The Z4 M Roadster

The Z4 M Roadster

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Discussion

lord trumpton

Original Poster:

7,321 posts

125 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
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Guys

Following my recent e46 M3 convertible thread, if I don't end up buying it, I'll go for a Z4M Roadster.

I'm looking for opinions on them in terms of desirability/resale as i only tend to keeps cars 12 months.

OK I know the coupe fetches more, has more of an enthusiast following etc but I do want a convertible purely because I enjoy the experience of roof down blasts and the roar of the S54.

Are prices of these static? Are they falling or steadily rising?

A friend has an Imola red one that might be coming up for sale but I does not have Nav - is this a deal breaker? Personally that genre of Nav is cumbersome and outdated and I'd be happy to get by using my phone. That said, with resale in mind how much of a 'must have' is nav?

Is Imola a desirable colour or not? I love it and ultimately that's the most improtant thing but as mentioned I want to be able to move it on next year without taking a bath come resale time.

Many thanks

CrouchingWayne

682 posts

175 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
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Similarly, I looked at M3's and ultimately went for a Z4MR. Cost difference isn't much when you discount the bottom of the M3 market. I bought in April and similar to yourself I had one eye on resale as I tend to keep cars around 2 years.

Prices seem quite flat with most around £13-15k then the coupe a bit higher. If you're keeping it for 12 months then I don't think you should factor in appreciation or depreciation, your loss or gain will be down to how you buy and sell (I.e dealer car vs private, time of sale in year)

FSH is a must for most buyers. I assume you know rough costs of all services/brakes/tyres.

Similar to a lot of premium brand cars they seem very mileage dependant. I don't totally agree with this but it's life!

Prices seem spec dependant - I don't have Nav but have spent a bit of time in one with it. The monitor and graphics ages the cabin and doesn't offer much functionality. It does seem easier to sell with nab though. From memory I've got DSP stereo, heated seats, PDC and folding mirrors. Extended leather is rare but very nice.

I'm not sure on how colours affect prices, I've got gray external/red leather interior which I like. I like them in most colours to be honest but I am not a fan of the champaign leather.

Do you have more details on the similar example you're looking at like spec or prices?

Ahbefive

11,657 posts

171 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
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Expensive cars to take on and run just for a year. Could easily do 2-3k on getting it right and then have to sell it on.

Billy_Whizzzz

1,991 posts

142 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
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If you buy a good one with fbmwsh it shouldn't need anything. Bought mine 3 years ago and has been perfect in every way. I've toyed with selling it as now have an M140i and advertised it for the same as I paid for it a few eeeks ago and the phone was red hot - but decided to keep it. The nav is old, ugly and useless. I don't like red Zs but that's just personal preference.

talksthetorque

10,815 posts

134 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
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They are edging up slightly in value, once you take out the seasonal fluctuations.
Things to look out for on the ZR are the roof motor - the drain channels need keeping clear - let them fill with leaves and you will drown the motor.
As I said in another thread - the Z Ms are probably the safest car at this performance to not trouble your contingency fund.

CrouchingWayne

682 posts

175 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
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talksthetorque said:
They are edging up slightly in value, once you take out the seasonal fluctuations.
Things to look out for on the ZR are the roof motor - the drain channels need keeping clear - let them fill with leaves and you will drown the motor.
As I said in another thread - the Z Ms are probably the safest car at this performance to not trouble your contingency fund.
I agree with you - less risk than a Porsche at the price point which is the obvious comparison. A 370Z might be similar but I imagine there is more exposure to depreciation there (although they have been pretty solid, unlike the 350Z before). All in I imagine (hope) the Z4M should prove to be quite cost effective for the performance.

Interestingly on the roof motors they seem to be able to be refurbished by removing them and letting them dry out before re-greasing. If you're handy it doesn't seem too expensive but is quite time consuming. If you're not handy then you need to pay for someone to remove the motor obviously. As a quick check if the car has been parked up after rain you will see wet marks in front of the rear wheels where the drips come through.

