Help with service history.

[Faster987]

Hi everyone,

I am hoping to buy this car which has the service history below. Am I correct in saying that this car has not had a service since 2014? Am I also correct in saying that the next service should be an inspection 1?

The inspection 2 was taken care of at 49000 miles, which means it's not required for quite some time yet.

I think I'm right, but I just wanted to make sure! I'd be grateful to hear from those in the know.

Cheers!

 

[ben g]

Next one should be an oil service.

For some reason, they did an inspection 1 in 2014, when it should've been an inspection 2. That's probably why it's had a '2' again 5k miles later.

If the car is good, I wouldn't let it out you off. Inspections are simply that. As long as the fluids and filters are changed on time, I wouldn't care about a garage checking whether the lights function ok :lol:

Saying that. It definitely needed an oil service in may 2016, so that's around 2 years overdue. That's a long time to have the same oil sitting in the engine.

 

[srhutch]

Looks like it's an ///M. In which case looking at where the inspection 2 was done I'd doubt they have checked the valve shims unless they are a BMW specialist.

As Ben says oil service next, but if in doubt might be worth getting an ispection 2 done at a BMW indy.

 

[mr wilks]

If it was me id ring the Ins1 garage & the ins2 garage asking for a price for a Z4M ins1 / ins2 , then ask what it covers :wink:
If the ins1 was done correctly then i would go for oil service + diff oil change along with asking for a visual on the plugs to gauge condition .
As hutch points out the ins2 garage is unlikely to have a mechanic up for doing valve clearance checks

 

[Faster987]

Thank you very much again mate.

The car has 58,000 miles and is a 2007 car. I have been offered it at £14,000 with an oil change. Does that sound sensible on the documents to you guys?

If the oil change is done, what is the next service you would need and when?

Also, have you come across a wind deflector like this before!?

 

[hopz121]

i expect those two inspection services haven't been done correctly, but a call to the garages as advised above would settle that possibly.

Thats an aftermarket wind deflector

It doesn't sound overly cheap to me do you have a link to the car for sale?

 

[Smartbear]

Thank you very much again mate.

The car has 58,000 miles and is a 2007 car. I have been offered it at £14,000 with an oil change. Does that sound sensible on the documents to you guys?

Also, have you come across a wind deflector like this before!?

21836638.jpg

I’ve seen those deflectors before, they’re not bmw & a bit heath robinson looking at the tacky plastic retaining straps
The original mesh versions give less buffeting in the cab from what I’ve read about them
Rob

 

[mr wilks]

£14k with a oil change doesn't really enlighten you as to whether its had valve clearances , plugs & gearbox or diff oil changed .
The ins1 garage is specialist so should know straight off that ins1 covers valve clearances .
You need to consider the condition of brake discs / pads along with tyre/ wheel condition as these can easily cost you £1200-£1500 if you get landed .
You really need to throw up some better pics & highlight the spec in order for opinion on price to be relevant but from the details so far if it was me id buy on current condition , ignore the oil change offer & previous services & aim for £13250/£13450 & have a thorough service done by reputable indy . Should be around £600 for ins2 which covers virtually everything bar coolant + brake fluid

 

[Faster987]

I reckon this is the wind deflector - https://www.justroadster.com/products/bmw-z4-e85-wind-deflector-2002-2008-tinted?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=13655966471

I think I'd just buy an OEM one if need be... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/182762737997?clk_rvr_id=1513388542222&vectorid=229508&lgeo=1&item=182762737997&rmvSB=true

Am I right to be worrying myself about the services or am I talking myself out of a decent car? I agree that trying to get it done at £13,500 would mean I can just have an inspection 2 done myself and forget about it. The guy I would use is a friend and absolutely top notch at what he does on all prestige cars (his specialty). That being said, I thought £14,000 would have been a fair price (if slightly higher than a good deal) with the correct service in.

This is the blurb I have received on the spec. Will go down to see it, as I think it merits a visit.

"Stunning Black Z4M Roadster, boasting a good spec and backed by a comprehensive service history. Includes the important Running in service which has been carried out with a mixture of BMW main dealer and specialist stamps since then., Performance is flawless and the car is a real pleasure to drive., Upgrades - Hi-Fi System Professional with 10 Speakers, Bluetooth Telephone Preparation, M Sports Seats, Xenon Lights, Bi-Xenon Lights, Metallic Paint, CD Changer for 6 CD's, Interior & Exterior Mirrors with Auto Anti-Dazzle, Front Seats Heated, Multi-Function For Steering Wheel, Graduated Tinted Screen, Individual Nappa leather, 5+ owners, Standard Features - Air-Conditioning (Automatic), Alarm, Alloy Wheels (18in), Computer (Driver Information System), Electric Windows (Front/Rear), In Car Entertainment (Radio/CD/MP3), Paint Metallic, Seats Electric (Driver/Passenger), Upholstery Leather, Traction control, Immobiliser, Heated seats, Height adjustable drivers seat, Front Fog Lights, Head Restraints, Leather seats, Lumbar support, Electronic Stability Programme, Electric door mirrors, CD Player, Central Door Locking, Anti-Lock Brakes, Air conditioning, Parking aid, Radio, Sports seats. 2 seats, Needs to be seen to be appreciated, as examples like this are not easy to find."

