M market watch

[tomscott]

I think the older these cars get , the less frequent use with headlights on & more problems will become common with both the pop up washer units & the self level ballasts on xenon lights . Ive had a few problems on similar vein with recent E85 E86 & additionally it probably doesnt help at this age that most will have had bumpers removed for various jobs , some have been dealt with roughly & possibly not connected up with care ?
No surprise that older cars will develop different quirks we aren't used to seeing

Cheers MW! Appreciate the response it makes a lot of sense.

For any one interested I received an email back about the Silver Grey Z4M coupe with red leather.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201812073081648?onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&advertising-location=at_cars&make=BMW&model=Z4M&sort=sponsored&postcode=bb120hr&radius=1500&page=2

SH is as follows:

Pre delivery - 13/09/06 BMW Distribution Center Thorne
Run In - 11/10/06 Wood In Hampshire BMW Center 1537
Inspection 1 - 04/03/09 The Car Clinic Newbury 28388
Oil Service - 14/05/10 S.C Auto Service Chester 41691
Inspection II +Micro filter - 19/1/12 The Car Clinic Newbury 56647

No Service History past this point. No paperwork at all.

Last MOT shows the car had 71,434 in June 2018

No history for the past 7 years, I wouldn't describe it as "well cared for"! Only positive is it only covered about 15k miles in that time. It also annoys me that its described as having 70k miles and yet Tom says the last MOT in June 18' it had 71434 miles. :x

Its hard to find a well serviced car. This one has missed quite a few, every 14k or 2 years it should have an oil first one was missed by 14k. I have been so finiky about it A) for personal piece of mind and B) How hard will it be to move on...

There is another for sale that has been discussed at length in this thread thats still for sale and has been for over 18 months and keeps jumping between 18 and 23k. It missed its run in service completely and wasn't serviced until 20 odd k.

Because so many cars seem to have poor history and the synthetic oil is pretty resistant... is it worth a punt... spend a bit of money sorting it out aesthetically and get all the mechanical bits sorted that it needs. The engines are obviously robust there are countless E46 M3s well into the 100s of ks... and many havent been looked after that well. Still nearly 13 years of neglect I think it would be opening a can of worms.

Im happy to wait ive been searching for the silver grey and red combo for about 6 years and I think 3-4 have come up in that time but I either wasnt in a position to buy or they had the same issues, missing or really poor history like above and if the MOT history is anything to go by it really hasn't had much love.

I wonder if its ever had a proper inspection or valve clearances. Surprises me how many haven't been looked after that well. You dont expect FBMWSH but at least specialists not all back street garages.

 

[Angelus666]

Tom, £750 at a trimmers changes the leather (thinking of changing my black to amarone), so feels sensible to move on from that one and wait for the next one to come up.

 

[TomK]

I think the older these cars get , the less frequent use with headlights on & more problems will become common with both the pop up washer units & the self level ballasts on xenon lights . Ive had a few problems on similar vein with recent E85 E86 & additionally it probably doesnt help at this age that most will have had bumpers removed for various jobs , some have been dealt with roughly & possibly not connected up with care ?
No surprise that older cars will develop different quirks we aren't used to seeing

Cheers MW! Appreciate the response it makes a lot of sense.

For any one interested I received an email back about the Silver Grey Z4M coupe with red leather.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201812073081648?onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&advertising-location=at_cars&make=BMW&model=Z4M&sort=sponsored&postcode=bb120hr&radius=1500&page=2

SH is as follows:

Pre delivery - 13/09/06 BMW Distribution Center Thorne
Run In - 11/10/06 Wood In Hampshire BMW Center 1537
Inspection 1 - 04/03/09 The Car Clinic Newbury 28388
Oil Service - 14/05/10 S.C Auto Service Chester 41691
Inspection II +Micro filter - 19/1/12 The Car Clinic Newbury 56647

No Service History past this point. No paperwork at all.

Last MOT shows the car had 71,434 in June 2018

No history for the past 7 years, I wouldn't describe it as "well cared for"! Only positive is it only covered about 15k miles in that time. It also annoys me that its described as having 70k miles and yet Tom says the last MOT in June 18' it had 71434 miles. :x

Considering how easy it is to 'correct' the mileage on these cars I wouldn't touch one with no corroboratory evidence to the MOT mileage check, especially given the comparatively low usage since that last evidence at the beginning of 2012.

 

[john-e89]

I’ve been tempted once again by a 981 Boxster GTS, as a result I may look at selling my Z4M (again).

They seem to be advertised for strong money on Pistonheads. I wonder if £19,000 might be worth a go, or if it’s pushing it a bit?

