First Service - 3 Years ??

N

n8ony

Member
 Exeter
Hi

I am looking to purchase a December 2009 Z4 2.3i (05 59) which has only covered 4,500 miles. However, Its first service was only done when the spanner light came on the dash in November 2012 at 3,000 miles. This means that the first service was not carried out for 3 years rather than at 2 years, which is when I would have expected it to be done. I appreciate the mileage is low, but is this OK or should I be concerned?
 
I'd be concerned about any car that had covered such low mileage. It's obviously spent most of it's life sitting ina garage with all the bits deteriorating because of lack of use.

The fact it's not been serviced is the least of your problems with garage queens.

I'd personally go for something that had a little use during it's life. Perhaps 6k a year to keep everything ticking over.
 
I cant see the low mileage being a problem as long as those journeys are not shorts ones.

But 2 years between service means you will struggle to get any warranty cover. There are plenty of these cars around so I would walk away unless it is discounted by a suitable amount.
 
Thanks srhutch.

Do you think the issue of warranty should be a concern as the car is now 3 and a half years old and so out of the warranty period?
 
This is one of the problems with BMWs condition based servicing as owners think if they do a very low mileage it doesn't need servicing until the car tells you which could be years and years. Rule of thumb is every 2 years regardless unless you do the mileage. As my Z3 had done a very low mileage when I bought it I noticed on the service record it hadn't had a sevice for 4 years as was under used, it didn't bother me unduly. If its a low mileage car at the right price just get it fully serviced with all the fluids and should be fine.

Tim.
 
n8ony said:
Thanks srhutch.

Do you think the issue of warranty should be a concern as the car is now 3 and a half years old and so out of the warranty period?
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If you don't want a warranty from either BMW or Warranty Direct (Others available) then not an issue. Bear in mind when you come to sell many will be put off, so factor this into any deal.
 
srhutch

The car was serviced at 3 years, with a receipt for all the work done. Do you think it will not be possible to get a warranty now because it was a year late on its first service?
 
My experience of ultra low mileage cars is to run. Run into the hills screaming and when you are out of breath - run some more! The only exception to this is if it is ultra cheap. Certainly not if you are paying a premium. The other exception is if it has been stored with ultra care.

The mechanical bits like clutch, wearing surfaces etc will be like new but electro-mechanical parts don't last well with standing, you will risk sticky brakes, lumpy tyres - a whole host of things that you can't begin to think of.

I've been caught out with low mileage cars too many times. Never again. My current Z - I got with reasonable miles for its age and use it regularly. It is still on original everything except service items like tyres, filters etc.
 
srhutch said:
There are plenty of these cars around so I would walk away unless it is discounted by a suitable amount.
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Exactly, there are so many cars around that have been serviced properly, why bother with one that hasn't. Never understand why owners don't take the car to be serviced, not like it's unexpected.

:idunno:
 
With only 4500k miles on the clock, I'd snap it up. It'll feel like a new car.
Maybe could have done with an oil change at 2 years, but no real biggie if it hasn't been abused.
To much unjustified paranoia with low mile cars. Should be the opposite.
 
Rialas said:
With only 4500k miles on the clock, I'd snap it up. It'll feel like a new car.
Maybe could have done with an oil change at 2 years, but no real biggie if it hasn't been abused.
To much unjustified paranoia with low mile cars. Should be the opposite.
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It will smell like a new car, look fresh and be very satisfying - then the bills will start coming in. The battery will fail prematurely - sorry sir, that's not covered in a used car warranty - you notice the tyres are slightly out of balance - sorry sir, we can't balance them as they have flat spots - no it's not covered by warranty. Why are my mirrors so slow - the grease has gone hard in them. - Oh, that's normal sir, no it's not a fault, it's a feature.

This is from first hand experience - no paranoia - then I was stupid enough to do it again!!!!! It started with the battery failing, then the brakes sticking!!!! Ahhhhh!!!
 
Thanks for the helpful comments guys.

It has an asking price of £17,750 in white with red leather, manual and V spoke alloys. It looks the part and will now be used on a daily basis doing about 15,000 mile a year.
 
Z4coupebeaver said:
Rialas said:
With only 4500k miles on the clock, I'd snap it up. It'll feel like a new car.
Maybe could have done with an oil change at 2 years, but no real biggie if it hasn't been abused.
To much unjustified paranoia with low mile cars. Should be the opposite.
Click to expand...

It will smell like a new car, look fresh and be very satisfying - then the bills will start coming in. The battery will fail prematurely - sorry sir, that's not covered in a used car warranty - you notice the tyres are slightly out of balance - sorry sir, we can't balance them as they have flat spots - no it's not covered by warranty. Why are my mirrors so slow - the grease has gone hard in them. - Oh, that's normal sir, no it's not a fault, it's a feature.

This is from first hand experience - no paranoia - then I was stupid enough to do it again!!!!! It started with the battery failing, then the brakes sticking!!!! Ahhhhh!!!
Click to expand...
Batteries and tyres would have needed replacing after 3 years and 36k miles anyway (average mileage).
As long as you could get a company to warranty it, I don't see the problem.
It hasn't been in storage for 10 years where your fears would be more justified.

1.5k per year is about right for a summer/fun garage queen toy. Nice.
 
Is it a private sale or a non-franchised dealer? Plenty of choice on BMW website for another grand or so, and a years proper warranty with it.

The spanner on the dash wouldn't just have appeared after three years, you would have to drive around ignoring it for a year.
 
Rialas said:
Z4coupebeaver said:
Rialas said:
With only 4500k miles on the clock, I'd snap it up. It'll feel like a new car.
Maybe could have done with an oil change at 2 years, but no real biggie if it hasn't been abused.
To much unjustified paranoia with low mile cars. Should be the opposite.
Click to expand...

It will smell like a new car, look fresh and be very satisfying - then the bills will start coming in. The battery will fail prematurely - sorry sir, that's not covered in a used car warranty - you notice the tyres are slightly out of balance - sorry sir, we can't balance them as they have flat spots - no it's not covered by warranty. Why are my mirrors so slow - the grease has gone hard in them. - Oh, that's normal sir, no it's not a fault, it's a feature.

This is from first hand experience - no paranoia - then I was stupid enough to do it again!!!!! It started with the battery failing, then the brakes sticking!!!! Ahhhhh!!!
Click to expand...
Batteries and tyres would have needed replacing after 3 years and 36k miles anyway (average mileage).
As long as you could get a company to warranty it, I don't see the problem.
It hasn't been in storage for 10 years where your fears would be more justified.

1.5k per year is about right for a summer/fun garage queen toy. Nice.
Click to expand...

Agreed, my Z3 does less than a 1000 a year, is 12 years old and runs mint, just covered 25K now, never had any probs in the 5 years I've owned it and has been stored the past 4 winters for 6 months again with no problems. I would be more concerned with higher than average mileage with no service record.

End of the day, just get the car checked out before parting with the cash.
Tim.
 
n8ony said:
Thanks for the helpful comments guys.

It has an asking price of £17,750 in white with red leather, manual and V spoke alloys. It looks the part and will now be used on a daily basis doing about 15,000 mile a year.
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I was offered less than that for my 11 plate with sat nav heated seats full up to date service history and only done 11k
 
Jabber

I will take it. Where do I sign !!

I think I have decided to leave this one, so the search continues.
 
I will gladly do you a swap?

I have 76k on mine now (almost 4 years old). Everything is nicely worn in, so no premature failures to worry about. If something fails, at least I have had my moneys worth and it really will be worn out. :)
 
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