Need your advise and wisdom on buying a car

A

Aroberts

Member
Hey guys.

I’ve been wanting to get a z4 for some time, and it seems a right time to do so.

So i found this Z4 on autotrader https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109067053746

It seems to be in good condition and been looked after.


The only work I need to do, is some TLC and get driver seat leather repaired (just usual wear and no major damage to the seat)

The other cons are that it doesn’t have cruise control and electric adjusted seats. Which I think is rare on z4s anyways. Also would have preferred to get 3.0 engine, but 2.5 will do as well to be honest.

I reckon i can get it for 4.5k.

Would appreciate your wisdom and feedback on the car and perhaps price?
 
Aroberts said:
Hey guys.

I’ve been wanting to get a z4 for some time, and it seems a right time to do so.

So i found this Z4 on autotrader https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109067053746

It seems to be in good condition and been looked after.

The only problem I have is that the car doesn’t have anything stamped in the service history book, but the gent who owns kept some receipt on parts he has changed or work has carried. I.e rear stabiliser link, brake change, etc.

The only work I need to do, is some TLC and get driver seat leather repaired (just usual wear and no major damage to the seat)

The other cons are that it doesn’t have cruise control and electric adjusted seats. Which I think is rare on z4s anyways. Also would have preferred to get 3.0 engine, but 2.5 will do as well to be honest.

I reckon i can get it for 4.5k.

Would appreciate your wisdom and feedback on the car and perhaps price?
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Maybe it’s me, but the wording in the advert suggests a thoroughly well maintained car owned for 7 years by a ‘chartered motor engineer’…. The MOT History on the other hand paints a different picture IMHO :?
 
Hm

Its had a fairly tough life looking at the MOT history as True-Blue says, so you need to decipher whether it HAS been cherished by the seller or its a bit of flannel

That aside its a good looking car, decent colour and spec

My only watch out (controversial) is that its a Scottish registered car, some say they are more prone to corrosion underneath due to additional salt on roads- I cant countenance either way but I'd take a good look before committing
 
Nice Monaco Blue post-facelift 2.5Si, what’s not to like?

Cruise control is an easy retrofit (c.£150 for OEM stalk and custom loom).
It has heated M-sport seats which is what most people are after. They will still be worth good money if you decide to swap them out for electric ones later (but frankly there is less to go wrong with manuals).

You’ll have to make your own mind up about the service history and MOT. Plenty of members on here do their own work and their cars are better for it, so long as the issues are fixed and oil and fluids are changed regularly. However, lack of service history will hurt you when you sell, so factor this into the purchase price.

What surprises me about this car is that it had so many problems when it was only 4 years old on <30k miles. Perhaps that’s hard driving and the Scottish climate for you. As above, not necessarily a problem if it’s all been fixed.

It seems a fair price in the current climate, but above all buy on condition and how much love you think the car has been given.
 
Thanks for such a quick feedback guys.

I am quite hesitant based on the MOT history too, but I checked some other cars with similar age and milage, that are marked more (2-3k more), and it seems that a lot of them have similar issues i.e. shocks, anti-roll bar, brake pipe corrosion, etc.

From my WhatsApp chats, the gent is super responsive and answers to whatever question I had (however silly it is), which is re-assuring. And he's sent some invoices already, i.e,
  • April 2021 = MOT, Rear Stabiliser link, Strip and Clean off nearside from brake, Renew Front, Left stabiliser link,
  • Sept 2021 = Brake fluid change. Front brake disc changed, Pagid wear sensor front changed

It's a tough business buying a car, unless if you are a mechanic :cry: :cry: :headbang:
 
Aroberts said:
Thanks for such a quick feedback guys.

I am quite hesitant based on the MOT history too, but I checked some other cars with similar age and milage, that are marked more (2-3k more), and it seems that a lot of them have similar issues i.e. shocks, anti-roll bar, brake pipe corrosion, etc.

From my WhatsApp chats, the gent is super responsive and answers to whatever question I had (however silly it is), which is re-assuring. And he's sent some invoices already, i.e,
  • April 2021 = MOT, Rear Stabiliser link, Strip and Clean off nearside from brake, Renew Front, Left stabiliser link,
  • Sept 2021 = Brake fluid change. Front brake disc changed, Pagid wear sensor front changed

It's a tough business buying a car, unless if you are a mechanic :cry: :cry: :headbang:
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Maybe just a misprint, but I hope that says 'front brake discs' (plural)
Never a good idea to only change one side.
 
That bodes well-

I gauge the guy feel of buy/walk as much on the seller and their approach as I do the car

When it all comes down to it I suppose it’s a balancing act and how much you like the car!!
 
