How many owners is too many ??

[chester2000]

Hi all,

The search continues for my first Z4.

After much discussions I've decided to wait to find a 3.0ltr with M sport seats.

I've come across a lovely little beauty but it's an 04 plate and is already on it's 5th owner....!!
It's done less than 40k miles which gets me thinking it's spent most of the time in the garage..It has Full Service History.

Should I walk away or should I not worry ???

Thanks

 

[mmm-five]

How many Z4's are weekend cars, that become surplus to requirements year later, or after the summer is over?
An 04 car is 6-7 years old and 5 owners is nothing to be worried about - UNLESS there's something dodgy on the HPI or service checks that you'll undoubtedly be running.
Ask the current owner some relevant questions about it's maintenance, repair & accident history - but remember that a private owner does not have to offer to tell you about any problems, it's up to you to ask, and you've got no comeback on a private seller.

I'd make sure the receipt you get has any problems listed and the responses to the questions you've asked, signed by both parties so there's no problem if you come back after finding out it was in an accident a week ago after you asked about accidents and was assured there were none.

Buy on condition, mileage, price and history - not on number of owners.

 

[peddy]

Mine is an 04 and has only done 43K. These cars are mainly weekend cars and are not very practical, so get sold quicker than the average car.

40K is still an average of about 128 miles per week.

Check the car and if it looks well looked after then I don't see why not. You can use the 5 owners to your advantage and get a better price for it. :evil:

 

[gannet]

mine is also an 04 and Im the 4th or 5th owner (I forget). not had any major problems and as discussed on another thread it is the kind of car that can change hands reasonably quickly in the early years as peoples' needs change (kids, mileage etc).

oh and mine has just turned its 49k mile

As others have already said, buy on condition etc.

 

[Bradders75]

Hi all,

The search continues for my first Z4.

After much discussions I've decided to wait to find a 3.0ltr with M sport seats.

I've come across a lovely little beauty but it's an 04 plate and is already on it's 5th owner....!!
It's done less than 40k miles which gets me thinking it's spent most of the time in the garage..It has Full Service History.

Should I walk away or should I not worry ???

Thanks

If the car really is a 'lovely little beaut' and has the exact specification you're after, I'd snap it up in an instant. I saw a couple of awful 2 owner Z4s when I was looking and eventually settled for a 4 previous owner 03 in immaculate condition. Where sports cars are concerned, ALWAYS buy on condition and history, not the numbers on a log book.

 

[m44rrt]

I bought my 2004 3.0 SE last year (so 5 years old) 23,000 miles with 4 previous owners and dodgy service history at a good price
These are good negotiation factors

My indie went through the car, fixing minor stuff (springs, servicing etc) - £500

Car works a treat
These cars are used for a year by some folks who then buy a Boxster, then an S2000, 350Z etc
IMHO it is the car that counts not the number of owners

 

[speed12]

I woudnt worry about it too much,

I bought my 03 plate when it had 3 owners, so Im the 4th and its only got 36K miles on it.

Looking into it in more detail, the first buyer actually sold it within 1 day of buying it... strange.

As long as its got a good service history and no signs of problems it will be fine.

 

[Z4//MMY]

42.... of course.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Judge it purely on price, condition of everything, service history, HPI, accessories, etc.

Given all other things being equal what would you rather have - a one owner previous car neglected, stone chipped, limited history etc. or a 5+ previous owner cherished 2nd or third car, with a wedge of document support??