I appreciate the spec above is standard and not "upgrades" as they have optimistically suggested :wink: . Right?

 

[Wondermike]

No stamp on the pre-delivery check or the running-in service would make me suspect that the running-in service wasn’t done.

 

[Faster987]

|Starting to get worried this might not be a good car!

 

[mr wilks]

Looks a nice example & coming down 10% is a fair drop from a dealer https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201804075330335?postcode=bb120hr&advertising-location=at_cars&sort=sponsored&make=BMW&radius=1500&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&model=Z4M&page=2
Seems like a buyers market right now so don't feel rushed , leave your bid & your number then walk away , £13500 would be fair to me if you cover your own service ( which i would 100% want to do )

 

[earthdweller]

There’s no stamp on the running in service just a date and mileage .... that would concern me

It was registered on the last day of March and then had the running in service 19 days later with over 1100 miles on the clock .. which means it did a lot of miles in two weeks .. not taking into account registration day and service day .. seems a lot considering at 2 years old it had only done 11k .. averaging about 400 miles a month


It’s very easy to check .. ring BMW and they will tell you if it visited a dealer on that dates and which one, you can then ring the dealer and confirm what they did/didn’t do

My gut feeling is that if there are no receipts and no stamp then it didn’t happen .. and that someone had just filled in the space

I’m no expert on M cars but I do believe that missing the running in service can have a significant impact on values

 

[earthdweller]

Well being bored I’ve done some digging with BMW on your behalf taking the details from the invoice you displayed which confirms one of the visits detailed below .. 12/09/17

According to them it never had a running in service

It’s first visit was to Sytner Maidenhead on 16/01/09
(Which May have been Stratstone in 09 same phone number shown as Sytners so could be right )
Then :

Sytner Sunningdale on 11/08/09
Sytner Sunningdale on 04/02/10
Sytner Sunningdale on 04/03/10
Sytner Sunningdale on 20/03/10

Then a big gap to

Sytner Chigwell on 20/04/17
Sytner Chigwell on 12/09/17
Sytner Chigwell on 18/04/18

I asked them about the visits to Stratstone ( with a Maidenhead tel number on 19/01/09 ( it may be it is now Sytner Maidenhead ... see above ) or Cooper Reading in 2010 but they had no record of these visits on their system .. I’m not saying they didn’t happen but I’d be ringing those dealers !

Now the above are visits to their dealer network that BMW have recorded you’d need to ring the dealer named to check what they did ie service or warranty work

Feel free to ring BMW customer services yourself to confirm

HTH

 

[Faster987]

Gosh! Thank you so much for doing this. The power of the internet and the kindness of strangers - how nice of you. I think I'm going to drop this car unless they take this information on board and drop the price accordingly.

Would you buy this car? If so, at what level?

Very much agree with Mr Wilks that this is a buyers market, though it is a small pool of cars.

Will try keep my £13-£14,000 until a good forum car comes around. If you know of any, let me know.

 

[mr wilks]

Would you buy this car? If so, at what level?

Very much agree with Mr Wilks that this is a buyers market, though it is a small pool of cars.

Will try keep my £13-£14,000 until a good forum car comes around. If you know of any, let me know.

Right now with the info available i wouldn't even follow the car up , imo its not worth £12k

Across the marketplace right now this forum car stands out in almost every aspect , it was my next choice if i hadn't bought the one i did a few weeks back https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=105346

 

[Faster987]

Thank you again Mr Wilks. It's a nice example, but I think price wise with the market the way it is, I wouldn't be able to resell it for the same price. What do you think? I appreciate, this is a tangent!

Also, keen to understand why this stands out for you?

 

[mr wilks]

Thank you again Mr Wilks. It's a nice example, but I think price wise with the market the way it is, I wouldn't be able to resell it for the same price. What do you think? I appreciate, this is a tangent!

You didn't say you were hoping to enjoy M ownership at zero cost :? though the car i linked most probably offers your best chance of that if you consider where it sits in the service regime , the fresh brakes , tyres , spec etc
What i can almost guarantee you is the black dealer car will leave you pi88ing in the wind when you reach the exit so id give that a very wide berth if ownership cost / loss is high on your agenda :wink:

 

[Faster987]

Very much value your advice. Thank you! Sorry, I don't mean to come across as cheap. Just been saving for ages to buy a Z4M so feel very nervous every time I get close... I'll get there!

 

[earthdweller]

Gosh! Thank you so much for doing this. The power of the internet and the kindness of strangers - how nice of you. I think I'm going to drop this car unless they take this information on board and drop the price accordingly.

Would you buy this car? If so, at what level?

Very much agree with Mr Wilks that this is a buyers market, though it is a small pool of cars.

Will try keep my £13-£14,000 until a good forum car comes around. If you know of any, let me know.

No problem .. we all love these cars and we have a good little community here