Mileage V number of owners

M

Mikerf

New member
Hi All - looking for opinion and or advice from experts.
Im looking at buying a 2007 Z4 M Coupe. I have narrowed down to 2, (possibly 3) but I'm on the horns of a dilemma.

Two cars, both interlagos blue, one with 'champagne' interior, one with sepang broze. Both in similar condition.
One car has 73K miles and 3 owners, comes form a specialist dealer with 6 months warranty full MOT
One car has 56K miles, private owner but has 7 previous owners. MOT has an advisory about replacing water pump which owner says will either get done or reduce the cost accordingly.

So my question is - should I go higher mileage with low owners OR lower mileage with more owners?

The other car on the horizon is black with red interior, lower mileage and low owners BUT I have had so many black cars - looking for something a bit different.

Any advise would be much appreciated.
 
I'd go more miles, less owners. Mileage really isn't an issue these days and the fact a car with less than 60k miles has had seven owners certainly rings alarm bells? Maybe people will disagree with me but that's my own personal thoughts. Good luck with the purchase!
 
They're not new cars anymore so finding a low mileage car could mean it's only had summer use and possibly garaged over winter. Some people get shot of them quicker than others

I'd be looking at service history and what usually needs to be done based on the mileage along with how the car drives.

Mine has had 4 previous owners with two of them being in the same house. I've had it for 4 1/2 years and done almost 30k which is nearly half the mileage the car has done.

At 70k I'd also be looking at a suspension refresh.

Other questions would be how long has the last owner had the car? What's the longest anyone had it?

Ye take yer chances!
 
higher mileage with lower owners. My view has always been if owners don't keep cars for long, they are less likely to look after the car because they know they will sell it on. So they will service cheaply, fit cheap oil, cheap aftermarket parts. On the other hand if an owner is going to keep a car for a while they would be sensible to look after it. My theory is flawed a little because not everyone is sensible!
 
Magicarcher said:
. My theory is flawed a little because not everyone is sensible!
Click to expand...

Flawed indeed :oops: I would upset your research as I rarely keep my weekenders long but always have them properly serviced (even if not required) & have them thoroughly checked over & spend where its needed to bring the car to a point it should be hard to fault.
As been mentioned already , at this age you really have to buy on current condition over miles or owners as nether of these things will truly define a cars overall credentials.
My next concern especially with M models is where you are in the service /brakes / tyres loop as what might appear a better car can soon leave you looking for £1500/£2k in routine spend.
 
I don't think I've ever considered number of owners in the decision of buying a car.

History, condition etc are much more important. Mileage comes into it but broadly only for purposes of resale.
 
Neither are really that important, just buy based on condition.

Half the 'registered keepers' (not owners) will probably be traders or finance companies anyway.
 
Thanks for all the responses. I think the over-riding view is a fewer owner car, but just to do my research and buy the best model I can find mechanically and best condition. Interesting to read that most Z owners expect a water pump to be replaced between 70 and 100K.
Im looking for mine to be a weekend car, something to enjoy which I hope over the next few years Im not going to lose any money on...…………..which I have been doing all my car driving life !!!!
 
Might want to have a read of the buyers guide in what to expect.

Water pump will go without warning.
Bushes will probably need replaced as they perish.
Suspension refresh will be required at some point.
Coo Pee has a rusty bird bath on the hatchback but can take a roof rack that'll take ladders for that window cleaner look. :rofl:
Roadster drowns the roof motor sometimes.
Some oil usage depending on the engine type.
108 alloys might corrode.
Window regulator will fail at some point.

Apart from that they're like any other 2nd hand car.
 
mr wilks said:
Flawed indeed :oops: I would upset your research as I rarely keep my weekenders long but always have them properly serviced (even if not required) & have them thoroughly checked over & spend where its needed to bring the car to a point it should be hard to fault.
As been mentioned already , at this age you really have to buy on current condition over miles or owners as nether of these things will truly define a cars overall credentials.
My next concern especially with M models is where you are in the service /brakes / tyres loop as what might appear a better car can soon leave you looking for £1500/£2k in routine spend.
Click to expand...

