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To wait or not to wait...

M

MartyB

Member
Hi all,

Long time lurker here seeking some advice on when to take the plunge on the purchase of my first Z (funds ready to go).

I've been watching AT and the like for best part of a year now and with prices through the roof (or so it seems), I don't know when would be the right time to make the purchase that I've been waiting for!?

I'm specifically after a post LCI car 35i/is (is preferably) with as fewer miles as possible, good services history and all the options etc.

This car is ideal spec and has from what I can see all the options that I'd be after (top HiFi, header seats, cruise etc.).

Does anyone have any thoughts on this particular car, price or general buying advice in the current market?

Would love to have a car for when spring hits, it just a case of do I pay through the nose for it.. or will prices come down soon?

Martin
 
Prices have remained high since last summer and don't show signs of dropping despite Winter not being a popular time for buying convertibles.
Who knows if they will drop, but unlikely as Spring is now around the corner IMO.
January SHOULD be the best month to buy for several reasons but prices are remaining very high this year.
35is' hold their money better than most too as they are the top of the range.
The car linked had an MOT advisory for shock absorber leak. With adaptive suspension I would make sure this has been changed as they are stupid expensive.
Good luck :thumbsup:
 
From what I read online and from car press journos the opinion is that prices will at the very least be steady next year and possibly rise further, nobody seems to think the bubble will burst for another 18 months or so
 
Thanks both for your input!
Pondrew - I didn't think to check MOT information great call - I'll note that down for when I decide to give them a call.
As for price, they have just dropped the advert down by £1000 so I would assume they are not getting much in terms of enquiries.
I've never been very good at negotiating prices, but on a car like this what would generally be their profit margins/what would you think they'd accept offer wise?
It's just a shame that I didn't pull the trigger Q1 last year as this would have been listed around the early £20k's from what I remember of similar cars.
 
MartyB said:
Hi all,

Long time lurker here seeking some advice on when to take the plunge on the purchase of my first Z (funds ready to go).

I've been watching AT and the like for best part of a year now and with prices through the roof (or so it seems), I don't know when would be the right time to make the purchase that I've been waiting for!?

I'm specifically after a post LCI car 35i/is (is preferably) with as fewer miles as possible, good services history and all the options etc.

This car is ideal spec and has from what I can see all the options that I'd be after (top HiFi, header seats, cruise etc.).

Does anyone have any thoughts on this particular car, price or general buying advice in the current market?

Would love to have a car for when spring hits, it just a case of do I pay through the nose for it.. or will prices come down soon?

Martin
Click to expand...

Martin, see here...

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=87737&start=1980

:wink:
 
Thanks N4LLY - I was trying to follow that thread before but it is quite the beast of a thread!
From your last post alone, would that suggest that used car prices are on the decrease? or do you think there is another reason why WBAC would have dropped their evaluation of the vehicle?
 
To be honest WBAC prices are all over the place. I think the 2nd hand market is "Holding" neither up or down.

Hold out and the right car at the right price will jump out at you. Took me 4 month's to find mine and i travelled 240 miles to pick it up
bought unseen :wink:

Have you spotted this one ? :) https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=133300
 
Sports cars don't necessarily follow the same patterns as workaday cars. I would get in there and buy one, if you see one you like. Then enjoy driving it. If it goes down a bit then it goes down a bit. Apart from maybe the Alpinas, a Z4 is not an investment, it's just a car to be enjoyed. :) One day it will just be scrap like most cars. :wink:
 
MartyB said:
Thanks both for your input!
Pondrew - I didn't think to check MOT information great call - I'll note that down for when I decide to give them a call.
As for price, they have just dropped the advert down by £1000 so I would assume they are not getting much in terms of enquiries.
I've never been very good at negotiating prices, but on a car like this what would generally be their profit margins/what would you think they'd accept offer wise?
It's just a shame that I didn't pull the trigger Q1 last year as this would have been listed around the early £20k's from what I remember of similar cars.
Click to expand...
It is important to remember that dealers have had to pay very high prices for cars last year. If they have cars hanging around unsold they are not going to sell at a loss, so there is only so much leeway. Also, it's impossible to know how much margin each car has in it, and they are unlikely to tell you the truth.
As Mr G said above, if you want one and can afford one, buy one. Just don't keep looking at prices afterwards. :thumbsup:
Is there a specific reason why you want a 35is? Other models (generally the 4 pots) can be nearly as quick with re-map and are a lot less money. A 2013 2L with low mileage can be had for over £10k less.
 
