Potential Z4 owner, HELP needed ASAP!

Woody

Senior member
 Bristol
Hi all, thanks for reading...

I currently own a Skoda Octavia vRS (Mk one) and have done so for 4 years. It is a great car, not given me any problems and after a remap is pretty quick tbh. BUT, I see this as the time to get a fun car before imminent children in 2-3 years, as getting married next year so we all know what happens then!

I had a shortlist which included:

M3 (E46)
S4
Mazda 3 MPS
Evo FQ320
Clio V6
R32 Mk V
350z
ST220(?!)
S2000
Z4

Discounted all but the last two cars, then thought I don't wanna spend much more than £6k. So decided on the S2k but after sitting in one http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2972993.htm I realised I just didn't like it, nasty interior, didn't like the look, sound etc. SO, have been looking at the Z4, however I won't settle for anything less than the 3.0i SE (no offence to sub 3 litre owners!)

So, I have a budget of £7k - £8k(Max maximum!) really. So, what shall I look for...?

Manual or Auto is a real unknown of mine and probably my biggest query, I've rarely driven autos and Parkers says auto is 2mpg less economical and 0.3secs slower to 60mph? Is this true/noticeable? I will be doing about 12-15k miles a year, will that make a difference? The thought of an auto is pretty cool tho and I suppose I have the option of using the box right? Following on from that I really want a low mileage example, under 40k really. I also would like a car that I won't have to spend much money on in 2 years and buy cheap enough so that when I sell on I won't loose to much cash! Realistically, are they expensive to service/maintain? Much more than a Octy vRS??!

What is the general opinion on wheels, which are the best for ride/comfort/looks for selling on (popularity etc). Can anyone provide a link to a decent discussion on this? I known its essential to have a FBMWSH so will make sure of that. I really like the dark metallic grey colour, seems like there are more of those on the market too - Is that the best colour...eh oh hope I haven't started an argument there! I like the red or black leather so not too fussed which one I get, does red sell better though?

I have seen one that is low mileage (53 reg) and quite cheap, but has NO goodies which is a shame. I really wanted heated seats, cruise control, parking sensors, xenons and a decent soundsystem (bluetooth and loudspeaker) but all this has that I wanted from my wish list is the wind deflector and memory seats :cry: but it is VERY cheap and low mileage so does that outweigh things? I guess its the car I want, that straight six etc not gadgets...hhmmmm I dunno.

Guys/gals, any examples, advice, adverts etc you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I have definitely decided I want a Z4, but just want the right one at the right price. Am I wanting to much for £7ish grand tho? There are so many on the market and they are going down in price, as its a roadster would it be better/cheaper to wait until winter time, do they get cheaper then?

Thanks in anticipation

Alex :) PS - Love the forum by the way, as good if not better than Briskoda!!
 
Not long left on this one, why is it so cheap compared to others??

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280723517180?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_500wt_1156



UPDATE: Ahhhh ok, just watched it to the end and last second bids pushed it up to £8300, bit too much for me but still quite cheap tho for year, mileage, spec tho right?
 
Ok, the alloys I've sussed:

103 - 17" Standard double spoke

106 - 17" turbine

107 - 18" Ellipsoid

108 - 18" Star composite

So 106 I don't like, 103 is alright but probably 107/108 are nicer but larger obviously. 107 is probably my prefferred choice! How much do people not like the 103's??

Really I guess what I am asking (aswell as all the above!) is should I buy:

Cheap (£7.5k) low mileage (30-35k miles) '53' with hardly any extras

Cheap (£7.5k) avearage mileage (55-60k miles) '53' with goodies (as mentioned above)

Or wait and save, then spend £9k(ish) and get best of both worlds...

All I am worried about is getting one with 60k miles on, doing 30k miles on it in 2ish years and it then having a not so good 90k miles on it (good maths there :wink: ) so not very attractive to then sell on. How important is it to get a high spec 3.0i SE?

Sorry for all the questions people :oops:
 
Jeepers, so many questions without pause for reply :o

So hello and welcome to the forum, mileage is not that worrying there are quite a few on here near six figures, so getting a higher specification will aid resale desirability.

Wheels 18" with RFT are prone to tram lining and there are lots of members who have replaced them with non-RFT's and say the ride is much better.
 
