Price guides - Z4
Discussion
Is Parkers guide worth using? I had a mate who used to work in the car trade, who said it was useless! Do the trade tend to rely on Glass's?
The reason I ask, is that I looked at an 05 plate Z4 today. 32k on the clock, 3.0ltr, ellipsoid wheels with not a mark on them, heated leather sports seats and CD changer, with the only sticking point being the price. Parkers say £12,680, but...
...He'd only let it go for £13.5k. I have an 2001 x-reg 206 at the moment, GLX 1.4 with 95k, with Parkers giving a trade in of £1500, based on 80k, but the guy said he's give 800-900 for my car.
Why are parkers so far off with their values, as his list price is quite good compared to others I've seen!?
Please help...
The reason I ask, is that I looked at an 05 plate Z4 today. 32k on the clock, 3.0ltr, ellipsoid wheels with not a mark on them, heated leather sports seats and CD changer, with the only sticking point being the price. Parkers say £12,680, but...
...He'd only let it go for £13.5k. I have an 2001 x-reg 206 at the moment, GLX 1.4 with 95k, with Parkers giving a trade in of £1500, based on 80k, but the guy said he's give 800-900 for my car.
Why are parkers so far off with their values, as his list price is quite good compared to others I've seen!?
Please help...
Your mate's correct - Parker's is a pile of cack.
Glass's and CAP are the guides used AFAIK, but they are just that: guides. Cars at auction (at least what I observed in December) are going for less than book prices at the moment.
Saying that, I'd say that guide price of £12.8k for the car you've mentioned isn't far off but is still too high. £13.5k is too much IMO. I paid far, far less than that for a 54-plate 3.01 SE on 18k miles. And for reference, I watched in agony (I couldn't buy at that time) as an 05-plate 3.0i SE Z4 on 19k miles, sapphire black with red M Sports seats, sold at auction in Glasgow on 4th Dec for £10.6k. Fair enough it needed a few parking dings sorted, but £500 would've made the car mint. Think of the mark up a dealer could make on that car if they sell it for £13.5k...
Ally
Glass's and CAP are the guides used AFAIK, but they are just that: guides. Cars at auction (at least what I observed in December) are going for less than book prices at the moment.
Saying that, I'd say that guide price of £12.8k for the car you've mentioned isn't far off but is still too high. £13.5k is too much IMO. I paid far, far less than that for a 54-plate 3.01 SE on 18k miles. And for reference, I watched in agony (I couldn't buy at that time) as an 05-plate 3.0i SE Z4 on 19k miles, sapphire black with red M Sports seats, sold at auction in Glasgow on 4th Dec for £10.6k. Fair enough it needed a few parking dings sorted, but £500 would've made the car mint. Think of the mark up a dealer could make on that car if they sell it for £13.5k...
Ally
Hmmm, that’s burst my bubble a little, but thanks for the honesty a11y!! 
I'm still looking around, and am also thinking about a 2.0lt sport version (saves me about £300 a year on insurance, as well as associated running costs). Saw an 06 plate with about 15k on it for £12.5k. Seems like a nice middle ground, in that it has the heated sports / winged seats, ellipsoid wheels etc, but newer plate, less money and lower running costs.
Any thoughts on the 2.0lt sport?
I'm still looking around, and am also thinking about a 2.0lt sport version (saves me about £300 a year on insurance, as well as associated running costs). Saw an 06 plate with about 15k on it for £12.5k. Seems like a nice middle ground, in that it has the heated sports / winged seats, ellipsoid wheels etc, but newer plate, less money and lower running costs.
Any thoughts on the 2.0lt sport?
Steeevvvooo – mine was a lucky bargain though, the right car came up at right time. It does need new rear tyres though so I should really add that onto what I paid, but even still…
With a 2.0 you’re still getting a nice car, but part of what makes the Z4 for me is the noise: the straight-six engines make such a nice noise, essential in a soft top IMO! I’d definitely advise holding out for a 2.5 or 3.0 (or one of the 2.2s which are still a 6-cyl engine but 170ps IIRC) as the running cost differences between them all are smaller than you’d think. Depends on your priorities but I only considered the 3.0 or M version – I need the power LOL.
MPG is supposed to be quite similar across the range: mine’s the older 3.0 engine (231ps) and I’m averaging 30.5mpg for my first 3 tankfuls since I bought it for mixed driving. But the older 2.5s not supposed to be much worse from what I’ve read despite giving less performance.