2006 Z4M Roadster
45k miles
Monaco Blue with Light Sepang Bronze leather
Extended leather with carbon leather dash
Always garaged – SORN over winter
Heated seats
Bluetooth
Parking sensors
Full service history at BMW or specialist including Inspection 2 two years ago (hence now due an oil service).
Etc.
Recently had front bumper, rear bumper and side skirts professionally resprayed, so the paintwork is mint with no stone chips.
Will include a new oil service and brake fluid change at Iridium.

What do you reckon?

As you’ve asked tbh I think you’re a good 3-4K too high Dan, they’re just not fetching that kind of money at the moment. I put my 37k mile roady, fully loaded up £16000 albeit only on here and half hearted but it didn’t sell as yet, admittedly that was very late summer too but £19000 seems way too high, sorry mate, not having a pop, just how it is.

 

[NorthernSky]

What to do with a Midnight M Coupe with 28,000 miles right now... damn you Brexit.

 

[MrPT]

What to do with a Midnight M Coupe with 28,000 miles right now... damn you Brexit.

Drive it!

 

[earthdweller]

What to do with a Midnight M Coupe with 28,000 miles right now... damn you Brexit.

Drive it!

Seems a reasonable idea

 

[NorthernSky]

I would, if they hadn't just dumped a load of rock salt all over the roads, just because some locals will be scared about it hitting 0 degrees at night!



Biding my time for a good proper road trip... soon, very soon.

 

[ocrx8]

Headlamp washer bottles can gum up from stale water leaving a scummy film Tom, doesn’t take much to block the pump or pipes.

Thanks john seems its been an issue for the car since 2011 probably needs a good clean. Looks like the car needs a bit of love and if checks out could be a nice motor

I think the older these cars get , the less frequent use with headlights on & more problems will become common with both the pop up washer units & the self level ballasts on xenon lights . Ive had a few problems on similar vein with recent E85 E86 & additionally it probably doesnt help at this age that most will have had bumpers removed for various jobs , some have been dealt with roughly & possibly not connected up with care ?
No surprise that older cars will develop different quirks we aren't used to seeing

Probably doesn’t help that many disconnect the headlight washer fuse so they never get used (or max once per year :wink.

Not knocking it as I did exactly this today - having lost a washer jet cap recently I’m keen not for that to happen again!

 

[Beemingallover]

Good point on the cars getting infrequent use, especially at this time of year. This morning I've been struggling with a seized bonnet release catch on my Z4MR, which I put away in the garage for the winter, though I do take it out from time to time to exercise it on dry days. WD40 and some fiddling and I've got the bonnet up. One thing running the motor and driving a few miles but ancillary stuff doesn't get used much if at all. On my last run a couple of weeks ago, I checked the roof mechanism to make sure it wasn't seized.

 

[mr wilks]

Oooooo , a rollcaged , supercharged ZMR on 51k with AP brakes :evil: 455bhp :evil: sounds special , pity no pics yet but certainly a rare beast to come up for sale / ask £21950

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-06-BMW-Z4M-3-2-Z4-M-ROADSTER-2D-455-BHP-SUPERCHARGED-POUND-25K-MODIFICATIO/303005149745?hash=item468c83aa31:gx8AAOSwQhBcHYlt:rk:28f:0

 

[Robcuk]

but

Hi John-e

Is your car sorned?

I've started the look for a z4m and ideally a well cared example is what I'm after.

I've never been in one so was thinking about making the trip up to Derbyshire sometime!?

 

[Beedub]

this must be one of very few in the country... Sounds like an out an out race car however given the description.... Cant wait to see it.

 

[DevonPaul]

I would, if they hadn't just dumped a load of rock salt all over the roads, just because some locals will be scared about it hitting 0 degrees at night!

You should move to South Devon - they've gritted once so far here this winter (more often on the moors). The wife uses her MC as her daily. The added bonus is her average of 16mpg means she doesn't moan about the Maser's thirst.

Paul

 

[Haggisman]

I would, if they hadn't just dumped a load of rock salt all over the roads, just because some locals will be scared about it hitting 0 degrees at night!

You should move to South Devon - they've gritted once so far here this winter (more often on the moors). The wife uses her MC as her daily. The added bonus is her average of 16mpg means she doesn't moan about the Maser's thirst.

Paul

You should consider Wellington New Zealand, no salt or grit at all, in fact it barely snow’s here.

 

[DevonPaul]

[
You should consider Wellington New Zealand, no salt or grit at all, in fact it barely snow’s here.

Yebbut the police over there have forward facing radar.