Billy_Whizzzz

1,991 posts

142 months

Monday 5th December 2016
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Interesting they have the same power to weight as a 3.6 997. I towed with a Bozster S when I bought mine but was put off by depreciation potential as they're a lot less rare than a Z4M and also bore score. The Z. Is also much more of an 'event' to drive.

Shoegrip

399 posts

90 months

Monday 5th December 2016
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The OP is asking some legitimate questions but if he is thinking of buying one of these on the basis of ownership costs and resaleability, he is missing the point.

That is shown even more by mentioning an M3 in the same thread. They are very different cars.

These cars are getting on a bit now and there is no way of knowing how much you would have to throw at one to run it for a year. They are generally solid cars but if you worry about the odd £1-£2k bill now and then, these are not for you.

They are great fun cars and are amazing value because of the hairdresser image and again, if that kind of thing bothers you, these are not for you.

Imola red does the car no favours in my opinion but that's personal taste. That colour was only available in the M so to those who know what they are, it shows it is a bit special.

Buy one of these if you want a lot of fun but don't buy one and run it on a shoestring. They are great cars that are inexpensive to buy but very very enjoyable to own.

You would be unlucky or be buying badly if you bought one of these and not got most of your money back after a year. A year is probably long enough to enjoy one and then move on to something else.


likesachange

2,630 posts

193 months

Monday 5th December 2016
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Can't see these depreciating, arguably the best n/a six cylinder engine, manual box and BMW ///M setup makes it potentially a classic for the purists.

My brother in laws is for sale but is prob the best example about and is like new with only 20k miles on it, so be over budget.
You may get a bargain at this time of the year and still get to use it in these clear cool days.

What else Is there with that n/a 340bhp roadster combo ... boxster -possibly more dynamic, but engine woes would put me off, 370z - it's a nissan

lord trumpton

Original Poster:

7,321 posts

125 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated.

Buying one is more about me being sure of its investment potential or at least it's effect of depreciation. I own 5 cars already and always buy minded on its resale. I know running costs are higher than the normal...part for the course and accepted.

I just love owning nice cars and if I can do so whilst enjoying g them and sell online without loss then it allows me to continue to indulge myself without getting into trouble with the Chancellor of the house finances...the wife. It's just an agreement we have.

Aside from a vrs230 combination I bought recently I always buy the fun stuff with a firm eye on its market value and future predictions

lord trumpton

Original Poster:

7,321 posts

125 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
lord trumpton said:
Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated.

Buying one is more about me being sure of its investment potential or at least it's effect of depreciation. I own 5 cars already and always buy minded on its resale. I know running costs are higher than the normal...par for the course and accepted.

I just love owning nice cars and if I can do so whilst enjoying g them and sell online without loss then it allows me to continue to indulge myself without getting into trouble with the Chancellor of the house finances...the wife. It's just an agreement we have.

Aside from a vrs230 combi I bought recently I always buy the fun stuff with a firm eye on its market value and future predictions

Shaoxter

4,048 posts

123 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
OP you seem to be very bothered about resale options/colours.
Most important thing is to get the best example mechanically, and get everything that YOU want. Say you find a car that doesn't have nav, it might be worth a bit less when you come to sell it but it also means you can pick it up cheaper, so the overall cost is the same.

I think Imola Red looks great, it's a fun car so why go for a boring black/grey. I'm pretty sure they fetch a premium to the more mundane colours too.

likesachange

2,630 posts

193 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
Shaoxter said:
OP you seem to be very bothered about resale options/colours.
Most important thing is to get the best example mechanically, and get everything that YOU want. Say you find a car that doesn't have nav, it might be worth a bit less when you come to sell it but it also means you can pick it up cheaper, so the overall cost is the same.

I think Imola Red looks great, it's a fun car so why go for a boring black/grey. I'm pretty sure they fetch a premium to the more mundane colours too.
I did think sat nav would devalue the car but interestingly we had a potential buyer for the Z4 who was specifically looking for a model without a Sat Nav as he wanted one with the plain un-intrusive simple dash design. And as someone said earlier it is a very dated display which will become irritating after time imo.

This day and age your smart phone is hard to beat for Nav.

