Buying a used Z4 from BMW sight unseen

Thanks all.

Car is in Scotland, my local dealer is in Stockport. Whilst they said they would consider buying the car off the Scottish dealer, as someone else has said, they would need to negotiate a discount which would not then get passed onto me, in order that they could make some margin on the deal.

Having said that they confirmed that the AUC warranty would be valid at any BM dealer, regardless of which dealer supplied the car.

I don't have a part-ex so if I can persuade them to hold the car with a deposit until the Xmas break I may well take the train up to Scotland to get it.
 
Yep should def go and see it first, I bought mine from a local BMW dealer and I am now going back there 2 x weeks after getting the car with issues already.

I saw ones on the BMW Website that had the right spec and were cheaper the further away they were and when I asked them to walk round the car and to be honest about faults it just wasn't worth it. I would bide your time until one nearer to home comes up.
 
Interesting to hear so many board member have brought cars this way. Luckily when I found the zed I wanted it was only 70 miles away. If it was up in Scotland or something, I probably would of been in a similar situation...
 
Why take the risk - if it's one of the larger dealerships (eg Coopers) get them to move it up to your location. I hear what other people say but its a lot of money to risk if it goes wrong and trying to sort it out afterwards is just not worth the hassle i.m.o. If you are set on the vehicle why not try and get a Forum member nearby to check it out for you?
 
teamemmenracing said:
I bought mine over the phone ...... paid 500 quid deposit on a credit card.
If the car had not been as descibed i would have walked ....... and if thre had been an argument about the deposit i would have gotten it back from the card company


Agreed. This is normal BMW policy. If it's as described, you buy it or forfeit £500.

Just to make the point re 'buying blind'', I went to see two 'identical' E89s at a single dealership (just two slightly different colours, but everything else identical).

One had small parking dents / knocks etc from the dealership and the other was absolutely perfect (which I bought).

- you need to see it in person.
 
Zed Five said:
This is normal BMW policy. If it's as described, you buy it or forfeit £500.

Not BMW policy as the seconhand element is not part of the dealer franchise requirements although dealers are required to comply with BMW standards. The deposit element is a personal contract agreement between you and the dealer where you need to know exactly the conditions before paying up.
 
personally I prefer to have a good look at a car first especially at this money level even if I have to travel which I had to do when I wanted a coupe with not a lot for sale in Wales. Patience is the key with funds hovering ready for the big swoop when you see the one you want. Main dealers are easier to sort problems out though.
 
I bought mine 200 miles or so away from me. Overall a very positive transaction and would recommend Listers to perspective buyers. They supplied many photo's and confirmed it's authenticity and they did not qustion my trade in which had many knocks and grazes.

Good idea to get a local forum member to have a look as well.
 
I drove from Reading to Glasgow in a 205 and loved the drive back in the Zed! Saw loads of photos, agreed a part ex on mine and paid the deposit. The car was as described, nice easy transaction. Dealer was Harry Fairburn.
 
Why not just get an RAC inspection done on the vehicle.

With more 3-series sold than frickin Mondeos why should we trust a BMW dealer any more than a Ford dealer?
 
I bought my ///M unseen from a dealer in Kent, he walked around whilst i was on the phone giving me a description, tyre tread wheel condition, service history etc, we agreed price and I gave him a credit card deposit, if It wasn't as described when I went to collect he would give me a full refund and train fair etc, fortunately it was so I paid the balance and had a fantastic drive back to Nottinghamshire grinning from ear to ear!! :D
 
jamesgarbett said:
Thanks all.

Car is in Scotland, my local dealer is in Stockport. Whilst they said they would consider buying the car off the Scottish dealer, as someone else has said, they would need to negotiate a discount which would not then get passed onto me, in order that they could make some margin on the deal.

Having said that they confirmed that the AUC warranty would be valid at any BM dealer, regardless of which dealer supplied the car.

I don't have a part-ex so if I can persuade them to hold the car with a deposit until the Xmas break I may well take the train up to Scotland to get it.

Where mate? I could go check it out for you if it's not too far from me?


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bought my Z4 from Barons 150 miles away it was under the coming soon section, with the spec & low mileage i half expected it to be gone so phoned them on the wednesday afternoon to sort out a trade in with the 1 series i had from new they gave me a good price for the 1 series without even seeing it they just took my word on the condition and after getting them to put 12 months tax & servicing the Z4 they agreed to deliver it but it had to be off there premises by the friday which was the end of the month, i didnt mind this but told them no one would be home until 5pm they ended up in delivering it about 6pm,
so if you can leave it till the end of the month you will get a better deal! :driving:

IMG_0317.jpg
 
I bought ours privately on ebay, checked its history, that it was his, and that it generally worked and paid the bloke. The price was okay and the spec was as declared and it's only a car, why care about the odd minor scratch' or a bit of overspray? It will go wrong, it will be damaged, it will get crapped on by birds, it will be chipped by stones. I reckon you are just winding your self up being precious about these things.
 
Finisterre said:
I bought ours privately on ebay, checked its history, that it was his, and that it generally worked and paid the bloke. The price was okay and the spec was as declared and it's only a car, why care about the odd minor scratch' or a bit of overspray? It will go wrong, it will be damaged, it will get crapped on by birds, it will be chipped by stones. I reckon you are just winding your self up being precious about these things.
NO WAY IS ANY BIRD TAKING A CRAP IN MY ZED!!!!!
 
goon said:
Finisterre said:
I bought ours privately on ebay, checked its history, that it was his, and that it generally worked and paid the bloke. The price was okay and the spec was as declared and it's only a car, why care about the odd minor scratch' or a bit of overspray? It will go wrong, it will be damaged, it will get crapped on by birds, it will be chipped by stones. I reckon you are just winding your self up being precious about these things.
NO WAY IS ANY BIRD TAKING A CRAP IN MY ZED!!!!!

I'm told there are websites where people pay good money for stuff like that :rofl:
 
Finisterre said:
why care about the odd minor scratch' or a bit of overspray? It will go wrong, it will be damaged, it will get crapped on by birds, it will be chipped by stones. I reckon you are just winding your self up being precious about these things.

Heresy – get thee gone Satan.... :poke: :poke: :P
 
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