Early VIN Launch Cars - More desirable?

[richard_hill_uk]

Just spotted an early VIN Z4 with head office plates for sale. Coming from the world of MINIs these are considered more desirable. Is that the case for Z4s as well? Is there a register for such cars?

Thanks!

 

[Jembo]

unless it was owned my michael schumacher I’d say only a well cared for history & condition are important for premium prices

 

[mmm-five]

The added value is only what a potential owner would pay for what they consider is a 'collectible' - but condition probably has more value.

Personally I wouldn't pay more just because of that - I'd not want to own a 'first off the line' or 'last of the line' collectible as I'd like to drive the thing. Plus first may mean things that are fixed in later cars have not been.

I'd pay more for a sensible mileage, fully historied car in the correct spec than I would for a stupidly low mileage garage queen that's missed out on servicing, in a dodgy colour combo.

 

[buzyg]

Nope,. The mini was a ground breaking design. So I can understand why early cars would be sort after. The Zed is just a lovely sports car.

 

[skelters]

unless it was owned my michael schumacher I’d say only a well cared for history & condition are important for premium prices

If he crashed it coming down that ski slope then it'd probably be worth a small fortune.

 

[buzyg]

unless it was owned my michael schumacher I’d say only a well cared for history & condition are important for premium prices

If he crashed it coming down that ski slope then it'd probably be worth a small fortune.

:evil: :lol:

 

[enzed4]

This baffles me. Why on earth would an older car (lower VIN) somehow be more desirable than a later one? I'm not including the difference between pre/post-facelift pre/post LCI etc because they are different versions. But the exact same version of a car - a lower VIN has some sort of magical property missing from a car a couple (or several) thousand later?? :?
"Hey mate, check out my VIN - 000002." "Wow, what extra features did you get with that number?" "Um, you're missing the point, it's 000002."
Okaaaaay... :lol:

 

[Jembo]

unless it was owned my michael schumacher I’d say only a well cared for history & condition are important for premium prices

If he crashed it coming down that ski slope then it'd probably be worth a small fortune.

:evil: :lol:

Anyone heard how he’s doing?

 

[Sidewaze Samm]

I agree with the above comments.
If the car really is a "launch" car, then I'd expect it to be fully specced up with extras - a regular Christmas tree. But who pays more today for outdated satnav and bluetooth that won't work with the latest phones? A nice, rare colour of individual leather would help though.
Condition and history are the things to focus on, but each to their own.

 

[R60BBA]

Just spotted an early VIN Z4 with head office plates for sale. Coming from the world of MINIs these are considered more desirable. Is that the case for Z4s as well? Is there a register for such cars?

Thanks!

Not now, but maybe in 20 years.

Have you got a link to the Z4 you referenced?

 

[skelters]

If he crashed it coming down that ski slope then it'd probably be worth a small fortune.

:evil: :lol:

Anyone heard how he’s doing?

There were some articles about him last week or whenever his birthday came around.

Think his son was saying a few things but nothing new.

He'll never be seen again.

 

[PerryGunn]

...I’d say only a well cared for history & condition are important for premium prices

Along with that, if you're looking for an ///MR there are a few that snuck in before the road tax changed to being CO2-based on 23 March 2006 - probably worth a bit more than an identical car registered just after the change...

 

[NickDE]

Just spotted an early VIN Z4 with head office plates for sale. Coming from the world of MINIs these are considered more desirable. Is that the case for Z4s as well? Is there a register for such cars?

Thanks!

Not now, but maybe in 20 years.

Agree. One day when there are hardly Zeds left it will be worth more.

 

[richard_hill_uk]

Thanks for the opinions. Seems it's a little early for the Z4 market to be thinking about provenance. Trust me if you find an equivalent Y registration plate MINI R50 or 02 plate R53 on head office launch / press plates it's worth snapping up!

I asked more out of curiosity as anything, not because I'm in the market.

For anyone who thinks I am on to something and wants a future investment, here's what I know:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2080871381980970
RA03XPZ - VIN ending R40481
Making it the 481st Z4 (of it's type R4) built and if BMW dispatched them in the same was a they did the R53 then it means it's UK car number is lower than 481.

BMW register the press cars in batches. A quick google show's similar number plate press cars

https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/z4/sports/used-review/n272
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/car-reviews/bmw/z4/z4-2003-2009/

Anyone with magazines of the time will probably be able to find others that look similar, maybe even this one.

Anyone interest in MINIs checkout here:

http://miniyregister.co.uk
https://02sregister.co.uk

 

[Trav]

I think I'd rather have one of the last ones, or just a looked after one. Despite any potential value, would these cars not of been ragged around by every knobhead journalist. 'ooohhh grab it by the scruff of the neck' type crap.

 

[richard_hill_uk]

Quite probably, but engines can be rebuilt and cars resprayed and whilst at 16-18 years old none of the cars I've mentioned are possibly worth having that done today, who knows in the future. Whilst they're cheap it's possibly worth speculating at least.

 

[skelters]

Maybe when they're 25 years old and reach Classic Car status the VIN numbers might start becoming relevant but they'd need a detailed service history and maintenance. Low number of owners too probably.

That'll be for the proper anoraks who know the history and development of each nut and bolt along with every part number!