Option Thread: bespoke or break 2.2 Sterling Grey?

bigwinn

bigwinn

Elite
 Lincoln UK
Site Supporter
Hi all

As the market is a little flat at the moment and I cant say no to a pretty Z4 I have another car on the drive

The 3.0 just isn't going anywhere- I think I've found my keeper.
The 2.2 is going to have to sell soon- its wasted sitting here with a new MOT

I picked up this nice 54 plate 2.2 in Sterling grey. 135k decent service history with some nice extras like xenons, cruise and heated seats. V clean not a mark on a panel.

I'm torn- I was going to break it but its too good to do that. I may do if there is no interest as I sadly think that we are at that point where they are worth more in bits than as a whole.

However if anyone want a 'commission' car I'd also happily do that with discussion- happy to take direction on what level of works required for future proofing like

Vanos/water pump and engine bits
Suspension
Brakes/pipes etc

Just putting it out there: not taking orders for breaking just yet but will put a post up if it goes that way!

Cheers

Stuart

IMG_5629.jpeg
 
You know my thoughts. It would be a travesty to break that one just to meet market prices. But we all know if you hadn't rescued it then someone else would have done exactly that.
Really do hope someone can come forward (or has a mate who's interested) and get a good car made even better.
Stuart, if you're like me I do this for fun and because I'm told in no uncertain terms I'm a better person to live with when I'm happy tinkering.
My only brief is 'don't lose money'.
I hope you are able to carry on this pastime, but it does need customers to close the circle.
If we don't do it then the vultures will descend and they'll all be broken!
 
100% agreed bud

I hated breaking that blue one but I justified it by knowing it was beyond saving

This one isn’t!

Fingers crossed
 
bigwinn said:
100% agreed bud

I hated breaking that blue one but I justified it by knowing it was beyond saving

This one isn’t!

Fingers crossed
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Mate, we need a barn!
 
have to say on paper at least its looking like its going to be a breaker...
 
I've got to say it's just the mileage for me and for many others. :|

If the E85/6 are becoming a 'modern classic', why would anyone want a potentially knackered one, engine wise?

Maybe it's just me. :?
 
Pondrew said:
I've got to say it's just the mileage for me and for many others. :|

If the E85/6 are becoming a 'modern classic', why would anyone want a potentially knackered one, engine wise?

Maybe it's just me. :?
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What mileage would you not go over?
 
bigwinn said:
have to say on paper at least its looking like its going to be a breaker...
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What’s against the car on paper?! If it’s got good spec and good body panels?
 
kis said:
bigwinn said:
have to say on paper at least its looking like its going to be a breaker...
Click to expand...

What’s against the car on paper?! If it’s got good spec and good body panels?
Click to expand...

On paper at least, with the current market I don’t think it would break even on cost of car plus parts. Could even be a loss.

In parts however… different story
 
bigwinn said:
kis said:
bigwinn said:
have to say on paper at least its looking like its going to be a breaker...
Click to expand...

What’s against the car on paper?! If it’s got good spec and good body panels?
Click to expand...

On paper at least, with the current market I don’t think it would break even on cost of car plus parts. Could even be a loss.

In parts however… different story
Click to expand...
Such a gamble at the moment. You know it'll definitely get broken by less scrupulous types so you grab it to save it. But then maths comes in and you realise it'll lose you money. If my crystal ball told me the market would recover it would be an easy call but who knows.
I know your space is limited, but maybe just sit on it for a month, put out some feelers and hope a buyer pops up.
From chatting to you Stuart, we both know you have a home for lots of the parts should it come to that.

So much of it boils down to the British misconception of high mileage. That M54 will go one for double the miles it has now, but once that 6th digit appears on the panel then you lose 80% of your market.
 
It’s madness isn’t it. In terms of smiles/£, my 135k 2.5i is probably the best value car I’ve ever had.
 
well there is no immediate rush- however I dont think this current downturn is a flash in the pan...

Batten down the hatches chaps
 
I have to agree with Pondrew. I accept that well looked after cars may well be capable of high mileages but there has to be a degree of uncertainty about reliability as the mileage increases. Not everyone has the mechanical knowledge to deal with the potential problems themselves or has direct access to help from Forum members like Stuart and Martin. So if there are issues it means a trip to the garage and that can prove to be expensive. I think it is the fear of big bills which puts folk off buying higher mileage cars.
 
