Looking at buying a Z4, couple of questions

T

THFC83

Member
Hi.

Been after a new car for a couple of months now and found myself stuck between a Z4, an S2000 and a Boxster. Pretty much settled on the Z4 now and found one that I want to go and take a look at here:

http://www.canfieldgarage.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-z4-3-0i-se-2dr-auto-high-cross-lane-east-201407246064413

Just had a couple of questions that I was wondering if you guys could help with.

From the photos it looks as though the driver's side headlight is a bit cloudy, is this something that can be pretty easily sorted or would it mean a new headlight unit? (Which I'm guessing would be pretty expensive)

Also the tyres look like they're pretty cheap budget ones that maybe the dealer has stuck on there. Do you reckon it would be worth getting them replaced with Eagle F1's or similar straight away or would the budget ones do the job for the time being?
 
The car looks a nice example for not silly money .
The headlight if cloudy exterior is a relatively cheap & simple DIY job for £20 & a couple of hours , you buy a kit & it leaves them like new :) unless its inside then not as cheap a fix :P
Tyres ? Depends what "budget" brands they are as not all are ditchfinders but for reference a full set of staggered 18inch Vredestein can be had for £380 delivered
, happy hunting :thumbsup:
 
Headlight scan be dried out if it's only light moisture. If it's running down it will leave marks and need a new light (£350). If the exterior is cloudy as above.

I'd wear out whatever tyres are on it then fit what you fancy, unless you intend to drive it very hard from day 1

Nice car but missing xenons, sat nav. and sports seats
 
Images 10 and 11, the centre transmission console seems to be missing a screw cover next to the drivers seat? Not sure why that would be off...
 
Cheers all. Yeah would've liked Xenons and sports seats but I could live without them, not too fussed about Sat-Nav.

Hadn't noticed the missing screw cover either, I'll ask them about that if I go and view it.
 
THFC83 said:
Cheers all. Yeah would've liked Xenons and sports seats but I could live without them, not too fussed about Sat-Nav.

Hadn't noticed the missing screw cover either, I'll ask them about that if I go and view it.
Click to expand...


Just remember these are the same items that will depress the price when you come to sell, especially on a 3.0 where people tend to expect them specced up/loaded. The sat nav is much more than nav, bringing all sorts of functions onto the screen
 
cj10jeeper said:
THFC83 said:
Cheers all. Yeah would've liked Xenons and sports seats but I could live without them, not too fussed about Sat-Nav.

Hadn't noticed the missing screw cover either, I'll ask them about that if I go and view it.
Click to expand...


Just remember these are the same items that will depress the price when you come to sell, especially on a 3.0 where people tend to expect them specced up/loaded. The sat nav is much more than nav, bringing all sorts of functions onto the screen
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's true. I may go and have a look at it and if I'm not keen I'll keep looking until I find one with everything.

I was looking at this one aswell http://www.nazeingmotorcompany.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-z4-naseing-201410067983012 but it's seems to have a pretty low spec for a pretty high price, even considering the low mileage.
 
I was going to have a look at the first one you posted but I spoke to the garage owner/worker and he was so unaccomidating I told him not to bother
 
And just to say headlight coo sensation is a major pain in the foot! Took 4 hours today to sort that issue so would advise either knocking some money off or findin one without the issue cos it's not a fun job lol
 
I went to see that dark blue one at Canfield Motors last weekend.

Here are some details before you go:

Good:
Bodywork is in decent condition
It has factory bluetooth and folding mirrors which are not mentioned in the advert

Not so good:
It has the worst case of ditchfinder tyres (Mazzini?)
It is stuck right at the back of the warehouse behind about 10 rows of cars
The battery is flat so it can't even be started
It has been there for ages (since at least August)
The cloudy headlight is full of water/condensation
The windscreen has a number of chips in it, so it would need replacing
Some of the interior trim is scratched and the ashtray is broken

To be honest, it's probably a good car underneath and could easily be had for a decent price. As I couldn't start it and as it was inside a warehouse with only average lighting I was unable to take it any further. I would call ahead and aske them to get it outside for you, no point otherwise.
 
Stratts said:
I went to see that dark blue one at Canfield Motors last weekend.

Here are some details before you go:

Good:
Bodywork is in decent condition
It has factory bluetooth and folding mirrors which are not mentioned in the advert

Not so good:
It has the worst case of ditchfinder tyres (Mazzini?)
It is stuck right at the back of the warehouse behind about 10 rows of cars
The battery is flat so it can't even be started
It has been there for ages (since at least August)
The cloudy headlight is full of water/condensation
The windscreen has a number of chips in it, so it would need replacing
Some of the interior trim is scratched and the ashtray is broken

To be honest, it's probably a good car underneath and could easily be had for a decent price. As I couldn't start it and as it was inside a warehouse with only average lighting I was unable to take it any further. I would call ahead and aske them to get it outside for you, no point otherwise.
Click to expand...

