Surprisingly low price on 2011 z4 30i

[Xhexk]

Hi guys, newbie to these forums

Looking to get my first z4, my first BMW actually. I was initially in the market for a 2005-2007 model but I have found a surprisingly cheap 2011 model. The car has no service history, and it's a previous cat D with bumper damage apparently. The screen on the inside is also broken however I don't suspect these to be major issues. £6k is the agreed price and he doesn't object to having a mechanic check the vehicle. What should I be looking out for? Is this one of those too good to be true things?

 

[metal licker]

Hi and welcome aboard
I wouldn't take a risk with a banged car but good luck if your having a gamble :driving:

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

£6k is still a lot of money.
I know car wise, it wont get very far, but still, its a big chunk.

May be best to use that towards a good car, rather than a cat D.

Could you put it as a deposit and finance a balance?

 

[Pauly]

£6k is still a lot of money.
I know car wise, it wont get very far, but still, its a big chunk.

May be best to use that towards a good car, rather than a cat D.

Could you put it as a deposit and finance a balance?

This 100%, couple more months saving or a small amount of borrowing, in return for hopefully worry free motoring. Good luck whatever direction you opt for.

 

[Crazy Harry]

Hi and welcome

Bit of a tough question really because you don't state the model or mileage or the options. Private sale or dealer - any warranty with it?

I think you know the answer to your question already which I guess is why you asked - if you have 6K to throw away and you love the car and can't live without it fine. If not walk away. If its too good to be true then it's normally too good to be true.

You can use the Reg to check the MOT history (I assume you are in the Uk as its £s) has it had advisories that appear year on year. Has it had fails or different advisories each year this would say to me unloved and had minimum of money spend by its owners. If its high miles (low miles can be even worse if cars only had a few weekends out a year) a lost service history can hide a lot of problems. How /who repaired the car and what checks tests have been done before it was put back on the road - was it bumper damage or suspension alinement as well? Have you checked for engine codes - the warning lights may have been deleted but the issues not fixed.

Its your 6K but I'm walking already....... why not check the sales section on here or give us more detailed questions. Good luck with your Zed hunt.

 

[Jembo]

I suggest you ask to see photos of the accident, even minor shunts in the wrong place / angle can cause invisible future problems, as modern cars are designed to compress during an impact to save its occupants.

That said my suggestions for checking it out are
1. Get a second opinion, maybe RAC inspection - rose tinted glasses have made many a mistake
2. Does it drive in a straight line on a flat surface when u momentarily take your hands off the wheel
3. Does it do the same as 2 when you apply very firm but not harsh braking
4. What are the diagnostic fault codes (after a long drive in case they have cleared them) - you are looking for things like deployed airbags which haven’t been properly repaired as well as other codes
5. Check with your insurers they will insure a CAT D car
6. Check every electrical component
- all lights
- horn
- air con
- each speaker
- heated screens
- wing mirrors
7. Look at the boot floor for compression ripples/cracks & under the bonnet where the chassis meets the radiator
8. How well does it drive in general
9. Panel fit & door/boot open & closing

Having bought 2 cars in the 80’s & 90’s which had had a prang, much of the advice listed above was what my mechanic who came with me looked for - this kinda stuff doesn’t change

J

 

[Smelf36]

Too good to be true, I paid just over 6K for mine and that was a 2008 model (low miles and ace condition granted) 6K for 2011! Even on a Cat D that doesn’t smell right

 

[Xhexk]

Thank you for the welcomes and advice everyone. As much as I loved the car it didn't smell right indeed and I walked away. Hopefully I'll find a decent example in due time without the anxiety of having my ride fail on me.

After all, I do plan on doing a tour of Europe with it.

 

[Jembo]

You won’t go far wrong with a 3.0 prefacelift manual for Europe... had amazing times in France taking my old ride there

 

[chilistrucker]

£6k is still a lot of money.
I know car wise, it wont get very far, but still, its a big chunk.

May be best to use that towards a good car, rather than a cat D.

Could you put it as a deposit and finance a balance?

This 100%, couple more months saving or a small amount of borrowing, in return for hopefully worry free motoring. Good luck whatever direction you opt for.

And another vote for this route. After much searching I found me sdrive 23i msport for 8.5k
It does have 100k on the clock but is a 1 owner car, FSH and a really good level of kit the only things it doesn't have are elec seats and heated steering wheel. Has the idrive, nav, dab, cruise etc,etc

Just to add, 2011 plate

 

[buzyg]

I would agree with the majority on this. Your taking a risk. If you can afford to get it wrong then maybe worth a punt after a mechanic has given it a good looking at. But unless you know yourself what you are looking at and can aford a possible lemon, then I would steer clear and invest a bit more time a money in a Zed with a less sketchy history.