Fair Price for 2012 Z4 35i

[matsmith749]

LCI is not an issue as there were no specific changes at LCI time apart from minor plastic trim on the dashboard, the later side repeaters which can easily be retrofitted if fussed and LED DRLs which again you can achieve the same effect with LED bulbs instead of the halogen H7s.

You can't.

For some technical reason that is beyond me, changing the angel eye bulb to a white LED version is better than the pure yellowish tint, but the halos are very different brightnesses.

The LCI headlamps look way better in real life - very crisp bright even output (plus an eyebrow). I didn;t manage to get anywhere near a similar result with my non-LCI lights & tried a pile of different LED bulbs.

I get that most people wouldn't care - but it's something that once I had seen the difference meant I was no longer happy with the pre-LCI angel eyes (even after I did the LED upgrade).

I wouldn;t go buy an LCI car just for the headlights (duh) - but if I was shopping for a 2012, I would certainly look to stretch a little further & shoot for a 2013.

 

[Christopher72]

Bummed but relieved.

Keep looking and put an email in the "buy and sell" marketplace. You'll get the best car out of a forum of obsessed owners than a Carvana vending machine. Update your profile to show you are in NYC, or you might get stuck with one modded with a RHD kit.

In New York you definitely MUST have heated seats. A heated steering wheel is undoubtedly a good option -- I have it in my winter SUV, but the lack of heated seats should be a dealbreaker unless you find a unicorn.

I didn't realize how much I relied on parking sensors and cameras until I didn't have them on this car... So, I'm installing the OEM retrofit kit for the PDC. Adding the reverse camera is fairly DIY for those adventurous, especially with Dave's youtube, since I'll have the bumper off anyway.

 

[Pondy]

In New York you definitely MUST have heated seats.

Really? It wasn't very long ago that heated seats were just a pipe-dream in any car. When I got my first car with them fitted I didn't like them, as they made me feel I have just wet myself.
Agree on the PDC, though. Very very useful. The rear on an E89 is impossible to see from the driver's seat and the front is longer than it looks!

 

[BobbyZ]

It's ok, deal is off now anyway.

 

[Marcoose]

Some just like the pretty lines and the convertible top. Some want maximum performance.

Here one truism: nobody with extra packages and comforts ever said, 'I wish I had less'. OK, perhaps so, meaning, there's a specific gadget that gets in the way of happiness, or breaks down often and it cost serious coin to repair. I cannot come up with an example.

The majority of time is folk that regretted not buying the right packages.

 

[B21]

LCI is not an issue as there were no specific changes at LCI time apart from minor plastic trim on the dashboard, the later side repeaters which can easily be retrofitted if fussed and LED DRLs which again you can achieve the same effect with LED bulbs instead of the halogen H7s.

You can't.

For some technical reason that is beyond me, changing the angel eye bulb to a white LED version is better than the pure yellowish tint, but the halos are very different brightnesses.

The LCI headlamps look way better in real life - very crisp bright even output (plus an eyebrow). I didn;t manage to get anywhere near a similar result with my non-LCI lights & tried a pile of different LED bulbs.

I get that most people wouldn't care - but it's something that once I had seen the difference meant I was no longer happy with the pre-LCI angel eyes (even after I did the LED upgrade).

I wouldn;t go buy an LCI car just for the headlights (duh) - but if I was shopping for a 2012, I would certainly look to stretch a little further & shoot for a 2013.

Each to their own..I agree the stock pre LCI Angel eye is dim….I’ve never had an issue getting a nice bright light from an LED upgrade…

Certainly I wouldn’t base a split decision on an E89 on the pre /post LCI point…

Of course the best colour E89s are only available pre-LCI

 

[Christopher72]

Really? It wasn't very long ago that heated seats were just a pipe-dream in any car. When I got my first car with them fitted I didn't like them, as they made me feel I have just wet myself.

Oh, I dunno... I had the cold package on my E46 cars, and that was more than 2 decades ago, since I had them when they were new. I venture out in 50F/10C top down with seats flaming and heater pumping out heat in the spring and fall. Gotta enjoy the wind in the hair we still have.

I don't have a remembered reference for wetting myself, but I guess I'll have to try it if it feels that good!

 

[matsmith749]

The yellow never did it for me TBH - I associate it with Lambo's, similar for the bright lime green or the livid blue with Porsche 911s.

So for me, the best colour is mineral white (pearl / metallic) - only available on post LCI I beleive.

Each to their own

Your car does look good with the LED bulbs in the angel eyes, but it does show the inside ring way brighter than the outside, which is how mine always used to look. People (me for sure, looks like you too) change the bulbs because the LCI units look better, same for the side indicators.

I was happy with it until I saw the LCI lights..... that's life I guess.

 

[Pondy]

The yellow never did it for me TBH - I associate it with custard,

Fixed for you. No thanks needed.. :lol:

 

[BobbyZ]

This is the work that was done on the car thru BMW when it was under lease? Any concerns??? Would you stay away from this car? I'm looking to buy but don't want a problem.

 

[tiglon]

This is the work that was done on the car thru BMW when it was under lease? Any concerns??? Would you stay away from this car? I'm looking to buy but don't want a problem.

A few problems when new, not uncommon, fixed under warranty 10 years ago, and no record of anything since?

Nothing that would worry me about that, assuming there is detailed history from 2015 onwards?

 

[Marcoose]

I'm looking to buy but don't want a problem.

I’m in my 5th BMW. So far this one hasn’t yet given major problems. All previous 4 did. It’s a matter of time.

I’m not saying stay away from BMWs. But you ought to manage your expectations.

I hope you find the right one for you. I hope you get thousands of wonderful miles with it.

 

[matsmith749]

Nothing terrible there IMHO - couple of minor issues resolved, definitely nothing I wouldn't buy the car for.

All 10 year old cars have had work done on them - at least you have a record.