Buying a Z4 you have not seen?

I bought my first ever auction car unseen. I'd visited the BCA site at Nottingham so much I couldn't afford the time off or the travel anymore. I knew the manager at my local site and asked him about me (non-trade) putting in a bid through him, letting him know my limit.
It was 2010 and the car was a 2006 '56 e90 M Sport with 80k on the clock. It had come straight off BMW lease and had a clean bill of health.
I had no way of knowing whether it started nicely, or any mechanical gremlins - or whether it had been smoked in wife would've told me to sell it). Anyway, I won it (but not by much, I judged right)
It was transported to my house and I had to accept it no matter what. Best car I've ever had!, it's now got 180k on the clock!
I've now had three cars from auction - but I've never gone blind again, think I was lucky! 8)
 
I have bought a number of cars through eBay based on photographs and description but not paid until Colection. EBay rules require descriptions to be accurate otherwise you are not obliged to complete the sale. On one occasion my son bought a car on eBay described as all working, and immaculate and looked so in the the photos but when I went with him to collect it the owner admitted he new nothing about cars and it had several issues which were contrary to his description. On this occasion they were all easy fix for us so we just agreed a price reduction.
Not a recommended way to buy but can be done if you’re careful and have a bit of car knowledge.
Rob.
 
ive probably bought about 20 cars unseen on ebay and i dont think ive ever rejected any. If you use a bit of common sense and have plenty of pics to check out then go for it
 
Family member recently purchased a nearly new 911 from Dorset he lives in Cumbria so was a really long way round nearly 700 miles and with no airports in Cumbria its a pain. Anyway with the ask of the car which was as you would expect it was sold as perfect and was agreed to be transported.

It arrived and the bonnet had been previously repainted. The lacquer was peeling around the edges because it hadnt been taken off and done properly. It was a state.

After calling and having stiff words with the dealer they agreed to have it sorted but wanted it back in Dorset which was unacceptable and wouldnt pay for transport so near enough 1000 miles on a car with less than 10k on it. After some stiff words they agreed to have it done at a Porsche garage near by.

To get it done properly for colour match the wings had to be oversprayed etc. 4k later the car was sorted.

Would never buy a car unseen again. Was a complete faf.

That being said I think dealers get away with murder and people put up with it. An enthusiast car would probably be different but you never know.
 
I've bought three private sale cars unseen from miles away, and had success each time. I use a car finding service though, and each time they get a detailed professional inspection report, photos and videos done. The cars are better checked out than i could manage on my own, regardless of location.
 
I bought my zed from Uxbridge in February. I live in fife. Phoned the guy first, flew to London, drove it home and loved it.
 
fjc191 said:
There is a Z4 that is a 20 hour drive from where I live. Information looks good but what about the wild-card? Would you consider buying a car and having it shipped to you if you had neither seen nor driven it?

Fred
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I live down in Plymouth, I got a flight to Glasgow on the word of the owner it was immaculate, except the for the wheels (16" & corrosion), which I was aware of and had a set of 108's lined up. It's a gamble, but I would make the effort to go see the car first. It's better to waste a day then end up with a nightmare car.
 
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