Just went to view a Z4 and....

[z4-cheapskate]

I think all must be measured against price.

I looked for a while at many from low to high mileage.

At 8+ years of age, and £5k to £8k range cars you are not going to see massive improved resale value by having a full history, as you would at 3 years and £17k to £24k cars.

I found very little cost difference in 03/04/05 plate cars with between 70k and 130k miles, history or not.

I guess you have to factor in immediate costs after purchase, like an inspection service and tyres all round which can make a 6k car become £7.5k very quickly.

If the mileage is genuine, it runs nice and has no immediate huge costs then it looks ok.

I would of course get a service on any used car without delay because who knows what its real service history is.

If people can fake V5's I think they can do a service history.

 

[Ricey01]

£8k seems too much for an '03, even though low mileage.

It would have to be a very special example and highly specced to command that price.
Doubt my pristine '03 3ltr would make £7k

+1 if anything I'd say its potentially not been driven enough....that's barely run in.

 

[paulmac]

Go for it, it looks like a bargin, and it's well spec'ed with sat nav as well.

 

[bigshurv]

Factor in £ 400 for an Insp11 and £ 800 for a set of tyres,£ 300 for wheel refurbs . This is a £ 6500 car without this work being completed. Offer that and see how you get on.Buy the car cheap and get ot done yourself, a dealer will change the oil and call it a full service, and will fit the cheapest tyres he can get.You will get the service done properly and fit tyres you want to fit.It sounds like a good car, but needs to be priced right.

 

[reeksi]

Factor in £ 400 for an Insp11 and £ 800 for a set of tyres,£ 300 for wheel refurbs . This is a £ 6500 car without this work being completed. Offer that and see how you get on.Buy the car cheap and get ot done yourself, a dealer will change the oil and call it a full service, and will fit the cheapest tyres he can get.You will get the service done properly and fit tyres you want to fit.It sounds like a good car, but needs to be priced right.

Sounds like a good plan to me, not sure the dealer will drop £1500 off the price straight away, although no harm in asking i guess! I think if i end up at £7000 I'll be happy for the low milage high spec car, get an indy to do the service and some falken tyres, job done

I'll let you know how i get on at the weekend.

 

[pvr]

Wow, the only 2.5 with limited slip

 

[Adamski]

Wow, the only 2.5 with limited slip

I thought the very rare black wheel special edition Z4 had an LSD too?


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[Ewazix]

Some sound comments I'd just add that fully synth' oil is VERY stable really isn't going to deteriorate much due to time, and certainly not like the old mineral based products that actually changed composition when in contact with metals and contaminants. With those low miles, the lack of use and deterioration of brake systems, assorted seals, bushes, hoses and seizure of components (due to being garaged and left when wet for example) will be of more concern than a missed oil service.

I've bought a number of ultra low mileage cars over the years (including my Z4 which had 36k at nearly seven years old), and have ended up with great value new feeling motors. A bit of care around the above points and a few hundred put aside for updating the service or minor replacements is a lot less painful (and cheaper) than suspension rebuilds etc etc that are common with higher mileages. I'de rather pay a modest premium up front and have a low miler than be bled to death with a series of routine but expensive service replacements at the usual 50-60k miles threshold. (think brakes, suspension bushes, exhaust/cat, starter/alternator, window lifters, wiper mech, coils ....).

I'de get it inspected, haggle a bit, get a goody indi' service and enjoy

 

[reeksi]

So Ive done a bit more investigating today and called the BMW dealer thats serviced it. All checked out ok, however they have said its due an inspection 2 now (all be it the indicator says its another 10,000 miles away, BMW say its been 2 years since last service so needs one).

Called the dealer up http://www.mondialcars.co.uk/ and said will you take the price of inspection 2 plus brake fluid change off the car £650 and if so i will be happy to come down saturday and talk with intent to purchase.

Hes come back saying they will do an inspection 2 them selves and they specialise in German car services so its as good as getting BMW to do it. Hes not willing to put it via a BMW garage.

Id much rather get £600 off the car then pay an indie £400 to get it done plus they will let me know of any other minor faults! whereas if he services it himself they are hardly going to divulge any issues!

What you guys think?

 

[cj10jeeper]

I agree that offering to do the car is not the same a discounting it by that amount. Of course one cannot make any specific comments related to any dealer but clearly it costs them less than than BMW or discouting the price and there is a temptation to find no fault and do the bare minimum required.

I'd demand the amount off the price or walk and not be dazzled by a low mileage figure.

BTW the mileage counter is meaningless. It can be reset at anytime simply with a turn of the key and few button pushes.

 

[z4-martin]

So the dealer thinks it's ok to carry on advertising it with 'full service history' knowing full well it's overdue an oil service :thumbsdown:

Nice looking car reeksi... good luck with the purchase

 

[Mowflow]

I wouldn't pay a premium for ultra low mileage on one of these cars, they are relatively reliable so average or slightly above average mileage will not hurt them. I'd be more inclined to save a few quid and go for one in as good condition with similar spec but mileage that is closer to average.