MOTK

308 posts

133 months

Monday 5th December 2016
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Indeed, I also specifically looked for a car without the nav.

breezer42

132 posts

150 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
Shaoxter said:
OP you seem to be very bothered about resale options/colours.
Say you find a car that doesn't have nav, it might be worth a bit less when you come to sell it but it also means you can pick it up cheaper, so the overall cost is the same.
OP this is the key point you're missing. You're not buying a new car, so whatever desirable options it lacks, you're already benefiting from these in a lower purchase price, so it comes out the same. Pay more for ideal spec, and sell it for more - or pay less for other spec and sell it for less. It makes no difference.

The only thing to be careful of, and I say this as the ex owner of an orange Aston Martin, is that if it's too quirky it will take a long time to sell.

Fishy Dave

1,024 posts

244 months

Monday 5th December 2016
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I think if you buy the right example you stand a good chance of getting your money back or seeing a small rise, more importantly I think you'll enjoy the ownership and driving experience. Much as I love the look of the Coupe I bought the Roadster to enjoy the sound of that S54 with the roof down. I like Imola Red, but as mentioned before it's a personal thing. I track mine regularly but suspect that less M Roadsters will have seen track action than their Coupe counterparts.

I've defended the Sat Nav before and will do so again. Whilst I wouldn't specifically buy an example because it did or didn't have Nav, I am glad mine has got it. Yes, it is old and yes the graphics are poor by modern standards but it works well in my experience, is easy to program on the move, makes using Bluetooth easier with your phone contacts and you can see your current altitude. If you don't like it, flip the screen down, although granted this won't leave a flush dash top.

lord trumpton

Original Poster:

7,321 posts

125 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies.

I didn't but the e46 M3 Cab - auction was ended early.

I'm getting the Imola one off my friend (his wife's car)

Its got carbon leather dash,Black leather elec memory seats, heated seats, PDC and CD prep (lol)

No Nav or bluetooth though.

2006 model. 64k with FBMWSH, 2 prev owners, new conti tyres, new front discs and pads and looks absolutely like new.

Now then...as a friend of his; price has been muted and he's going to come back to me. What would you say is the 'going rate'? Don't want to steal it but don't want to pay OTT either.

AdamD

501 posts

219 months

Monday 5th December 2016
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As Z4M owner for 4.5 years my advice would be:

The lighter colours show the design features of the bodywork better.
The sat nav, whilst basic is very reliable; the screen is useful if you want to use the Bluetooth.
Heated seats are a must.
Check the service history carefully, has the 1200 mile running in service been completed on time and is it likely to need an inspection 1 or 2 service in your time of ownership, the former is £600 and latter is nearer £1k. Valve clearances should be adjusted on both... dealers are not always good for doing that well.
The floating Disc brakes borrowed from the E46 M3 CSL are expensive to replace so check the wear and condition before buying. Front pair ~£500, rear ~£400 + pads + fitting.
They are sensitive to suspension alignment, by default they can feel like there is not enough front end bite to calm oversteer. This can be dialled out to make the car more pointy and exciting...
Look for a garaged example to avoid problems with roof motors, those Z4s which have the roof used often seem to keep working...

They make a fun weekend toy and reward the driver if they are willing to use the gearbox and upper half of the rev range.

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likesachange

2,630 posts

193 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
lord trumpton said:
Thanks for the replies.

I didn't but the e46 M3 Cab - auction was ended early.

I'm getting the Imola one off my friend (his wife's car)

Its got carbon leather dash,Black leather elec memory seats, heated seats, PDC and CD prep (lol)

No Nav or bluetooth though.

2006 model. 64k with FBMWSH, 2 prev owners, new conti tyres, new front discs and pads and looks absolutely like new.

Now then...as a friend of his; price has been muted and he's going to come back to me. What would you say is the 'going rate'? Don't want to steal it but don't want to pay OTT either.
17.5k would probably get you one with less than a third of the mileage, so probably around 14k?

krisdelta

4,566 posts

200 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
Just to add to mix:

1) Great choice of car
2) I sold my 2007 Z4MR with 39k miles and all options except folding mirrors for just under 17k privately in July.