Option Thread: bespoke or break 2.2 Sterling Grey?

[bigwinn]

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!

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.

Cheers Jamie-

I've got a good guy locally who will collect the shell and I agree with your sentiments of keeping others cars going!

Stuart

 

[jamie_z4]

Your most welcome

Its just been collected now on some unsaveable wheels and rolled onto a trailer. All in all it was enjoyable but don't think I'd do it again

 

[IRD]

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.

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.

I am just thankful for Forum members like Stuart and yourself. I know that some of the work Stuart did on my car was was preventative rather than needing immediate attention. But taking the car to a garage to have everything done would have meant it was not a viable proposition. Long may both of you continue in the current vein. You are helping Forum members to keep their cars on the road and giving access to Z4s at a fair price, whilst offering a degree of security regarding risk of expensive repairs. Keep up the good work.

 

[Pondy]

What mileage would you not go over?

I'm not the best person to answer that TBH, as I have a 'mental block' when it come to mileage on cars. I have never owned a car with over 50k miles which is why I have to pay top dollar for my cars.

I would think the magic 100,000 is still a benchmark for pricing.

I understand that you and Martin do this 'saving' cars as a hobby to keep you happy and out of mischief and I applaud you, especially as it has given you both knowledge that you can and do pass on to help others.

I think my point is that buying cheap E85s is inevitably going to mean high mileage cars, it's just the way it works, no matter what the consensus regarding well serviced cars doing a millions miles. When the market slows, then inevitably the higher mileage cars will be the last ones left unsold.

 

[bigwinn]

What mileage would you not go over?

I'm not the best person to answer that TBH, as I have a 'mental block' when it come to mileage on cars. I have never owned a car with over 50k miles which is why I have to pay top dollar for my cars.

I would think the magic 100,000 is still a benchmark for pricing.

I understand that you and Martin do this 'saving' cars as a hobby to keep you happy and out of mischief and I applaud you, especially as it has given you both knowledge that you can and do pass on to help others.

I think my point is that buying cheap E85s is inevitably going to mean high mileage cars, it's just the way it works, no matter what the consensus regarding well serviced cars doing a millions miles. When the market slows, then inevitably the higher mileage cars will be the last ones left unsold.

Fair enough- makes sense

I’ve decided to keep the 3.0 as at 140k it puts people off, but I really like the way it feels

That’s all that matters right?

 

[Pondy]

I’ve decided to keep the 3.0 as at 140k it puts people off, but I really like the way it feels

That’s all that matters right?

If it feels right then it has to be right.