Check out www.z4-forum.com for lots of advice on Z4s
With a 2.0 you’re still getting a nice car, but part of what makes the Z4 for me is the noise: the straight-six engines make such a nice noise, essential in a soft top IMO! I’d definitely advise holding out for a 2.5 or 3.0 (or one of the 2.2s which are still a 6-cyl engine but 170ps IIRC) as the running cost differences between them all are smaller than you’d think. Depends on your priorities but I only considered the 3.0 or M version – I need the power LOL.
MPG is supposed to be quite similar across the range: mine’s the older 3.0 engine (231ps) and I’m averaging 30.5mpg for my first 3 tankfuls since I bought it for mixed driving. But the older 2.5s not supposed to be much worse from what I’ve read despite giving less performance.
Check out www.z4-forum.com for lots of advice on Z4s
Prices vary a lot depending on location so if you're willing to travel you can get better deals.
Having said that I have not seen one that cheap so great bargain.
Having said that I have not seen one that cheap so great bargain.
a11y_m said:
steeevvvooo - in fact, click on my profile and you'll see what I paid for my 54-plate...
Was private sale via PH classifieds though, not through a dealership.
Was private sale via PH classifieds though, not through a dealership.
Just to give you an idea of the deals out there, I sold my Z4 privately at the end of Nov for £10,500.
It was 2003 3.0 in Sterling grey with matching hardtop. Done 38k with full BMW service history. 18" rims, xenons, carver hi-fi, cruise, BMW aero front bumper, BMW clear light kit, parking sensors, wind deflextor plus a few other things I can't remember right now.
It was 2003 3.0 in Sterling grey with matching hardtop. Done 38k with full BMW service history. 18" rims, xenons, carver hi-fi, cruise, BMW aero front bumper, BMW clear light kit, parking sensors, wind deflextor plus a few other things I can't remember right now.
You can get good ones that age with good spec on average miles for £11,000 or so now... new trade stock coming in is much cheaper. Just today on Autotrader the 'new' cars for this week coming in are all alot cheaper for the same spec kinda cars.
I'd say the trader you are dealing with bought the car months and months ago, and so needs to sell higher than others to get their money back.
That is half their problem at the moment...
Keep looking. Nice, well specced early 3.0's have consistently gone for well under £10,000 recently.
One that was on trader for the first time maybe on Friday, but now gone, in Stockport, was a 3.0 SE, darker silver colour, ellipsoids, with leather, heated, xenons, leccy mirror folding and dimming, 60k, one owner, fbmwsh, up at £8995 trade.
I'd just wait... I wanted to go see the one above but I'm too slow. Once I have the cash waiting though I'm ready to travel to find the good ones at the right prices.
I'm almost tempted to get any Z4 as long as it's heated with xenons, as I can buy 108's or ellipsoids easily...
Dave
I'd say the trader you are dealing with bought the car months and months ago, and so needs to sell higher than others to get their money back.
That is half their problem at the moment...
Keep looking. Nice, well specced early 3.0's have consistently gone for well under £10,000 recently.
One that was on trader for the first time maybe on Friday, but now gone, in Stockport, was a 3.0 SE, darker silver colour, ellipsoids, with leather, heated, xenons, leccy mirror folding and dimming, 60k, one owner, fbmwsh, up at £8995 trade.
I'd just wait... I wanted to go see the one above but I'm too slow. Once I have the cash waiting though I'm ready to travel to find the good ones at the right prices.
I'm almost tempted to get any Z4 as long as it's heated with xenons, as I can buy 108's or ellipsoids easily...
Dave
Far too far away for me, not sure why it's got the later style wheels, but here you go... (not sure if it's near to you, but they all seem to be miles away from me 
)
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
FBMWSH, heated red M sports seats, 1 owner, xenons... 49k miles.
That would be the perfect Z4 for me. Sell the alloys and get some ellipsoids or 108's (probably 108's on silver) and sorted.
It's sat around a while at that price too, not sure why, but if you got it for £11,500 that would be good value considering the spec imho!
)http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
FBMWSH, heated red M sports seats, 1 owner, xenons... 49k miles.
That would be the perfect Z4 for me. Sell the alloys and get some ellipsoids or 108's (probably 108's on silver) and sorted.
It's sat around a while at that price too, not sure why, but if you got it for £11,500 that would be good value considering the spec imho!
Unfortunately, that's miles from me as well, thanks though!! 
The missus wants a dark grey one, but I'm trying to get her head around to other colours, fat chance of that I think?!
Thats a nice, well specced car, which is all I care about. As long as it's a relatively standard colour (with resale value) I don't mind.
The missus wants a dark grey one, but I'm trying to get her head around to other colours, fat chance of that I think?!
Thats a nice, well specced car, which is all I care about. As long as it's a relatively standard colour (with resale value) I don't mind.
steeevvvooo said:
Unfortunately, that's miles from me as well, thanks though!!
The missus wants a dark grey one, but I'm trying to get her head around to other colours, fat chance of that I think?!
Thats a nice, well specced car, which is all I care about. As long as it's a relatively standard colour (with resale value) I don't mind.
Hehe, well I'm in the Leeds area if you see any (I wish autotrader used a pin-place map for locations like PH classifieds)The missus wants a dark grey one, but I'm trying to get her head around to other colours, fat chance of that I think?!
Thats a nice, well specced car, which is all I care about. As long as it's a relatively standard colour (with resale value) I don't mind.
What area are you in?
Yep, totally agree on spec. I've decided my ideal one would be silver with xenons and 108's (best wheels on silver), heated leather M sports seats in red or black, and thats it really. I won't fall out of the seat, I can see in winter, and stay warm with the roof down.
Hifi I can retrofit to be better easily.
Not too fussed about mileage either. Some of the ones out there look almost too low (ie, 05 models on 12,000 miles), making the valued price high, but probably having things that are mileage independent and time dependent still needing attention, possibly more so, than an average mile car.
Still, this last week has seen loads more cheaper ones coming through (none near me though except that one in Stockport), and some good spec ones too. It always seems to be an age when looking for cars, but I think you will get what you want for £10.5-£11,000 if you are willing to wait a month or so...
Dave
steeevvvooo said:
Is Parkers guide worth using? I had a mate who used to work in the car trade, who said it was useless! Do the trade tend to rely on Glass's?
The reason I ask, is that I looked at an 05 plate Z4 today. 32k on the clock, 3.0ltr, ellipsoid wheels with not a mark on them, heated leather sports seats and CD changer, with the only sticking point being the price. Parkers say £12,680, but...
...He'd only let it go for £13.5k. I have an 2001 x-reg 206 at the moment, GLX 1.4 with 95k, with Parkers giving a trade in of £1500, based on 80k, but the guy said he's give 800-900 for my car.
Why are parkers so far off with their values, as his list price is quite good compared to others I've seen!?
Please help...
Your PX is worth at least £1200.The reason I ask, is that I looked at an 05 plate Z4 today. 32k on the clock, 3.0ltr, ellipsoid wheels with not a mark on them, heated leather sports seats and CD changer, with the only sticking point being the price. Parkers say £12,680, but...
...He'd only let it go for £13.5k. I have an 2001 x-reg 206 at the moment, GLX 1.4 with 95k, with Parkers giving a trade in of £1500, based on 80k, but the guy said he's give 800-900 for my car.
Why are parkers so far off with their values, as his list price is quite good compared to others I've seen!?
Please help...
Just spoke to a garage about another one, who would offer me £1200 for my px, but the screen price is 500 more. So basically, either one will cost £12,800 to trade up.
Am seriously considering them, but for that price I would want 12mth warranty, 12months tax, and newer tyres on one of them. (an a few hundred quid off as well!!). They are 55 and 05 plate cars, so I can’t seem to see any others advertised that are below £13,500 (although some 04 plates are also advertised above £14,000!)
The spec choice is killing me though!! One has leather m-sport (?) seats (the winged ones), while the other has Xenons. Both have heated leather and CD changer. The one with the seats is Manual, the other is auto…
Argggggh!!
Am seriously considering them, but for that price I would want 12mth warranty, 12months tax, and newer tyres on one of them. (an a few hundred quid off as well!!). They are 55 and 05 plate cars, so I can’t seem to see any others advertised that are below £13,500 (although some 04 plates are also advertised above £14,000!)
The spec choice is killing me though!! One has leather m-sport (?) seats (the winged ones), while the other has Xenons. Both have heated leather and CD changer. The one with the seats is Manual, the other is auto…
Argggggh!!
steeevvvooo said:
Just spoke to a garage about another one, who would offer me £1200 for my px, but the screen price is 500 more. So basically, either one will cost £12,800 to trade up.
Am seriously considering them, but for that price I would want 12mth warranty, 12months tax, and newer tyres on one of them. (an a few hundred quid off as well!!). They are 55 and 05 plate cars, so I can’t seem to see any others advertised that are below £13,500 (although some 04 plates are also advertised above £14,000!)
The spec choice is killing me though!! One has leather m-sport (?) seats (the winged ones), while the other has Xenons. Both have heated leather and CD changer. The one with the seats is Manual, the other is auto…
Argggggh!!
