Newbie after a bit of advice re Z4M Running in service

F

fridaypassion

Member
Wakefield UK
Hi

I'm looking at the moment for a Z4M Roadster and today I've been and looked at a nice one thats in budget and was impressed with it. The dealers (independant) have just rung me to say that the car has never had its running in service, only the inspection 1 which was done recently.

They have been up front about it and told me the engine is therefore not warrantied but the dealer will include a warranty for 12 months which does cover the engine. The manufacturers warranty would run out in 10 months anyway.

Question is do I walk away? Is a missing running in service going to prevent resale? I think I will be able to secure the car for a very good price so should be able to do the same when I sell it on. I dont really know enough about the cars to be confident that they are strong enough engines that its not too important an issue (bearing in mind this car is probaly 1-2k cheaper than the going rate)

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks.
 
fridaypassion said:
Hi

I'm looking at the moment for a Z4M Roadster and today I've been and looked at a nice one thats in budget and was impressed with it. The dealers (independant) have just rung me to say that the car has never had its running in service, only the inspection 1 which was done recently.

They have been up front about it and told me the engine is therefore not warrantied but the dealer will include a warranty for 12 months which does cover the engine. The manufacturers warranty would run out in 10 months anyway.

Question is do I walk away? Is a missing running in service going to prevent resale? I think I will be able to secure the car for a very good price so should be able to do the same when I sell it on. I dont really know enough about the cars to be confident that they are strong enough engines that its not too important an issue (bearing in mind this car is probaly 1-2k cheaper than the going rate)

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks.
Click to expand...
I don't understand the question. For clarity, are they saying the car never had it's 2,000km M service or did it miss an oil service? How many KM are on the car?

Thanks
 
In my view, an engine can ruined in 5 cold minutes at any age.

You are getting 2 months extra warranty, have found a colour combo you like at a price you like.

If it sounds right, isn't showing white smoke at cold start and looks straight then I would go for it.

It is always your choice, but I'd rather this situation than faked services.

Sceptre
 
Inspection one a 8K Miles is early as far as miles go but three years could be a problem. I would think the miles is a lot more important than the time. The service should be done around 15k Miles I don't understand why the dealer wouldn't cover the engine. I would have to ask the service manager at the dealership there must be something they aren't telling you about the car.
 
absolutly no way touch this car!! first of all why wasnt the run in service done?? its free for gods sake?? this car should be very very cheap or walk away, this car will never be sellable to a dealer btw, personally i think you should turn around add just very small amount of money and get ones thats been properly serviced!! just my advice anyway, normal z4 no probs but the M is a different kettle of fish and the motor needs to be treated in a certain way. bear in mind these cars run a different oil from new (running in oil) then need to be changed at 1500 miles to the correct grade oil (tws), i believe the oil is specific running in lubricants in the motor and trans/diff, damaged may be caused running these for 12k miles, you just never know!! all i know is bmw wouldnt have gone thru the expense of making this interval if it wasnt absolutly neccessary.
 
As Beedub said, there are special lubricants added to the oil for the first 1200 miles to help properly seat the various engine components. I do not think that running 8k with the incorrect lubricant would be healthy for the engine over the long term.

my two pence :)
 
I agree with the two guys above, no way would I touch it. What happens if your circumstances change and you need to move it on quickly, a dealer might be your only choice for a cash sale, and they wouldn't touch it without the 1200 mile service being done.

It might be cheaper now but wait until you try and sell it.
 
Thanks for the info guys

By coincedence I rang another dealer about a different car and they actually sold this car to the people that have it at the moment. It was a fleet car for an accident repair company. The reason its not had the running in service is that the fleet manager forgot about it!

I've queried weather the (3rd party) warranty they have offered me for 12 months will actually be void because the service schedule is out which I think it will be. I didnt know about the different grading of oils so that information is very useful so thanks for that.

I think ultimately the 3rd party warranty will be void so its to big a risk. That said I may sneak in a silly offer and see if they take it. Obviously that saving would just be passed on when it comes to resale time. I wouldnt want to pay more than 15k for it to be honest.
 
I mentioned this on another forum if you're the same bloke. :)

I was told to make sure I got the 1200 mile service if not the BMW warranty would be void and the exact words were "nobody in the trade would touch it".

Whether the service makes a difference or not technically (sure BMW wouldn't be so fussy otherwise) the major issue is you won't be able to get a BMW warranty I believe after the one the dealer puts on runs out. Given it's an M-car, you could be talking thousands for repair and when you come to sell, it will be an absolute nightmare in my opinion.

If you can get another Z4M for say 20k which seems reasonable go with that. If you only have 15k to spend, wait a while as they will come down or buy a 80k miles Porsche 996 C2! 15k wll buy you a lot of car at the moment - there is a nice Merc 350Sl going for that by me at the moment!!

When I bought mine, I wanted to buy new, but no way was I paying full price. I managed to find one for a good discount off list by shopping around.

My opinion is you'd be crazy to buy a car which may be impossible to trade for a decent amount in this climate. Walk away! :o

Hope that helps and all just my humble personal unqualified opinion!
 
Hi Steve

Yeah I posted on pistonheads too. I've found another one with 24k on the clock also up for 18k which looks a better bet (Its got the full optionss list on it too) I'm only likley to run it for about a year so resale issues are a top priority. Given the useful info yourselves nd others have said I've decided definately not to bother with the dud one!
 
All the toys, stunning in red and 17k miles, 23k:
http://bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260_159980106__,00.html?currentCh=WBSDU92080LF78073

Sure they would take an offer :)
 
scotia_steve74 said:
All the toys, stunning in red and 17k miles, 23k:
http://bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260_159980106__,00.html?currentCh=WBSDU92080LF78073

Sure they would take an offer :)
Click to expand...
I'm sure that was only £21,995 last Sunday!

I went into Sandals, and saw it while I was there.

Oh, and as said earlier - don't touch the car without the 1200 mile service.
 
Hmm very nice its actually about two minutes from me that car. Out of budget though and as much as I prefer the coupe looks Its got to be a roadster ready for the summer!
 
I take it this is the one you mentioned:

http://www.compucars.co.uk/used-cars/bmw/z4/for-sale/?680227

At that money, I'd be looking at a 04/05 Boxster 987 3.2...... Used to have one - great car for top down fun!
 
http://www.hippoprestige.co.uk/index.php?page=bmw-z4m-roadster-3-2

Thats the one with the missing service.

I've seen a couple of boxsters but prefer the z4 looks really!
 
fridaypassion said:
...I'm only likley to run it for about a year so resale issues are a top priority. Given the useful info yourselves nd others have said I've decided definately not to bother with the dud one!
Click to expand...
Probably not a good 12 month bet TBH, not sure I'd buy one currently if I was only intending running it for a year. Demand won't be much better in 12 months time, plus the new one will be out for 6 months, residuals at the top get pushed down which has a domino effect all the way down the range.
 
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