Cheers mate, that's useful to know. I had a look for those tyres online and they can be had for less than £50 a tyre so I'm assuming that they've just stuck the cheapest ones available on it.

I'm starting to sway towards waiting it out until something better comes along to be honest. Might still go and take a look though.
 
Dealers never fit tyres unless they mot and it fails. They wait for a buyer to spot the do it as part of the negotiation. That way I dyed if knocking £500 off be fits tyres.

Indicates a cost saving former owner to me
 
cj10jeeper said:
Dealers never fit tyres unless they mot and it fails. They wait for a buyer to spot the do it as part of the negotiation. That way I dyed if knocking £500 off be fits tyres.

Indicates a cost saving former owner to me
Click to expand...

Yeah, I suppose it wouldn't reallt make sense for the dealer put new tyres on, would just be more expense for them.

Have to think that if the previous owner has been trying to cut costs on tyres that's not really a sign that the car has been well looked after!
 
THFC83 said:
cj10jeeper said:
Dealers never fit tyres unless they mot and it fails. They wait for a buyer to spot the do it as part of the negotiation. That way I dyed if knocking £500 off be fits tyres.

Indicates a cost saving former owner to me
Click to expand...

Yeah, I suppose it wouldn't reallt make sense for the dealer put new tyres on, would just be more expense for them.

Have to think that if the previous owner has been trying to cut costs on tyres that's not really a sign that the car has been well looked after!
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I was trying to say, but on an iPhone trying to collect my luggage wasn't the best place to do it :roll: Whatever a dealer does aside valeting before you view is dead money. If he for instance sprayed the front end or fitted £500 of mid range tyres, you'd just accept it and then continue to negotiate.

Look at the other faults that were listed above such as ashtray not working and that confirms a minimalist approach to car care by a previous owner.

Not saying don't have this car, but there is a wide choice so keep your money in your pocket until you get the right car and right deal.
 
Out of interest, how much of an effect does not having Sat/Nav etc have when it comes to resale. Is it just a case of value or is it actually a bit of a struggle to sell them because people tend to hol dout for higher specced cars?

I'm tempted by the second one I posted in this thread, but although it looks to be a nice example the spec looks fairly low.
 
THFC83 said:
Out of interest, how much of an effect does not having Sat/Nav etc have when it comes to resale. Is it just a case of value or is it actually a bit of a struggle to sell them because people tend to hol dout for higher specced cars?

I'm tempted by the second one I posted in this thread, but although it looks to be a nice example the spec looks fairly low.
Click to expand...

I would only hold out for the spec items you want if they are really essential to you :? Ive had the nav & now i haven't , Its a weekend car & really don't miss it , same with folding mirrors & electric seats , nice to have them but not dealbreakers , i have Xenon's which are a sought after extra for some but doubt they add much in ££ value to my car
In re sale terms they do widen your sale market but have less impact on value as the car gets older & therefore worth less :?
A well maintained, well presented car in the right colour combo with a good stamped history & paperwork will always find a buyer
Go with the one you are happiest about & enjoy it :thumbsup:
 
If you can get to Basildon and wouldn't mind an auto, go and see this one.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201410278521934/sort/default/page/1/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew/usedcars/transmission/automatic/make/bmw/model/z4/postcode/rm141qu/radius/100/fuel-type/petrol/saved-search-id/2c92962649184a8a014951031366041e/maximum-mileage/up_to_100000_miles?logcode=p

I had a viewing last weekend, nice car and the seller is a nice chap. I only didn't buy because it just wasn't the right 'value' to me, as it needed a little bit of work (but not much) and he was almost totally unwilling to negotiate. It had a funny thing with the brakes (it had grooved discs and red stuff pads) which made a unnerving grumble through the brake pedal but its normal for that combo of discs/pads and is easily fixed. The car comes with a ragged set of 17s and almost new winter tyres, but needs no work doing.

EDIT: It doesn't have all of the extras. There is no upgraded sound system (as I pointed out), it has only heated seats, wind deflector and sat nav.
 
Based on what the guys here who have been to see this car have said, I wouldn't even bother going to see it to be honest, there are far better ones out there for sale. I may have missed it but the seller doesn't even appear to have stated what mileage the car has covered - I didn't notice any mention of if it in the ad anyway. As far as spec goes, personally the "toys" didn't bother me when I bought mine, I got it to drive not play with electronic gismos. I did want a Sport spec car though with the M seats / steering wheel / wheels etc. Those things just make the driving experience a bit nicer IMO - far more so than sat nav, electric seats and folding mirrors.

Keep your eye on the for sale section here, some really nice well looked after cars come up for sale regularly. My take on it is, if you buy from an enthusiast forum like this then the chances are the car will be far superior to anything you'll find in a dealers. Having said that, i did buy mine from a dealer and I'm very happy with it so far, so don't comlpletely dismiss them as a source of purchase.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom