Prices of Z4Ms are only going down it looks like...

[Faster987]

There's a lot of talk of this Z4M going up in value, but it doesn't seem be happening any time soon.

I've had a few of these cars and every time I've bought one, I've bought it for less than the one before.

I had my eye on another one today and again, it went (unsold on eBay) for rather less than the owner was asking for. He had previously asked for circa £16,000 and the car didn't even get to £13,000. It looked a good car with full service history and the right work done to it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-z4m-3-2-/142785297029?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=kYMre%252BrseUO6L25ewqmcsNwJU%252Fc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Sad to see the car isn't being loved as it should - I think it does deserve it's place amongst the better cars BMW has made.

Any thoughts? I see a lot of people here about how this car is about to soar in price, but it hasn't happened. It seems to be getting in the way of people actually selling their cars as they hold out for prices they just don't seem to get. This seems to hold true for dealer cars as well, some of which haven't sold for many months...

 

[Marlon]

 

[markalp]

There's a lot of talk of this Z4M going up in value, but it doesn't seem be happening any time soon.

I've had a few of these cars and every time I've bought one, I've bought it for less than the one before.

I had my eye on another one today and again, it went (unsold on eBay) for rather less than the owner was asking for. He had previously asked for circa £16,000 and the car didn't even get to £13,000. It looked a good car with full service history and the right work done to it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-z4m-3-2-/142785297029?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=kYMre%252BrseUO6L25ewqmcsNwJU%252Fc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Sad to see the car isn't being loved as it should - I think it does deserve it's place amongst the better cars BMW has made.

Any thoughts? I see a lot of people here about how this car is about to soar in price, but it hasn't happened. It seems to be getting in the way of people actually selling their cars as they hold out for prices they just don't seem to get. This seems to hold true for dealer cars as well, some of which haven't sold for many months...

Cars sell for what they are worth no more, no less, price speculation is just that.. speculation.

 

[mr wilks]

There's a lot of talk of this Z4M going up in value, but it doesn't seem be happening any time soon.

I've had a few of these cars and every time I've bought one, I've bought it for less than the one before.

I had my eye on another one today and again, it went (unsold on eBay) for rather less than the owner was asking for. He had previously asked for circa £16,000 and the car didn't even get to £13,000. It looked a good car with full service history and the right work done to it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-z4m-3-2-/142785297029?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=kYMre%252BrseUO6L25ewqmcsNwJU%252Fc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Sad to see the car isn't being loved as it should - I think it does deserve it's place amongst the better cars BMW has made.

Any thoughts? I see a lot of people here about how this car is about to soar in price, but it hasn't happened. It seems to be getting in the way of people actually selling their cars as they hold out for prices they just don't seem to get. This seems to hold true for dealer cars as well, some of which haven't sold for many months...

Didn't sell simply due to the fact a 77k example isn't worth £16k , even Sytner would struggle asking that it reached its present market worth imo & before the bleaters start on about talking values up / down id love a 77k MR to be worth £16k
As you point out though it does deserve a place amongst the better sports cars BMW has made & with the values of current cars what they are which its great for those looking to get into one

 

[Z4 COUPSTER]

Look at the original "bread van" 10yrs ago they were sneered at at no one really liked them, now a good example is worth a fortune. I say buy one use it and then keep it. Cars like ours as an investment are ok if you plan on keeping for a ling time. Or you watch markets and go for a small increase on original purchase. Most of the speculators are talking future values,which tbh is like the stock exchange.
Rarity, condition ,history and miles will always be worth more, be it now or in the future.
But they are meant to be used!!!
Who would have thought in the 80s a series one RS turbo with stupid low miles would sell for (I think)over £60k at auction a few yrs

 

[Z4 COUPSTER]

Forgot to add, look at the asking prices of some of the previous cars you night have owned over the last 20 yrs. If id kept all I've owned in the last 30, id not be going to work today, that's for sure.

 

[Speed.Deman]

another one here - looks overpriced in the same vein?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/323254771063?ViewItem=&item=323254771063

 

[tomscott]

Every car needs to be looked at individually not as a whole just because they are rare. Rarity alone doesnt make it worth it. There are lots of things to consider and this car is a good example. Who ever you are and what ever your standards are determines what its worth.

