Z4 coupe condition
- Thread starter Andres
- Start date
go view the car in the morning... if you like the car, make a low offer. Then whatever they come back with, say you need to think about it and have other cars to look at. Make sure you leave them your mobile number, and then drive away. Go to a local park, eat the packed lunch you've prepared, and wait for them to phone you, with their actual best offer.
Negotiate a price on the phone, then go back to the dealer and pay.
The important thing is being prepared to walk away, even if you like the car!
Negotiate a price on the phone, then go back to the dealer and pay.
The important thing is being prepared to walk away, even if you like the car!
i think being prepared to walk away is the main thing, but most people (me included) feel that if they've made a long trip to see a car, they dont want to leave empty handed!
however if you can wait a day, it massively improves your negotiating power - an extra trip probably only costs £40 in petrol, but might save you thousands off an asking price!
however if you can wait a day, it massively improves your negotiating power - an extra trip probably only costs £40 in petrol, but might save you thousands off an asking price!
It's always going to be supply vs demand at the end of the day. Hence if you can, take your time and accept that if someone else shows up and buys the car in the mean time, that is tough. Then the dealer will usually come back to you with a better offer. Being prepared to walk away is important. Not everyone is prepared to, especially after driving 150 miles to see something. Dealers love those folk. 
the worst that can happen is the dealer says no, no real hardship!
when i bought a car a few years back it was advertised at £8,900, my first offer was £7,500, which was (obviously) rejected. after a short while i went up to £8000, to which the seller countered with £8,400. i said i needed to think it over (which basically means go sit in your car for 20 minutes, and let them sweat a bit). eventually i said £8,200, which he accepted. so yeah, that half hours work saved me £700. that was a private sale though, dealers tend to be a bit different - though its a terrible time to be selling cars right now!
for a car advertised at £9500, i'd probably offer £8k, and see what they say. but i'm a cheeky so and so, and i dont want my first offer to be accepted (leaves me wondering if i could have got it for less)
when i bought a car a few years back it was advertised at £8,900, my first offer was £7,500, which was (obviously) rejected. after a short while i went up to £8000, to which the seller countered with £8,400. i said i needed to think it over (which basically means go sit in your car for 20 minutes, and let them sweat a bit). eventually i said £8,200, which he accepted. so yeah, that half hours work saved me £700. that was a private sale though, dealers tend to be a bit different - though its a terrible time to be selling cars right now!
for a car advertised at £9500, i'd probably offer £8k, and see what they say. but i'm a cheeky so and so, and i dont want my first offer to be accepted (leaves me wondering if i could have got it for less)
mr wilks said:Ive seen a lot of Z4s in my 8yrs but this one quite easily makes it onto the sh!tlist with some marginthe owners carer has clearly gone awol
It looks like the freaking Batmobile with this bodykit!
Albeit in the Netherlands, I acquired an E86 in November 2019. I visited and test drove 5, all in the same budget range (EUR 16.000 - 18.000, prices are slightly higher here). Four of them turned out to be plain rubbish, the fifth one was fairly mint (taking into account the mileage), just one previous owner, and 100% OEM.
The moral of this is: if you have doubts, do not settle for the first one you see, but continue your search until you find something decent.
Thanks brillomaster, that's quite helpful to see how other people negotiate.
I'll definitely try that, the current situation might help me a little bit.
Mau- that's quite a bit more expensive.
I didn't mind the body kit, its easy to remove. But the overall condition wasn't the best, now i know better what to look for.
Post some of your e86s, I'm still not sure about what colour I want.
I've seen some roadsters for sale and I quite like them too, it's bloody hard choosing Z4's :lol:
I'll definitely try that, the current situation might help me a little bit.
Mau- that's quite a bit more expensive.
I didn't mind the body kit, its easy to remove. But the overall condition wasn't the best, now i know better what to look for.
Post some of your e86s, I'm still not sure about what colour I want.
I've seen some roadsters for sale and I quite like them too, it's bloody hard choosing Z4's :lol:
North West Surrey
Well to be honest I've had plenty of silver cars in the past, so have become a bit "silvered-out", but Silver Grey is a bit different (I told myself) and the red seats made me go and see it! If you can find one Sterling Grey looks even better as it you can see flecks of other colours when the light hits it right, as do Ruby Black and Carbon Black.
Just bear in mind that as my latest is an M the seats are Imola Red - the Dream Red in the non-Ms is quite a bit brighter!
Just bear in mind that as my latest is an M the seats are Imola Red - the Dream Red in the non-Ms is quite a bit brighter!
I get that you want an Auto, but most want a manual E86 so demand for Auto’s is lower... they tend to hang around longer, which is good news when it comes to haggling.
£9 to £10k should buy you a fabulous E86, especially in today’s Market, but you need to be prepared to travel for the right car and look at Private sales. When I say a fabulous E86, I mean relatively low mileage, mint condition and well looked after.... I don’t mean nice alloys, or rare because it’s white.
If you don’t know what you’re looking for, and you find the right car, consider paying for an independent inspection.
Have you got a friend that can view with you? Someone who can be the ‘voice of reason‘ so you don’t get carried away...
Honestly, your budget (£10k) puts you at the top end of what’s attainable (excluding M’s) for E86’s in the current market.
I’d also put a wanted up on the forum in the for sale section, you may well get people offer you cars that aren’t advertised for sale and this could also pay dividends.
Just remember, these cars aren’t classics yet so if you’re going to spend £10k on one... you want to do it right
£9 to £10k should buy you a fabulous E86, especially in today’s Market, but you need to be prepared to travel for the right car and look at Private sales. When I say a fabulous E86, I mean relatively low mileage, mint condition and well looked after.... I don’t mean nice alloys, or rare because it’s white.
If you don’t know what you’re looking for, and you find the right car, consider paying for an independent inspection.
Have you got a friend that can view with you? Someone who can be the ‘voice of reason‘ so you don’t get carried away...
Honestly, your budget (£10k) puts you at the top end of what’s attainable (excluding M’s) for E86’s in the current market.
I’d also put a wanted up on the forum in the for sale section, you may well get people offer you cars that aren’t advertised for sale and this could also pay dividends.
Just remember, these cars aren’t classics yet so if you’re going to spend £10k on one... you want to do it right
Andres said:Thanks True-Blue, thats some good advice.
Yes I'm gonna take a friend with me, 2 pair of eyes will see more.
I might even go to test drive a roadster if I find one in grey/red.
Good idea about posting in sales department
I’ve had an E86, but I’m back in an E85 3.0si... and I know which is more fun 8)
