Nice but pricey E85 2.5 Automatic - Advice

[aki]

I've been looking for a 2.5 auto for some time now and made it post recently as well. I found one a few days ago on Autotrader that is being sold by a well reviewed dealer that specialise in Z4s.

The car looks like it's in good condition and a vehicle history check doesn't show anything to be worried about (as far as I know).

Anyways, it's done 80k miles and it costs £4990 which is on the steeper side. So I'm just looking for some advice from more knowledgeable folks. Thanks

Here's the car:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311043642340

 

[bigwinn]

The ad presents it well- half decent spec, later car, low ish miles

If you can wrangle them down a few quid I’d say it’s not too far off- shame it’s not a 3.0 :rofl:

However it’s a buyers market and you may get a better deal private-

Stuart

 

[True-Blue]

Why a 2.5?

Nothing outstanding about that specific car. Not particularly high spec, not especially low miles.

At the £5k price point you’re only about £1,000 away from a decent 3.0Si auto in the current market.

 

[enuff_zed]

There's a much cheaper one in Bury St Edmunds on fb.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/830790595334344/?

Depends exactly what you want but for half the price you would have cash to fettle it with.

 

[aki]

Why a 2.5?

I'm looking for a 2.5 because from what I know, all 3.0 come with the M sport suspension. Which is something I don't want, mainly due to how it makes the ride stiffer.

 

[enuff_zed]

Why a 2.5?

I'm looking for a 2.5 because from what I know, all 3.0 come with the M sport suspension. Which is something I don't want, mainly due to how it makes the ride stiffer.

At that age and mileage there's a fair chance you'll need to budget for new shocks all round anyway. Not much more to change the springs and fit non Sport stuff.

 

[aki]

The ad presents it well- half decent spec, later car, low ish miles

If you can wrangle them down a few quid I’d say it’s not too far off- shame it’s not a 3.0 :rofl:

However it’s a buyers market and you may get a better deal private-

Stuart

Thanks Stuart. I would be more confident in buying this if it under £4500 hence why I'm looking for advice.

Yep not a 3.0. Seems like everyone here loves one haha. Replied to another member, 2.5 over a 3.0 due to the difference in suspension. 3.0 come with sport suspension afaik which is something I don't want

 

[aki]

Why a 2.5?

I'm looking for a 2.5 because from what I know, all 3.0 come with the M sport suspension. Which is something I don't want, mainly due to how it makes the ride stiffer.

At that age and mileage there's a fair chance you'll need to budget for new shocks all round anyway. Not much more to change the springs and fit non Sport stuff.

That is true. I may have asked you before on another post, any idea how much a suspension refresh would cost?

 

[enuff_zed]

I'm looking for a 2.5 because from what I know, all 3.0 come with the M sport suspension. Which is something I don't want, mainly due to how it makes the ride stiffer.

At that age and mileage there's a fair chance you'll need to budget for new shocks all round anyway. Not much more to change the springs and fit non Sport stuff.

That is true. I may have asked you before on another post, any idea how much a suspension refresh would cost?

Have you seen this thread?
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=144454

By waiting for Autodoc to give a decent discount we have managed to get the whole lot, including Suplex springs for a shade under £700.
Usually I would have kept the springs but this car is very high mileage. In your case you'd want the springs too of course.

 

[GadgetMart]

I think prices of tidy well looked after cars have increased.
I tried to sell my 2008 2.5i Sport on here this summer and was met with a tumbleweed response.
I ended up ‘giving’ it away on eBay for £4000.
It was immaculate and drove impeccably despite being a moderately high mileage car.
It was easily worth the £5000 I was asking and that would now seem to be the starting point for a decent car.
I regret the entire experience, my E86 doesn’t feel as special being a coupe rather than a soft top and the extra power I have gained is actually difficult to use in the real world.
If I could turn the clock back, I would have kept what I had and £6000 in the bank.

