Bit of help for a first timer!

S

Spud

Active member
 Doncaster
Hi folks,

Just registered as I've just confirmed the sale of my A3 2.0TDI S-Line... and am looking at venturing into the world of the Z4 (3 litre roadster).

My budget is 11-12k max. I'll be receiving cash for my A3 on Monday, so can go dealer (if there's a bargain), but definitely looking at private cars for the value at the minute.

A few things, then:

- if anyone knows of any great cars for sale in that bracket, please let me know!
- I know to look out for springs and roof motors. Anything else?
- any essential purchases for a new owner?
- I've got a few litres of synthetic 5W-30 Fuchs Titan XTR oil in the garage, left over from my RX-8. Is this suitable for the Z4?
- do you reckon I'm better off getting a low mileage and specced up 53/04, or a higher miler 54/05?
- make sure you give me a wave if you're in the Scunthorpe/Doncaster area when I've got one! :D

Thanks guys! :D
 
Spud said:
- if anyone knows of any great cars for sale in that bracket, please let me know!
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There are plenty around. First decision is which engine - 2.2, 2.5 or 3.0. You can get a lot more 2.2 for the money. Try an auto and a manual too.
Spud said:
- I know to look out for springs and roof motors. Anything else?
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A recent MOT will show up any major defects. If there is a rattle from the inlet area of the engine it is a flap which costs around £120 to replace. Many cars in the age bracket will need brakes.
Spud said:
- any essential purchases for a new owner?
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Wind deflector if you don't have one.
Spud said:
- I've got a few litres of synthetic 5W-30 Fuchs Titan XTR oil in the garage, left over from my RX-8. Is this suitable for the Z4?
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Check the specs on the back of the container - it needs to conform to LL01 or LL04 specs. It may well do. To be honest if you are due a service before the winter I'm sure it will do as top-up anyway.
Spud said:
- do you reckon I'm better off getting a low mileage and specced up 53/04, or a higher miler 54/05?
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Age isn't really an issue - its the same car/model. Its a BMW with engines/drivetrain used in many other models - mileage is not an issue as long as it is serviced. Buy on condition, history.
Spud said:
- make sure you give me a wave if you're in the Scunthorpe/Doncaster area when I've got one! :D
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I hail from that area, but am darn sarth now.
 
Go for a 3 litre - seriously - its regarded as one of the best engines around (in both forms), and you'll need it to follow the torque you're used to in the A3.
 
I thought Spud spelled out he was after a 3.0 roadster?

Actually you may struggle for a well cared for 3.0i reasobalble mileage and history at that budget as they are a well sough model and in mid Summer prices are firm.

Obvious places to start are Piston HEads and Autotrader to set the benchmark.

Beyond that it's service history, mileage, general condtion and what you want in terms of colour, auto/manual and accessories liek Sat Nav, seats, lights, etc.
 
Yeah, 3litre roadsters only, but I should easily get an 04/54 plate with 40-50k for that sort of money. Not sure why I should have any difficulty, to be honest.

This is the sort of thing I'm looking at. If only it didn't have that horrific wood and cream interior.

So long as it's not got the above interior, is a decent colour (preferably black), and is manual, then I'm not too fussy. Don't really want to go above about 55k miles.
 
Hi & Welcome :thumbsup:

Prices are high this time of year, but Im sure if you look enough you will find what you are looking for, anyway good luck :D
 
Spud said:
Yeah, 3litre roadsters only, but I should easily get an 04/54 plate with 40-50k for that sort of money. Not sure why I should have any difficulty, to be honest.

This is the sort of thing I'm looking at. If only it didn't have that horrific wood and cream interior.

So long as it's not got the above interior, is a decent colour (preferably black), and is manual, then I'm not too fussy. Don't really want to go above about 55k miles.
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Spud,
For sure that's an 11k car but as you note has an unsual choice of interior trim, Appears to have no service history and is missing key options (in the eyes of many) of Sat nav, sports seats, xenon lights, etc.
I
 
cj10jeeper said:
For sure that's an 11k car but as you note has an unsual choice of interior trim, Appears to have no service history and is missing key options (in the eyes of many) of Sat nav, sports seats, xenon lights, etc.
I
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I thought sat nav was rare on non-M ones? Not really a key option.

11k should get you a dealer car though. Mine was 11k from a main dealer with plenty of options, FSH, and 35k on, back in May.

I'm near you too, I work in Scunny all the time....lovely place :lol:
 
Haha, that's one way of describing it! :lol:

This looks decent, though about £500 over what I'd like to pay for something that old. Probably why it hasn't sold yet. Mileage is good, though. Might enquire about it tomorrow once the A3 is picked up.
 
Welcome to the forum.

I'll keep a look out when you get one as i'm just on the edge of Rotherham, 10 mins from Doncaster :) Infact i live on Doncaster Road!
 
Here are some more I'm looking at:

One - I don't think that's worth 12,500, though. Anyone think 12k max?

Two - also looks OK. Though again I think it's easily £500 over priced.

Any advice?
 
Agree with both, the silver one looks a good buy, why don't you view it and make your own mind up on the price. You are finding, there tend to always be nice ones around for sale, just pick the spec you want. NAV doesn't bother me if it is not fitted, xenon's are nice to have but expensive if they break ( and they do) , sports seats are ok if you are of slight build, if you are remotely chunky, they're too small imo.As everyone is saying, mechanically they are a good bet, just get one with history.
 
Agree with both, the silver one looks a good buy, why don't you view it and make your own mind up on the price. You are finding, there tend to always be nice ones around for sale, just pick the spec you want. NAV doesn't bother me if it is not fitted, xenon's are nice to have but expensive if they break ( and they do) , sports seats are ok if you are of slight build, if you are remotely chunky, they're too small imo.As everyone is saying, mechanically they are a good bet, just get one with history.
 
with 24k on i'd say the grey one is a decent price, but at 10,900 i'm sure you could do a deal around the 10,500 mark.
 
Yeah, that's what I thought. The only thing stopping me is the fact it's grey - not sure how I'd cope with that. Was ideally looking for a black one, or potentially silver/blue.
 
The grey car looks nice just make sure as said above you get the history with whatever you buy and hold out till you find the car you really want.

I wanted a Silver 3.0 and waited around 5-6 months till i got what i wanted low mileage nice spec car in great condition so do not rush into one be patient.

Sat nav is not something i wanted prefer the cleaner looking dash but M.Sport seats are nice.

Remember the sticky steering problem with 04 cars i was very lucky to get mine done under good will with a small amount of labour charge would have been around 2k but mine was bought from BMW and not long out of AUC Warranty.

Best of luck on your search had mine 16 months and still smiling :D :thumbsup:
 
Spud said:
Yeah, 3litre roadsters only, but I should easily get an 04/54 plate with 40-50k for that sort of money. Not sure why I should have any difficulty, to be honest.

This is the sort of thing I'm looking at. If only it didn't have that horrific wood and cream interior.

So long as it's not got the above interior, is a decent colour (preferably black), and is manual, then I'm not too fussy. Don't really want to go above about 55k miles.
Click to expand...

What, you mean a horrific interior like this? Z4valet1607092.jpg :poke:

None taken :P

Good luck with your search :)
 
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