My First Post - Going to view this Z4 on Saturday.
- Thread starter Tommo
- Start date
Well Ive had a hectic day. I assumed it would be abe to go on my dads fleet insurance but apparetly not. Cheapest Ive found is £1376 from bell 
But that will have to do.
So I had a quick look around on autotrader ad decided that I would be prepared to go private and save some money...
Come across this one...
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+Z4/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-41-62-240-4294965351-4294967202/advert.action?R=200846323085849&distance=59&postcode=st1+6xh&channel=CARS&make=BMW&model=Z4&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=60000
Spec looks great and the guy told me its in immaculate condition. He bought it from Cooper BMW maidstone in March. So it still has 4-5 month BMW warranty left on it. Its advertised at £1000 cheaper than the one im looking to buy
Going down at 9 in the morning, just waiting for im to get back to me with his address.
Hardtop is definately a bonus....after this winter how much would I be able to sell it for if I wanted to?
EDIT - What checks do I need to do? I rang the garage but he told me its not got a service history at that particuar garage as they only got it in march this year.
But that will have to do.So I had a quick look around on autotrader ad decided that I would be prepared to go private and save some money...
Come across this one...
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+Z4/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-41-62-240-4294965351-4294967202/advert.action?R=200846323085849&distance=59&postcode=st1+6xh&channel=CARS&make=BMW&model=Z4&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=60000
Spec looks great and the guy told me its in immaculate condition. He bought it from Cooper BMW maidstone in March. So it still has 4-5 month BMW warranty left on it. Its advertised at £1000 cheaper than the one im looking to buy
Going down at 9 in the morning, just waiting for im to get back to me with his address.Hardtop is definately a bonus....after this winter how much would I be able to sell it for if I wanted to?
EDIT - What checks do I need to do? I rang the garage but he told me its not got a service history at that particuar garage as they only got it in march this year.
Here's the link to the MOT history of a car:
http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/internet/jsp/ECHID-Internet-History-Request.jsp
Check it out on a car you already have the log book or MOT for.
As for other research. You make the call but if buying a £10k car private spend a few £££'s on research. Parker's valuation, HPI check (which insures against it being stolen, ringed, etc., No nasty surprises later.
As for the pistonheads example it does look nice and shoudl be viewed regardless of you decision on the Andover one. It ticks every box with that spec and people kill for the red interior.
The hardtop will be worth around £1200 now and maybe drop to £900 to £1,000 in mid Summer. A real bonus to have it.
http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/internet/jsp/ECHID-Internet-History-Request.jsp
Check it out on a car you already have the log book or MOT for.
As for other research. You make the call but if buying a £10k car private spend a few £££'s on research. Parker's valuation, HPI check (which insures against it being stolen, ringed, etc., No nasty surprises later.
As for the pistonheads example it does look nice and shoudl be viewed regardless of you decision on the Andover one. It ticks every box with that spec and people kill for the red interior.
The hardtop will be worth around £1200 now and maybe drop to £900 to £1,000 in mid Summer. A real bonus to have it.
Yep ive got a thing for red leather seats too
That MOT check site is great, didnt realise that was possible. Im STILL waiting for the guy to confirm...no sign of a phone call yet
As soon as he confirms I will be spendng some money on gettin all the info on the car. Is the parkers one for about £12 ok?
That MOT check site is great, didnt realise that was possible. Im STILL waiting for the guy to confirm...no sign of a phone call yet
As soon as he confirms I will be spendng some money on gettin all the info on the car. Is the parkers one for about £12 ok?
mr tommo said:Yep ive got a thing for red leather seats too
That MOT check site is great, didnt realise that was possible. Im STILL waiting for the guy to confirm...no sign of a phone call yet
As soon as he confirms I will be spendng some money on gettin all the info on the car. Is the parkers one for about £12 ok?
Pretty cool site as you can turn up to view knowing that say last MOT it had an advisory on XYZ and see if it were fixed, check mileage year on year with the service book to see if it all flows, etc. I purchased KA from a dealer on Ebay and ran the check from my laptop and internet on the tailgate of my car before completing the sale and taking it home on a trailer.
