Hello all, I'm starting my search for a Z4

F

Flashman

Member
 Kent
Hello everyone!

I've been recommended this forum as am looking for a bit of advice on buying a Z4. I sold my S1 Elise a few months back and have just got rid of my Ford Focus as well so I'm currently car less and looking for something that's as fun as the Liz but not such a challenge to live with.

I've narrowed it down to either a Boxster or a Z4 Roadster and am working to a budget of £15,000 - £16,000 excluding running costs and insurance.

I've been doing a bit of reading and I 'think' that I'm after either a 2.5si Sport or a 3.0si Sport hopefully with some nice options such as parking assist, Sat-Nav etc.

I took this car out for a test yesterday with the dealer and have to say I was really impressed as I really did not expect the Z4 to handle and perform the way it did - really fantastic car!

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-57-151-173-240-4294965351-4294967202/advert.action?R=200845322877734&distance=14&postcode=SW1X+9EU&channel=CARS&make=BMW&model=Z4&min_pr=14000&max_pr=16000&max_mileage=

However today I also went out and tested this:

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-57-151-173-240-4294965351-4294967202/advert.action?R=200843321761323&distance=0&postcode=SW1X+9EU&channel=CARS&make=BMW&model=Z4&min_pr=14000&max_pr=16000&max_mileage=

Which to be honest I'm rather smitten with. It has some scuffing on the front bumper which the guy says he'll knock off £200 for, and I think I may be able to push him further.

I'm just wondering is there a big difference between the 2.5 and the 3.0 and do you think the Black car is good value?

Any advice guys would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance and please be gentle it's a while since I've been a newbie on a forum.
 
Black one is nice, there is a huge difference between 2.5i and 3.0Si (the 2.5Si bridges this a bit). My fav bargain of the moment (if you can stomach the colour) is this one http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260_159980106__,00.html?currentCh=WBABU52050LL90192
 
Wondermike said:
Black one is nice, there is a huge difference between 2.5i and 3.0Si (the 2.5Si bridges this a bit). My fav bargain of the moment (if you can stomach the colour) is this one http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260_159980106__,00.html?currentCh=WBABU52050LL90192
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike, yeah not sure about the colour but I take it 16K is what I should expect to pay for a 3.0?
 
Would have to go for the 3.0si out of the two, would have to change those wheels though as they suit a 3 series sport but not a Z4 IMO.
 
srhutch said:
Would have to go for the 3.0si out of the two, would have to change those wheels though as they suit a 3 series sport but not a Z4 IMO.
Click to expand...

Yeah I was rather taken by the split rip alloys! Lovely Car by the way!
 
Yep you'd certainly get a cracking car for £16k, maybe end up paying a fraction more. The black one is nice, is a pretty decent price from a dealer, looks like a decent spec and TBH if it's local to you then it might be a good option.

Just one thing about it, the steering wheel - were the "metal" bits silver or black it's hard to tell from the pics, on a 3.0 they should be silver and it's not clear if they are or not, do you remember at all?
 
Wondermike said:
Just one thing about it, the steering wheel - were the "metal" bits silver or black it's hard to tell from the pics, on a 3.0 they should be silver and it's not clear if they are or not, do you remember at all?
Click to expand...

The steering wheel was the smaller (I think) M leather Steering wheel with the multi functional controls.
 
Welcome :thumbsup: Thats cheap for Stephen James my friend works at the Blackheath branch was going to buy my Z from them but ended up getting mine from BMW Park Lane as a similar car to mine from SJ would have been £1500 more.
 
Gents a couple of questions I noticed that the parking assist did not seem to be working, not great dramas as the car is still within warrenty but is there a way to turn it on / off in the options in the computer?

I also noticed some condensation in one of the lower front driving lights, again is this common?

Lastly there is some scuffing to the front bumper - the bloke reckons it will only cost a few hundred quid to spray out. Anyone had a front bumper re spray or any ideas how much it costs to get the whole item done?

All info much appreciated!
 
As my search has continued the apparent prices of models seems quite wide for much the same thing. Ie, £9,500 > £12,500 for 3.0i SE models on 03-04 plates seems quite normal.

I think the market just doesn't know what is the right price at the moment, maybe a sign the prices are bottoming out and finding the new lower level after the recent sudden changes!?

Which probably == best time to be buying!

Dave
 
The dealer selling the black one phoned me back today says he'll knock another £50 off takes it down to £15,700, but won't go any lower reakons it will easily sell.

Any ideas if this is a good deal?
 
Flashman said:
The dealer selling the black one phoned me back today says he'll knock another £50 off takes it down to £12,700, but won't go any lower reakons it will easily sell.

Any ideas if this is a good deal?
Click to expand...

If the dealer is calling you offering just £50 off and saying it will sell easy, it means he's still stuck with it. If you like the car go in and haggle harder and be determinded and he will drop!
 
*AL* said:
Flashman said:
The dealer selling the black one phoned me back today says he'll knock another £50 off takes it down to £12,700, but won't go any lower reakons it will easily sell.

Any ideas if this is a good deal?
Click to expand...

If the dealer is calling you offering just £50 off and saying it will sell easy, it means he's still stuck with it. If you like the car go in and haggle harder and be determinded and he will drop!
Click to expand...

Thanks Al,

I've tried but he won't budge saying it will go in the new year :rofl: So just deciding what to do as 15K was my budget but I was prepared to go an extra grand further if a bargin came up.

However I've just founf this which the guy has gone down to 15K on which is very tempting:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/775844.htm

So I'm off to see it on Sunday!
 
Wondermike said:
Flashman, that one is insurance CatD so I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole :thumbsdown:
Click to expand...

TBH I'm open minded about Cat D cars as there only uneconomical to repair, a close friend bout an imaculate Cat D Lotus Elise 111S a few years back at about 5K under market value and it's been faultless.
 
Yep I know what you mean but 99.9% of people aren't open minded therefore when you come to try and offload it in the future you have a nightmare yourself. You have to ask yourself why it wasn't repaired by the insurance company instead?
 
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