Upgrade to ///M?

[louie12]

Hi all

I'm toying with the idea of moving up to a ///MR from my current 2.0 Sport (chuffed to bits with it but really fancy the ultimate version).

Before I waste too much time and get too excited I'd really like some honest feedback on potential costs of the M over my current one as the pot of money is not bottomless (who's is?)

I'm not concerned too much about fuel consumption, tax and insurance as I know these will be worse. It's more the maintenance costs, reliability / live-able with side of things I'd like to know more about. It would be used as often as possible (unless really wet or icy - I do about 7k miles a year currently), not garaged, and I'm pretty hopeless at all but very simple DIY stuff. My budget would be up to £15k and I'd be looking for as low a mileage example as possible.

Your input as ever would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance folks

Just buy the ///MR and enjoy life. You can't go wrong. If you don't like it sell it and loose nothing. Doesn't even need man maths, its that obvious.

You're a bad man. A very bad man. I think you may have just pushed me over the edge.....

 

[Fishy Dave]

Must admit I lean more to the Silver as it's being sold by a reputable indie and so potentially a safer purchase. So you wouldn't be put off by the mileage? As a rule is there anything pricey just round the corner?

The mileage wouldn't put me off IF the price reflects it (my air-cooled 911 had 191k miles!). Clutches seem to last and you don't have a cambelt to worry about which are two typically large bills you encounter with some cars at 70-80k/10 years. At this age details like tyres, brakes and inspection service can make a difference of hundreds or thousands. UK buyers are often mileage sensitive, so come resale time some will immediately rule out buying what they see as a high mileage car (you are having the same doubts).
Having worked in the motor trade I would buy from a dealer but only if the price was close to what I could buy privately for or it was an exceptional car. Both the cars you have linked to appear nicely specced but neither stands out as exceptional value to me from what little you can tell in an advert. Cars sold by dealers are after all private cars that are being sold to make a profit/cover overheads, hence my preference for a private purchase when you can actually talk to the owner.
I don't know any of these cars but a quick search has shown a selection at a cheaper price/lower miles and I'd look to haggle plenty more off too. The Sepang one stands out to me personally at £1500 less than the black one you found and the same price as the 82k mile silver grey. I'd try to have a friendly haggle for another £500 off too.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201607195980736?onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&radius=1500&postcode=sn139fy&advertising-location=at_cars&sort=price-asc&make=BMW&model=Z4M&page=2
Blue, £14,980, 54k miles, dealer

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201610178844121?model=Z4M&postcode=sn139fy&sort=price-asc&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&advertising-location=at_cars&make=BMW&radius=1501&page=1
Rare Sepang, £14,000, 63k, private, Inspection 2 at 55kmiles and decent tyres, description suggests Z4 enthusiast.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201610299241660?model=Z4M&postcode=sn139fy&sort=price-asc&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&advertising-location=at_cars&make=BMW&radius=1501&page=1
Also blue with cream, £13,995, 60k, dealer

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201610028353820?model=Z4M&postcode=sn139fy&sort=price-asc&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&advertising-location=at_cars&make=BMW&radius=1501&page=1
Blue with cream and CSLs, £13,795, 61k miles, private

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-57-BMW-Z4-3-2-M-Roadster-Red-/272335786181?hash=item3f687a50c5:g:ytoAAOSwdzVXtJPS
Red, £13,250, 76k miles, 2008, dealer

 

[louie12]

Must admit I lean more to the Silver as it's being sold by a reputable indie and so potentially a safer purchase. So you wouldn't be put off by the mileage? As a rule is there anything pricey just round the corner?

The mileage wouldn't put me off IF the price reflects it (my air-cooled 911 had 191k miles!). Clutches seem to last and you don't have a cambelt to worry about which are two typically large bills you encounter with some cars at 70-80k/10 years. At this age details like tyres, brakes and inspection service can make a difference of hundreds or thousands. UK buyers are often mileage sensitive, so come resale time some will immediately rule out buying what they see as a high mileage car (you are having the same doubts).
Having worked in the motor trade I would buy from a dealer but only if the price was close to what I could buy privately for or it was an exceptional car. Both the cars you have linked to appear nicely specced but neither stands out as exceptional value to me from what little you can tell in an advert. Cars sold by dealers are after all private cars that are being sold to make a profit/cover overheads, hence my preference for a private purchase when you can actually talk to the owner.
I don't know any of these cars but a quick search has shown a selection at a cheaper price/lower miles and I'd look to haggle plenty more off too. The Sepang one stands out to me personally at £1500 less than the black one you found and the same price as the 82k mile silver grey. I'd try to have a friendly haggle for another £500 off too.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201607195980736?onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&radius=1500&postcode=sn139fy&advertising-location=at_cars&sort=price-asc&make=BMW&model=Z4M&page=2
Blue, £14,980, 54k miles, dealer

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201610178844121?model=Z4M&postcode=sn139fy&sort=price-asc&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&advertising-location=at_cars&make=BMW&radius=1501&page=1
Rare Sepang, £14,000, 63k, private, Inspection 2 at 55kmiles and decent tyres, description suggests Z4 enthusiast.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201610299241660?model=Z4M&postcode=sn139fy&sort=price-asc&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&advertising-location=at_cars&make=BMW&radius=1501&page=1
Also blue with cream, £13,995, 60k, dealer

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201610028353820?model=Z4M&postcode=sn139fy&sort=price-asc&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&advertising-location=at_cars&make=BMW&radius=1501&page=1
Blue with cream and CSLs, £13,795, 61k miles, private

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-57-BMW-Z4-3-2-M-Roadster-Red-/272335786181?hash=item3f687a50c5:g:ytoAAOSwdzVXtJPS
Red, £13,250, 76k miles, 2008, dealer

Appreciate the research Dave, thanks. There's certainly a few there to look into. I'll keep you posted.

 

[louie12]

Still looking - seriously got the bug now.

Views on the attached would be welcomed

http://www.gtselect.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-z4m-3-2-2dr-camberley-201610028353820

 

[Fishy Dave]

Still looking - seriously got the bug now.

Views on the attached would be welcomed

http://www.gtselect.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-z4m-3-2-2dr-camberley-201610028353820

That was one of the ones I linked to above, looks great in my eyes. It doesn't have cruise control or Nav, although some would say they would rather not have Nav anyway (although I love mine).

 

[Yorkie Z]

Still looking - seriously got the bug now.

Views on the attached would be welcomed

http://www.gtselect.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-z4m-3-2-2dr-camberley-201610028353820

Looks nice, but I would say that as I have the same colour. No sat nav but that's not a bad thing. Mine has nav and it looks really dated by 2016 standards.

 

[pHilli0]

Still looking - seriously got the bug now.

Views on the attached would be welcomed

http://www.gtselect.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-z4m-3-2-2dr-camberley-201610028353820

Looks nice, but I would say that as I have the same colour. No sat nav but that's not a bad thing. Mine has nav and it looks really dated by 2016 standards.

^^ Sat nav in a 2006 car is going to be shocking to all modern standards. The clean lines on the dash are better and make the car feel less 520d and more sports car.

 

[louie12]

Agree with the sat nav sentiments. As needed I have a Garmin anyway.

Does the price seem reasonable?

 

[louie12]

Still looking - seriously got the bug now.

Views on the attached would be welcomed

http://www.gtselect.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-z4m-3-2-2dr-camberley-201610028353820

That was one of the ones I linked to above, looks great in my eyes. It doesn't have cruise control or Nav, although some would say they would rather not have Nav anyway (although I love mine).

I wondered how I'd come across this as it doesn't appear in many / any google searches. Thanks again!