Well, the one on the road from Takaka to Motueka did, I thought he was wagging his finger at me to slow down. 20 min later whilst having a rest at a viewing stop I was surprised to find he wanted me to stop. To be fair I was on a bike and passing a logging truck when he saw me, so he would have got held up a bit.

Paul

 

[Haggisman]

[
You should consider Wellington New Zealand, no salt or grit at all, in fact it barely snow’s here.

Yebbut the police over there have forward facing radar.

Well, the one on the road from Takaka to Motueka did, I thought he was wagging his finger at me to slow down. 20 min later whilst having a rest at a viewing stop I was surprised to find he wanted me to stop. To be fair I was on a bike and passing a logging truck when he saw me, so he would have got held up a bit.

Paul

Yeah, have to be pretty vigilante, Why I went to the track to keep my sanity and licence !!

 

[Haggisman]

[
You should consider Wellington New Zealand, no salt or grit at all, in fact it barely snow’s here.

Yebbut the police over there have forward facing radar.

Well, the one on the road from Takaka to Motueka did, I thought he was wagging his finger at me to slow down. 20 min later whilst having a rest at a viewing stop I was surprised to find he wanted me to stop. To be fair I was on a bike and passing a logging truck when he saw me, so he would have got held up a bit.

Paul

Yeah, have to be pretty vigilante, Why I went to the track to keep my sanity and licence !!

By the way, I take it you weren’t on a push bike....

 

[derin100]

That seems a pretty hefty price for a roadster to me? I know when I was going through all the classified and eBay auctions in early Nov, £20,000 would get you a really nice E86 M with pretty low miles on the clock.

Not trying to take anything away from the roadster, but I saw something pretty similar going for £16,000 just over a month ago and I thought now is the worst time of year, market wise to be selling a roadster?

I think they’ve been looking at the market in Europe, especially Germany / Holland / Austria / Switzerland etc.... where these cars fetch considerably more than the 20k advertised here...

The Roadster’s been long overdue a price adjustment... this may be well OTT right now though come summer I’d laugh if we looked back to say ‘that was a bargain at 20k’

I completely agree with this!
Also, I don't agree that this is "hugely" OTT, as some have suggested. It's a high spec car, late car with quite low miles and added to that a matching hard-top (and we know how much just they go for on Ebay even before one might then have to get it painted to the right colour).
Added to that is that it's from a dealer and too many people are ready to search classifieds and equate what they can find privately with dealer prices. They're required to give some sort of warranty (which you won't get from a private sale). Dealers also have to make a living and so one has to expect some degree of premium and there may yet be so 'haggle room' on that ticket price. It's not the cheapest granted but I don't think it's wildly over-priced either.
I bought a Mercedes SL today from a dealer. It certainly wasn't the cheapest by a long, long way but I still bought it and did so in the full knowledge that the dealer has his overheads yet also has to make a living and thus was making on a profit off of me.
If it's the 'right car' that somebody particularly wants, as it was with me with the SL today or as it could be with someone who particularly wants that spec or colour Z4MR, they'll pay a few £K more.

 

[gerryp]

That seems a pretty hefty price for a roadster to me? I know when I was going through all the classified and eBay auctions in early Nov, £20,000 would get you a really nice E86 M with pretty low miles on the clock.

Not trying to take anything away from the roadster, but I saw something pretty similar going for £16,000 just over a month ago and I thought now is the worst time of year, market wise to be selling a roadster?

I think they’ve been looking at the market in Europe, especially Germany / Holland / Austria / Switzerland etc.... where these cars fetch considerably more than the 20k advertised here...

The Roadster’s been long overdue a price adjustment... this may be well OTT right now though come summer I’d laugh if we looked back to say ‘that was a bargain at 20k’

I completely agree with this!
Also, I don't agree that this is "hugely" OTT, as some have suggested. It's a high spec car, late car with quite low miles and added to that a matching hard-top (and we know how much just they go for on Ebay even before one might then have to get it painted to the right colour).
Added to that is that it's from a dealer and too many people are ready to search classifieds and equate what they can find privately with dealer prices. They're required to give some sort of warranty (which you won't get from a private sale). Dealers also have to make a living and so one has to expect some degree of premium and there may yet be so 'haggle room' on that ticket price. It's not the cheapest granted but I don't think it's wildly over-priced either.
I bought a Mercedes SL today from a dealer. It certainly wasn't the cheapest by a long, long way but I still bought it and did so in the full knowledge that the dealer has his overheads yet also has to make a living and thus was making on a profit off of me.
If it's the 'right car' that somebody particularly wants, as it was with me with the SL today or as it could be with someone who particularly wants that spec or colour Z4MR, they'll pay a few £K more.

Any photos of the SL.