16K is pretty unrealistic imo. I think it probably went a little more than what its worth.

Think if the ad had been written a little better it may have given more buyer confidence. The SH shows 6 services in 12 years, you dont expect the car to have perfect history but at least to have hit the majority.

On the other hand its missing any sort of information about what the majority are. With a run in and an oil every 2 years thats 6 it should have had at least two inspections probably 3 by 77k. Roughly every 25k Should be 8-9 really so it has quite a few things missing, but there are no dates and only one is described as an inspection.

It has no information on key things like - tyres, brakes, 2 keys? no information on any spec, looks like it needs an inspection 1.

Add those things to the 13k it sold for and your in maybe a little over 15k... would it be a good buy... thats if those were the only things to do. All these cars need some sort of preventative maintenance at the age.

TBH with the relative low spec from the looks, cruise and heated seats... 12k tops sounds more reasonable to me from that advert on ebay. With more info from the seller it may have done better, obviously if you were interested messaging the seller would identify the above.

The overall condition looks good tho, so could have been a good buy.

Good cars continue to sell for good money and the good ones go very quickly and are worth the money.

 

[Monkeydonkeyratmagic]

They aren't that great or unique a car to warrant a high resale value. It's a complicated engine and horrendously expensive to work on and buy parts for.
Old pony RS Turbos are simple things (plus a ford RS badge = profit)
If anything the Alpina would end up the apex purchase in 20 years to come. Far simpler engine with more prestige.
Plus a lot of Zs are starting to rust.. once the majority have been returned to the earth they will probably soar in value for a clean rust free one.

 

[Simon 3.2M]

As said, a car will sell for what it's worth irrespective of mileage and condition. I'd love an M but from a personal point of view, and having read about the M versions on this forum, I am it off by the possible implications of the complicated engine, I was scared off (couldn't really afford one to be honest) I'm sure other prospective buyers look at the forum before making a decision too. It generally makes quite a disturbing and scary read. There is also the fact that in real world performance and driving an SI is apparently quite close and the price is 5-10k cheaper along with cheaper consumables. I've heard talk that on the E46 forums there's no real issue with the engine but again I don't have personal experience so can't offer an educated comment.

 

[Simon 3.2M]

As said, a car will sell for what it's worth irrespective of mileage and condition. I'd love an M but from a personal point of view, and having read about the M versions on this forum, I am put off by the possible implications of the complicated engine, I was scared off (couldn't really afford one to be honest) I'm sure other prospective buyers look at the forum before making a decision too. It generally makes quite a disturbing and scary read. There is also the fact that in real world performance and driving an SI is apparently quite close and the price is 5-10k cheaper along with cheaper consumables. I've heard talk that on the E46 forums there's no real issue with the engine but again I don't have personal experience so can't offer an educated comment.

 

[AndyBeech]

I am it off by the possible implications of the complicated engine, I was scared off (couldn't really afford one to be honest) I'm sure other prospective buyers look at the forum before making a decision too. It generally makes quite a disturbing and scary read.

Shame really as a lot of what I see written on this forum about the engine is either pure speculation, opinion or assumptions based on no fact whatsoever.

 

[tomscott]

In all honestly the likelihood of the s54 going wrong is minimal. Search the forum, there have been almost no cars that this has happened to. Been here since 2011 and can only remember 3-4.

Forums are rife usually because people come to complain about an experience yet there are virtually none.

Compare that to the Porsche forums. I bought a boxster S after my m and it blew up in two weeks... had rms ims bore score everything... the repairs were going to be 11k. Thankfully it was returned due to buyers protection law.

The s54 although complicated, if serviced properly should be fine as long as you know the problems and deal with them accordingly.

At the end of the day there are very few cars you can get into for the money and the prestige.

The 3.0si is a great option but it’s not quite the same drive them back to back and it’s completely different experience.

Tbh with the time frame of ownership 18 months 2 years for most and the milage done as a second or third car the likelihood is it will be fine if you buy going in with a bit of knowledge.

