New here, deep in the Z4 buying rabbit hole.

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xSoHereWeArex

Member
 Ayrshire
Hi Everyone,

I've just been lurking so far, while I research buying my first Z4 (E89).

Based in Kilmarnock, Scotland and on the hunt for a manual, ideally a 30i if the right one turns up, but not ruling out a good 23i either.

Mainly after something with real history and condition behind it rather than just low miles, since I’m hoping to keep it long term rather than flip it.
Been doing a fair bit of digging already: MOT histories, service books, wheel cracking, VANOS recalls, coil spring corrosion… the lot.

Looking forward to learning from people who actually live with these day-to-day, and hopefully posting some good news once I land on the right car.

Currently driving an iX2 xDrive30, F11 5 Series (Dog's Car) and have been granted permission to add to this with a Z4. 😊

I promise to search the forums as much as possible before asking any daft questions, but if anyone is willing to pass on advice. I'll gladly take it 🙏
 
Welcome aboard.
There's a kind of balance with regard to info on here. Most of what you term the 'daft' questions have probably been answered dozens of times and you should be able to dig those out easily. But no point going round and round for hours looking for a tricky subject when a question on here could get it answered, or at least direct you to the right person, much quicker.
No such thing as a daft question, but ready yourself for many daft answers, most likely from me. :ROFLMAO:
 
Welcome to the forum and good luck with your search, it’s always difficult to find your perfect car, just make a list of your absolute essentials and try and stick to it as you will probably regret not having something, ie sports seats / heated seats, cruise control (can be retrofitted).
There are 3 different specs of audio,
6 speaker (crap, can be upgraded with aftermarket amp and speakers, plenty of info on here)
11 speaker (better)
13 speaker (best, but some say still lacking, it’s a difficult environment in a convertible)
Everything seems to be an option or package so do your research, even phone connectivity, music were options.
 
Chippie said:
Welcome to the forum and good luck with your search, it’s always difficult to find your perfect car, just make a list of your absolute essentials and try and stick to it as you will probably regret not having something, ie sports seats / heated seats, cruise control (can be retrofitted).
There are 3 different specs of audio,
6 speaker (crap, can be upgraded with aftermarket amp and speakers, plenty of info on here)
11 speaker (better)
13 speaker (best, but some say still lacking, it’s a difficult environment in a convertible)
Everything seems to be an option or package so do your research, even phone connectivity, music were options.
Click to expand...

It is a minefield, and this seems a great forum to start. You get pretty fatigued looking at AutoTrader and trying to find a good example. I'm fairly flexible and don't have a rigid checklist; it's more about trying to get the best seller sometimes.
 
30i are much more limited in number compared to 23i and therefore command a disproportionate premium…

Maybe a few questions….

Do you feel the need for speed?

Auto vs manual?

Do goodies matter?

Colours?

Trim?

The N52s tolerate mileage and wear well.

Budget?

Private sale ?
 
B21 said:
30i are much more limited in number compared to 23i and therefore command a disproportionate premium…

Maybe a few questions….

Do you feel the need for speed?

Auto vs manual?

Do goodies matter?

Colours?

Trim?

The N52s tolerate mileage and wear well.

Budget?

Private sale ?
Click to expand...

Thanks B21

So, my thinking is (hope this isn't too demanding)

Do you feel the need for speed? I'd like it to be a 6-cylinder but don't need all-out speed.

Auto vs manual? Manual purely for simplicity.

Do goodies matter? Nothing I would be hung up on.

Colours? Is Crimson Red as good in the flesh as in pictures?

Trim? M Sport.

Budget? 5 to 8k

Private sale ? Preferred option.

The car would be parked up over the winter in a garage; it wouldn't be a daily runner.
 
When I looked for mine last year I put a wanted ad on here and found a superb example that’s sitting on my drive as I write this.

Worth a try…..
 
xSoHereWeArex said:
Thanks B21

So, my thinking is (hope this isn't too demanding)

Do you feel the need for speed? I'd like it to be a 6-cylinder but don't need all-out speed.

Auto vs manual? Manual purely for simplicity.

Do goodies matter? Nothing I would be hung up on.

Colours? Is Crimson Red as good in the flesh as in pictures?

Trim? M Sport.

Budget? 5 to 8k

Private sale ? Preferred option.