No idea what you mean by 'Parkers one for £12k'?
Ive no Idea what I meant either. Will check that site works on my phone now actually so I can check it there.
Going to do the HPI check over the phone when I get there aswell even though it costs about a fiver extra.
I rang the BMW garage where he bought it from in march and the service guy told me that they couldnt get a service history of the car before march because it was not serviced there :? I assumed it would be a national BMW database where they could check everything for me.
This is going to sound stupid I know, but how do you pay for a private car? Ive got all the money sitting in a current account.
Going to do the HPI check over the phone when I get there aswell even though it costs about a fiver extra.
I rang the BMW garage where he bought it from in march and the service guy told me that they couldnt get a service history of the car before march because it was not serviced there :? I assumed it would be a national BMW database where they could check everything for me.
This is going to sound stupid I know, but how do you pay for a private car? Ive got all the money sitting in a current account.
I'm a banker so to me that's all rather obvious, but there are a few ways.
Well if it's a dealer he cannot take more than £5k in cash. Money laundering and all that crap.
Old fashioned is a bankers draft. in reality a cheque drawn on the banks own account with the money taken off your account. Safe and easy but the buyer should be aware of scams with them being stolen
Easiest these days is an internet bank transfer where the money arrives in te payee account as cleared funds in 3 days (1 for same bank transfers), although the new fast standing order or fast transfer can get it there in a few hours.
Best just discuss with the seller what works for both of you, but in reality pay a cash deposit and collect the car xx days later once payment is cleared and you have had time to check all the documents.
Good luck
Well if it's a dealer he cannot take more than £5k in cash. Money laundering and all that crap.
Old fashioned is a bankers draft. in reality a cheque drawn on the banks own account with the money taken off your account. Safe and easy but the buyer should be aware of scams with them being stolen
Easiest these days is an internet bank transfer where the money arrives in te payee account as cleared funds in 3 days (1 for same bank transfers), although the new fast standing order or fast transfer can get it there in a few hours.
Best just discuss with the seller what works for both of you, but in reality pay a cash deposit and collect the car xx days later once payment is cleared and you have had time to check all the documents.
Good luck
Thanks, will see what's best with him because Id be wary of selling privately for that amount of money.
Thanks for all the help guys youv'e been awesome... This is me right now ----->
I'll hopefully update tomorrow as a Z4 owner (that sounds so cool in my head - ha) with a couple of pics. Fingers crossed!
Thanks for all the help guys youv'e been awesome... This is me right now ----->
I'll hopefully update tomorrow as a Z4 owner (that sounds so cool in my head - ha) with a couple of pics. Fingers crossed!
mr tommo said:Thanks, will see what's best with him because Id be wary of selling privately for that amount of money.
Thanks for all the help guys youv'e been awesome... This is me right now ----->
I'll hopefully update tomorrow as a Z4 owner (that sounds so cool in my head - ha) with a couple of pics. Fingers crossed!
Wrong - go there assuming you won't buy it, look for faults, work on the price and if you strike a deal that you are delighted with - then great. Then and only then get involved with the car you purchased. Until then it's just a viewing and there are loads more available at just the price you want to pay...
Not putting a downer on it but people get drawn into the purchase and skim over too much as they are emotionally involved.
When I purchased mine my wife was 'instructed' to not even smile and said she hated the colour and suggested we leave even though it was the perfect colour and car we wanted...lol
IMHO this is what a good 2003 3.0i Sterling Grey can look like with a bit of TLC (and OK a few mods over the last year)
Good luck Saturday
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I GOT ONE I GOT ONE!!!
Well....after a nightmare this morning I finally bought a Z4.
Last night I arranged to go and see the silver one I posted above, at 9am this morning.
I pull onto his estate at 8:55 after 1 1/2 hours of driving, and my phone startes ringing.. Its the guy selling the silver Z4, I lose the signal so put the phone down and parked up infront of the Z4 on the drive.
