Current Z4 used prices- UK

[Andrew D]

If it hasn't been serviced (i.e. oil changed) at least every two years then it's not in line with the manufacurer's recommendations (or at least those prescribed in my owner's manual). It contains a clause along the lines of those that cover very low annual mileage should change the oil every two years, which defines very low mileage as effectively half of the range the variable service indicator gives you between services. Ergo servicing is two years or 14.5k miles, which ever happens first.

Brake fluid is also every two years. And something that isn't in the manual but is on the dealer's service regime is coolant change every four years, so all pre-55 cars should have had that.

 

[Mr Whippy]

If it hasn't been serviced (i.e. oil changed) at least every two years then it's not in line with the manufacurer's recommendations (or at least those prescribed in my owner's manual). It contains a clause along the lines of those that cover very low annual mileage should change the oil every two years, which defines very low mileage as effectively half of the range the variable service indicator gives you between services. Ergo servicing is two years or 14.5k miles, which ever happens first.

Brake fluid is also every two years. And something that isn't in the manual but is on the dealer's service regime is coolant change every four years, so all pre-55 cars should have had that.

BMW really did a bad job with their service interval stuff imho.

It's FAR too confusing when buying cars, and even owners get confused, and even BMW will often say the wrong thing because it's not clear!

They should just have had every year or 12k, whichever comes first.

My car had a 25k gap in mileage, in about 18 months between it's insp1 and insp2 (went straight from one to the other when I got it)

I assumed that a car, driven gently on almost exclusive motorway work (which it clearly did), could probably push 22k ish between services, and then maybe got left late before their lease was up... I wasn't too fussed as it ran fine, and had just had an insp2, but while buying I saw cars with missed services left right and centre, ones with 2.5-3 year gaps on low mileages, and for every car I was interested in had to ask the owner the full history step by step with mileages and dates...

A complete ball ache of a job to simply confirm it's had servicing done right before driving off to see a car 100 miles away

 

[Simon813]

Mr Whippy,

You've hit the nail on the head.

I've been serious about buying two cars now (one I had even given a deposit) only to find out that they hadn't been serviced for 3.5 and 2.5 years respectively. When I question owners they seem to get offended and the second guy came out with comments like "Why would I waste my time servicing a car before the indicator says it is due!"

The result is that cars are advertised as FBMWSH when they haven't seen a dealer for years, just because they haven't done many miles.

Arghhh, I need a new car, I've resorted to looking at SLK's, 911's and M3's to see if they are any easer to buy!

There is a low mileage Z4M on Trader at the moment though that might be worth a punt. 8)

Si

 

[Andrew D]

The result is that cars are advertised as FBMWSH when they haven't seen a dealer for years, just because they haven't done many miles.

Arghhh, I need a new car, I've resorted to looking at SLK's, 911's and M3's to see if they are any easer to buy!

Well mine's got a box file full of main stealer invoices, right down to the screenwash fluid! Unfortunately it's not for sale, or at least not for a remotely fair or realistic price!

There will be suitable cars out there, but the key is to avoid ones that look too good to be true. Average price for average miles is the way to go; look at 03's with between 45k and 55k miles for between £10.5k and £11.5k and you'll soon find a good one.

 

[Simon813]

This is the one;

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+Z4/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-147-155-177-240-4294965387-4294967078/advert.action?R=200914331952405&distance=117&postcode=hu139ny&channel=CARS&make=BMW&model=Z4&min_pr=18000&max_pr=20000&max_mileage=&vehicleYearOfManufacture=2006&vehicleRegLetter=06

Anybody know anything about it? It seems to have been on the market for a long time.

Si

 

[Simon813]

The result is that cars are advertised as FBMWSH when they haven't seen a dealer for years, just because they haven't done many miles.

Arghhh, I need a new car, I've resorted to looking at SLK's, 911's and M3's to see if they are any easer to buy!

Well mine's got a box file full of main stealer invoices, right down to the screenwash fluid! Unfortunately it's not for sale, or at least not for a remotely fair or realistic price!

There will be suitable cars out there, but the key is to avoid ones that look too good to be true. Average price for average miles is the way to go; look at 03's with between 45k and 55k miles for between £10.5k and £11.5k and you'll soon find a good one.

Thats the problem, I now know of three 03 3.0l SE's with that mileage that have sold for £8k in the last 2 weeks. £10.5k - $11.5k is way too expensive for an average mileage 03 car.

Si

 

[Andrew D]

This is the one;

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+Z4/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-147-155-177-240-4294965387-4294967078/advert.action?R=200914331952405&distance=117&postcode=hu139ny&channel=CARS&make=BMW&model=Z4&min_pr=18000&max_pr=20000&max_mileage=&vehicleYearOfManufacture=2006&vehicleRegLetter=06

Anybody know anything about it? It seems to have been on the market for a long time.

Si

Err, doesn't seem to have many options, so I'd be tempted to pay the £1k extra that a main dealer would ask for it (I've seen several up for £19k/£20k on the AUC website) and get a year's warranty.

