Nickbmw08 said:
Thank you both for the last two posts much appreciated, I’m hoping one comes up near me!!
First up,while they are great cars,they are not for everyone.
As with the Porsches,which you felt too,some if them leave me a bit cold(while other models are Excellent).
Best to test drive a z4 m local to you,even if it's outside your budget,but that would be my starting point.
Also,as others said,be willing to travel for the right spec,mileage etc.
I went to Birmingham for mine,from Mid Scotland.
Good advice from Andy/MrWilks,
But re service costs,that would be from some indies!/BMW specialists.
And prices for services at indies round the country can vary and if you want BMW Dealer service,then budget a bit more ,at £700+ and upto £1200 for Inspection 1 & 2s, respectively. You get good and not so good in both camps,lol.
Oil services are not bad though,at around £150-ish from an indy,as its only filters,oil and some checks.
Or buy the Oil yourself
Insp. 1 and 2 Need Valve clearance checks and usually a few shims swapped/renewed,so ask any potential garage you ask about taking it to come back with the correct answers,when you ask what they include in their services on them.
It would surprise you how many Dealers and Indies/ Specialists alike don't do valve clearance checks or shims when asked about it,and it's a must do item every Inspection service.
I know from personal experience,they quote £200-£300 for an Inspection service,which when you are talking about upto 2 hours Labour to do valve clearance checks and replace/swap out shims then re check,plus around £100+ for Oil,oil filter and Pollen filter, plus an Hour or more Labour on these jobs ,pkus the "checks" they need to do,then you know it's just too cheap.
Also,they need the car the night before,for the valve clearance checks,and if they say they don't,and will do it when you bring it in,go elsewhere,as they need done from Cold.
N.b Services are Oil/Insp.1/Oik/Insp.2, every 2 years,or approx. 12-15k miles ,variable with driving style,etc...in case you haven't read this already elsewhere?
Although it's worth doing an Additional Oil change Annually, in-between required servicing.
Plus, Brake fluid,as with most cars, every 2 years ontop.
Budget around £1000 per year on average,for services,repairs etc and you will be fine,as the older these cars get,and increase in miles, certain things need doing,or can go wrong.
Things worth having,spec wise are different to different folk,but nice to have are DSP hifi,pro Nav (just but updated maps), Cruise......most other desirable kit at the time was standard.
OEM CSL Alloys.
These are great cars,but always good to have as much info as possible
