Buying a Z4 M

[ncrossy1980]

In addition to the above, you might want to take a look at the 'M Market Watch' thread on here, a lot of the adverts linked will now be taken down but you'll be able to see people talking about prices etc.
I picked up my M about 2 weeks ago, from a non-BMW franchised dealer (Evans Halshaw), 64k miles (high for this type of car but v v low for the year), 2006, FSH and statutory warranty, for the princely sum of £11.7k.
The coupe is commanding higher prices at the moment though, and possibly always has done and will do.

Yeah, but you paid £2k to clean the engine bay :lol:

Ahahaha In the back of my mind I'm jealous of the lads here who have the lower miler coupes, but, to be honest if I was doing this all over again I don't think I could part with ~20-25k for a coupe of that age. If I had originally budgeted that amount, I think I'd have went on the Autotrader wild goose chase and ended up on the 911 trail...
Speaking of expensive cleaning, I've booked it in for a full detailing and correction at the end of March. It's a 7 day job, pricey, but handing it over to a genius for 7 days should yield some properly noticeable benefits for the long term. Not financially, but from an upkeep and quality POV. I'll post as many pictures as possible, before and after, as I guess people like to see results before potentially using the same detailer.

 

[StevenH72]

In addition to the above, you might want to take a look at the 'M Market Watch' thread on here, a lot of the adverts linked will now be taken down but you'll be able to see people talking about prices etc.
I picked up my M about 2 weeks ago, from a non-BMW franchised dealer (Evans Halshaw), 64k miles (high for this type of car but v v low for the year), 2006, FSH and statutory warranty, for the princely sum of £11.7k.
The coupe is commanding higher prices at the moment though, and possibly always has done and will do.

Yeah, but you paid £2k to clean the engine bay :lol:

Ahahaha In the back of my mind I'm jealous of the lads here who have the lower miler coupes, but, to be honest if I was doing this all over again I don't think I could part with ~20-25k for a coupe of that age. If I had originally budgeted that amount, I think I'd have went on the Autotrader wild goose chase and ended up on the 911 trail...
Speaking of expensive cleaning, I've booked it in for a full detailing and correction at the end of March. It's a 7 day job, pricey, but handing it over to a genius for 7 days should yield some properly noticeable benefits for the long term. Not financially, but from an upkeep and quality POV. I'll post as many pictures as possible, before and after, as I guess people like to see results before potentially using the same detailer.

A 7 day detail will make your car look exceptional

Out of interest, where are you taking it?

 

[ncrossy1980]

A place called DDB Detailing, local to me in Newcastle. http://www.ddbvaleting.co.uk/
He has an awesome website, loads of recommendations on Pistonheads, the local BMW dealership have him do their new cars and personally recommended him... when I went over to visit it became apparent he also does the Porsche & Bentley dealership detailing!
The guy sounds legit, passionate about what he does, he even knew all about the M's and common bodywork issues on the E85/86 models. So I was like TAKE IT AND BESTOW YOUR SORCERY ON MY VEHICLE SIR!
Going for the top highest package, as well as a full wheel refurb. In two minds whether to keep the standard stock wheel colour or change, dark wheels on blue cars don't do it for me though... happy to see some forum pics of people who have pulled it off.

 

[TomK]

In two minds whether to keep the standard stock wheel colour or change, dark wheels on blue cars don't do it for me though... happy to see some forum pics of people who have pulled it off.

I'm not a big fan of silver, so went for a gun metal colour, also did the front grill the same. Just an idea...

 

[ncrossy1980]

Actually that looks pretty decent! However with having a roadster and the stock wheels, I'll do some Googling. Are those 19 CSL's?

Edit: This is what I don't like... black wheels make it look... Mazda-ery? I've no idea why Mazda springs to mind, maybe they did a MX-5 in a similar colour combo.

http://i1261.photobucket.com/albums/ii588/3cfe/DSC_0102.jpg

 

[Beedub]

TOMK so many cool little details on your car!! definitely one of my faves on the forum

 

[Angelus666]

Actually this week is probably one of the best weeks to get yourself a deal. Lot's of people getting into new cars so the dealers will be awash with trade ins, which is where all their profit is. Go in with no trade in and you'll barter yourself a good deal...they'll want some cash in the bank!

 

[TomK]

TOMK so many cool little details on your car!! definitely one of my faves on the forum

Cheers! Your car also is a credit to you. Looks fantastic. I may have to scratch the charged itch one day...
@ncrossy, yes they are 19", I would have thought the colour would also work well on 224s

 

[Darren M]

Even in that external pic,the lack of sat nav just makes the dash look much nicer

 

[TomK]

I only wish it was in extended leather, now that definitely does look better.
Had I known it was an option I would have looked for one with it, but then I probably would have been looking for a while which I wasn't in a position to do at the time.