 

[Zed_Steve]

If its been 12 months or more since the car was last serviced, prior selling id say it would be a good idea to get it done. Piece of mind all round, and would make more appeal to a potential buyer.

Heres mine: 2003 3.0i, 32k + Pretty much every option except fot M-Sport Seats:

And a wind deflector i believe

 

[Simon813]

This is the one;

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+Z4/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-147-155-177-240-4294965387-4294967078/advert.action?R=200914331952405&distance=117&postcode=hu139ny&channel=CARS&make=BMW&model=Z4&min_pr=18000&max_pr=20000&max_mileage=&vehicleYearOfManufacture=2006&vehicleRegLetter=06

Anybody know anything about it? It seems to have been on the market for a long time.

Si

Err, doesn't seem to have many options, so I'd be tempted to pay the £1k extra that a main dealer would ask for it (I've seen several up for £19k/£20k on the AUC website) and get a year's warranty.

I can only find 4 on the AUC site and the cheapest is £24k. The advert above states that it has a 12 month BMW warranty included.

Edited to add; Just found one on the auc site at £22k, but thats the cheapect I can find,

Si

 

[RichardG]

Bit of both really, depends on how you use the car, stuck in traffic all day stop/start short journey's etc I'd want to at least a yearly oil change more open driving certainly no more than 2 years between services, if only to catch other problems before they become major headaches, mine works out about every 18 month's give or take a bit, having said that I have just changed the brakes all round as if I'd waited for the service to come round again I'd have been metal on metal, we are going to France in a few weeks and I was thinking of doing an oil and filter change before we went but it will so close to the service when we get back I think I'll wait now.

On prices, can't believe the differences out there between AUC and Autotrader anything up to 10K on similar cars.

 

[duckson]

I can only find 4 on the AUC site and the cheapest is £24k. The advert above states that it has a 12 month BMW warranty included.

Edited to add; Just found one on the auc site at £22k, but thats the cheapect I can find,

Si

It has the following extras which IMO isnt hardly any;

Heated seats
Cruise
6 Cd changer
hifi logic 7 speaker upgrade
parking distance control
wind deflector
tracker
electric folding mirrors

For the price its very very good IMO, sounds like new(ish) tyres all round as well, not sure about next service as that will likely not be due yet and will be Inspection 1 (£700-800 likely).
Check what excess is on the warranty, might be £0 but might be £250 but still alot of 06 cars wont have any anyway.
For £19k or maybe nearer £18k-18.5k as it seems they'll budge a little i'd say go for it.

 

[Simon813]

Yeah I thought the options list wasn't too bad. I'm not really bothered about sat nav, although I know it is good for re-sale.

Si

 

[gers]

my mate just got a 54 plate z4 2.5 in black,no manual tho for 8k
anyone help with a manual for it,also he has a z3 for sale
t-plate silver,stunning car with winter top,no price yet,
if intrested,will get a price,it was his baby...

 

[Simon813]

The Z4M has sold.

The search goes on......

Si

 

[srhutch]

The Z4M has sold.

The search goes on......

Si

I had been lookig a that one to, sadly not me who bought, thought spec was fine except SatNav but having fitted that to mine wouldnt have been an issue to do again.

Had mine valued by dealer wile it was haivng warranty work done last week, they gave part ex of £14.5 not againt any specific car.

 

[duckson]

How does it compare to what this says:-
http://www.theaa.com/cbg/ManufacturerAction.do?SEARCH_CTGY=FOURTH_SEARCH&journey=fullValuation

 

[srhutch]

How does it compare to what this says:-
http://www.theaa.com/cbg/ManufacturerAction.do?SEARCH_CTGY=FOURTH_SEARCH&journey=fullValuation

Come out at £16,825 on there

 

[MAT]

I would have said that AA value is what your car is worth as I believe it's linked to the cap's guide. I wouldn't pay more than cap.a guide price for it either. The dealer know's it worth no more than that anyway. Unless they bought it in above that price anyway.

Many non-dealership finance companies that offer really good rates, won't lend above cap's price anyway

 

[srhutch]

I would have said that AA value is what your car is worth as I believe it's linked to the cap's guide. I wouldn't pay more than cap.a guide price for it either. The dealer know's it worth no more than that anyway. Unless they bought it in above that price anyway.

Many non-dealership finance companies that offer really good rates, won't lend above cap's price anyway

The prices will be different though, as one is a part ex value and the other a purchase price.

THe AA price also doesnt take into account any mileage or options.

 

[MAT]

I think the AA website does take into account mileage.

My point was that many dealerships claim your car isn't worth book, but somehow there's is. On a couple of cars I have had, I've been offered pretty close to the value stated on AA website.

I was always under the impression that you pretty much lost the price of options and VAT the minute you drove off the forecourt, and any options you do have just make it more attractive? Hopefully I'm wrong!