Buying a Z4M E85 or E86

J

Judderj

Member
I am thinking about purchasing a Z4m and like both the coupe and the roadster. Last weekend i went to view 2 examples of these 1 of each and was expecting to come home thinking which one should i choose and look forward to picking one .
The presentation of both were rough to say the least. The coupe had a broken front bumper and the bodywork was not good to say the least. The service history was very sketchy and the last 4 services carried out by the inderpendent garage he used had ticked oil insp 1 and insp 2. Looking at the reciepts provided it was an oil change at best. The roadster was again not good, was told a great example of the car with very little preparation. Got there and every panel was marked the service history was poor and never had a insp 2 and all in all a really poor example.
I thought because of the ilk and quality these cars would have been treasured and mothered to an inch of there life but have walked away wondering what the rest of the examples are like. Are most sketchy history.
Or does this mean i have set my standards to high. Any help would be greatly appreciated
 
You certainly did the right thing to walk away from those. Forum cars tend to be enthusiast owned, you can often get a much better car privately than you can from trade.
 
Quite a lot of them would have been thrashed to death from the 500 mile mark, who cares if it's on lease and under warranty right.

Once it becomes a dog it'll stay a dog as 2nd/3rd owners won't chuck thousands at it. They just decay slower.

Mileage isn't the important factor. Owners tell more of a story. 1 or 2 owners with 150k on the clock is more appealing to me than a 10 owner 50k miler.

In the past I've been annoying to sellers and asked for a macro shot of a front corner. Generally tells a lot. Or a photo in direct sunlight at 45c to the panel.

If they want the sale they'll work for it. In this golden day and age... ask to do a WhatsApp video tour of the car. Takes 3 mins and could save you both a lot more time.
 
The roadster in question was bought at 6 months old and has been owned by the same owner. Both were private as well.
 
There are plenty of well loved examples out there, so your standards are set at the right level. As Ph said, forum cars can always be a good place to start, as other members can probably give you an opinion on them.

Put a wanted note in the cars for sale section, as you may tempt people on here. Just give an indication on any preferences (Colour, mileage, extra and of course budget)
 
Judderj said:
The roadster in question was bought at 6 months old and has been owned by the same owner. Both were private as well.
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Worth pinning the donkeys up on here https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=73487&start=3495, save others looking a lot of hassle :thumbsup:
 
judder where are you located, if you re close come and have a look around mine which is as close to perfect in terms of history and condition as i would imagine one can be, ill happily show you around the pit fall areas and what to look for if this helps... You will then be able to benchmark the examples your seeing against a treasured one. Im in the midlands, if you close enough this could be really helpful.
 
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201804065278689?atmobcid=

This is the coupe. Front bumper broken and inner wing held on by a tie wrap
 
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201804115447076?radius=1500&model=Z4M&transmission=Manual&advertising-location=at_cars&make=BMW&sort=price-asc&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&postcode=s445ht&page=1

This is one i have not seen but have emailed and the history sounds impressive. Has this vehicle ever been seen or any knowledge of it?
 
Judderj said:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201804115447076?radius=1500&model=Z4M&transmission=Manual&advertising-location=at_cars&make=BMW&sort=price-asc&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&postcode=s445ht&page=1

This is one i have not seen but have emailed and the history sounds impressive. Has this vehicle ever been seen or any knowledge of it?
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This one only listed last week / 10 days , gorgeous combo that does read well & pro rata milkes / price / dealer its unlikely to be there for long if its all good when your toes are in front of it .
The silver ZMC you link above has been for sale months & yes you have found issues but in all honesty they are minor niggles that you should consider "things to do" if the price is right . 80k £16995 ask ? it aint miles away but you need it lower to offset the commitment you will need to throw into it :wink:
The marketplace for Z4Ms will always be snakes & ladders as miles + price alone cannot value the car , one may need £2k straight off ( brakes , tyres , Ins2 easily eats that up ) & another may be all fresh :wink:
best of luck :thumbsup:
 
The coupe needed discs and pads all around and an isnspection 2 before you start to consider things to do. The exhaust bracket dropped of on inspection and the front bumper needs replacing. He also could not remember where he bought it from and was only selling it as needed a more practical car, yet the private reg is now on a Fiat Barchetta :cry:
 
Judderj said:
The coupe needed discs and pads all around and an isnspection 2 before you start to consider things to do. The exhaust bracket dropped of on inspection and the front bumper needs replacing. He also could not remember where he bought it from and was only selling it as needed a more practical car, yet the private reg is now on a Fiat Barchetta :cry:
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Bid him £14k then move on , a car with things to do isn't necessarily a bad car , all ticktock a 80k MC with zero spend required ? private sale ? £16500 / £17k (jmo personal opinion of course )
 
Don't mind one that needs work but this was tatty unloved. It just felt tired. The blue roadster that is for sale with 2 owners is very tatty for a example. Looked at that one on sunday. The history is all none dealer and kwik fit. Never had an inspection2 all tyres are a mis match, scratched and marked on every panel and heavily on the rear quarter. Rear brake light broken and siliconed in. Drivers seat bolster failed and panel broken off, discs very heavily lipped these were some of the problems and he described it as excellent condition at £15000. Since the email i sent him he has changed the advert to good example and reduced it £1000.
 
Judderj said:
Don't mind one that needs work but this was tatty unloved. It just felt tired. The blue roadster that is for sale with 2 owners is very tatty for a example. Looked at that one on sunday. The history is all none dealer and kwik fit. Never had an inspection2 all tyres are a mis match, scratched and marked on every panel and heavily on the rear quarter. Rear brake light broken and siliconed in. Drivers seat bolster failed and panel broken off, discs very heavily lipped these were some of the problems and he described it as excellent condition at £15000. Since the email i sent him he has changed the advert to good example and reduced it £1000.
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Was that the car with aftermarket heated seats ?
Some things are to be expected when buying used but no ins2 after 10-12 yrs + Kwikfit service on ///M car :cry:
 
No it is the one now @ £13995 2 owners from new. Traveled 1h30m to view and didn't even test drive as was bitterly disappointed. Wanted to buy it but bid him accordingly due to the need for prep.
 
Judderj said:
No it is the one now @ £13995 2 owners from new. Traveled 1h30m to view and didn't even test drive as was bitterly disappointed. Wanted to buy it but bid him accordingly due to the need for prep.
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The Leeds one :wink: worth trying a "WANTED Z4M" specific thread , highlight target miles / budget / spec :thumbsup:
 
Am going to view the black one.Wanted Interlagos but will compromise for the right car So if that fails then will put up a thread.
 
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