Your car is worth £1200 all day long.Am seriously considering them, but for that price I would want 12mth warranty, 12months tax, and newer tyres on one of them. (an a few hundred quid off as well!!). They are 55 and 05 plate cars, so I can’t seem to see any others advertised that are below £13,500 (although some 04 plates are also advertised above £14,000!)
The spec choice is killing me though!! One has leather m-sport (?) seats (the winged ones), while the other has Xenons. Both have heated leather and CD changer. The one with the seats is Manual, the other is auto…
Argggggh!!
They would have paid Circa £10-11k for their cars.
Tell them it's your car and £12k or no deal.
steeevvvooo said:
Just spoke to a garage about another one, who would offer me £1200 for my px, but the screen price is 500 more. So basically, either one will cost £12,800 to trade up.
Am seriously considering them, but for that price I would want 12mth warranty, 12months tax, and newer tyres on one of them. (an a few hundred quid off as well!!). They are 55 and 05 plate cars, so I can’t seem to see any others advertised that are below £13,500 (although some 04 plates are also advertised above £14,000!)
The spec choice is killing me though!! One has leather m-sport (?) seats (the winged ones), while the other has Xenons. Both have heated leather and CD changer. The one with the seats is Manual, the other is auto…
Argggggh!!
Why are you worried about such a late model pre-facelift?Am seriously considering them, but for that price I would want 12mth warranty, 12months tax, and newer tyres on one of them. (an a few hundred quid off as well!!). They are 55 and 05 plate cars, so I can’t seem to see any others advertised that are below £13,500 (although some 04 plates are also advertised above £14,000!)
The spec choice is killing me though!! One has leather m-sport (?) seats (the winged ones), while the other has Xenons. Both have heated leather and CD changer. The one with the seats is Manual, the other is auto…
Argggggh!!
For £14-£15,000 you are beginning to look at average mileage, possibly still in warranty 3.0Si models which have the M sports seats as standard for example...
A member on z4-forum managed to get a BMW approved car still in main dealer warranty for £14,500 recently, for a 3.0Si with a nice spec!
Also, I'd not worry about your car trading in. It'll only confuse matters and cause strife with the dealer. Best to just go in full cash purchase and have ALL the buying power/strings to pull. Sell it privately... £1000 car is hardly worth worrying about selling quickly right now, especially against the amount your are stumping up for the tradeup to start with... all imho
Dave
Mr Whippy said:
steeevvvooo said:
Just spoke to a garage about another one, who would offer me £1200 for my px, but the screen price is 500 more. So basically, either one will cost £12,800 to trade up.
Am seriously considering them, but for that price I would want 12mth warranty, 12months tax, and newer tyres on one of them. (an a few hundred quid off as well!!). They are 55 and 05 plate cars, so I can’t seem to see any others advertised that are below £13,500 (although some 04 plates are also advertised above £14,000!)
The spec choice is killing me though!! One has leather m-sport (?) seats (the winged ones), while the other has Xenons. Both have heated leather and CD changer. The one with the seats is Manual, the other is auto…
Argggggh!!
Why are you worried about such a late model pre-facelift?Am seriously considering them, but for that price I would want 12mth warranty, 12months tax, and newer tyres on one of them. (an a few hundred quid off as well!!). They are 55 and 05 plate cars, so I can’t seem to see any others advertised that are below £13,500 (although some 04 plates are also advertised above £14,000!)
The spec choice is killing me though!! One has leather m-sport (?) seats (the winged ones), while the other has Xenons. Both have heated leather and CD changer. The one with the seats is Manual, the other is auto…
Argggggh!!
For £14-£15,000 you are beginning to look at average mileage, possibly still in warranty 3.0Si models which have the M sports seats as standard for example...
A member on z4-forum managed to get a BMW approved car still in main dealer warranty for £14,500 recently, for a 3.0Si with a nice spec!
Also, I'd not worry about your car trading in. It'll only confuse matters and cause strife with the dealer. Best to just go in full cash purchase and have ALL the buying power/strings to pull. Sell it privately... £1000 car is hardly worth worrying about selling quickly right now, especially against the amount your are stumping up for the tradeup to start with... all imho
Dave
Of course it is important to worry about his car.
If he doesn't sell it, he needs to insure, MOT etc etc
The dealer should be happy about taking in such an easy car to sell. At auction the Pug will walk away.
I would say essentials on the Z4 are M Sport Seats (standard ones are terrible, you basically fall out the seat at every corner) and the carver hi-fi. Everything else can either sources or forgotten about. Heated seats are great, but get too warm after a few minutes anyway. Never driven a Z4 with standard lights, but my standard 1 series headlights are just as good if not better than the xenon's I had in the Z4, cheaper to replace bulbs too.
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