 

[B21]

I think prices of tidy well looked after cars have increased.
I tried to sell my 2008 2.5i Sport on here this summer and was met with a tumbleweed response.
I ended up ‘giving’ it away on eBay for £4000.
It was immaculate and drove impeccably despite being a moderately high mileage car.
It was easily worth the £5000 I was asking and that would now seem to be the starting point for a decent car.
I regret the entire experience, my E86 doesn’t feel as special being a coupe rather than a soft top and the extra power I have gained is actually difficult to use in the real world.
If I could turn the clock back, I would have kept what I had and £6000 in the bank.

A double heretic…

The Coupe police will be along shortly as well as the 30i folks.. :tumbleweed: :rofl:

It’s good that people can be candid and reflective on their decisions

 

[GadgetMart]

:rofl:

The E86 is a great car, but so was the E85.
I’m deaf so couldn’t hear the creaks in the E85 so that might taint my opinion a little. (My wife informs me the E86 sounds far more solid).
They are are essentially the same car (duh) no surprises there!
I don’t think it’s £6500 more car, also the E86 seems to be struggling to reach there £10k plus price tags online atm.

 

[MikeyH]

I've been looking for a 2.5 auto for some time now and made it post recently as well. I found one a few days ago on Autotrader that is being sold by a well reviewed dealer that specialise in Z4s.

The car looks like it's in good condition and a vehicle history check doesn't show anything to be worried about (as far as I know).

Anyways, it's done 80k miles and it costs £4990 which is on the steeper side. So I'm just looking for some advice from more knowledgeable folks. Thanks

Here's the car:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311043642340

His prices always seem to be higher than other dealers on AT IMO.

 

[True-Blue]

I'm looking for a 2.5 because from what I know, all 3.0 come with the M sport suspension. Which is something I don't want, mainly due to how it makes the ride stiffer.

At that age and mileage there's a fair chance you'll need to budget for new shocks all round anyway. Not much more to change the springs and fit non Sport stuff.

That is true. I may have asked you before on another post, any idea how much a suspension refresh would cost?

You should factor in a suspension refresh on pretty much any E85, the shocks are shot on most of them at 50k miles. You can’t tell by looking at them on the car, but you’ll feel the difference big time once replaced

 

[raymond.harper]

That is a rather steep price, it also has an oil leak, automatics aren't the most popular and tend to sell for less than a manual. The key to buying is patience so just keep looking.

 

[Mr Tidy]

It looks like a good example, has lowish mileage and a decent spec - especially the Xenons, and that seller does seem to get good feedback. But it's pretty strong money.

Knowing that any Z4 this age is going to need a suspension refresh I'd try to find a 3 litre that was due one and put it back on SE springs.

It's probably the best time of year to be buying a Roadster too!

 

[Zulu4]

I bought my car from Zachary Luke.
He is a really nice, honest chap and doesn't put you under any pressure to buy.

 

[deltasierra]

Prices for good cars are stronger this year by close to £1k but remember even a good car at 15yrs old plus is going to need ongoing maintenence and replacements, evidence of past maintenence is always good to see

 

[aki]

It looks like a good example, has lowish mileage and a decent spec - especially the Xenons, and that seller does seem to get good feedback. But it's pretty strong money.

Knowing that any Z4 this age is going to need a suspension refresh I'd try to find a 3 litre that was due one and put it back on SE springs.

It's probably the best time of year to be buying a Roadster too!

Definitely mate, nice car but on the expensive side for sure.

I'm hearing more members say to go for the 3.0 and then change the suspension. Any idea how much a full suspension refresh would cost? Also if the suspension is ok, how much would it costs to only replace the parts required to improve the stiffness from the M sport package.

 

[aki]

I bought my car from Zachary Luke.
He is a really nice, honest chap and doesn't put you under any pressure to buy.

Oh wow that's good to hear. I'm sure they're top dealers, otherwise they wouldn't have such great reviews. If only the price was lower