Story Time About My Z4

livfreely3

Member
 Tennessee
Here in the States we have Carvana. It’s an online website where you look at car pics, read the CARFAX report, and order a car to be delivered to you. That’s how I found my Z. I wanted a manual Z, but couldn’t find one so I took a chance on a 17,295 mile 35i WBALM7C50AE382081. Every option I wanted, and basically an S without the tune.
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Beautiful car and once delivered I found the “nest”.
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About 6-7 of these little fellas got sucked out of the engine bay. I also saw some chew damage on the firewall insulation as well as the hood insulation. Found a wire that was scuffed, a screw missing from a front bumper bracket, and the rear partition tray bracket broken as well. I was bummed and really didn’t feel comfortable anticipating more unforeseen damage. Since it was a low mileage, and a good history report, I paid a pretty premium for it $26,990 USD!

Carvana has a 7-day money back guarantee as well as a warranty. I wanted to see just if anything else was that bad. No local repair shop wanted to touch it, so the warranty program allowed me to take it to the nearest BMW dealership. I had the dealership comb through it and they found the front struts with a little seepage. In total they quoted +$10k to fix everything. I also asked for an oil change, cabin air filter, engine air filter, and spark plug change. I wasn’t sure if the warranty would cover all the repairs, and if not I probably would have returned it.

Well they covered everything minus what I asked them to do maintenance wise. They put a new firewall in, new hood insulation pad, new front struts (I have adaptive), new trunk partition for roof tray, and new front bumper bracket. Needless to say I was thrilled! This car is a joy to drive, and I plan on driving this daily for many many years to come.


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Great looking car and you did well to get all of that covered! Presumably, they deduct the 10k from the sellers payment?

That mouse looks mummified, did the others look “fresh”?!
 
Great looking car and you did well to get all of that covered! Presumably, they deduct the 10k from the sellers payment?

That mouse looks mummified, did the others look “fresh”?!
Not sure if they were not squirrels? They all were mummified, definitely stunk
 
Great looking car and you did well to get all of that covered! Presumably, they deduct the 10k from the sellers payment?

That mouse looks mummified, did the others look “fresh”?!
Also Carvana is the seller. They bought the car off of the seller, and then I bought it from them. They are supposed to do an inspection, not sure how they missed the nest.
 
Car looks fantastic - congrats.

Just being picky - but there is more to the 'is' model than the tune (few small things - few big ones).

Obvious bigger ticket differences as the msport package which is not on your car (guessing about $5k in the states) & a louder switched valve exhaust (again a guess $2 - $3k). DCT 7 speed box (I get you wanted a manual) - but that's also more expensive.

Little tweaks on top - but no real impact or benefit IMHO.
 
Car looks fantastic - congrats.

Just being picky - but there is more to the 'is' model than the tune (few small things - few big ones).

Obvious bigger ticket differences as the msport package which is not on your car (guessing about $5k in the states) & a louder switched valve exhaust (again a guess $2 - $3k). DCT 7 speed box (I get you wanted a manual) - but that's also more expensive.

Little tweaks on top - but no real impact or benefit IMHO.
It is my understanding that I have the DCT, and dual exhaust (although not sure if it’s valved). The original owner equipped it with the adaptive suspension, and DCT. Also have the sport seats.
 
Ah ok.

Can only see the outside of the car from your pic - love the colour btw :)

Msport spec changes a few things (have a google) - most obvious from the outside is the much more aggressive bumpers.

The exhaust on the is model is also unique to that car - a different design & noise profile to that of the 35i. Not sure it could be ordered, but if so you will see it on the build sheet.

Very nice.
 
Wow, you did really well to get all that work done in the warranty. Now all you need to do is enjoy it!
 
I wonder if that's a thing that can be done in the UK too?

Buy car from trader at above average sale price - get it minted up in week1 by a BMW dealer who will pick over every detail, have the costs covered by the seller's warranty without argument.

Feels like it could be an attractive way to get a really good car.... is it just me?

I feel like in the UK you would just get spanked. Purchase £10k car (fair market value) for £15k from dealer, then get told to whistle for the repairs as they wiggle out at every twist & turn.

Attentive dealer (when selling) becomes asshole who doesn't return your calls. Car sat in garages for weeks / months while you argue. Eventually losing out & that sweet deal turns into something that leaves a bad taste.

Seems to me that the OP is living the dream & has secured that 1 in a million result :)
 
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Cute top. And I don't the mean the car's. 😉

Once you get used to the paddle shifters, you'll never want to go back to manual. But you need to upgrade the mapping for proper quick downshifting. Stock is awful.

Enjoy your new ride. :driving::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
Cute top. And I don't the mean the car's. 😉

Once you get used to the paddle shifters, you'll never want to go back to manual. But you need to upgrade the mapping for proper quick downshifting. Stock is awful.

Enjoy your new ride. :driving::thumbsup::thumbsup:
Did you mean the squirrel’s?:poke::rofl:
 
If you havent had those 296 wheels off yet, I'd recommend removing them and checking the ugly side of those wheels for hairline cracks/fractures.
they are sometimes hard to see when on the car. You'll only find out when the tech tells you at your next tire change...
 
If you havent had those 296 wheels off yet, I'd recommend removing them and checking the ugly side of those wheels for hairline cracks/fractures.
they are sometimes hard to see when on the car. You'll only find out when the tech tells you at your next tire change...
Yeah I am procrastinating on that one…😬 I’m hoping they are gtg for the time being
 
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