Z4 M Coupe - Service history question

[breakfan]

Hi team

This may appear dead obvious, but how does a prospective buyer check a Z4MC's service record? I am told this information is stored digitally in the key - but is there no service book with the relevant stamps in it?

I would also be delighted to hear any specific tips before buying this car... I've read the forums and the buying guides, but any additional info is welcome.

My dad and I are planning to go halves on one, and we've found what appears to be a great candidate.

Cheers

[Crusoe]

Wrong there should be a service book with the stamps. If it isn't there BMW can recreate it if you know where it was serviced and send them the book they will stamp it based on the computer report of what was done. If you call bmw or the local dealer they should be able to provide you with the printer service report of the car from the reg number with the dates that it was serviced, and if you get in with a dealer they can also print out the complete warranty and service work done which would be every bill that previously went with the car.

[Crusoe]

Most Z4M for sale are discussed on z4-forum.com, worth having a look on there and posting the details before you hand over any cash encase there are known issues with the seller or car.

[breakfan]

Thanks for your quick replies

We actually live in France, and the car we're looking at is for sale in Italy, so visiting dealers etc is not so easy

[Crusoe]

Dealer should be able to read it out from his computer screen over the phone if you find a helpful one. Important to get the first 1200 mile service in around the right time then the gap between them will tell you if the mileage matches. Hard use and they need serviced every 10k or less with more gentle use can be as much as 16k miles, if it hasn't done as much as that it should have been in every two years.