IRD said:
I have to agree with Pondrew. I accept that well looked after cars may well be capable of high mileages but there has to be a degree of uncertainty about reliability as the mileage increases. Not everyone has the mechanical knowledge to deal with the potential problems themselves or has direct access to help from Forum members like Stuart and Martin. So if there are issues it means a trip to the garage and that can prove to be expensive. I think it is the fear of big bills which puts folk off buying higher mileage cars.
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Fair point.
In my case I started this tinkering during lockdown as I was informed I was far less miserable with something to focus on.
My only remit is don't lose money. Profit is immaterial. In fact any I do make gets ploughed back in to Vall's car.
So I am still looking at cheap cars in need of some work and thinking that'll do me, but of course once done they need to get off my drive and that is where the problem arises.
Certainly going to need some careful consideration.
The irony is that there are more and more of these borderline break/sale cars appearing and the criteria is no longer on condition but on not losing money over it.
 
paddy wright said:
Looking at the MOT history other than brake lines and some tyres she seems good to go!
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I'd put money on it needing new shocks.
And I know Stuart always does the vanos and checks the disa at the bare minimum.
I guess this is why he's offering a bespoke service on it.
You look at the history, look at the car and agree with Stuart what else he does to a set budget.
 
enuff_zed said:
You know my thoughts. It would be a travesty to break that one just to meet market prices. But we all know if you hadn't rescued it then someone else would have done exactly that.
Really do hope someone can come forward (or has a mate who's interested) and get a good car made even better.
Stuart, if you're like me I do this for fun and because I'm told in no uncertain terms I'm a better person to live with when I'm happy tinkering.
My only brief is 'don't lose money'.
I hope you are able to carry on this pastime, but it does need customers to close the circle.
If we don't do it then the vultures will descend and they'll all be broken!
Click to expand...

Just to put a different perspective on things, I enjoyed breaking my zed which was an uneconomical repair due to the engine being destroyed.

The prices I sold things for were below the market value, and it gave me a big sense of satisfaction being able to keep fellow zedders on the road/upgrade their cars, and to learn how to take things apart. I broke even and got a couple of nice bits off it for my own car which over the 3 weeks has kept me occupied and no real stress, it's a LOT harder selling an actual car on the open market than selling parts to forum members IMO.
 
jamie_z4 said:
enuff_zed said:
You know my thoughts. It would be a travesty to break that one just to meet market prices. But we all know if you hadn't rescued it then someone else would have done exactly that.
Really do hope someone can come forward (or has a mate who's interested) and get a good car made even better.
Stuart, if you're like me I do this for fun and because I'm told in no uncertain terms I'm a better person to live with when I'm happy tinkering.
My only brief is 'don't lose money'.
I hope you are able to carry on this pastime, but it does need customers to close the circle.
If we don't do it then the vultures will descend and they'll all be broken!
Click to expand...

Just to put a different perspective on things, I enjoyed breaking my zed which was an uneconomical repair due to the engine being destroyed.

The prices I sold things for were below the market value, and it gave me a big sense of satisfaction being able to keep fellow zedders on the road/upgrade their cars, and to learn how to take things apart. I broke even and got a couple of nice bits off it for my own car which over the 3 weeks has kept me occupied and no real stress, it's a LOT harder selling an actual car on the open market than selling parts to forum members IMO.
Click to expand...
jamie_z4 said:
enuff_zed said:
You know my thoughts. It would be a travesty to break that one just to meet market prices. But we all know if you hadn't rescued it then someone else would have done exactly that.
Really do hope someone can come forward (or has a mate who's interested) and get a good car made even better.
Stuart, if you're like me I do this for fun and because I'm told in no uncertain terms I'm a better person to live with when I'm happy tinkering.
My only brief is 'don't lose money'.
I hope you are able to carry on this pastime, but it does need customers to close the circle.
If we don't do it then the vultures will descend and they'll all be broken!
Click to expand...

Just to put a different perspective on things, I enjoyed breaking my zed which was an uneconomical repair due to the engine being destroyed.

The prices I sold things for were below the market value, and it gave me a big sense of satisfaction being able to keep fellow zedders on the road/upgrade their cars, and to learn how to take things apart. I broke even and got a couple of nice bits off it for my own car which over the 3 weeks has kept me occupied and no real stress, it's a LOT harder selling an actual car on the open market than selling parts to forum members IMO.
Click to expand...
And I for one benefitted immensely from that, thank you.
How difficult was it for you to get rid of the shell once you'd finished?
Did it have to stay on wheels to be moved?
 
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