that I would automatically take the higher one, but I've simply never been in that situation where I've had to choose on thaf single criteria.
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Black Z4 M Coupe for sale
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- Lifer
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- Newbie
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Black Z4 M Coupe for sale
Well I'm glad that I'm not the only one who doesn't focus on owners. I completely understand and agree that # of owners does indeed have an effect on retail value in the same way that full BMW service history is - from a sales perspective - better than a load of stamps from Indie garages, even though we all know that most Indies/specialists probably do a better and more thorough job.
My point, however, is that it shouldn't. I'm also not sure I agree with the rationale that a high number of owners = higher chance of one of those being a bad owner. I don't think it works like that. As previously stated you could have one owners who beats on their car its whole life vs a bunch of petrolhead owners who have knowledge of how to treat a car properly, before then selling it on to the next person.
Anyways, I sold the car to a young guy (21 I think he said) who currently has a 3.0si and clearly knew his stuff. I'm sure, like me, he will look after the car until he sells it on to the *huge gaaasp* 10th owner.
My point, however, is that it shouldn't. I'm also not sure I agree with the rationale that a high number of owners = higher chance of one of those being a bad owner. I don't think it works like that. As previously stated you could have one owners who beats on their car its whole life vs a bunch of petrolhead owners who have knowledge of how to treat a car properly, before then selling it on to the next person.
Anyways, I sold the car to a young guy (21 I think he said) who currently has a 3.0si and clearly knew his stuff. I'm sure, like me, he will look after the car until he sells it on to the *huge gaaasp* 10th owner.
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- Member
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Black Z4 M Coupe for sale
When I started looking for my Z4MC, I was concerned with previous owners. However, it soon became apparent that most had 4,5,6+ owners and was normal. My reason for originally being concerned was not the worry of multiple owners increasing the chances of bad owners but that the car may of been a dog and passed on because of inherent issues. I now believe it's more of a sports car thing, a get it out of your system and sell on car that most high end performance cars go through. I do think z4m's regularly changing hands will slow now they've started to appreciate.
You can never be sure about how an owner has treated the car, whether there's 1 or 10 on the log book. Loads of BS is written in adverts, e.g "1 careful lady owner, fsh". This only proves it was registered to a female person from new and serviced. It could of been driven by a clueless idiot son, daughter, husband or the registered owner and ragged to an inch of its life constantly. It could if been pampered, warmed up before very drive, cooled afterwards etc. Same goes for 4,5,6 owners, maybe, maybe not.?
If two cars were equal condition and history and one had 1 owner and the other had 9, I'd go for the one owner. But would take the multiple owner in better condition with better history every time.
You can never be sure about how an owner has treated the car, whether there's 1 or 10 on the log book. Loads of BS is written in adverts, e.g "1 careful lady owner, fsh". This only proves it was registered to a female person from new and serviced. It could of been driven by a clueless idiot son, daughter, husband or the registered owner and ragged to an inch of its life constantly. It could if been pampered, warmed up before very drive, cooled afterwards etc. Same goes for 4,5,6 owners, maybe, maybe not.?
If two cars were equal condition and history and one had 1 owner and the other had 9, I'd go for the one owner. But would take the multiple owner in better condition with better history every time.
Z4MC, Silver/Grey, Imola Red Leather, Sat Nav, Heated Seats, DSP, Intravee, Stubby, ZHP, Gruppe M, CDV, Bilstein B12's, Vibra-Technics engine mounts.
- Pastry
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Black Z4 M Coupe for sale
Totally agree... yet some people will always argue black is white
991 Carrera 2S
Now gone:
2008 Z4MR Midnight Blue Metallic
2006 Z4 3.0si sport Ruby Black
2006 Z4 3.0si sport Titanium Silver
2010 Z4 23i Msport and a 3.0i
Now gone:
2008 Z4MR Midnight Blue Metallic
2006 Z4 3.0si sport Ruby Black
2006 Z4 3.0si sport Titanium Silver
2010 Z4 23i Msport and a 3.0i
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- Senior Member
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Black Z4 M Coupe for sale
I think the number of owners is probably the least important element in making a buying decision. Would one owner be preferable, absolutely...but with a 10-year-old sports car that's going to be quite rare really, and you'd pay a premium for it. The fact the owner is a member on a forum suggests that they would care properly for the car so that would be more important to me.
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Black Z4 M Coupe for sale
Two examples of cars I've owned previously owned by ladies.........an MX5 that had only had its bonnet openned during a service at a dealers , the poor engine was beyond filthy ...........another was a 3.2 Boxster S ......When I took it to a Porsche indie for a health check the tech interrogated the ECU.........one of the things we learned was the engine had bounced off the rev limiter .........60,000 times and the ECU can only log this event 60,000 times and had stopped counting ....... 3 years before I bought it from her i........the car looked and drove like a new one though
E85 2.5 sterling grey
E89 3.0 se
Porsche 987 Boxster 3.4S
E89 3.5i
TVR Chimerea 4 litres of rolling thunder
Corvette C6 a moment of insanity
E89 3.0i
E89 3.0 se
Porsche 987 Boxster 3.4S
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TVR Chimerea 4 litres of rolling thunder
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E89 3.0i
- stevo///m3
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Black Z4 M Coupe for sale
With respect to the "how many owners" Q, I agree with the last few posts. These cars are rare, you could wait 2+ years for a 1 owner model and that doesn't guarantee it's any good, plus the premium the owner will undoubtedly attach to that. I have a minimum of 2 "false" owners on mine; 1 guy transferred from his business name to his personal ownership (probably a tax ruse) for instance...
Stevo
Stevo
SOLD - '07 MCoupe-Sapphire Metallic-Imola leather-piano black
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Previous: E36 Evo Vert
Current: ocean-going G31 estate
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- Newbie
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Black Z4 M Coupe for sale
Life is all about compromises and we are talking about 10 year old cars. No doubt we would all like a one owner, low mileage, Fully stamped BMW history, in immaculate condition, your perfect colour, your perfect interior colour, your perfect spec, and at a fantastic price.
Clearly something has to give, and we mostly prioritise these factors differently.
For me its
1/Condition
2/Mileage
3/Price
4/Service History
Then there's colour, spec, interior, number of owners and so on. I don't actually know how I prioritise all the factors. All I can say is that you know when its the car for you based on a mixture of all the above factors. Low ownership is fairly low down my priorities though.
Clearly something has to give, and we mostly prioritise these factors differently.
For me its
1/Condition
2/Mileage
3/Price
4/Service History
Then there's colour, spec, interior, number of owners and so on. I don't actually know how I prioritise all the factors. All I can say is that you know when its the car for you based on a mixture of all the above factors. Low ownership is fairly low down my priorities though.