If its going to be a keeper I wouldnt touch it at that mileage. I know folks on here say mileage doesnt matter as long as car has been well maintained but I imagine they all have higher mileage cars. Engine internals must be showing signs of wear and the absence of any real service history would put me off completely. Sorry but you did ask.
 
enuff_zed said:
Aroberts said:
Thanks for such a quick feedback guys.

I am quite hesitant based on the MOT history too, but I checked some other cars with similar age and milage, that are marked more (2-3k more), and it seems that a lot of them have similar issues i.e. shocks, anti-roll bar, brake pipe corrosion, etc.

From my WhatsApp chats, the gent is super responsive and answers to whatever question I had (however silly it is), which is re-assuring. And he's sent some invoices already, i.e,
  • April 2021 = MOT, Rear Stabiliser link, Strip and Clean off nearside from brake, Renew Front, Left stabiliser link,
  • Sept 2021 = Brake fluid change. Front brake disc changed, Pagid wear sensor front changed

It's a tough business buying a car, unless if you are a mechanic :cry: :cry: :headbang:
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Maybe just a misprint, but I hope that says 'front brake discs' (plural)
Never a good idea to only change one side.
Click to expand...

Deffo brake pads not a single one hahahaha
 
I hear what everyone is saying, and the general consensus is buy it if you get a strong feeling that the car has bene looked after or walk away.

I am just wondering if I hold up do you reckon I can find another 2.5 or 3.0 SI (sport package) with 70-90k miles, for that price 4-5k?

When looking on Auto trader and Ebay, there seems to be very few of these cars and the price ranges from 5 to 9k. Majority in 6-7k range.
 
Aroberts said:
I hear what everyone is saying, and the general consensus is buy it if you get a strong feeling that the car has bene looked after or walk away.

I am just wondering if I hold up do you reckon I can find another 2.5 or 3.0 SI (sport package) with 70-90k miles, for that price 4-5k?

When looking on Auto trader and Ebay, there seems to be very few of these cars and the price ranges from 5 to 9k. Majority in 6-7k range.
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Well then consider why this one is cheaper, and if you're getting more peace of mind when you pay more?
 
I'd walk away from that one if I were you. Just studied the photos and noted the following : gravel rash on lower front valance, front slam panel/cross member is badly corroded, front bumper is misaligned/broken clip at nearside join with wing, rear bumper is misaligned/broken clip at offside join with wing, flaking clear coat on alloy wheels and small //M logos missing, rear calipers are grotty and rear discs are badly corroded/scored and would expect pads to be poor also, tailpipes filthy/corroded, Chinese ditchfinder tyres all round :(
 
patriot66 said:
I'd walk away from that one if I were you. Just studied the photos and noted the following : gravel rash on lower front valance, front slam panel/cross member is badly corroded, front bumper is misaligned/broken clip at nearside join with wing, rear bumper is misaligned/broken clip at offside join with wing, flaking clear coat on alloy wheels and small //M logos missing, rear calipers are grotty and rear discs are badly corroded/scored and would expect pads to be poor also, tailpipes filthy/corroded, Chinese ditchfinder tyres all round :(
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Good eye! And an excellent list to knock the price down another peg

Seriously though: what you may save in pennies now could cost you in pounds later. It’s a car you probably don’t need but really want and as such, should be just right. If something feels off, and judging by the fact you’re asking for input it does, just walk away.

If however there’s something desperately pulling you to this specific car, then make sure you enter into this purchase with both eyes open and accept that it may well hold a few (potentially costly) surprises for you down the line. Ultimately though the Z4 is a seemingly well-built car that, even when in a poor state, can be put right again. As said: at a price..
 
You won’t find a decent 3.0Si in your price range almost at any mileage. Better off with a 2.5Si which doesn’t seem to command the same premium, or a well looked after prefacelift 3.0i.
 
patriot66 - great eye on the detail.

Solid feedback guys, really appreciate it. I am still gonna check it out on Friday just in case, will let you know after I inspect the car.

I am deffo going to be cautious and be ready to walk away.
 
In the meantime, if anyone has a good facelift 2.5si Sport package for sale please let me know.

I will be open to 3.0si sport as well, but I know that is slightly our of my price range.

My budget is £5,500 max
 
Aroberts said:
I am deffo going to be cautious and be ready to walk away.
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That sounds like a good plan. :thumbsup:

You mention the lack of electric seats. I'm pretty sure that they were standard on all 3 litre cars, whether pre- or post-facelift. But the downside of pre-facelifts is you are unlikely to find one with the M-Sport seats, and as has been said you aren't likely to find a 3.0Si in your budget.

On the corrosion front the first thing that tends to suffer is the rear brake pipes at the end of the plastic cover just in front of the passenger side rear wheel, so if it is possible I'd try to check them.
 
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