Seen a potential car but query on taking off its private number plate

Yoghurt · Post by **Yoghurt** » Thu Feb 07, 2019 4:34 pm

Brilliant-thank you both.

He did point out the alloys needed some attention (think his wife had scraped them) but was reflected in the price. I will look out for any cracks but not sure if this comes under 'needs some attention'! Also sent me some screen grabs of the onboard computer which were all green except for the Statutory vehicle inspection. However I have seen the invoice for the last service dated 8/18 and the MOT was done 18/11/18.

Yoghurt · Post by **Yoghurt** » Thu Feb 07, 2019 4:36 pm

Thanks RustyZ4 too.

RustyZ4 · Post by **RustyZ4** » Thu Feb 07, 2019 4:41 pm

Sounds like he is being quite upfront, which is good, if you love the car, I would at this point, get him to swap the registrations over and agree you will settle with the finance/bank,

With regard to the alloys, obviously check they do not have cracks, but if its got run flat tyres on it, you need to really budget to change them to non run flat tyres as soon as you can,,,, I am speaking from experience, as someone who dallied to long

Z4Sparky · Post by **Z4Sparky** » Thu Feb 07, 2019 4:50 pm

I also changed to non run flats pretty quick....much better ride now.

Cracks in the alloys definitely does not come under the heading "needs some attention"!

As Rusty says, seems like he is being quite upfront, so I expect he is just referring to the scuffs on the face (fairly easy on these alloys as the spokes stick out a bit - mine are the same)

Yoghurt · Post by **Yoghurt** » Thu Feb 07, 2019 5:03 pm

Thanks. He has already notified the DVLA to swap the licence plates over and is going to let me know once the HP is clear.
I will ask about any cracks in the alloys.
What sort of budget would I need for non run flats do you think, for best value for money tyres? They are 19' alloys.

Its quite a lot to think about, this car buying business! I do not normally enjoy the experience although the Z4 is giving me a buzz!

Phoenixboy · Post by **Phoenixboy** » Thu Feb 07, 2019 5:07 pm

depends on tyre choice, but would budget about 600

Z4Sparky · Post by **Z4Sparky** » Thu Feb 07, 2019 5:12 pm

I paid £584.75 for a set of Uniroyal Rainsport 3, fitted with wheel alignment. I also went slightly bigger in the side profile to give a bit more cushioning:

255 35 R19 96Y UNIROYAL RAINSPORT 3 2 119.95
235 35 R19 91Y UNIROYAL RAINSPORT 3 2 109.95

RustyZ4 · Post by **RustyZ4** » Thu Feb 07, 2019 8:08 pm

Set of Goodyear Eagle F1`s fitted £650,, to give you an idea

Yoghurt · Post by **Yoghurt** » Mon Feb 18, 2019 2:21 pm

Many thanks for all your advice, I am now the proud owner of an E89 3.0i!
Flew upto Newcastle to get it and looking forward to driving it home.
Few things to suss out, I could not find the dipstick to check the oil and I held the open button on the remote but could not get the roof to open (does the latter simply mean I do not have the comfort option)?

Z4Sparky · Post by **Z4Sparky** » Mon Feb 18, 2019 2:58 pm

Great work and lovely looking car!

There is no dipstick on these....it's all electronic and you can view the oil level either on the dash between the clocks or on iDrive screen if it has it. The manual should tell you how to get to it.

If it DOES NOT have iDrive (like mine) then when you are driving along and up to temperature, use the toggle on the indicator stalk to navigate in the menu to the oil level option and then press in the button on the end of the stalk to select.

It should then give you a little min/max bar and the oil level.

Rest assured, it will tell you if it is low! It takes about 1 litre between min and max I think.

As for the roof, that will mean the car does not have comfort access, but you can add it quite simply by getting a SmartTop module which you plug in to the wiring harness at the rear of the car. It's the first thing I bought and gives you various settings via the remote (such as roof up and down via the key - even with OEM comfort access you couldn't get the roof up with the key).

Hope that helps.

Z4Sparky · Post by **Z4Sparky** » Mon Feb 18, 2019 3:01 pm

Just relooked at the auto trader add and I see it does have iDrive, so the oil level will be in there somewhere.

Phoenixboy · Post by **Phoenixboy** » Mon Feb 18, 2019 4:10 pm

Nice one, enjoy

Nictrix · Post by **Nictrix** » Mon Feb 18, 2019 4:30 pm

The roof should open with the key fob with or without comfort access but will not close with it.
There are things that will stop the roof from opening like a low battery and the partition in the boot not in the correct position.

Z4Sparky · Post by **Z4Sparky** » Mon Feb 18, 2019 4:51 pm

Nictrix wrote: ↑Mon Feb 18, 2019 4:30 pm The roof should open with the key fob with or without comfort access but will not close with it.
There are things that will stop the roof from opening like a low battery and the partition in the boot not in the correct position.

I stand corrected!

Yoghurt · Post by **Yoghurt** » Tue Feb 19, 2019 7:06 pm

Thanks for your comments. Had a fantastic drive back, had to be careful not to get too carried away. It’s now tucked away until my birthday as it’s a Pressy from my fantastic wife .

I will check the Idrive display for the oil level.
I tried unlocking the car and then pressing open constantly but the roof did not open, also tried 3 clicks but same result. It opens fine with the cabin buttons.

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