I doubt prices will change a massive amount.
Far better to keep your eyes open and buy the car you like best, whenever you see it.
Pass up the ideal car in January and you'll never see another that quite matches it.
 
Pondrew said:
It is important to remember that dealers have had to pay very high prices for cars last year. If they have cars hanging around unsold they are not going to sell at a loss, so there is only so much leeway. Also, it's impossible to know how much margin each car has in it, and they are unlikely to tell you the truth.
As Mr G said above, if you want one and can afford one, buy one. Just don't keep looking at prices afterwards. :thumbsup:
Is there a specific reason why you want a 35is? Other models (generally the 4 pots) can be nearly as quick with re-map and are a lot less money. A 2013 2L with low mileage can be had for over £10k less.
Click to expand...

Pondrew - from all the articles and videos I've read/watched online, the 6cyl is the way to go from both a power and experience perspective (exhaust sound, DCT shift responsiveness, burbles etc.)
I have indeed read the threads about the power gains you can make from the 20i to bring it closer to the 35i/is stock, but going for a stock 35i/is also has relatively easy power gain from the n54 taking it far and beyond the reach of the 20i/28i etc.

I also find that the 20i/28i also suffer from not having many spec boxes checked, like I mentioned previously I'd ideally like the top HiFi option which I don't usually see on these models.
 
MartyB said:
Pondrew - from all the articles and videos I've read/watched online, the 6cyl is the way to go from both a power and experience perspective (exhaust sound, DCT shift responsiveness, burbles etc.)
I have indeed read the threads about the power gains you can make from the 20i to bring it closer to the 35i/is stock, but going for a stock 35i/is also has relatively easy power gain from the n54 taking it far and beyond the reach of the 20i/28i etc.

I also find that the 20i/28i also suffer from not having many spec boxes checked, like I mentioned previously I'd ideally like the top HiFi option which I don't usually see on these models.
Click to expand...
Fair enough. I have another car with the N54 engine and it is good. Just make sure it has been well looked after mechanically, as some expensive parts can go wrong on them. Best of luck and don't forget pictures when you get one :thumbsup:
 
Hello and welcome Marty,

Prices are high, but have been for quite a time as others have said.

If I were in your position, as you have the funds and that car ticks your boxes go for it. The price you pay won’t be the important thing unless you’re looking to get out of it quickly. I 100% agree with you re spec, when I was looking for a 35iS the amount with almost no options was staggering, the G29’s are similar :headbang:

The top hi-if, heated seats etc were absolute must haves for me. A loaded car with what you want won’t appear very often, also the price of that one will start climbing weekly as the evenings stretch and the weather improves (hopefully) As Pondrew says the dealers will have likely paid top money and will just sit tight and wait for the better weather than take a loss.

Re the car you’ve linked, it’s low miles and providing it meets the criteria can still get a BMW warranty for £457 with a £250 excess.. IMO a must unless you’re going to mod it, have the funds to pay when needed or have the ability to do most things yourself. There’s a long list of things that WILL go wrong with it, it’s just a case of when.

I also would be speaking to the dealer about replacement of the adaptive shock as I’m sure iirc that’s there’s something in the BMW warranty if it’s been mentioned on an MOT as an advisory will not be covered by them.

I really liked mine and had a blast each and every time I drive it. I also liked the DCT, especially when pushing on.

Good luck with your search :thumbsup:
 
Only three things certain in life mate, Death, taxes and my fiancée always knowing when I've spent money on the bike. :cry:

If your budget allows you to get the car you want now. You may wait months if you pass up a good one hoping prices fall and you won't get those driving months back.
 
I would also suggest going for a car now!
Had availability go an M40i been normal and readily available mine would have been on the market a good while ago. However as Scubaregs has pointed out, I can't get those driving months back if I'm unable to source a car.

If you have the funds available, then I would suggest you go for it now!
 
As others have said I can't see prices for 2-seaters dropping as we head towards Spring.

If it's affordable and ticks all the boxes for options I'd buy it - YOLO. :lol:
 
Looking on AT this morning, there’s a car three years younger with less miles for only £500 more!
 
ronk said:
Looking on AT this morning, there’s a car three years younger with less miles for only £500 more!
Click to expand...
ronk - Do you have a link to the ad, as I can't see the vehicle you are talking about.

I also love how everyone is the 'devil on my right shoulder' telling me to just go and do it... YOLO :evil:
 
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