Buying a car this weekend

K

keejoonc

Member
 Aberdeen, Scotland
Hi guys,

I'm buying a 2009 Z4 35i DCT with about 14,000 miles this weekend.
The seller is arranging RAC check on the car tomorrow.
Is the RAC check reliable? Is it perhaps better to get it done by BMW workshop? Any other things I should look out for?
This is my first time buying a car in the UK so I would appreciate any tips or pointers to avoid any potential hassle or heartache.

Thanks in advance
 
RAC IMO are good as they experience first had what can go wrong, BMW see predominantly BMW's.

In either case you're relying on the experience of whoever turns up, so make sure you ask before hand what experience the person examining the car has of Zeds & when it's being inspected check/ask again
 
Well, the seller is doing the RAC check, not me.
I'm located in Aberdeen and the car is in London so I can't be present when the check is being done. I will be inspecting it myself when I fly down to pick it up on Saturday. The guy seems nice and legit so I'm not really expecting any issues though.
 
Great choice of car, we purchased a 2009 Z4 25i DCT a few months ago as an AUC.

Specific things to check are:

Cracks on the alloy wheels, especially if it has the 296 style 19" wheels, you'll need to take the wheels off for this, as they crack on the inner rim
Navigation map release, it's very expensive if you get BMW to update this for you circa £500+
Detailed service and warranty history, some cars have had issues with the HPFPs

What level of RAC check is being performed, Essentials or Essentials Plus?

Even if the car has had a full independent inspection, just make sure you take your time and thoroughly check over the car both inside and out and take it out for a reasonable time on test drive. It's worth writing out your own list of things to check and tick them off as you go through, otherwise it's too easy to get caught up in the emotion of buying the car. Treat it as if you are buying the car for someone else and make 100% sure you are happy with everything before you part with your cash.
 
Thanks.

Re the alloy wheels, the owner is aware of this and had all four tyres recently replaced with non-runflat tyres and had all the alloys checked (it does come with the infamous 296 style 19" wheels), but I shall check it again myself when I'm there.

I haven't asked about the map update. I guess I will be happy if it's been updated, but if not, I suppose I will have to live with it. £500 for map update?? That's daylight robbery!

I'm not sure what level of RAC check is being done, but I shall ask.
 
I've asked about HPFP and it has been replaced previously under warranty along with a couple of coils.
 
Yep. Did the HPI check today. HPI check is included in the RAC check the seller is doing, but friend had one pre paid check left from when she bought a car so I did one anyway. Came out clean as expected. The only "concern" is that it's had 3 previous keepers (probably includes includes dealership).
 
keejoonc, get yourself a stubby and forum front window sticker

3 owners is not uncommon, many people buy sports cars for a bit of fun and sell them relatively soon
 
I would pay for HPI and RAC (rather than have the seller do them) and have the invoice in your name.
If the seller does them, the contract is between HPI / RAC & the seller, not you and you (as a third party) will not be indemnified if there is a problem and you need to claim on either HPI or the RAC terms.
I'm certain the protection offered by RAC / HPI etc is non transferrable.
 
Good luck for the weekend, hope it all goes smoothly and the sun shines :)
 
Bit too late for me to pay for the RAC now. It was very expensive too so I'm glad I'm not paying for it :lol:
I have done the HPI check myself so that should be ok.
Should be ok. It does still have BMW warranty remaining on it so if I do encounter trouble (touchwood I don't), I should be covered.

Thanks guys.
 
Thanks for the warm wishes guys.

I will provide an update when I get the car. 10 hour drive back to Aberdeen does worry me though :oops:
 
keejoonc said:
I haven't asked about the map update. I guess I will be happy if it's been updated, but if not, I suppose I will have to live with it. £500 for map update?? That's daylight robbery!
Click to expand...

There are other cheaper non dealer options to get the navigation maps updated, but you can use this as a negotiating point if you want to.

All the best for Saturday, you'll have a fun drive back.
 
keejoonc said:
Thanks for the warm wishes guys.

I will provide an update when I get the car. 10 hour drive back to Aberdeen does worry me though :oops:
Click to expand...

One mans dreaded 10 hour drive is another mans idea of heaven!
 
Z4-35i said:
keejoonc said:
I haven't asked about the map update. I guess I will be happy if it's been updated, but if not, I suppose I will have to live with it. £500 for map update?? That's daylight robbery!
Click to expand...

There are other cheaper non dealer options to get the navigation maps updated, but you can use this as a negotiating point if you want to.

All the best for Saturday, you'll have a fun drive back.
Click to expand...

I know you want the best deal, but it pisses me off when people do that sort of thing. The guy is selling the car as it is, so if the nav maps are out of date, thats what he's selling. Why should he pay towards updating them when he will no longer have the car? My local stealer doesn't even update the maps on their AUC cars (well, thats what they told me in the past).
 
keejoonc said:
Thanks for the warm wishes guys.

I will provide an update when I get the car. 10 hour drive back to Aberdeen does worry me though :oops:
Click to expand...

Have lot of fun on Saturday - hope it goes well :thumbsup:

I am driving up to Fife from Kent on Friday with my son for the sole purpose of going for a hoon through the glens with the Scottish contingent on here on Saturday. Then back down on Sunday. Can't wait. If the car is right for you and you take it you will love the drive back. Every single mile :D
 
It would be nice if there were forum members here from Aberdeen (or nearby) to catch up with and go for a drive with.
I doubt it though :P
 
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