Looking to buy a Z4 Coupe, after advice

[Stu G]

I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice/feedback on a Z4 Coupe I've seen

I've recently viewed a BMW Z4 Coupe, it's on 2006 56 reg. The spec, colour is exactly whay I'm after, it has full Service history etc. The car is at a dealer (non BMW) and I'm looking to px my current car in against it.

I have one concern about the car, it has had 4 owners in 5 years. This seems a bit excessive to me, and concerns me. Will such a high owner turn around rate affect resale value in the future, as I'll be the fifth owner?. Normally I'd expect to see no more than two owners on a car this sort of age, maybe 3 tops if the car was registered to the BMW Dealer or if it was a demo car when first sold.

I need to do some more checks on the car, as well as get an inspection done as my other big concern regarding the amount of owners the car has had is if it's a problematic car that's been in and out of garages with technical issues and owners have got sick and moved it on.

Is it worth still considering this car with this many owners, or should I walk away?

Thanks for any advice/help

Stu

[Z4 Animal]

Have you not got a link to the ad?

Car could have been a secondary car if it has low miles.

Has it a service history? maybe you could contact the previous owner?

[Seeker UK]

4 owners? That could be it being run as a BMW ex-demo and one of the owners swapping the reg plates for their private number.

[Heathwood]

The number of owners itself wouldn't bother me too much unless you only intend to keep the car yourself for a very short period of time. However, I would try to reassure myself that it hasn't been passed on like a hot potato due to problems or issues.

[LC23]

I'm not sure why we get hung up on number of owners. Quite alot of us like to change our cars pretty regularly so if a few people in a row have that mentality, one owner a year is not uncommon; especially on this sort of car.

My previous 2003 330Ci was on its seventh owner when I moved it on at full asking price (and no I did not undervalue it for a quick sale). The car had been well looked after and cared for and had good options and sold within a week of putting the ad on PH. The number of owners did not affect the price I got for it in any way.

[LC23]

Seeker UK said:

4 owners? That could be it being run as a BMW ex-demo and one of the owners swapping the reg plates for their private number.

Swapping a reg would not alter the number of owners.

[Peppermint]

Make sure it has had its 1,200 mile service on time - if it hasn't WALK AWAY.

The BMW dealer network may be able to tell you when they have seen the car and for what - That may help identify whether it is a Friday afternoon car (Lemon).

If it isn't exactly the spec you want, might be worth passing it by and waiting for what you want - Multiple owners in short time will put some off when you look to sell on which is worth considering too.

Great cars though - Love mine

[Zebrs]

Peppermint said:

Make sure it has had its 1,200 mile service on time - if it hasn't WALK AWAY.

The BMW dealer network may be able to tell you when they have seen the car and for what - That may help identify whether it is a Friday afternoon car (Lemon).

If it isn't exactly the spec you want, might be worth passing it by and waiting for what you want - Multiple owners in short time will put some off when you look to sell on which is worth considering too.

Great cars though - Love mine

OP hasn't mentioned anything about it being an M chap, 1200 mile service is not applicable.

[Peppermint]

Zebrs said:

OP hasn't mentioned anything about it being an M chap, 1200 mile service is not applicable.

True... My mistake

[Truckosaurus]

I wouldn't be worried by this sort of car having a few short term owners. It's a fairly impractical car so people will buy it for a bit of fun and then decide they actually need a hatchback or saloon.

[Fox-]

Truckosaurus said:

people will buy it for a bit of fun and then decide they actually need a hatchback

It is a hatchback isn't it?

[Vroomer]

They are great cars, but if you have doubts about a particular example, why not keep looking until you find one with the right spec and just one or two owners?

[playalistic]

Number of owners wouldn't bother me. A complete service record and plenty of receipts/history plus the general condition tells you everything you need to know in my book.

[Stu G]

Thanks for the replies guys, it's been a great help.

I've got some additional info on the owners and ownership duration/mileage.

1st owner - bought new 2006 ran for 3 years until July 09 covering 33,464 miles, then px/sold to trader
sat with trader from July 09 to August 09
2nd owner - bought August 09 ran for 8 months until April 10 covering 4,000 miles
3rd owner - bought April 10 ran for 18 days with zero miles, sold/px April 10 to trader
sat with trader from 19/04/10 to 22/04/10
4th owner - bought 22/04/10 ran for 13 months sold/px to current trader 19/05/11 covering 15,300 miles

There's also a discrepency in mileage. First owner last recorded mileage is 33,464 mile. The traders recorded mileage when sold to second owner is 32,377. A difference of just over 1000 miles. Also 3rd owner bought and traded in without doing any mileage.

Stu

[playalistic]

Smells a little fishy. There's plenty of them out there so keep looking!

[Vroomer]

Stu G said:

Thanks for the replies guys, it's been a great help.

I've got some additional info on the owners and ownership duration/mileage.

1st owner - bought new 2006 ran for 3 years until July 09 covering 33,464 miles, then px/sold to trader
sat with trader from July 09 to August 09
2nd owner - bought August 09 ran for 8 months until April 10 covering 4,000 miles
3rd owner - bought April 10 ran for 18 days with zero miles, sold/px April 10 to trader
sat with trader from 19/04/10 to 22/04/10
4th owner - bought 22/04/10 ran for 13 months sold/px to current trader 19/05/11 covering 15,300 miles

There's also a discrepency in mileage. First owner last recorded mileage is 33,464 mile. The traders recorded mileage when sold to second owner is 32,377. A difference of just over 1000 miles. Also 3rd owner bought and traded in without doing any mileage.

Stu

Find another one.