Z4M prices...

[Jalfrezi]

I'm rather keen on buying an MR, however I'm struggling to understand prices.

I see a few cars from about £9-9.5k, and plenty for around £13K+

I appreciate that condition is important, as is service record, but not sure the prices I'm seeing make sense. I'd appreciate it if someone familiar with the market could give me some sensible pointers.

Thanks

 

[srhutch]

Mileage will have a big factor, along with service history including the running in service and of course condition and spec.

10k cars will generally be around/over 100k and 13k+ cars around/under 50k

 

[mr wilks]

Its no different being a M to a se or si , you apply the same logic but factor in the increase for being a ///M version
Year has little affect but miles , colour , history , spec & current condition do
Do your homework , study the market for 2,4,6 weeks then you can formulate your own sense of what is / isn't a reasonable standpoint .
If you are not confident in yourself then offering up possible cars to the forum is a great way to gauge & grade any prospective choices

 

[Angelus666]

OP, with the greatest respect...your question is a bit of a non starter?! You’re asking about whether a car with less miles and in better condition should be £3-4K more money....

 

[buzyg]

Get out there and try some. Be sure to check the condition/life left in the brakes and tyres. Both will cost several hundred quid, when they they need replacing. Handy bargaining tools, if you play it right.

As always service history must be checked thoroughly. An Ins2, if due, will set you back 300 to 500 quid and that is at an indie garage. BMW will simply bend you over and spank you, should you wish them to do the work. Some Zeders seem to enjoy that sort of thing, not me though indie every time :wink:

 

[srhutch]

Get out there and try some. Be sure to check the condition/life left in the brakes and tyres. Both will cost several hundred quid, when they they need replacing. Handy bargaining tools, if you play it right.

As always service history must be checked thoroughly. An Ins2, if due, will set you back 300 to 500 quid and that is at an indie garage. BMW will simply bend you over and spank you, should you wish them to do the work. Some Zeders seem to enjoy that sort of thing, not me though indie every time :wink:

Inspection 2 in the south east are more like £700+

 

[Jalfrezi]

OP, with the greatest respect...your question is a bit of a non starter?! You’re asking about whether a car with less miles and in better condition should be £3-4K more money....

I respectfully disagree, you are assuming that miles and condition are reflected in the asking prices. Whilst this should be the case, prices seem to be rather less predictable than that in the market.

The replies above have given me a sensible feel for what is reasonable. Thanks all.

 

[Angelus666]

To be fair that's a good point. I guess the reality is that there are not too many of these on the market (relative to other BMW's) so it's all down to individual circumstances....some folk 'won't' let their car go for less than a certain number (leave it in the garage rather than the £9k), whilst others want it gone. Also, the location has a big part to play...Jim White's immaculate MC struggled to make a sale at good money, probably because it was in Lincolnshire.

 

[PDJ]

I bought a Z4M at a fair price I believe
I have spent a fair bit of time and money since
Vanos service
Replaced all 4 shocks and springs
Replaced every fluid in the car
Replaced the front brake calipers

To bring the car up to a known standard as a service stamp in the book could be little more than that without all the invoices to back it up

Look up the cost for the above and then work out if the car is a good price or not

 

[buzyg]

Get out there and try some. Be sure to check the condition/life left in the brakes and tyres. Both will cost several hundred quid, when they they need replacing. Handy bargaining tools, if you play it right.

As always service history must be checked thoroughly. An Ins2, if due, will set you back 300 to 500 quid and that is at an indie garage. BMW will simply bend you over and spank you, should you wish them to do the work. Some Zeders seem to enjoy that sort of thing, not me though indie every time :wink:

Inspection 2 in the south east are more like £700+

Correction, srhutch is spot on.

I was forgetting my last major was an isn1. Therefore, did not include. Gear box and diff oil replacement. OP be sure to check the valve clearances are listed in the history too, even if, like my Zed, they have never needed adjusting.

 

[Simon 3.2M]

It’s down to the sellers perception of the worth of an “M” I think an MR will sell for 10k all day long (depending on location) as mileage is now becoming less of a factor due to the age of the cars.
Whilst low mileage is always see as a premium, I don’t think it is the be all and end all. I say this because according to the logic most apply, my 108k M is worth around 10k however it has had, new bearing shells, valve clearances, new clutch, all fluids, new front discs and pads, new radiator and thermostat, poly RTAB, 15k old standard suspension and new top mounts, ac regas, new xenon bulbs and igniters, pirated engine mount and updated nav CD, finally cruise is getting fitted at the weekend. A car with 50 - 60k will be around 14k and could need a lot or some of the jobs doing - shells could be on the horizon along with shocks and some bushes. You could potentially have a £1500 bill before you start! I would say don’t get hung up too much on mileage rather look closely at what has and what needs to be done - that will help you to make a more informed decision.

 

[Jembo]

Given these M cars are over 10 years old & every one being driven enthusiastically at some time in its life, would expect to see anything with milage over 40k with some additional non regular maintenance, for example:
- engine mounts
- some suspension refresh
- additional oil & brake fluid changes
- alignments
- .... & others

Knowing also the car has been properly & methodically warmed up before each use is also essential, something you’ll never know from a dealer.

This, to me, is a sign of better owner care, not minimalistic ownership & in my book these type of cars deserve a premium - there’ll be one coming up for sale soon in this category, should be VERY obvious who, so get your cash ready

 

[srhutch]

Knowing also the car has been properly & methodically warmed up before each use is also essential, something you’ll never know from a dealer.

You'll never know from the private seller really, you only have their word for it and no idea at all from the previous owners.

Like other statements "never driven in the wet" and "always filled with Shell Super Unleaded" meaningless.

 

[Jembo]

Knowing also the car has been properly & methodically warmed up before each use is also essential, something you’ll never know from a dealer.

You'll never know from the private seller really, you only have their word for it and no idea at all from the previous owners.

Like other statements "never driven in the wet" and "always filled with Shell Super Unleaded" meaningless.

Unless it’s a low 1 or 2 owner where you know the seller well, who’s a crazy petrol head on cars/Ducati’s, as well as an ex forum car & has requested first dibs on buying it back if you ever come to sell...

 

[IRD]

It is always a bit of a gamble when buying an older vehicle. My advice would be to look at as many as you can before buying. That way you will soon get an idea of what is a fair price in relation to condition. Don’t be in a rush. There will always be another one. Be prepared to walk away from an overpriced car.If at all possible take someone with you who knows these cars. Good luck with your search.

 

[mr wilks]

Knowing also the car has been properly & methodically warmed up before each use is also essential, something you’ll never know from a dealer.

You'll never know from the private seller really, you only have their word for it and no idea at all from the previous owners.

Like other statements "never driven in the wet" and "always filled with Shell Super Unleaded" meaningless.

Unless it’s a low 1 or 2 owner where you know the seller well, who’s a crazy petrol head on cars/Ducati’s, as well as an ex forum car & has requested first dibs on buying it back if you ever come to sell...

For that notion to carry any credibility you would have to be the second owner & know the first well enough to believe everything they said

 

[mark seeker]

I think as said by many, get out and see what is available - buy with the knowledge that despite your best efforts you might need to put your hand in your pocket. Have a slush fund, these cars can't be run on a shoestring.

I had to replace my roof motor (Circa £900) and I've had a couple of electrical gremlins (ABS unit & lambda sensor), this was before the car turned over 33,000 miles.