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Service History?
- inkey$
- Lifer
- Posts: 10479
- Joined: Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:48 pm
- Location: Sevenoaks & Suffolk
- Contact:
Service History?
Quick question on lack of service history. If a car hasn't got its service book anymore, would you see that as an issue for potential purchase if the car checked out mechanically? I realise you could investigate yourself (easier if BMW dealer serviced) too btw,
Current: Project Audi A2 1.4SE
Previously: Z3R 2.8 • E46 330i • Z4R 3.0 • Z4///MC • E90 335i • Z4///MR • Z3///MC 'Breadvan' • Z3R 2.8 • E30 325i R • Z4C • Z4R 3.0
Previously: Z3R 2.8 • E46 330i • Z4R 3.0 • Z4///MC • E90 335i • Z4///MR • Z3///MC 'Breadvan' • Z3R 2.8 • E30 325i R • Z4C • Z4R 3.0
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- Lifer
- Posts: 3421
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2020 10:37 pm
- Location: North Hampshire
Service History?
Hey Inkey, good to see you back. Lack of a service book will certainly impact on resale value, although less so if you have a sheaf of receipts which can evidence that servicing has been done. Obviously the most important thing is that servicing has actually been done, so buying a car without that piece of evidence is taking a risk.inkey$ wrote: ↑Tue Jun 28, 2022 9:54 pm Quick question on lack of service history. If a car hasn't got its service book anymore, would you see that as an issue for potential purchase if the car checked out mechanically? I realise you could investigate yourself (easier if BMW dealer serviced) too btw,
Saying that, I bought a 130k Z4 completely blind with no service history at all. However, the oil was clean, all the filters were new, the spark plugs looked good, the service indicator said 15k to go, and so far it hasn’t let me down.
2003 Maldives Blue 3.0i auto
Previously: Maldives Blue 2.5i manual (its back!) and another, and a Monaco Blue 3.0Si coupe
Previously: Maldives Blue 2.5i manual (its back!) and another, and a Monaco Blue 3.0Si coupe
- buzyg
- Legend
- Posts: 26584
- Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 6:11 pm
- Location: Cornwall
Service History?
These cars are getting on now. Having never yet bought a car without going through the service history it would certainly impact my own decision making. But if your a hands on guy who can judge the condition from an inspection, then use it as a battering tool and budget for a few surprises. You never know you could bag a bargain. Then again???
Good to see you back.
Good to see you back.
- inkey$
- Lifer
- Posts: 10479
- Joined: Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:48 pm
- Location: Sevenoaks & Suffolk
- Contact:
Service History?
Thanks both. Good advice.
Thinking of getting back into another Zed at some point, but the I’ve seen - whilst cheap - actually had a pretty big undeclared-by-the-seller Cat N red flag. Moral of this story is pay your £5.99 and check first
Maybe I’ll put the call out on here and see whats around.
Thinking of getting back into another Zed at some point, but the I’ve seen - whilst cheap - actually had a pretty big undeclared-by-the-seller Cat N red flag. Moral of this story is pay your £5.99 and check first
Maybe I’ll put the call out on here and see whats around.
Current: Project Audi A2 1.4SE
Previously: Z3R 2.8 • E46 330i • Z4R 3.0 • Z4///MC • E90 335i • Z4///MR • Z3///MC 'Breadvan' • Z3R 2.8 • E30 325i R • Z4C • Z4R 3.0
Previously: Z3R 2.8 • E46 330i • Z4R 3.0 • Z4///MC • E90 335i • Z4///MR • Z3///MC 'Breadvan' • Z3R 2.8 • E30 325i R • Z4C • Z4R 3.0
- pvr
- Legend
- Posts: 26315
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:27 pm
- Location: South East UK
Service History?
Hadn’t realised you sold the last one
Current:
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
- inkey$
- Lifer
- Posts: 10479
- Joined: Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:48 pm
- Location: Sevenoaks & Suffolk
- Contact:
Service History?
Sold my last coupe at the end of last year. Back when I thought we’d be selling our place quickly and moving on. Didn’t quite work out that way.
Current: Project Audi A2 1.4SE
Previously: Z3R 2.8 • E46 330i • Z4R 3.0 • Z4///MC • E90 335i • Z4///MR • Z3///MC 'Breadvan' • Z3R 2.8 • E30 325i R • Z4C • Z4R 3.0
Previously: Z3R 2.8 • E46 330i • Z4R 3.0 • Z4///MC • E90 335i • Z4///MR • Z3///MC 'Breadvan' • Z3R 2.8 • E30 325i R • Z4C • Z4R 3.0
- pvr
- Legend
- Posts: 26315
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:27 pm
- Location: South East UK
Service History?
Good time to sell at the peak. Looking for a C or R this time?
Current:
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
- inkey$
- Lifer
- Posts: 10479
- Joined: Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:48 pm
- Location: Sevenoaks & Suffolk
- Contact:
Service History?
Roadster. Would be my 5th Z4
Current: Project Audi A2 1.4SE
Previously: Z3R 2.8 • E46 330i • Z4R 3.0 • Z4///MC • E90 335i • Z4///MR • Z3///MC 'Breadvan' • Z3R 2.8 • E30 325i R • Z4C • Z4R 3.0
Previously: Z3R 2.8 • E46 330i • Z4R 3.0 • Z4///MC • E90 335i • Z4///MR • Z3///MC 'Breadvan' • Z3R 2.8 • E30 325i R • Z4C • Z4R 3.0
- pvr
- Legend
- Posts: 26315
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:27 pm
- Location: South East UK
Service History?
You mean you finally come to your senses
Current:
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
- enuff_zed
- Lifer
- Posts: 14931
- Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:05 am
- Location: Attleborough, Norfolk
Service History?
Whilst I agree that a Service History is a selling point, I do think that with older cars down in these price ranges it is not so essential.
I know I am slightly biased as I have a fair mechanical understanding and enjoy fixing them up, but I now tend to buy on what I can see, then give them a damn good overhaul myself to be sure.
I fully understand that there could be hidden wear on engine and cooling components, but that factors in to the price, and sticking to the relatively bomb-proof M54 helps.
I honestly think that with your budget you are near the bottom for a 3.0 right now and even without history you could sell it on with very little loss.
I know I am slightly biased as I have a fair mechanical understanding and enjoy fixing them up, but I now tend to buy on what I can see, then give them a damn good overhaul myself to be sure.
I fully understand that there could be hidden wear on engine and cooling components, but that factors in to the price, and sticking to the relatively bomb-proof M54 helps.
I honestly think that with your budget you are near the bottom for a 3.0 right now and even without history you could sell it on with very little loss.
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- Senior Member
- Posts: 1084
- Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2016 7:42 pm
Service History?
You can order a new service book and have it stamped again by the dealers if it was dealer history.
If independents there's nothing to go on.
Personally why risk it? IMO the car should be serviced bare minimum yearly. Even if it's just an oil change every year.
Theres a car for sale on the forums that has had 2 services in the last 8 years and 45k miles put on it in those last 8 years and people are saying it's a "bargain".
Things like spark plugs, coolant and transmission fluid and axle fluid can be changed every 4 years. But stuff like brake fluid, oil and oil filters need changing more regularly. I don't care what the manual or BMW say.
If the engine kills itself after 3 months you will wish you bought something else.
A poorly serviced car shows the owner spent as little as he could on it. With no history to go on you cannot make an informed choice other than its probably not been looked after.
If independents there's nothing to go on.
Personally why risk it? IMO the car should be serviced bare minimum yearly. Even if it's just an oil change every year.
Theres a car for sale on the forums that has had 2 services in the last 8 years and 45k miles put on it in those last 8 years and people are saying it's a "bargain".
Things like spark plugs, coolant and transmission fluid and axle fluid can be changed every 4 years. But stuff like brake fluid, oil and oil filters need changing more regularly. I don't care what the manual or BMW say.
If the engine kills itself after 3 months you will wish you bought something else.
A poorly serviced car shows the owner spent as little as he could on it. With no history to go on you cannot make an informed choice other than its probably not been looked after.
- enuff_zed
- Lifer
- Posts: 14931
- Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:05 am
- Location: Attleborough, Norfolk
Service History?
Agree with all that, but there is also the scenario where owner number 6 of 8 was a bit lax and lost all the paperwork, even though the other 7 were meticulous.SonnyA85 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 9:20 am You can order a new service book and have it stamped again by the dealers if it was dealer history.
If independents there's nothing to go on.
Personally why risk it? IMO the car should be serviced bare minimum yearly. Even if it's just an oil change every year.
Theres a car for sale on the forums that has had 2 services in the last 8 years and 45k miles put on it in those last 8 years and people are saying it's a "bargain".
Things like spark plugs, coolant and transmission fluid and axle fluid can be changed every 4 years. But stuff like brake fluid, oil and oil filters need changing more regularly. I don't care what the manual or BMW say.
If the engine kills itself after 3 months you will wish you bought something else.
A poorly serviced car shows the owner spent as little as he could on it. With no history to go on you cannot make an informed choice other than its probably not been looked after.
Brake fluid is an easy change.
If you find the oil and filter are old then flush, put in all new, then change again a month or two later to clean it all out.
This is why I suggested the M54. There'll always be a bad one, but the vast majority of these engines will plod on to well in excess of 250k. They are exactly highly stressed.
Again, it comes down to individual experience, abilities and expectations.
On Saturday I'm picking up an exceedingly cheap 3.0i with an EPS issue and fairly high mileage. But I take it on in the knowledge it is worth as much in parts if the worst happens.
I am not insisting inkey$ goes in with his eyes closed and grabs any old one. I am just pointing out that around the lower end of the market you are risking far less if you do decide to take a chance.
Lack of service history is a good bargaining tool, as you can list the costs of brake fluid, oil, filter, coolant, plugs etc that will need doing immediately.
I bought one a while back with full service history, regular stamps etc.
The suspension was knackered!
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- Lifer
- Posts: 3421
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2020 10:37 pm
- Location: North Hampshire
Service History?
Exactly this. I’d rather have one that has had a family life and been serviced on the indicator, than one which has been serviced “meticulously” every year but thrashed within an inch of its life on the track every weekend. You just don’t know.
Some will say the other way round, because these cars are “meant to be driven”, so it’s all a matter of opinion at the end of the day.
Some will say the other way round, because these cars are “meant to be driven”, so it’s all a matter of opinion at the end of the day.
2003 Maldives Blue 3.0i auto
Previously: Maldives Blue 2.5i manual (its back!) and another, and a Monaco Blue 3.0Si coupe
Previously: Maldives Blue 2.5i manual (its back!) and another, and a Monaco Blue 3.0Si coupe
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- Newbie
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2021 8:15 am
- inkey$
- Lifer
- Posts: 10479
- Joined: Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:48 pm
- Location: Sevenoaks & Suffolk
- Contact:
Service History?
Excellent news!
Current: Project Audi A2 1.4SE
Previously: Z3R 2.8 • E46 330i • Z4R 3.0 • Z4///MC • E90 335i • Z4///MR • Z3///MC 'Breadvan' • Z3R 2.8 • E30 325i R • Z4C • Z4R 3.0
Previously: Z3R 2.8 • E46 330i • Z4R 3.0 • Z4///MC • E90 335i • Z4///MR • Z3///MC 'Breadvan' • Z3R 2.8 • E30 325i R • Z4C • Z4R 3.0