BMW Z4M Coupe/Roadsters......................
Discussion
Iv been looking at purchasing one of these two for a while and i am in no hurry as im constantly saving every month (£1kish) to reduce the amount of finance required and tidy up a few loose ends.................... plus the values seem to be softening slightly due to running costs and age i guess. I have noticed that a lot of the low mileage cars that are keenly priced privately are purchased by BMW dealers and a mark up of anything between £3-£5k added on top, this has happened to around 10-15 cars since December.
A quick look through the classifieds at a grey coupe with wood interior will demonstrate this..... The cynic in me tells me this is to protect residuals although there is obviously money to be made somewhere between for the dealer.
Im reluctant to pay circa £18-£20k at a dealer plus £1k-£2k finance when a similar car private can be purchased for £13-£16k (even with warranty) with <£1k interest with a bank loan.
Surely this is an easy way to lose some serious £££££, not a rant just an observation.........
Anyone else noticed this? thoughts?
A quick look through the classifieds at a grey coupe with wood interior will demonstrate this..... The cynic in me tells me this is to protect residuals although there is obviously money to be made somewhere between for the dealer.
Im reluctant to pay circa £18-£20k at a dealer plus £1k-£2k finance when a similar car private can be purchased for £13-£16k (even with warranty) with <£1k interest with a bank loan.
Surely this is an easy way to lose some serious £££££, not a rant just an observation.........
Anyone else noticed this? thoughts?
You may be able to negotiate a 2 year warranty albeit this is not the norm.
Dealer cars being a few £k more expensive is nothing new. It essentially comes down to whether or not the additional comfort you 'FEEL' you get (note that's not always the case in reality) from an AD purchase is worth the extra cash.
Many people run Z4Ms, E46 M3s, etc. without a warranty as the annual cost is fairly significant and some feel that money would be better saved for a rainy day if something did happen. That's the camp I sit in.
Dealer cars being a few £k more expensive is nothing new. It essentially comes down to whether or not the additional comfort you 'FEEL' you get (note that's not always the case in reality) from an AD purchase is worth the extra cash.
Many people run Z4Ms, E46 M3s, etc. without a warranty as the annual cost is fairly significant and some feel that money would be better saved for a rainy day if something did happen. That's the camp I sit in.
MarkZ4MC said:
You may be able to negotiate a 2 year warranty albeit this is not the norm.
Dealer cars being a few £k more expensive is nothing new. It essentially comes down to whether or not the additional comfort you 'FEEL' you get (note that's not always the case in reality) from an AD purchase is worth the extra cash.
Many people run Z4Ms, E46 M3s, etc. without a warranty as the annual cost is fairly significant and some feel that money would be better saved for a rainy day if something did happen. That's the camp I sit in.
I think i pay £69/month for the full extended warranty (£100 excess). I'll probably keep it until the next MOT is done and then cancel it. I know the car and am comfortable with the risks.Dealer cars being a few £k more expensive is nothing new. It essentially comes down to whether or not the additional comfort you 'FEEL' you get (note that's not always the case in reality) from an AD purchase is worth the extra cash.
Many people run Z4Ms, E46 M3s, etc. without a warranty as the annual cost is fairly significant and some feel that money would be better saved for a rainy day if something did happen. That's the camp I sit in.
I'm not sure i'd buy an "unknown" car without one though.
at least with a dealer you have some comeback should there be a problem (Even without a warranty), not with a private sale. With the cost of repairs of an M car I personally was happy to pay dealer prices and sleep better at night

Personally I also found that the dealers usually have the better spec cars.

Personally I also found that the dealers usually have the better spec cars.
Edited by SwampySi on Tuesday 17th April 17:43
jontysafe said:
Just got Baron's of Farnborough letter through the post, there is a AUC event coming up soon where you'll get 2 years warranty. This will probably be across whole network of dealers. Find one you like, ring dealer, jobs a goodun!
Good to know, all depends on price and spec though.......... I quite like the black roadster with the beige roof on the AUC even though the spec is low.Would prefer a coupe though, decisions,decisions........... Not that I'm complaining. I drove one(a coupe) a few weeks back and it was epic fun but I'm objective when buying cars as I don't like wasting hard earned cash unnecessarily

