Very tempted .....

[scarlet-jester]

Hi all.

So this is on the market in CHC NZ at present. I took it for a drive today and just wow, what a car. Against my Si with m-sport the ride (suprisingly) was much smoother
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars ... f=3IpXpt4O

So I am very tempted to buy this. Unfortunately the market has fallen out of most Zeds so mine is not worth much as a trade even with only 50k kilometres on it.

Would love to get your opinions on it; what to look for, is that mileage getting high?

• No service history but a very reputable car yard

• Japanese import

What do you guys think?

[Haggisman]

Hi all.

So this is on the market in CHC NZ at present. I took it for a drive today and just wow, what a car. Against my Si with m-sport the rise (suprisingly) was much smoother
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars ... f=3IpXpt4O

So I am very tempted to buy this. Unfortunately the market has fallen out of most Zeds so mine is not worth much as a trade even with only 50k kilometres on it.

Would love to get your opinions on it; what to look for, is that mileage getting high?

• No service history but a very reputable car yard

• Japanese import

What do you guys think?

Hi Scarlet, you need to talk to BTZ (Bill). He has seen the car as well. What is your E86 spec? PM me if you like

[scarlet-jester]

Hi Scarlet, you need to talk to BTZ (Bill). He has seen the car as well. What is your E86 spec? PM me if you like

My current one is an E85

[Haggisman]

Hi Scarlet, you need to talk to BTZ (Bill). He has seen the car as well. What is your E86 spec? PM me if you like

My current one is an E85

Roadsters rock

[Mr Tidy]

So this is on the market in CHC NZ at present. I took it for a drive today and just wow, what a car.

So it sounds like you've been bitten by the same bug as me!

After 5 years of 3.0Si E86 Sport ownership last June I went to look at an M Coupe. And like you I found it rode much better than my 3.0Si on M-Sport suspension and run-flats. Plus the steering felt better! But while I was trying to make my mind up it sold on Ebay.

Then in the Autumn I looked at an M Coupe for a forum member because it was at a dealer a mile from my house and he wasn't local and the bug bit again. So when I saw an advert for an MC at a good price just before last Christmas I was straight onto it and because of the time of year got a good deal!

But I didn't do too well selling my 3.0Si as most people in the UK are still paying for Christmas in January/February.

Obviously I have no idea about prices in NZ but I spent hours on here researching things to look for with an M and service history kept getting to the top of the list! Especially the first running in one at about 1,000 miles/1,600km, and also Inspection 1 and 2 Services. That's because the valve clearances on the M need to be checked and adjusted with shims. My car was on 76k miles (or 120k km) and had had a couple of Inspection 1s some years ago, but no Inspection 2 so I bought it knowing it would need one. And sure enough it needed 5 new shims! Inspection 2 also includes changing gearbox and diff. oil too and what came out of mine looked pretty black!

The only record of servicing I had was the book, no invoices, but I wouldn't be brave enough to buy one with no service record at all however reputable the seller was - unless the car was VERY cheap. But I realise you aren't going too many to choose from.

Apologies if I'm telling you things you already knew, but if not maybe it'll be helpful.

And Imola Red is my favourite colour for any M which probably only makes the decision harder.

[scarlet-jester]

Hi Scarlet, you need to talk to BTZ (Bill). He has seen the car as well. What is your E86 spec? PM me if you like

Spoke to Bill - he said buy it

If its still about next week and we are not in L3 lock-down, I am going to take it to my Inde for a once over. Key for me is what servicing the yard has done on it outside oil and filter. Would need gearbox and diff oil changing as I am not keen to have to fork out for that as soon as I bought it. I would say it would need an L2 inspection also, but you would have to take that on the chin.

[Haggisman]

Hi Scarlet, you need to talk to BTZ (Bill). He has seen the car as well. What is your E86 spec? PM me if you like

Spoke to Bill - he said buy it

If its still about next week and we are not in L3 lock-down, I am going to take it to my Inde for a once over. Key for me is what servicing the yard has done on it outside oil and filter. Would need gearbox and diff oil changing as I am not keen to have to fork out for that as soon as I bought it. I would say it would need an L2 inspection also, but you would have to take that on the chin.

Haha, I knew Bill would say that, he’s told me to ‘buy it’ when I’ve talked about certain cars. Personally, it’s a great colour and relatively low mileage, hard to tell the overall condition without seeing it but I would give it a really good check over and would assume that with no service history it would need a reasonable amount of cash set aside to go through the whole car with a decent service just for peace of mind. Who down there can check the valve clearance (shims). Bill may disagree with me and believe it is worth the punt. If you think that a NZ new M roadster with 20,000 Ky’s sold for just over $40K About 1 year ago +/_. However, things have moved on from there.
Cheers

[buzyg]

Looks like a lovely car. A few choice mods. Definitely take it for a test drive. The result should seal you fait.