 

[AndyBeech]

In all honestly the likelihood of the s54 going wrong is minimal. Search the forum, there have been almost no cars that this has happened to. Been here since 2011 and can only remember 3-4.

Forums are rife usually because people come to complain about an experience yet there are virtually none.

Compare that to the Porsche forums. I bought a boxster S after my m and it blew up in two weeks... had rms ims bore score everything... the repairs were going to be 11k. Thankfully it was returned due to buyers protection law.

The s54 although complicated, if serviced properly should be fine as long as you know the problems and deal with them accordingly.

At the end of the day there are very few cars you can get into for the money and the prestige.

The 3.0si is a great option but it’s not quite the same drive them back to back and it’s completely different experience.

Tbh with the time frame of ownership 18 months 2 years for most and the milage done as a second or third car the likelihood is it will be fine if you buy going in with a bit of knowledge.

Agreed.

 

[srhutch]

I am it off by the possible implications of the complicated engine, I was scared off (couldn't really afford one to be honest) I'm sure other prospective buyers look at the forum before making a decision too. It generally makes quite a disturbing and scary read.

Shame really as a lot of what I see written on this forum about the engine is either pure speculation, opinion or assumptions based on no fact whatsoever.

Also the engine isn't complicated. It's much simpler than an N52 or N54 for example.

 

[AndyBeech]

I am it off by the possible implications of the complicated engine, I was scared off (couldn't really afford one to be honest) I'm sure other prospective buyers look at the forum before making a decision too. It generally makes quite a disturbing and scary read.

Shame really as a lot of what I see written on this forum about the engine is either pure speculation, opinion or assumptions based on no fact whatsoever.

Also the engine isn't complicated. It's much simpler than an N52 or N54 for example.

100% the engine is very easy to work on yourself with a bit of research and a basic toolkit. Can do a lot of things very easily. Probably the most fancy/complicated piece of equipment on it is the VANOS system which isn’t that complicated either.

Real shame if people are genuinely put off ownership from random forum comments. :| The reality is nowhere near as bad.

 

[Faster987]

Real shame if people are genuinely put off ownership from random forum comments. :| The reality is nowhere near as bad.

Yes, totally agree with you. It's a simple point really, most cars are overpriced and many don't have the service history to back up anything near what is being asked. Price them right and they will be excellent runners (like any older sportscar).

 

[tomscott]

Anything can go I bought a brand new Mini Cooper S and that had two engines in 12000 miles because of a manufacturing defect...

I could understand if there were scaremongering on Z4-Forum but I don’t think this forum is anything like other car forums.

All I read is comments from well informed people that know there stuff. Especially the longer term members. Great place for knowledge and getting to know a modern car. Apart from obvious things like bearings which can be scary until you actually do some reading or talk to people in the know and realise that they are simple to sort and preventative maintenance isn’t that expensive and generally failure is extremely rare.

The S54 was tainted early on with a lot of failures and the engine was revised. If you read up on the issues it was specifically early cars z3ms and e46 M3s up to the end of 2001.

The z4 is probably in the best position as it was the last car these engines were implemented in. 6 1/2 years of getting it right before it ended up in the Z4M.

There are ways and means to find out the health very easily to give piece of mind on bearings too like oil analysis.

If anything over the years the only negative is it can be tedious reading through the same old issues which have been discussed to death and are non issues simply because they are that reliable.

Look at all the dog m3s that are still on the road... many were neglected and probably poorly serviced because they were so cheap anyone could get into them. Yet there are hundreds in the 150+k still going.

Testament to how good the engines are really.

What is the actual expectation of the longevity of these high performance, high revving engines anyway? 150k is considered a lot yet they keep going.

The more you worry the less time you get in the drivers seat.

 

[jimmybell]

Not really sure what the point of this thread was but to bring out the unending debate of 'overpriced' vs 'appreciating classic'.

Rare cars in good condition with lower miles will likely appreciate in a low interest rate borrowing market, high milers in bad condition will likely not experience the same change.

As if it ever needs to be repeated any more - but... surprise surprise, M cars with big sticker prices when new still cost the same to run/maintain when they're old - out of warranty there will be stories of ££££ spent in repairs, go figure.