Knock on the door and Im greeted with a smile and, "sorry tom, I tried to ring, all I can offer you is a cup of tea or a hardtop, hahaha". Yeah really freaking funny dude. "someone bought the car about 10 minutes ago". So I just walked off.. Id given up a days work, and my dads mate (builder) had cancelled his brick layers so he could come donw to see the car.
Went and had a dinner and decided that I didnt want to go and see the car down in Surrey - 3 hour drive. Went back home, had a quick look on autotrader again and saw this...
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+Z4/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-90-240-4294965351-4294967202/advert.action?R=200845322722130&distance=42&postcode=st1+6xh&channel=CARS&make=BMW&model=Z4&min_pr=11000&max_pr=&max_mileage=
Mileage was 50k but I dont think thats excessive for a 5 year old vehicle.
One alloy was starting to bubble, it has the new england leather seats (I think thats what they are called), but the side bolster was a little scuffed... Im hoping that can be sorted right?
Roof was a little dirty, bit of green algae on the roof which Im sure wil come off with a decent wash? :!:
The guy is a police officer (28 years old) which was a good thing..hopefully.
Ran a HPI check everything matched up apart from a mileage check (which they wont guarantee, and told me it could just be a clerical error and I should ring the local BMW garage to check this.
Did an MOT check which cj10jeeper gave me a link to - all was good, brake pads were replaced in september (rear).
I checked the amp in the boot and the barcode on the side said carver - so I was like this
Just needs a bit of attention and care and it will look awesome.
Managed to get it for £10.5k in the end so well happy as I was prepared to spend up to £11.5k.
Did I get an ok deal?
Well....after a nightmare this morning I finally bought a Z4.
Last night I arranged to go and see the silver one I posted above, at 9am this morning.
I pull onto his estate at 8:55 after 1 1/2 hours of driving, and my phone startes ringing.. Its the guy selling the silver Z4, I lose the signal so put the phone down and parked up infront of the Z4 on the drive.
Knock on the door and Im greeted with a smile and, "sorry tom, I tried to ring, all I can offer you is a cup of tea or a hardtop, hahaha". Yeah really freaking funny dude. "someone bought the car about 10 minutes ago". So I just walked off.. Id given up a days work, and my dads mate (builder) had cancelled his brick layers so he could come donw to see the car.
Went and had a dinner and decided that I didnt want to go and see the car down in Surrey - 3 hour drive. Went back home, had a quick look on autotrader again and saw this...
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+Z4/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-90-240-4294965351-4294967202/advert.action?R=200845322722130&distance=42&postcode=st1+6xh&channel=CARS&make=BMW&model=Z4&min_pr=11000&max_pr=&max_mileage=
Mileage was 50k but I dont think thats excessive for a 5 year old vehicle.
One alloy was starting to bubble, it has the new england leather seats (I think thats what they are called), but the side bolster was a little scuffed... Im hoping that can be sorted right?
Roof was a little dirty, bit of green algae on the roof which Im sure wil come off with a decent wash? :!:
The guy is a police officer (28 years old) which was a good thing..hopefully.
Ran a HPI check everything matched up apart from a mileage check (which they wont guarantee, and told me it could just be a clerical error and I should ring the local BMW garage to check this.
Did an MOT check which cj10jeeper gave me a link to - all was good, brake pads were replaced in september (rear).
I checked the amp in the boot and the barcode on the side said carver - so I was like this
Just needs a bit of attention and care and it will look awesome.
Managed to get it for £10.5k in the end so well happy as I was prepared to spend up to £11.5k.
Did I get an ok deal?
Well that didn't take you long....
Seems a pretty good price, great colour combo too
You would struggle to find a Z4 of the same age that doesn't have scuffed bolsters. It can be treated, I'll soon be getting mine done for around £80.
You can get some roof cleaner and sealer from dealers, would be a good idea to give it a treatment or two. The cleaner is a spray on thing, then rub it in before rinsing off. The sealer you have to mix with water and wipe it on, then leave to dry. Be careful not to leave the residue on any paintwork though. It''s a shame the roof is dirty, all the ones I've seen were suprisingly clean looking, no algae to be seen.