The car would be parked up over the winter in a garage; it wouldn't be a daily runner.
Click to expand...
23i MSport manual….

Loads around ar reasonable prices


Crimson red 23i will be rare -ish
 
I think this might be a difficult question, how do you guys know when AT cars are priced attractively. I see they use a rating for dealers but with private sales there is a lot of variation between cars.
 
xSoHereWeArex said:
I think this might be a difficult question, how do you guys know when AT cars are priced attractively. I see they use a rating for dealers but with private sales there is a lot of variation between cars.
Click to expand...


IMHO AT prices on E89s are generally mid to upper quartile…..on most E89s of similar age/spec/mileage there’s a two to one spread on prices with the higher end in AT…many of those never sell ..some are lucky to get an impetuous buyer..
 
FWIW I think a straight 6 is one of the Z4s' unique features, and the N52 engines in the 23i and 30i seem to be pretty bulletproof which is a bonus.

While there are far more 23is around I did see a lovely 30i in Deep Sea Blue with an Ivory White interior at Zedfest today.
 
2010 BMW Z4 2.5 23i Highline Edition sDrive Euro 5 2dr

So, using this as an example, what am I missing?

Logbook change at the end of April, then listed for Sale in May. (It could have been a family bereavement).

MOT History looks pretty clean apart from the cut in the tyre, which was instantly remedied to get it through the retest. I understand this could be a sign of 19" 296 Alloys cracking. Mileage seems decent, and extras are not bad; it seems very highly priced.
 
xSoHereWeArex said:
2010 BMW Z4 2.5 23i Highline Edition sDrive Euro 5 2dr

So, using this as an example, what am I missing?

Logbook change at the end of April, then listed for Sale in May. (It could have been a family bereavement).

MOT History looks pretty clean apart from the cut in the tyre, which was instantly remedied to get it through the retest. I understand this could be a sign of 19" 296 Alloys cracking. Mileage seems decent, and extras are not bad; it seems very highly priced.
Click to expand...


Looks ok just about £3k over market price….not many goodies ..
 
xSoHereWeArex said:
2010 BMW Z4 2.5 23i Highline Edition sDrive Euro 5 2dr

So, using this as an example, what am I missing?

Logbook change at the end of April, then listed for Sale in May. (It could have been a family bereavement).

MOT History looks pretty clean apart from the cut in the tyre, which was instantly remedied to get it through the retest. I understand this could be a sign of 19" 296 Alloys cracking. Mileage seems decent, and extras are not bad; it seems very highly priced.
Click to expand...
It's an SE spec (which I didn't know they did in 'highline' TBH). Not necessarily a bad thing (if you like the look), as the suspension is softer.
It's expensive. Very expensive. Probably because of the mileage (and some people are deluded and greedy).

You would expect any wheel issues to be noted on the MOT history. It's almost impossible to see a cracked wheel from outside as they always crack on the inner edge where they meet the tyre. As you know the 296 and 326M wheels have the worst reputation. But they don't all crack and being on SE suspension will always help a bit, as it's a lot softer than the M-sport.

I would recommend test driving both specs (SE and Msport). The Msport on 19" wheels (especially with runflats) is a very very firm ride and not for everyone. Especially with the state of the UK roads.
 
xSoHereWeArex said:
Even though it's very local, the fact that it hasn't sold makes me think the seller isn't going to budge.
Click to expand...
No harm in asking, though. If they want to sell it they will have to take what someone is willing to pay. Although that one is so high priced they would probably feel insulted at a sensible offer.

It's worth noting that the 23i was the 'base model' for a couple of years until the N20 20i 4 pot was introduced.
 
xSoHereWeArex said:
I think this might be a difficult question, how do you guys know when AT cars are priced attractively. I see they use a rating for dealers but with private sales there is a lot of variation between cars.
Click to expand...
Worth noting that anyone can get the AT valuation for a car - all you need to do is create an account then start the selling process and enter the reg plate.

Also worth noting that any seller can adjust the suggested AT selling proce by as much as they want before listing the car.
 
Gwest44 said:
Worth noting that anyone can get the AT valuation for a car - all you need to do is create an account then start the selling process and enter the reg plate.

Also worth noting that any seller can adjust the suggested AT selling proce by as much as they want before listing the car.
Click to expand...
Great tip, thanks mate.
 
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