Looking for my first Zed

A

AlxBMW

Member
Good morning all,

Hope everybody had an enjoyable weekend.

I am currently searching for my first Z4, since a family member had one when I was younger, I fell in love with the car and it is an itch that I just need to scratch !

I have read a lot of posts regarding the 2.0L 4 cylinder versus the 2.2L 6 cylinders and up and all advice seems to be pointing toward the 6 pot. My previous cars have never been anything to write home about, with the highlights being a 2005 BMW 320d SE and an Audi A4 SE Technik 2.0, to this end I have never really had a true need for speed although I do enjoy the thrill of acceleration now and again.

The Zed for me is about enjoying those country lanes with the top down and not so much about break neck performance. I have seen the following car on Auto Trader that has garnered my attention, particularly as it is 2006 which I understand are slightly less prone to issues as some of the older ones? Also the mileage looks pretty good for the age.....

Would somebody mind having a little look and letting me know if there would be plenty of miles left in this car? Part service history worries me a little bit.

Look forward to hearing your comments
Alex

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201704114301687?sort=distance&price-from=3500&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&radius=70&model=Z4&price-to=5000&make=BMW&postcode=ip15ed&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1
 
Welcome along Alex.

That is an SE spec so you don't get the M sports seats or the M steering wheel. The standard sports seats in that Zed are not very comfortable, not heated (a must for roadsters) and manual. Alloys need a refurb. Hasn't got a full service history.
You could argue that the price reflects the spec, but I reckon you can do better :wink:
 
Thank you for your reply Marlon, and for the warm welcome !

Appreciate your response and advice very much and clearly this will be a learning curve for me before finding the right car.

Judging by what you are saying, this one looks like a bit more of a solid buy;

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201704154451279?logcode=visc&fromSA=true
 
You can see the deeper M sports seats with the hugging side bolsters (manual but heated) and Multi function M wheel. Face-lift model (post 2006), nice low miles. Very brief description - service history?!
 
Thanks Marlon, will look to give the seller a call and find out about service history, how is that price looking?
 
AlxBMW said:
Thanks Marlon, will look to give the seller a call and find out about service history, how is that price looking?
Click to expand...

Top end for a 2 litre & private sale - I would hope there would be some movement there :wink:
 
I have said that I will take a look at the weekend if it is still for sale.

Excuse all the questions however are there certain issues / things I should pay particular attention to when taking a look? I've heard about the roof motor etc but anything else would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.
 
Hi Kis, that's strange both seem to work for me.

The one I have the most interest in is this one

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201704154451279
 
AlxBMW said:
Hi Kis, that's strange both seem to work for me.

The one I have the most interest in is this one

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201704154451279
Click to expand...

Seems okay. Got sports seats and m wheel. Also nice low miles. It does look like a clean car. Ad seems a bit strange, not really gone out of their way to try sell it? Doesn't say anything about the history? Doesn't look modded either. No wind deflector. May have issues with roof motor, but that's across the board! Take it for a test drive and see how it feels :)
 
The thing about m sport seats is that they look fantastic but the leather is very soft and they don't age well. You have to be slightly careful what's in your pockets and also getting in an out to avoid bolster wear.

I like the standard seats because they are much more durable and still very comfortable in my humble. Not as snug as m sport seats when you're pushing on but then they have their limitations too. I have standard seats which are heated and electric :thumbsup:
 
Having looked a bit deeper into the history of the vehicle I can see previous MOT's have come up with some problems and it has failed in the past due to both rear coils having broken.

I can take from that at least the coils have been replaced as the MOT has subsequently passed.

The last MOT threw up the following advisories;

movement to n/s/f o/s/f lower ball joints
damage to o/s/f o/s/r road wheel outer rims
cut to o/s/r tyre on outer sidewall not showing cord
slight movement to n/s/f o/s/f lower suspension arm rear bushes

The car is currently not MOT'd so that is a concern for me, although speaking to the lady this is one of three cars and it is surplus to requirement. She said she would MOT the car ready for whomever purchased it, but I would like to see some solid service history too.
 
Rear springs are a weakness, so its positive that they have been replaced (mine were replaced at 30k miles by previous owner). MOT history looks ok tbh, and a new MOT should sort out any niggles. Service history still needs looking at, but I assume low miles check out against MOTs
 
Hey Marlon, the mileage checks out with the MOT records so I am happy that it is genuine. Come Saturday (if it is not sold by then) I will do a thorough viewing and test drive and I want to see good service history, I just hope there is movement in that price because it seems very top end for a 2.0i
 
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