Buying a Z4M

[PerryGunn]

FWIW that’s pretty much what I paid for mine over 4 years ago with 24k on the clock. Though PVR will tell you I stole it from him at that price

Yeah, but PVR did keep about half the car and sell the parts to other people...

[Status]

Didn’t know Red was rare,

[mr wilks]

Didn’t know Red was rare,

It isn't about the same as ti silver if you want rare in ZMs then space grey , py , white or midnight/monaco blue are the ones

[Simon 3.2M]

As long as it's had good oil I wouldn't worry massively personally. I changed my coolant last weeek when I changed the thermostat as a precautionary measure. Gearbox and diff oil isn't desperate with the miles it's covered - but it would be wise due to time. Valve clearances again would need doing, but the car can be driven beforehand. Other than dropping the oil there's nothing that gives major cause for concern. They are all things that can be done in time and can be used to drive the price down

[Simon 3.2M]

Come and drool over my red M,you will soonchange back to a Z with a roof,you know where I live

IMG_1567.JPG (593.67 KiB) Viewed 850 times

In Halesowen recently.

[Status]

Another pay would’ve bin nice,I think if you like that car and all seems ok then go for it but if it’s an imolla Red you really want then hold out for one

[Status]

PY

[Jembo]

Don’t see much mention of whether garaged.

As cars start to age, this becomes more critical, not necessarily for the bodywork although certainly helps, but rather all the electrical connections you can’t see which slowly start to corrode.

I’ve found the best place to look are the bulb terminals in the rear light cluster - ie the part of the car that’s furthest away from any warmth - I’ve seen from almost new condition to one which was almost falling apart...

[Bing]

FWIW that’s pretty much what I paid for mine over 4 years ago with 24k on the clock. Though PVR will tell you I stole it from him at that price

Yeah, but PVR did keep about half the car and sell the parts to other people...

I know - that still annoys me when I remember, just a little

[exdos]

12yr old & never had ins2 not exactly been pampered by its 2 owners as it

Doesn't the Z4M use a version of BMW's CBS (Condition Based Servicing) which is not mileage or time related, but based on usage?

[mr wilks]

12yr old & never had ins2 not exactly been pampered by its 2 owners as it

Doesn't the Z4M use a version of BMW's CBS (Condition Based Servicing) which is not mileage or time related, but on usage?

Whatever system it uses a possible 12 years without ins2 would be negligent imo for a S54 ( & if Bmw approved proof the system is fallible ) however it appears not the case in the car being discussed by op

[mmm-five]

Doesn't the Z4M use a version of BMW's CBS (Condition Based Servicing) which is not mileage or time related, but based on usage?

Sort of both.

It's an oil services every 2 year or 15,500 miles max.

The max mileage limit is based on using 500 gallons of fuel between services (15,500 \ 500 = 30.1mpg). I used to get 14,000 miles between SI warnings, but I left them at that schedule despite doing 2-3 times as many oil services as the schedule prescribes.

[exdos]

Sort of both.

It's an oil services every 2 year or 15,500 miles max.

The max mileage limit is based on using 500 gallons of fuel between services (15,500 \ 500 = 30.1mpg). I used to get 14,000 miles between SI warnings, but I left them at that schedule despite doing 2-3 times as many oil services as the schedule prescribes.

Tony,
My question was rhetorical. I have a dry garaged-kept 16 y-o low-mileage (36k) S54 Z3M, (which you have seen) fitted with a new engine in 2009, which has done very few miles for a number of years. I take the car out to warm it up properly and use all the switch gear etc. every few weeks. I change the brake fluid and oil every 2 years and maintain the car and keep all the hinges etc lubricated and keep the car in immaculate clean condition. The car is nowhere near an Inspection 2 on BMW's CBS so I'm intrigued to know why someone on this forum might think that I am a negligent owner? I can see absolutely no reason to check the valve clearances until the ECU informs me that Insp 2 is due.

[mr wilks]

Exdos

You may not be a negligent owner but if i or anyone who was considering buying your car didnt know you then all they have to go on is the cars documented history ( im sure you get that ) & call me paranoid but id be wary of a car even with uber low miles that had not had a ins2 for 12 years .
OK it may have covered low miles but it could have been cold started , moved out the garage , left ticking over then returned to garage twice a week for years . There are so many different connotations to what constitutes a "cherished" car , i personally wouldn't leave the same oil in for 2years no matter the miles covered , we all see things different & for the record i never mentioned valve clearances , ins2 is far more than just those

[exdos]

Mr Wilks,

I agree that low-mileage cars are not maintenance free, and if they're just left, they can be very problematic when put back into use. So that's why I keep using mine on a reasonably frequent basis giving it a 10mile run each time it goes out of the garage. I'm sure some owners of garage queens tend to forget their cars under a cover.

However, it's the low mileage cars that attract the highest prices, so if you wish to keep the car as genuine low-mileage, it stands to reason that it doesn't get much use! Likewise, when it comes to buying a low-mileage car, potential buyer's need to use their mechanical knowledge just as much as the paperwork, exactly the same as buyers of cars of high-mileage. I would say that someone choosing to buy a low-mileage S54 car would more than likely be an enthusiast and should know of the BMW CBS and therefore properly understand how it works.