Nice to see satnav, it's one of my favourite toys, but I'm a geek
Any idea what the first guy wanted for the hardtop?
Seems a pretty good price, great colour combo too
You would struggle to find a Z4 of the same age that doesn't have scuffed bolsters. It can be treated, I'll soon be getting mine done for around £80.
You can get some roof cleaner and sealer from dealers, would be a good idea to give it a treatment or two. The cleaner is a spray on thing, then rub it in before rinsing off. The sealer you have to mix with water and wipe it on, then leave to dry. Be careful not to leave the residue on any paintwork though. It''s a shame the roof is dirty, all the ones I've seen were suprisingly clean looking, no algae to be seen.
Nice to see satnav, it's one of my favourite toys, but I'm a geek
Any idea what the first guy wanted for the hardtop?
Glad thats pretty common re: the seats! The only thing that put me off the car.
The car was his wife's, and just looked like it hadnt seen any wax for a few months. Any idea how much the cleaner is because I want to give it a good going over before I start pimping around town :lol:
Yeah Satnav was a must, was impressed with the bluetooth too, I even saw it in action as he took a call on the test drive to turn down a viewer for the car
Was a bit disappointed with the roof but Im 100% sure it will come up a treat, as for the engine/drive...I loved every second of it!
Not stopped smiling yet, and the extra assurance of him being a copper is putting my mind at rest too because I cant see there being anything dodgy going on.
Another thing, the exhaust wasn't very chrome. The metal pipes were quite thin and not very shiny at all. What can I do to make them look better? My cousin has a 325ci convertible and has the twin chrome pipes which look awesom compared to these.
The car was his wife's, and just looked like it hadnt seen any wax for a few months. Any idea how much the cleaner is because I want to give it a good going over before I start pimping around town :lol:
Yeah Satnav was a must, was impressed with the bluetooth too, I even saw it in action as he took a call on the test drive to turn down a viewer for the car
Was a bit disappointed with the roof but Im 100% sure it will come up a treat, as for the engine/drive...I loved every second of it!
Not stopped smiling yet, and the extra assurance of him being a copper is putting my mind at rest too because I cant see there being anything dodgy going on.
Another thing, the exhaust wasn't very chrome. The metal pipes were quite thin and not very shiny at all. What can I do to make them look better? My cousin has a 325ci convertible and has the twin chrome pipes which look awesom compared to these.
The cleaner is around £8 I think, and the sealer about £12, or vice versa. A good clean and seal helps remove the crease marks a bit too.
Probably a good time to give the car a good coat of wax, since it has probably been cleaned well for the sale.
Be VERY careful with the long front end, you're likely to bash the bumper when parking. And be careful with speed bumps too, don't try straddling them like you would in most cars.
Probably a good time to give the car a good coat of wax, since it has probably been cleaned well for the sale.
Be VERY careful with the long front end, you're likely to bash the bumper when parking. And be careful with speed bumps too, don't try straddling them like you would in most cars.
Congrats on the car
For the roof you could try the AG kit £20 from Halfords and will remove the algae http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=4378&p=61882&hilit=+hood+kit#p61882
The exhausts you can clean up with Autosol http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6852&p=103830#p103830
For the roof you could try the AG kit £20 from Halfords and will remove the algae http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=4378&p=61882&hilit=+hood+kit#p61882
The exhausts you can clean up with Autosol http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6852&p=103830#p103830
Yeah it felt abit weird sitting right at the back of the car. Being a shortarse doesn't help either
Well Ive got some Meguiars Gold class wax which should do the job although its a bit of a pain in the arse on black cars with streak makrs I find.
What do you mean about not straddling the speed bumps?
Well Ive got some Meguiars Gold class wax which should do the job although its a bit of a pain in the arse on black cars with streak makrs I find.
What do you mean about not straddling the speed bumps?
oh dear, how can i say this - Mr. Tommo im really sorry but i think im the one who bought the car you originally went to see I phoned the guy as soon as his ad went up so he gave me first refusal on the time to look and i knew the car would sell to the first buyer so went for 8am... I didnt realise he had someone coming so soon after!