There are always exceptions :wink: I was answering the question literally, giving a preference between the two options. I agree with you fully regarding condition and potential "early" extra money to be spent. When I was looking for mine I created a 100 point checklist, spent 8 months looking and viewed over 30 before finding the one I wanted (I was just about to give up as it was December). I found quite a lot in not good condition and most were high owners. I also try to assess potential short term extra spend like when will tyres, brakes, suspension etc need to be replaced. Often it is better going for slightly higher mileage if a common failure has recently been replaced. For example all things being equal a 60k car that had an electric water pump replaced at 55k shouldn't have to worry about the water pump for a while whereas a 50k car without may need it replacing soon.
 
More miles less owners for me. These cars wear the miles well when they are looked after. Check the service history and always buy on condition. A cared for car with more on it is less likely to cause you pain, than a lower milage car that has been unloved. IMHO. :wink:
 
I'd be buying whichever car was in the best condition. The number of owners has absolutely no impact on the condition of the car you're inspecting. Examine any car thoroughly and the result of your examinations should be what makes up your mind. Perhaps if two cars are in identical condition you could use mileage to help you to decide, if the prices are also identical...otherwise there seems to be little logic in putting anything else before condition.
 
Number of owners is a number on a piece of paper.

Buy on today's condition along with service and MOT history.
 
My car has had several owners, but I can honestly say this made no difference to my buying decision. It’s condition for a 16 year old car is amazing and the history very good. There is no evidence that it has suffered for having had a number of owners, quite the contrary in fact.

Cars like these, which are often bought as second, or even third cars, for weekend and holiday use (like mine), seem to change hands fairly frequently, especially when owners realise that they’re doing fewer miles than they thought and decide they can no longer justify keeping it.

Base your decision on condition and history.
 
I wouldn't take number of owners into account - Z4Ms aren't usually a daily driver, especially as they get older.

As a result they change hands quite often, usually because of changing circumstances like parenthood, change of job, moving house, etc.

I'd put condition and service history ahead of mileage too.

Good luck anyway - Interlagos Blue is a great colour. :thumbsup:
 
you never indicated price difference between the cars you listed...I would think that would effect my decision...
Also, the higher mile cars with 6 month warranty may be the way go if in better overall condition, but what does that warranty actually cover/exclude?
 
condition is king, owners dont matter, mot's dont matter either frankly as any serious fault has to be rectified for the next year, but scratches dents and shagged seats dont fail mot's either.
 
A lot of aftermarket warranties are worth pish. I have knowledge of these things and got fingers burnt twice with a 'direct warranty' company, even though I paid for a premium warranty. So, if you do look at the car with the warranty ' thoroughly' go through it with a microscope for the small writing . It will normally say they dont cover probably anything that can go wrong.
As for owners. These cars from their earlier days get bought and sold quite quickly . Some may have been lease cars, so thats its first owner after 2 or 3 years for a start. Lots of owners, in a way , means a new toy gets lots of love in the beginning.
I think the head and heart senario comes into buying a car too. At the end of the day , you could ask a local member ( with knowledge) in the club to overview a car for beer tokens. I have learnt so much in the month of ownership that I wasnt that aware of in 4 or 5 years of researching and umming and arring about getting an E86. So, spend a few nights looking through various threads and jot down a list of things to look for. Ask about water pumps, rear springs, seat bolsters etc etc . The first car I looked at was a pup and glad I walked away.
Private cars will give you better value in buying. You will be face to face with the person who has the current ownership. Allows you to work out how enthused with the car their ownership has been. I bought a car from someone leaving the family nest and needing a deposit to do this. You also can get a better purchase price and if you are looking at a members car , you will have potential of writes up by the owner on here of things they have had and resolved etc. Private cars are sold as seen, which you could have an inspection done before buying.
Dealer cars , you are automatically given a 3 month warranty as statutory . You will have some comeback on initial problems. Some cars are on sale or return , so I also found. Dealers may have bought cars that are no different to a private sale, but have gained a bit of spit and polish and maybe an oil change.
At the end of the day , a wad full of paperwork, decent service history, clean external and internally always give me a good feeling the rest of the car has had a similar care and love.
Good luck with your search and if you put the cars on links here, then people who know can at least give a first eye over the car before you venture out the house to inspect them
 
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