I had a Z4MC from new in 2006 but sold it after 18 months as needed more space. Having again needed to change for reasons of carrying capacity I traded an E92 M3 for an X5 4.0D M sport I looked for something for fun and a real drivers car. I love the S54 engine and decided on another Z4 MC. As I live in the Scottish Islands viewing is not easy so thought my notes on long distance buying might be of interest. This was the third car I looked at in detail (at long range) , decided the first was not for me and too slow for the second. Thanks to both the owners of the first 2 (both forum members for their time and trouble).
This forum has been a huge help in the process. The buyer's checklist was very helpful.
The car I have got is Midnight Blue. There were apparently only 588 Z4 M Coupes sold by BMW UK of which 17 were Midnight Blue, one of the "individual colours costing £745 (cheap by todays costs). The upholstery is Sepang Bronze which seems like a very light tan and looks very good. Trim is the Carbon Leather which was standard and I think the best option.
I didnt get an inspection. The car had 2 owners each for 3 years. Had an extended then inusred BMW warranty all the time and is still on BMW insured warranty which is transferred to me. I did as much long range research as possible including HPI check and the owner sent many photos and copies of service book and invoices. The owner answered many questions and took further photos of various things I saw.
Still risked a wasted trip but seems so far to have worked out well. The car lived up to the description drove home on Friday / Saturday with no issues.
The interior of the car is immaculate and the passenger seat looks hardly used. The exterior has a couple of stone chips and slight marks on 2 wheels, all as described and photographed by the owner before I went down. I had a bit of luck (but unfortunate for the seller) as he had photo'd a very small windscreen chip and sent the photo to me but it cracked a couple of days later so he had to replace. I have now put on a set of CSL wheels (genuine OEM) and Pilot Super Sports so not bothered about the other wheels which I will put on for winter, when I suspect I wont use it so much anyway.
All electricals etc work. The car has Sat Nav, PDC, folding mirrors, heated seats, auto dimmimg mirrors, graduated tinted windscreen, bluetooth, CD changer, and Logic 7 audio. Not much else you could spec. (got an original brochure and price list).
Only minor niggles are that 2 of the 3 plastic tabs that hold on the battery cover are missing, also the previous owner had gone back from a personal plate and the front number plate has been poorly stuck on (will re do myself, very helpful guy who fitted the tyres to my CSL wheels said the as front plate holder on the Z bends slightly to heat the plate with a hair drier to bend it to shape before sticking, he also gave me some stuff to stop the wheels sticking which wouldnt react with the alloy)
The car is great to drive and feels quite raw compared to the M3 and of course our current X5. Steering (CSL rack I believe) is as sweet as I remember and you can place it so well in the corners, makes the X5 feel like a sloppy barge. Engine very lively and sounds fabulous. The gear change is the usual slightly notchy BMW manual and clutch slightly heavy. I have not kangerood yet but it will no doubt catch me out soon.
The ride is firm but fine with me.
I will no doubt have some expenses, rear discs will I think need replaced within the next year and Inspection 2 due in 12,000 miles or so, so maybe 2 years away. Road tax fairly high but insurance only £230. The big thing is that as I intend to keep it depreciation will not be an issue (car cost about 18months depreciation on a new E92 M3).
I will post some more photos in the forum when a clean car and sunshine coincide.
1066 Country
