Newbie looking at the E89

[Smash]

Came across this website with a few e89s for sale
https://www.specialcarco.co.uk/used-cars/search-results?make=BMW&model=Z4&vehicleType=cars

Not sure if anyone has dealt with him before but sadly he has just sold all the Z4’s in the past couple of weeks. Gave him a call he was a nice chap and he gave me good advice of what to look for.

 

[Ole gits rule]

Not come across him before - nice looking cars, the firs is not Msport highline as no iDrive.

Prices look reasonable in today market though

 

[Pondy]

Not sure if anyone has dealt with him before

If it is the chap I think it is, from the information on the website, he lives in a big house and has traded from there for years. I visited him once, in a work capacity (for a short period I used to re-charge a/c on cars in the early '90s). Nice bloke IIRC but then he wasn't selling me a car!

 

[Smash]

Not sure if anyone has dealt with him before

If it is the chap I think it is, from the information on the website, he lives in a big house and has traded from there for years. I visited him once, in a work capacity (for a short period I used to re-charge a/c on cars in the early '90s). Nice bloke IIRC but then he wasn't selling me a car!

Sounds like the chap. He had nothing to sell me then became very open on pricing, how much I should pay and not get sucked into the summer frenzy, I’m sure if he had one in it wouldn’t have been so open.

 

[Smash]

Well it seems as if it has come to a grinding halt on the car ads front... cars were listed everyday in there numbers In the past 2 months and selling rapidly too. Now hardly anything appears or it’s a ludicrous price. Also some cars that have been for sale for a while are sitting unsold without being discounted. Is this usual for this time of year?

 

[Smartbear]

Well it seems as if it has come to a grinding halt on the car ads front... cars were listed everyday in there numbers In the past 2 months and selling rapidly too. Now hardly anything appears or it’s a ludicrous price. Also some cars that have been for sale for a while are sitting unsold without being discounted. Is this usual for this time of year?

Well the summer months are the convertibles forte, prices generally rise!
Rob

 

[Smash]

Still looking... but I may have found one, trouble is mileage, what do you consider high mileage for a 10 plate car?

 

[Ole gits rule]

Still looking... but I may have found one, trouble is mileage, what do you consider high mileage for a 10 plate car?

That really does depend on how people look at the car, mine had 74k when I bought it and now has 77k - some will say that's fine other will say its high.

It is horses for courses - what is the mileage you are looking at.

Most will tell you look at condition anyway

 

[Smash]

It’s at 93k but has full BMW service history, it ticks all the boxes for me apart from parking sensors.

 

[Ole gits rule]

It’s at 93k but has full BMW service history, it ticks all the boxes for me apart from parking sensors.

Well I was happy at 74k and again it depends on the car, price and condition.

Mine will be on 85k when I come to sell, sensible mileage for a 3 year old car but some will say low mileage other its to high.

I assume its this one -https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313560933895?hash=item4901b02607:g:dhAAAOSwCdRgwca4

First thing I note is that it states wind deflector but it is not on the car - could be in 6th bag so check that as its a few hundred to replace with an OEM one.

Otherwise it does look nice

 

[Smash]

That’s the one, called today and had a 20 minute chat with the seller who was really knowledgeable about Z4’s, had so much time to go over things. Good point re the wind deflector didn’t spot that. The rims are a bit scruffy In places but the car he said is in very good condition, the previous owner was very meticulous about keeping up the history. Hmm either I get the train up and have a look at £100 a ticket or he said he would deliver to me for double that.

 

[Pondy]

It’s at 93k but has full BMW service history, it ticks all the boxes for me apart from parking sensors.

For £10k I would say it is high mileage personally. If it has a mountain of service receipts then OK. I can see the appeal from the pictures; it's shiny, has idrive etc. Have you done an MOT history check? It shows up a lack of general care to me. On the plus side there is no mention of cracked wheels and those 326s are infamous for it.
The pictures look to have been taken at the end of a random industrial estate too. If a proper dealer, why not at their premises?

 

[Smash]

I’ve checked the history it seems ok to me but I’m no expert. The rims have non run flats to eliminate cracking as he told me the same as you to stop this from happening.

