Looking to buy - What should I look for and anyone selling?

[darrenorient]

Hi all,

Literally just joined the forum as I have finally decided to upgrade from my A6 to a proper car and I'm very keen on the Z4M.

I'm looking to buy at the end of January and I want to go for the coupe model around the 15-16k mark, which based on my inital browse should get something around 06-07 with around 40k on the clock (correct me if I'm wrong).

Apart from the usual checks, can you advise of any regular issues that I should be looking out for on this car (especially those that appear on the M and not on the standard Z4), along with any other buying advice for this model.

If you're looking to sell towards end of January, then feel free to contact me and we can have a chat - I prefer to buy off people who I know love their cars, and a forum is the best place to start!

Also if anyone knows of competetive insurance on these cars then that would be helpful too.

Many thanks and Happy Christmas!

 

[pvr]

You mention proper car, and then you say "Coupe" :evil:

The M came with carbon leather dash and console, but some have specced without that so be aware of that if you want "true" M only upholstery.

There are a couple of M only colours, Imola Red, Interlagos Blue and Sepang Bronze so if you want an M colour only - those are the ones to go for.

And welcome aboard, despite selecting the wrong model

 

[darrenorient]

You mention proper car, and then you say "Coupe" :evil:

The M came with carbon leather dash and console, but some have specced without that so be aware of that if you want "true" M only upholstery.

There are a couple of M only colours, Imola Red, Interlagos Blue and Sepang Bronze so if you want an M colour only - those are the ones to go for.

And welcome aboard, despite selecting the wrong model

Thanks for the information... and sorry to dissapoint!

 

[Lower]

Chris Knott seem very reasonable for insurance.

Broken rear springs, VANOS issues, and kangarooing when cold spring to mind.

 

[bigosean]

An A6 is a proper car! My father has previously had 3 and they're brilliant cars!

 

[Ellardo]

An A6 is a proper car! My father has previously had 3 and they're brilliant cars!

+1

 

[Taz]

if your going for the M, i would say make sure it as sat nav, most have it and it will be easier to sell if you ever decide to get rid

and definately go for the coupe

 

[rhys4]

My Wife has just bought a new A6.She went to look at an A1 but liked the A6 in White!!!!!!!!I had doubts but It is a very nice car .She has the cvt box, and again thought this was a bad step but I actually like it ,Go so far as to say it's better than the auto in the Z4.

 

[wantanM]

Chris Knott seem very reasonable for insurance.

Broken rear springs, VANOS issues, and kangarooing when cold spring to mind.

Chris Knott used to have a policy of not insuring the M - has this changed? They were pretty good when I was with them with the 3.0i

 

[Bing]

My Wife has just bought a new A6.She went to look at an A1 but liked the A6 in White!!!!!!!!I had doubts but It is a very nice car .She has the cvt box, and again thought this was a bad step but I actually like it ,Go so far as to say it's better than the auto in the Z4.

Sorry to go off-topic, but your wife must be a total nightmare to go shopping with , going out looking for an A1 and coming back with an A6

I though mine was high maintenance...

To the OP - don't buy an M that claims to be auto, they didn't do an auto... But you probably knew that already

 

[Booner]

Hi Darren,

I am toying with the thought of selling up mine actually, but still don't think I'll ever be able to give up the best car I'll probably ever own for a long time . I have just got a Scirocco company car and I'm looking to buy a house next year, so will be downgrading to something more manageable for track work to keep bills down. I really need to make my mind up, but January might be a good time for me to sell up so I can figure out how much more I need for the deposit.

When I bought mine, the usual things to check included the vanos noise, springs and kangaroo-ing. I replaced a broken springs with a brand new full set of Eibach springs, which are a much better ride and absorb the bumps better. It's the first car I've owned which has had a solid engine, compared with my previous car (350z) which used to drink oil and make some nasty belt noises. The Vanos noise is quite hard to spot if you are a first time buyer of a straight 6 S54 engine as it can sound quite rattly - which means it's always quite worrying to think that you have vanos issues, when actually it's the nature of the engine during the lower revs, especially whilst cold.

The most important thing people are forgetting is the all important running in service, which people are very strict on making sure it was serviced on the dot to avoid timing/bedding in issues with the engine tappets iirc. If you are looking at the convertibles, the roof motor shouldn't make any straining noises and should go up and down within 8-10 seconds with no need for manual intervention.

Lastly, Inspection 1 and 2 are the expensive services... I just laid down £900 for the Inspection 1 service, which lasts it for a long while...but still worth avoiding any cars which are due this or budgeting for it!

I hope this helps

 

[darrenorient]

Hi Darren,

I am toying with the thought of selling up mine actually, but still don't think I'll ever be able to give up the best car I'll probably ever own for a long time . I have just got a Scirocco company car and I'm looking to buy a house next year, so will be downgrading to something more manageable for track work to keep bills down. I really need to make my mind up, but January might be a good time for me to sell up so I can figure out how much more I need for the deposit.

When I bought mine, the usual things to check included the vanos noise, springs and kangaroo-ing. I replaced a broken springs with a brand new full set of Eibach springs, which are a much better ride and absorb the bumps better. It's the first car I've owned which has had a solid engine, compared with my previous car (350z) which used to drink oil and make some nasty belt noises. The Vanos noise is quite hard to spot if you are a first time buyer of a straight 6 S54 engine as it can sound quite rattly - which means it's always quite worrying to think that you have vanos issues, when actually it's the nature of the engine during the lower revs, especially whilst cold.

The most important thing people are forgetting is the all important running in service, which people are very strict on making sure it was serviced on the dot to avoid timing/bedding in issues with the engine tappets iirc. If you are looking at the convertibles, the roof motor shouldn't make any straining noises and should go up and down within 8-10 seconds with no need for manual intervention.

Lastly, Inspection 1 and 2 are the expensive services... I just laid down £900 for the Inspection 1 service, which lasts it for a long while...but still worth avoiding any cars which are due this or budgeting for it!

I hope this helps

Really useful advice, thanks very much, I'll be sure to check out for those areas.

You know where I am if you decide to sell up, I'd be interesetd - I wont be buying until second half of January as I'm out of the country from the 3rd so that gives you some extra time : )

Cheers, D.

 

[Lower]

Chris Knott seem very reasonable for insurance.

Broken rear springs, VANOS issues, and kangarooing when cold spring to mind.

Chris Knott used to have a policy of not insuring the M - has this changed? They were pretty good when I was with them with the 3.0i

They currently insure my M coupe. But then i had a policy with them on a Honda S2000 that i transferred when i bought the M so i don't know if that makes any difference.