Service history

O

Old Git

New member
Hello,
I’m a recently retired old git and looking to turn back the years and treat myself to a beautiful Z4.
There is a nice one on the market, 2014 model with 39,000 miles. I’ve seen it and it is very clean. However, the first service record is 2018, 4 years after first registered.
How big a concern is this?
Thanks
 
Hi Old Git and welcome to the forum from one of quite a few retirees on here. :thumbsup:

BMW work on the basis of "condition based servicing" which is based on mileage driven and driving conditions, but never more than 2 years.

Is it possible it was serviced in 2016 but there was no entry made? It would be strange if the owner didn't bother with a service while it was still in warranty. :? Unless they were going by just the mileage and ignoring the date.

I bought an E91 a few years ago and when I rang the dealership that had done quite a few jobs on the car they told me it had been serviced 4 months before I bought it, but there was no stamp in the book! So I took the book in to them and got the stamp.

If you can't find any record but it was serviced in 2020 it may be worth a punt at the right price.
 
Hi 'Old Git'. You are amongst (age related) friends.

Mr T gives sound advice. I would look at it this way; if someone is willing to spend £35-50k on a new car, why would they not spend £150 on at least one service in four years, irrespective of the mileage? I look at this as a lack of care, or ignorance, or both. There are plenty more cars out there which will have been looked after better.
You haven't specified a model; if it the N54 engine (35i or 35is) then definitely more of a concern than the N20 (18i, 20i, or 28i), as the N54 is....how shall I put it.....rather 'needy'. :thumbsup:

The phrase 'mechanical sympathy' is probably the most used across all car forums, for good reason.

If you want to supply a link to the car, or a registration, we will have a look at the details available and give "constructive" comments. :!:
 
Thanks for the responses guys. I agree, hard to imagine someone would not have done the servicing.

This is the model, thoughts appreciated.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205236025407?sort=relevance&postcode=tn133hh&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&radius=1501&advertising-location=at_cars&colour=Red&include-delivery-option=on&model=Z4&make=BMW&price-to=16000&price-from=12000&page=1
 
Hello and welcome to the madhouse.
Coming form a history of older cars I would say that a 2014 model, with only 39k on the clock should not really have suffered too much in that time. Check with BMW and see if they have any record of it.
If not, make an offer commensurate with the lack of history, then use the money you saved to book it in for a full going over, oil, filters, brake fluid, the works.
Modern motors are not half as fragile as older ones used to be. If you can negotiate a good price and it ticks all your boxes for spec, colour etc. then why not?
 
Old Git said:
Thanks for the responses guys. I agree, hard to imagine someone would not have done the servicing.

This is the model, thoughts appreciated.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205236025407?sort=relevance&postcode=tn133hh&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&radius=1501&advertising-location=at_cars&colour=Red&include-delivery-option=on&model=Z4&make=BMW&price-to=16000&price-from=12000&page=1
Click to expand...
Hmmm.
Having seen it I retract previous statement!
Nice and shiny, but over the average price, fairly low spec and basic seats.
C-. Can do better. :wink:
 
That's a lovely looking car. :thumbsup:

If it's only done 40,000 miles now it may have only done 20,000 by the time it was serviced in 2016. If that was the case and you feel the price reflects the missing service I wouldn't be put off - it's already survived another 6 years!

But then I'm not up to speed with E89 prices.

If you were to find the performance a bit lacking after a while a remap will see it producing slightly more than a 28i as the 18i, 20i and 28i all have the same engine, just different mapping. You'll find we like to encourage spending on modifications. :lol:
 
Old Git said:
Thanks for the responses guys. I agree, hard to imagine someone would not have done the servicing.

This is the model, thoughts appreciated.
Click to expand...

As said above not the best example for the money IMHO. SE model, not the more desirable M sport.
Difficult to tell from the pictures but only 'option' I could see was heated seats. £30 tyres too.

Just for context; I have an 18i of the same vintage (OK a 2013) with full history, M sport model, with a much higher spec, 27k miles and I value it at £10,500. If only the wife would let me sell it. :roll:
 
Thanks everyone. I’m obviously into a whole new world here and it is also obvious that I am unprepared!!

Is there a big difference in ride quality between the 17 and 19 tyres? That was one of the reasons I wasn’t really looking at a sport versions.

As we speak the following has popped up, looks a lovely car but overpriced..

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206026431883?sort=relevance&postcode=tn133hh&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&colour=Blue&colour=Red&include-delivery-option=on&model=Z4&make=BMW&price-to=16000&price-from=12000&page=2&percentVehiclePriceDeposit=true
 
The first zed is a good looking car and if all you want is perhaps a second car for the summer then it’s worth a punt. If it is to be your main car, then I would want a service history.

If you know the reg it perhaps worth checking with a BMW dealership and ask them if they have any service record. The garage selling it may contact the previous owner and ask them if they mind you contacting them to ask about the history.
 
Old Git said:
Is there a big difference in ride quality between the 17 and 19 tyres? That was one of the reasons I wasn’t really looking at a sport versions.
Click to expand...

I had the same 17 inch wheels as the first car you listed, on SE suspension, and even on run flats it was very comfortable. I now have 19 inch wheels with adaptive M Sport suspension and it is far less comfortable.

I can't tell you whether that's down to the wheels or suspension... probably both.
 
Old Git said:
Thanks everyone. I’m obviously into a whole new world here and it is also obvious that I am unprepared!!
Click to expand...
One of the problems with asking for advice on here; many differing opinions and 'constructive' help.
Best bet is to find one of each, SE and M sport, and go try them both. Then at least you will know which you prefer and can search for a good 'un.
I personally think the M sport suspension is far too hard and is downright uncomfortable most of the time. Big wheels and runflat tyres just compound the issue. Not driven an SE but have heard they are much better.

They are great little cars, though :thumbsup:
 
The early service history should have been recorded by BMW on its global electronic database as it will have been serviced by a BMW service centre during its warranty period. :tumbleweed: :thumbsup:

As others have said the spec is pretty piss poor and given 400 ish Z4s on AT as my English teacher said ‘please try harder’ :thumbsup: :rofl:
 
Old Git said:
As we speak the following has popped up, looks a lovely car but overpriced..

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... posit=true
Click to expand...
That one is very, very strong money for a private sale and has the same issue with service history. It has been serviced 3 times in 9 years. Been serviced to the mileage, not age. And it looks like it needs new front brakes.
 
Pondrew said:
Old Git said:
As we speak the following has popped up, looks a lovely car but overpriced..

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... posit=true
Click to expand...
That one is very, very strong money for a private sale and has the same issue with service history. It has been serviced 3 times in 9 years. Been serviced to the mileage, not age. And it looks like it needs new front brakes.
Click to expand...

This is an example of differing opinions…

I’d rate this as a better buy, I wouldn’t consider it severely overpriced…you have to remember that Forum members are in the nicest sense ‘bottom feeders’ so in a market they will tend to prioritise cost over other factors,

IMHO..it’s a nice colour and trim which benefits from the low mileage.

Well spec’d..it’s an auto which is a big plus on the 20i and a big ticket item on the purchase price.

Service wise the car uses long life oils so two oil changes over a longer period of time on low mileage is better than a longer mileage service interval.

You will get a sense of the market by as others have seeing a few.

If the cars are disappearing before you van get there then the market is hot..if not…

With a private sale I’d expect you to be able to get £1,000 to £1,500 off if the market is not overheated.

All IMHO FWIW
 
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