[R60BBA]

OP, I would avoid that car on the following basis:

- no service history
- bonnet/bumper gap is quite large and the grilles are from that of a non-M Z4...this would appear that the car has been front ended
- tyres appear to be Bridgestone Potenza's, which are mostly runflats...(they do come in non-run flats) but with the wheels being aftermarket why would the previous owner choose these tyres?...
- roof is tatty (could probably be revitalised with something like Lenovo), however from this you have to question about how the previous owner's have treated it...

[Haggisman]

OP, I would avoid that car on the following basis:

- no service history
- bonnet/bumper gap is quite large and the grilles are from that of a non-M Z4...this would appear that the car has been front ended
- tyres appear to be Bridgestone Potenza's, which are mostly runflats...(they do come in non-run flats) but with the wheels being aftermarket why would the previous owner choose these tyres?...
- roof is tatty (could probably be revitalised with something like Lenovo), however from this you have to question about how the previous owner's have treated it...

Would tend to agree that the car needs very close inspection re the points you have made. With these cars being very rare over here in NZ it is easy to be tempted when one comes up. I’ve only seen one pristine example here for sale in the last 2 years. The dealer who has this one also has another just arrived from Japan, both for sale at approx $35,000, about 17,500 Pounds. Most Jap imports here don’t have any service history so definitely need to keep cash aside for a complete service/ maintenance makeover for peace of mind. Importing one from the UK costs about $3500 in freight plus 15% tax and buying sight unseen though at least you can do due diligence re service history etc.
Just my personal obervations

[srhutch]

OP, I would avoid that car on the following basis:

- no service history
- bonnet/bumper gap is quite large and the grilles are from that of a non-M Z4...this would appear that the car has been front ended
- tyres appear to be Bridgestone Potenza's, which are mostly runflats...(they do come in non-run flats) but with the wheels being aftermarket why would the previous owner choose these tyres?...
- roof is tatty (could probably be revitalised with something like Lenovo), however from this you have to question about how the previous owner's have treated it...

The bumper just needs adjusting, no major issue. The roof appears to be the optional grey roof, doesn’t look tatty to me.

These are really rare in NZ I understand so the OP isn’t really spoilt for choice either.

[Smartbear]

OP, I would avoid that car on the following basis:

- no service history
- bonnet/bumper gap is quite large and the grilles are from that of a non-M Z4...this would appear that the car has been front ended
- tyres appear to be Bridgestone Potenza's, which are mostly runflats...(they do come in non-run flats) but with the wheels being aftermarket why would the previous owner choose these tyres?...
- roof is tatty (could probably be revitalised with something like Lenovo), however from this you have to question about how the previous owner's have treated it...

Would tend to agree that the car needs very close inspection re the points you have made. With these cars being very rare over here in NZ it is easy to be tempted when one comes up. I’ve only seen one pristine example here for sale in the last 2 years. The dealer who has this one also has another just arrived from Japan, both for sale at approx $35,000, about 17,500 Pounds. Most Jap imports here don’t have any service history so definitely need to keep cash aside for a complete service/ maintenance makeover for peace of mind. Importing one from the UK costs about $3500 in freight plus 15% tax and buying sight unseen though at least you can do due diligence re service history etc.
Just my personal obervations

If a car has no service history then giving it a service after purchase isn’t going to undo the damage that has potentially occurred during its earlier life.
If it’s gone over service intervals (or maybe never been serviced at all) there's possible consequences later down the line, especially with shim adjusted valve clearances
Rob

[R60BBA]

Fair enough.

But as per Rob you can’t polish a turd.

No service history on an M car? No chance!

[Haggisman]

OP, I would avoid that car on the following basis:

- no service history
- bonnet/bumper gap is quite large and the grilles are from that of a non-M Z4...this would appear that the car has been front ended
- tyres appear to be Bridgestone Potenza's, which are mostly runflats...(they do come in non-run flats) but with the wheels being aftermarket why would the previous owner choose these tyres?...
- roof is tatty (could probably be revitalised with something like Lenovo), however from this you have to question about how the previous owner's have treated it...

Would tend to agree that the car needs very close inspection re the points you have made. With these cars being very rare over here in NZ it is easy to be tempted when one comes up. I’ve only seen one pristine example here for sale in the last 2 years. The dealer who has this one also has another just arrived from Japan, both for sale at approx $35,000, about 17,500 Pounds. Most Jap imports here don’t have any service history so definitely need to keep cash aside for a complete service/ maintenance makeover for peace of mind. Importing one from the UK costs about $3500 in freight plus 15% tax and buying sight unseen though at least you can do due diligence re service history etc.
Just my personal obervations

If a car has no service history then giving it a service after purchase isn’t going to undo the damage that has potentially occurred during its earlier life.
If it’s gone over service intervals (or maybe never been serviced at all) there's possible consequences later down the line, especially with shim adjusted valve clearances
Rob

I agree entirely with what you say, I was trying to put some context round the possible purchase, it is certainly ‘buyer beware’ and you take your chances.

[BMWZ4MC]

...Importing one from the UK costs about $3500 in freight plus 15% tax and buying sight unseen though at least you can do due diligence re service history etc...

What are the costs of importing from Aus? This sounds like it has been well cared for...and the wood can always be painted!

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/detail ... AD-5287323