Froomee said:
Good to know, all depends on price and spec though.......... I quite like the black roadster with the beige roof on the AUC even though the spec is low.
Would prefer a coupe though, decisions,decisions........... Not that I'm complaining. I drove one(a coupe) a few weeks back and it was epic fun but I'm objective when buying cars as I don't like wasting hard earned cash unnecessarily
Coupes look better, but the roadster is two cars in one. And summer is coming.Would prefer a coupe though, decisions,decisions........... Not that I'm complaining. I drove one(a coupe) a few weeks back and it was epic fun but I'm objective when buying cars as I don't like wasting hard earned cash unnecessarily

And the noise. The noise the noise the noise. Don't make a choice until you've driven the roadster with the roof down.
pilchardthecat said:
Froomee said:
Good to know, all depends on price and spec though.......... I quite like the black roadster with the beige roof on the AUC even though the spec is low.
Would prefer a coupe though, decisions,decisions........... Not that I'm complaining. I drove one(a coupe) a few weeks back and it was epic fun but I'm objective when buying cars as I don't like wasting hard earned cash unnecessarily
Coupes look better, but the roadster is two cars in one. And summer is coming.Would prefer a coupe though, decisions,decisions........... Not that I'm complaining. I drove one(a coupe) a few weeks back and it was epic fun but I'm objective when buying cars as I don't like wasting hard earned cash unnecessarily

And the noise. The noise the noise the noise. Don't make a choice until you've driven the roadster with the roof down.
My only criteria is more power than my Focus ST Mountune i used to own, Manual, RWD and two seats.I'm pretty set on the Z4M the only other alternatives are the Cayman S (more expensive and I prefer the BMW), the SLK55AMG (Again more expensive to buy and run, no manual,etc) or the Z3M Coupe.
Good luck with the search OP 
They really are cracking cars, in fact the only downside I can see is whatever to buy next? I quite fancy an Aston v8 vantage, but you'd have to ask yourself if paying all that extra money really buys you any extra performance, & perhaps more importantly any more reliability?!
They really are cracking cars, in fact the only downside I can see is whatever to buy next? I quite fancy an Aston v8 vantage, but you'd have to ask yourself if paying all that extra money really buys you any extra performance, & perhaps more importantly any more reliability?!
cragswinter said:
Good luck with the search OP 
They really are cracking cars, in fact the only downside I can see is whatever to buy next? I quite fancy an Aston v8 vantage, but you'd have to ask yourself if paying all that extra money really buys you any extra performance, & perhaps more importantly any more reliability?!
Indeed, I would like an Aston V8 too but i havent got that sort of money yet (i can't be parted with my bikes) and even if i did it would be going towards my house.They really are cracking cars, in fact the only downside I can see is whatever to buy next? I quite fancy an Aston v8 vantage, but you'd have to ask yourself if paying all that extra money really buys you any extra performance, & perhaps more importantly any more reliability?!
I'm buying the M as a keeper so i'm not in any hurry to buy and am more concerned about getting one at the right price with a decent spec. One is up for £16750 with super low mileage on the Z4 forum which is the sort of thing i may hold out for but in a different colour and with nav if possible although the one on the forum does look a good shout.
If it's a roadster you're after, I reckon one for £15-16k with roughly 25,000 miles on it and you are doing well.
The Z4M's are propped up by the value of the previous M Coupe/Roadster (Z3), I think it's because nobody will pay more for a Z3 than a Z4.
Dealer's got to make money somewhere for doing the hard work for you and finding a nice one!
(As for finance, it makes it harder to sell later on because some people will just be put off by the hastle of settling, the bank no longer having interest in the vehicle, seeing certificates, yadayadayada... same applies for people advertising with private plates on them with intent to remove)
The Z4M's are propped up by the value of the previous M Coupe/Roadster (Z3), I think it's because nobody will pay more for a Z3 than a Z4.
Dealer's got to make money somewhere for doing the hard work for you and finding a nice one!

(As for finance, it makes it harder to sell later on because some people will just be put off by the hastle of settling, the bank no longer having interest in the vehicle, seeing certificates, yadayadayada... same applies for people advertising with private plates on them with intent to remove)
Edited by JuniorJet on Friday 20th April 08:33
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unless something changes with BMW's pricing strategy or i get two years warranty,etc,etc thrown in. Like i said just an observation............
Why lord, WHY!