Anyway, you bought the car i was also going to see and im glad you got it cos it certainly sounds like a great one Hope we all have many many miles of happy Z4 ing!
I phoned the guy as soon as his ad went up so he gave me first refusal on the time to look and i knew the car would sell to the first buyer so went for 8am... I didnt realise he had someone coming so soon after!Anyway, you bought the car i was also going to see and im glad you got it cos it certainly sounds like a great one
Hope we all have many many miles of happy Z4 ing!If you straddle speed bumps, you're likely to scrape the front bumper, if not worse. Drive over them with one wheel on the bump. I usualy end up in the middle of the road, between the two humps.
One of the cars I went to see when buying mine, had speed humps on all the roads around it, made the test drive quite worrying. I'd have hated to live there, driving the car on those roads every day.
One of the cars I went to see when buying mine, had speed humps on all the roads around it, made the test drive quite worrying. I'd have hated to live there, driving the car on those roads every day.
Ah right I get ya now! I have speed bumps all through my estate 
Thanks mate, friend works in halfords too so will get her get it.
Think we've got some autosol in the garage so will definately give that a go. Is that the only option? The metal seems like wafer thin, was hoping I could get something that made them look abit better.
Haha no problem mate, was it a silver one with hardtop and in warick, on quite a new estate? Jasper?
Was just more annoyed that he didnt let me know that someone was looking at it before I went, and let me make a 3 hour round trip just incase the first person didn't buy. Looked a good example anyway!
I hope so too. Going have to drive like a fairy over this winter, coming from a 1.4 Renault Megane
Cheapest Insurance ive found so far is with bell for just under £1400. Any other young drivers here with a hidden gem insurer before I go ahead?
Ive got 7 days free cover from my HPI check which is very good IMO!
GAZA62 said:Congrats on the car
For the roof you could try the AG kit £20 from Halfords and will remove the algae http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=4378&p=61882&hilit=+hood+kit#p61882
The exhausts you can clean up with Autosol http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6852&p=103830#p103830
Thanks mate, friend works in halfords too so will get her get it.
Think we've got some autosol in the garage so will definately give that a go. Is that the only option? The metal seems like wafer thin, was hoping I could get something that made them look abit better.
EdButler said:oh dear, how can i say this - Mr. Tommo im really sorry but i think im the one who bought the car you originally went to see
Anyway, you bought the car i was also going to see and im glad you got it cos it certainly sounds like a great one
Haha no problem mate, was it a silver one with hardtop and in warick, on quite a new estate? Jasper?
Was just more annoyed that he didnt let me know that someone was looking at it before I went, and let me make a 3 hour round trip just incase the first person didn't buy. Looked a good example anyway!
I hope so too. Going have to drive like a fairy over this winter, coming from a 1.4 Renault Megane Cheapest Insurance ive found so far is with bell for just under £1400. Any other young drivers here with a hidden gem insurer before I go ahead?
Ive got 7 days free cover from my HPI check which is very good IMO!
mr tommo said:Haha no problem mate, was it a silver one with hardtop and in warick, on quite a new estate? Jasper?
Was just more annoyed that he didnt let me know that someone was looking at it before I went, and let me make a 3 hour round trip just incase the first person didn't buy. Looked a good example anyway!
Yep that was the one, I was actually in his house when you called and felt properly guilty when that happened - soo glad you're happy now though! And only now I saw your post!! We'll have to organise a mini meet sometime as i'm not too far away in the Peak District/Sheff area - ill be picking her up on Mon
He wanted to flog the Hardtop for around £600, only used once. I declined as I had the roof down in all weather in the VX and intend to keep it that way - rain/sleet/snow (hey its hardly ever sunny!)
PS. Id also confirm that the Autoglym hood cleaner/protector is excellent - used it on my VX220 and it beaded water and stopped algae beautifully. Make sure you use HALF of the protector bottle and try keep it away from your paintwork/windows. Didn't need re-application for the 18 months it was on.