potential owner needing advice

S

SirH

New member
Hi

I have a fairly small amount to spend on a Z4 (around 4500-5000 max) and wanted to get your opinion on my potential options. Essentially it boils down to the usual theme of 2.5 or 3.0. Preferably I would like a manual car. I have come across these 2 so far.

2.5L (Dealer)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201310069142361/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/maximum-mileage/up_to_100000_miles/price-to/5000/model/z4/make/bmw/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/page/1/radius/100/postcode/sw62tz?logcode=p

3.0L (Private)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201310119235575/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/maximum-mileage/up_to_100000_miles/price-to/5000/model/z4/make/bmw/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/postcode/sw62tz/page/2/radius/100?logcode=p

Deep down I want a 3.0L but they tend to come with higher mileage and it is also difficult to find one within my budget (without astronomical mileage) from a dealer which I would prefer due to available warranties etc.

So... which one should I go for?

Does the mileage really matter?

2.5 or 3.0?

Do either of the above look like a good deal?

You decide
 
Once you are looking at specialist cars of this age mileage, the drive, condition and history are everything and a close examination of these are the only way forward. I had the same dilemma when I bought mine nearly four years ago and went for a mint low mileage 2.5 se with proper history and haven't been at all concerned about the 3.0 as it's performance edge was not huge on the road. The big advantage of the 3.0 is the six speed box if you do a lot long journeys (which I don't).

Take your time there lots around :driving:
 
You'll not regret a 3.0 but I'd set that aside and look with your head and not your heart. If you buy at the bottom end of the market and get a wrong'un you'll have thrown your money away. Think through what you really want. M seats? Heated seats? MFSW, Nav etc?

Use the buyers checklist to check the car over with, and check for the really expensive things:
Does the roof sound laboured going up or down, or better yet has the motor been replaced.
Warm the car up thoroughly and put the heating on and then take it for a drive to make sure there's no obvious sticky steering. (there are fixes being tested by people but a replacement steering column is £2250 fitted)

Good luck!
 
For comparison i had this one in the bag at £4800 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-BMW-Z4-3-0I-AUTO-BLACK-SAT-NAV-RED-LEATHER-/321192812269?ViewItem=&ssPageName=ADME%3AX%3ARTQ%3AGB%3A1123&item=321192812269&nma=true&si=a6VUf5NLIgkewqQbJGebJm2giEg%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

The listing ended with car unsold & it was a few weeks later when i contacted the seller , was unsold as of 3 weeks ago ?

I ended up with a TT coupe :roll:

Maybe worth a call to see if still available ?
 
mr wilks said:
I ended up with a TT coupe :roll:
Click to expand...
you may well go :roll: after a statement like that! :evil:

Go stand in a corner and repeat [endlessly] "TT's are for hairdressers, Z4's are for Life" ......... :rofl:
 
mr wilks said:
For comparison i had this one in the bag at £4800 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-BMW-Z4-3-0I-AUTO-BLACK-SAT-NAV-RED-LEATHER-/321192812269?ViewItem=&ssPageName=ADME%3AX%3ARTQ%3AGB%3A1123&item=321192812269&nma=true&si=a6VUf5NLIgkewqQbJGebJm2giEg%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

The listing ended with car unsold & it was a few weeks later when i contacted the seller , was unsold as of 3 weeks ago ?

I ended up with a TT coupe :roll:

Maybe worth a call to see if still available ?
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome to the forum :thumbsup:

That looks a good car Mr Wilks has put up, may be worth a call, good luck :thumbsup:
 
mr wilks said:
For comparison i had this one in the bag at £4800 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-BMW-Z4-3-0I-AUTO-BLACK-SAT-NAV-RED-LEATHER-/321192812269?ViewItem=&ssPageName=ADME%3AX%3ARTQ%3AGB%3A1123&item=321192812269&nma=true&si=a6VUf5NLIgkewqQbJGebJm2giEg%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

The listing ended with car unsold & it was a few weeks later when i contacted the seller , was unsold as of 3 weeks ago ?

I ended up with a TT coupe :roll:

Maybe worth a call to see if still available ?
Click to expand...

First off thanks everyone for the warm welcome and the help with my post.

The car above does indeed look delightful however I fear Yorkshire might be a bit too much of a trek for me (I live in London) nonetheless I have emailed the Guy so will wait and see.

If anyone else comes across a good looking example I would be most grateful for the link!

Thanks once again!
 
I had the same dilema in March this year. Same budget, wanted the 3.0L but there weren't any decent ones in the price bracket. So I started looking at the 2.5. More choice as they seem to be about £700+ cheaper. Didnt even consider the 2.0L, which are cheaper still.

I ended up getting a 2005 1 owner FSH, 30,000 miles 2.5i with a good spec for £6995 from a dealer in North London. The budget just had to creep up to get something decent. £5500 seems to be where more choice comes in.

I know my budget stretched but.......the dealer took my new Tesco Interest free credit card for the lot. 21 months interest free on that amount worked out as about £1000 -1500 interest on a loan over the same period. If there is anything left at the end Ill swap it to another interest free deal.

When I called a few London dealers, some in Yorkshire they were all willing to do this on a card. You also get warranty and credit card protection if its a pig.

I'm in Dundee so had it shipped up for £350. As you are in London, try this option if you get a decent credit limit on a new card.
 
Thanks for all the replies guys....... I GOT A Z!

Black
3.0l
2004
56,000 miles

and I am pleased as punch!
 
SirH said:
Thanks for all the replies guys....... I GOT A Z!

Black
3.0l
2004
56,000 miles

and I am pleased as punch!
Click to expand...

Great stuff! You got what you wanted :thumbsup: . Now for some pics :poke:
 
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