Buying a Z4 advice

S

Sooperstar

Member
 Edinburgh
Hi,

I'm looking to buy a Z4 over the next month or so. I have never bought any car before, used or otherwise, despite being a driver for 10 years, so I'm looking for any advice that can be offered.

My budget is about £5k, so I know to expect to get a 2003-2005 model at best. I live in Edinburgh, but the best prices seem to be in the South of England. Willing to travel to buy, and would appreciate feedback from others who have done this on how they found the experience.

Also, how much should I realistically expect to get off the list price from a dealer?

Cheers

Andy
 
Sooperstar said:
Also, how much should I realistically expect to get off the list price from a dealer?

Cheers

Andy
Click to expand...

Very hard to answer that question... depends on so many factors.

I've had dealers willing to knock massive amounts off if the cars been sat there for a few months, but also had them not budge on price at all.

Good luck with your search though. Plenty of decent information around on this Forum!
 
What a huge topic you open up! To start with there is a very good buying guide on here (use the search) to kick you off with.

Then it's all about what you are looking for versus what you can get for your budget.

I have bought 2 of the 3 zedS I have ever owned off people on this forum and my experience have been only positive - you can trust the people on here over and above tha average public and traders - providing they have a history on the forum.

You may not get much shaved off a dealer price - but you only but try.

How many miles you looking to do a year?

Jamie
 
jamiez said:
What a huge topic you open up! To start with there is a very good buying guide on here (use the search) to kick you off with.

Then it's all about what you are looking for versus what you can get for your budget.

I have bought 2 of the 3 zedS I have ever owned off people on this forum and my experience have been only positive - you can trust the people on here over and above tha average public and traders - providing they have a history on the forum.

You may not get much shaved off a dealer price - but you only but try.

How many miles you looking to do a year?

Jamie
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll do that search tonight and have a read.

Miles per year...not all that many. I have to use public transport to get to work, no parking, so it will only be used for fun and getting me to my football/the shops etc. I also have use of my girlfriend's Mini, which will still be our main car. At a push I'd say 5,000 miles a year for the Z, but more likely to be a bit less than that.

In terms of what I'm looking for, I'm very open on it. I'm more interested in the condition the car is in than the toys it comes with. Colour wise, also open minded. Don't want silver or red, would love maroon, everything else I'm good with.
 
I'd look for private people selling, you get more for your money from what I saw when I was shopping about.

Look for one with full service history, there should be lots to pick from. No service history/missing I'd avoid because there's a lot of choice out there.

£5k I'd be looking for models without many upgrades in them (no heated seats etc), I'd rather be spending the money on the best quality no-extra's car I can.
 
Before you make any decisions go try a few. You'll need to decide on engine size and gearbox. At the price point you're looking 2.2, 2.5 or 3.0 and manual or auto, even SMG.

You're not bothered about extras so try those first and it will help you decide.
Personally at that age I'd forget full service history and judge it on condition and wear and tear. I'd also buy private as they are enthusiasts cars.
 
Sooperstar said:
jamiez said:
What a huge topic you open up! To start with there is a very good buying guide on here (use the search) to kick you off with.

Then it's all about what you are looking for versus what you can get for your budget.

I have bought 2 of the 3 zedS I have ever owned off people on this forum and my experience have been only positive - you can trust the people on here over and above tha average public and traders - providing they have a history on the forum.

You may not get much shaved off a dealer price - but you only but try.

How many miles you looking to do a year?

Jamie
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll do that search tonight and have a read.

Miles per year...not all that many. I have to use public transport to get to work, no parking, so it will only be used for fun and getting me to my football/the shops etc. I also have use of my girlfriend's Mini, which will still be our main car. At a push I'd say 5,000 miles a year for the Z, but more likely to be a bit less than that.

In terms of what I'm looking for, I'm very open on it. I'm more interested in the condition the car is in than the toys it comes with. Colour wise, also open minded. Don't want silver or red, would love maroon, everything else I'm good with.
Click to expand...

At those miles per year, you could look at a high miler providing its been properly looked after. As per the last post - go drive a few and see what floats your boat - that should include pre and post facefilt (55 reg and before = pre face lift - 06 onwards = post facelift)

If you fancy pushing the boat out for a truly one off car - try this :) http://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=47073&p=707162#p707162 - the few quid over your budget will be well worth it!!! :poke:

Jamie
 
jamiez said:
Sooperstar said:
jamiez said:
What a huge topic you open up! To start with there is a very good buying guide on here (use the search) to kick you off with.

Then it's all about what you are looking for versus what you can get for your budget.

I have bought 2 of the 3 zedS I have ever owned off people on this forum and my experience have been only positive - you can trust the people on here over and above tha average public and traders - providing they have a history on the forum.

You may not get much shaved off a dealer price - but you only but try.

How many miles you looking to do a year?

Jamie
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll do that search tonight and have a read.

Miles per year...not all that many. I have to use public transport to get to work, no parking, so it will only be used for fun and getting me to my football/the shops etc. I also have use of my girlfriend's Mini, which will still be our main car. At a push I'd say 5,000 miles a year for the Z, but more likely to be a bit less than that.

In terms of what I'm looking for, I'm very open on it. I'm more interested in the condition the car is in than the toys it comes with. Colour wise, also open minded. Don't want silver or red, would love maroon, everything else I'm good with.
Click to expand...

At those miles per year, you could look at a high miler providing its been properly looked after. As per the last post - go drive a few and see what floats your boat - that should include pre and post facefilt (55 reg and before = pre face lift - 06 onwards = post facelift)

If you fancy pushing the boat out for a truly one off car - try this :) http://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=47073&p=707162#p707162 - the few quid over your budget will be well worth it!!! :poke:

Jamie
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer, but I'm not sure the 'few quid over your budget' part is wholly accurate!!
 
Any opinions on this?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/bmw/z4/used-bmw-z4-2-2i-se-2dr-kilmarnock-fpa-201302205423871
 
Sooperstar said:
Any opinions on this?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/bmw/z4/used-bmw-z4-2-2i-se-2dr-kilmarnock-fpa-201302205423871
Click to expand...


I just sold my 2006 z4 2.0 56 plate with 75k on clock for £6000 if thats anything to go by...I did sell cheap though
 
nightyard said:
Sooperstar said:
Any opinions on this?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/bmw/z4/used-bmw-z4-2-2i-se-2dr-kilmarnock-fpa-201302205423871
Click to expand...


I just sold my 2006 z4 2.0 56 plate with 75k on clock for £6000 if thats anything to go by...I did sell cheap though
Click to expand...

So it seems reasonable if I could get them to knock a few hundred quid off.
 
A long way away but woozles looks nicer...

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=48878

Once your sorted you'll have to come out on a run - we are in south queensferry 9:00 am Sunday for about half an hour but then we are off to Fife.
 
ZermattV said:
A long way away but woozles looks nicer...

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=48878

Once your sorted you'll have to come out on a run - we are in south queensferry 9:00 am Sunday for about half an hour but then we are off to Fife.
Click to expand...

It is nice, and I like the red seats, but at £6k it's too expensive for me, and also silver is one of the colours I'm not overly keen on.

Is that a regular Sunday thing?
 
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