 

[Pondy]

I’ve checked the history it seems ok to me but I’m no expert

None of us are mate. Just opinions. Do whatever feels right with the knowledge you have. Gut feelings count for a lot IMHO. The car looks V nice in the pictures, admittedly.

As you are obviously a long way from Manchester, have you asked them for a video walkround? That is easy for anyone to do with a decent mobile. Ask them to highlight anything that is not perfect. Also ask them to give a video of the paperwork, Once you buy a £100 train ticket, you are sort of committed to buy, unless you want to spend £100 getting home without it.

 

[Smash]

I’ve checked the history it seems ok to me but I’m no expert

None of us are mate. Just opinions. Do whatever feels right with the knowledge you have. Gut feelings count for a lot IMHO. The car looks V nice in the pictures, admittedly.

Thanks Pondrew, appreciate your comments. what would be good if we had a Manchester fellow here who could just have a quick look round for me.
My current car is a Volvo S60 I bought that on 88k and tried not to buy it due to mileage but I’m so glad I did it’s been a great car for the past 5 years. Mind you Volvo’s go on and on so I’m led to believe. It’s not going anywhere until it dies.

 

[Pondy]

Thanks Pondrew, appreciate your comments. what would be good if we had a Manchester fellow here who could just have a quick look round for me.

Bloody good idea. Start a thread and ask. You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain.

 

[Ole gits rule]

Mine was 10k on 74k and I felt that was my limit mileage wise - but everyone is different, you can see a few on here at 127k and 146k at £8.5 so it is not unreasonable at £10 but get him to refurb the wheels as it will only cost him £200 rather than the £300 you will pay.

I am sure someone on here will help - just ask and see who offers.

Heres one with similar mileage and no iDrive at £9k - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203482313481?hash=item2f607db309:gAwAAOSweptgux1d

 

[PointedMarlin]

Still looking... but I may have found one, trouble is mileage, what do you consider high mileage for a 10 plate car?

I brought an 11 plate with effectively 34k on the clock but can I play politician & answer the question I wanted you to ask :wink:

To me high mileage is dependent on what you want from the car … if it’s a daily driver that you plan on owning for 10 years like me then lower mileage might be important to you. If you want to use it in the summer months to cruise through France & Italy then as far as understand it a BMW that is well maintained will run as well after 100k miles as it will much earlier in its lifetime

Have a look at the mileage poll/thread in the e89 section & that might help you gauge it either way

Good luck with the hunt

 

[Ole gits rule]

I’ve checked the history it seems ok to me but I’m no expert

None of us are mate. Just opinions. Do whatever feels right with the knowledge you have. Gut feelings count for a lot IMHO. The car looks V nice in the pictures, admittedly.

Thanks Pondrew, appreciate your comments. what would be good if we had a Manchester fellow here who could just have a quick look round for me.
My current car is a Volvo S60 I bought that on 88k and tried not to buy it due to mileage but I’m so glad I did it’s been a great car for the past 5 years. Mind you Volvo’s go on and on so I’m led to believe. It’s not going anywhere until it dies.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203482313481?hash=item2f607db309:gAwAAOSweptgux1d - take a look at this one, its auto with 75k miles and £1.5k cheaper

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105263116070?advertising-location=at_cars&price-from=6000&make=BMW&model=Z4&radius=200&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&aggregatedTrim=23i&postcode=np45xf&include-delivery-option=on&sort=relevance&page=3 - no toys but mega cheap

 

[Smash]

None of us are mate. Just opinions. Do whatever feels right with the knowledge you have. Gut feelings count for a lot IMHO. The car looks V nice in the pictures, admittedly.

Thanks Pondrew, appreciate your comments. what would be good if we had a Manchester fellow here who could just have a quick look round for me.
My current car is a Volvo S60 I bought that on 88k and tried not to buy it due to mileage but I’m so glad I did it’s been a great car for the past 5 years. Mind you Volvo’s go on and on so I’m led to believe. It’s not going anywhere until it dies.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203482313481?hash=item2f607db309:gAwAAOSweptgux1d - take a look at this one, its auto with 75k miles and £1.5k cheaper

Think that’s a different car to what you have mentioned. Btw not into autos thanks though.