Hi thanks sars,

Yes I know I'm sorry for all the questions, just thought and typed and then realised crikey that's alot!

So your opinion is to go for a higher mileage one with more options then. I have always been a fan of a low mileage well cared and looked after car, in the hope that problems will be minimal and resale will be better...but maybe I will need to change this for the Z4.

I have found a car which goes like this (I don't want to show the ad incase someone else snaps it up!!)

3.0i SE auto
53 reg
*32k miles*
Grey
FBMWSH
Doesn't need service for 14k miles
1 previous owner
MOT till April
1 weeks tax :thumbsdown:
6k old good tread run flat Bridgestones
New brake pads and discs a year ago
Bodywork and interior and alloys in excellent condition
Both keys, HPI clear etc
Only optional extra is wind deflector...

Price....£7200

Thoughts?
 
Long post back as was in exactly the same position - I went to see about 5/6 before i settled on mine 2 weeks ago. It is all about finding the right one in the flesh i guess - in the end most important was a good car with good history (abs module replaced, discs done, 10k to oil service etc.) from a decent seller. It happened to have low miles (37k) and had been kept in a garage but I saw and lost out on 2 others that were equally good with higher miles. I also got myself a bm warranty for peace of mind (starts one month after purchase covers cars up to 100k on clock).

It was not my first choice for colour (wanted black but now love silver) and did not have some of the things i wanted (heated seats 18" alloys (only have17"), bt, carver) but it is better to compromise on those things or pay a little more than go for a dog, also after months of scanning ph &at i was getting impatient.

These cars are never an investment - they are, until they become classics in a few years time, a depreciating asset - that being said with the top down and 3 litres to play with the last thing i have been worried about over the last two weeks is resale value in 2yrs time when i too will need to get something more sensible.
 
My advice is don't be in ***too*** much of a hurry. A little more time looking and you may find a Z4 that has the options that you really want. I have heated seats in my Z4 and I really love them. They significantly extend the comfort zone for top-down motoring.

Regarding the mileage question when it comes to resale value, I think mileage is actually a pretty big factor. Especially on something slightly "exotic" like a BMW, because of the potential for high repair costs as the mileage adds up. But in general, parts are not exorbitantly expensive. You might do some searching to see what some typical replacement parts would cost you. (I did that before buying my Z4 and was comfortable with what I saw.)

Maintenance costs over your projected 2-3 years of ownership will probably not be anything shocking (especially if you are capable of doing basic maintenance tasks yourself), but there is a ***small*** risk of major component failure (such as transmission) which could cost you dearly. So, it is a little bit of a gamble compared to buying a Toyota (for example), but the Z4 will definitely put a smile on your face.

Good luck with your search!
 
Go for the best car you can afford ( although I think u will need to up ur budget a bit if u want what ur searching for) go on condition and history not spec- have a search if the forum retro fitting a lot of the oem spec is easy!
Good luck in your search and welcome along!
 
Hi Woo7dy,

I am in exactly the same boat as you, except I have recently sold my vRS :D

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=29765

I am loving all the questions as they are exactly what things I am thinking about and I know you are asking them due to enthusiam, I am not ready to buy yet as i have a mates A4 to keep me going until nov/dec time which allows me to keep saving.

The auto or manual totally in the same boat as you whether to go for one or the other.

Keep me posted :thumbsup:

Good luck in your search.
 
Mine's up for less than 8k now - 64k miles, full BMW SH, fully comprehensive BMW Warranty until end of November, 6 months tax, MOT until November, nearly every option except nav.

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=29470

Just writing up the details for the Pistonhead now after listing it on here. Let me know if interested.
 
Ok I've decided manual now as auto just wasn't for me. But loved it, such a fantastic car. SimonJ how much did you pay for yours if you don't mind me asking...?! I am now definitely after a manual in sterling grey, 53/04 reg under 50k miles and FBMWSH with a good few miles till next service, max 2 previous owners, heated seats, xenons, cruise, parking sensors and decent soundsystem....for £8k max :wink: Let me know if your selling something like this!!

Hey there Yamiuchi! Nice to see a fellow Briskodian! Looks like we are searching for the same car! It is all very exciting and hard to be patient to waiting for the right one, lets hope we don't outbid eachother or something silly like that!!

On a separate note (another question!) how easy are these cars to live with in the winter?

Cheers
 
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