Advice, and talk me into it...

[Ment-Al]

I never thought in a million years i would be this close to buying something like a Z4...

I was hoping for some advice on discussions with the dealer, I am hoping to go in there with cash having sold mine privately this weekend - i presume this would give me much better bartering power or would the value they put on my car act as cash?

This is the car;





Over and above the standard equipment, the car has double spoke 17's, folding exterior mirrors, extended storage, carver professional hifi (what is this?), leather, M sport suspension, metallic paint, seat heating, wind deflectors and xenon headlights.

It has done 50k miles and as you can see is on a 54 plate.

It has 'servotronic steering' - what is that about?

What sort of price would you expect to pay for that then? Before I tell you what it is up for?

Alex

Edited by Ment-Al on Thursday 18th September 23:18

[Ment-Al]

Awww shucks, i knew i would forget something!!

Its the 2.5i SE

[Andrew D]

Seems reasonably highly specced for a 2.5i.

Carver Hi-Fi is the top end audio system of the three available on the Z4. Mine has the standard one, which is fine for my needs (I listen to music quite a lot, but don't particularly enjoy booming bass), there was a ten-speaker upgrade, and then the Carver at the top. I understand it has extra amplifiers to produce something called "phat noise".

Those wheels are quite nice, they were standard on the 3.0i and are a nice halfway house in that they look good but are slightly less crippling to re-shod with rubber (expecially if it's run flat rubber). The ride will also be superior to cars with 18" wheels, all things being equal (by which I mean; "lets not launch into a run flats debate").

One thing you may want to check is remote roof operation. Cars built post-March 2004 have the ability to open the roof remotely using the unlock button on the key. Nice trick if you want it, but it didn't stop me buying mine (which is February 2004 build).

As for price; it seems £13k is the floor from a dealer, but the Z4 market is a bit of a mess at the moment and you could pay upto £18k for similar machines. If it's already at the lower end of the price range, I'd say £12.5k might be negotiable. If it's higher than that just take a print off of a similar, lower priced car from the BMW website with you and you should be able to beat them down almost as low.

Edited by Andrew D on Friday 19th September 09:13

[Ment-Al]

Thanks for the advice Andrew, every time i look at the pictures, i edge one step closer to doing the deal. Even to the extent where I am almost willing to take the horrendous part exchange trade in offer.

Id love some of the 5 spoke spider type alloys, which would probably come at some stage, along with none RFTs.

Basically, I'm looking at adding £5k on to the value of my 2003 318Ci Sport to get into this.

I'm quite concerned this one will go, especially as you say, it seems quite highly specced.

[rassi]

Not wanting to talk you out of buying the car, but if it were me, I would go for the 3.0 - much more low down torque, and a universally acclaimed engine.

If insurance is an issue, then ignore above.

[scz4]

rassi said:

Not wanting to talk you out of buying the car, but if it were me, I would go for the 3.0 - much more low down torque, and a universally acclaimed engine.

Agreed, no loss in fuel consumption due to the sixth gear, but significant performance increase. Comes with a better spec too, electric seats etc etc are all standard.

I test drove the 2.2, 2.5 and 3.0 before buying the 3.0. I always found the 2.5 an odd ball.

You will find a 3.0 for the same price and same spec.

[physprof]

always try the model above the one you think you want - just so you don't pang first time you see one beside you.... unless off course finance/insurance prohibit.

with wifes slk I knew we should have gone for 320 5 years ago but ended up talking oursoeves down to 230K - totally daft in hindsight.

Didn't make same mistake twice - hence z4m now not a 3.0 or 3.0si. see you can learn.

Edited by physprof on Friday 19th September 10:23

[Ment-Al]

scz4 said:

rassi said:

Not wanting to talk you out of buying the car, but if it were me, I would go for the 3.0 - much more low down torque, and a universally acclaimed engine.

Agreed, no loss in fuel consumption due to the sixth gear, but significant performance increase. Comes with a better spec too, electric seats etc etc are all standard.

I test drove the 2.2, 2.5 and 3.0 before buying the 3.0. I always found the 2.5 an odd ball.

You will find a 3.0 for the same price and same spec.

Yeah, I'd be pushing the boat out on insurance on this one to be honest. I'm only 22 with 1ncb.

Electric seats don't bother me to be honest, just add to the weight of the car and I'll really be the only one driving it. Xenons and heated seats were more important in my hunt.

The carver hifi is definitely a bonus.

[gizlaroc]

Insurance is no different between the 3.5 and the 3.0i, maybe 5%.

In 2 years time the 3.0i will be worth a fair bit more than the 2.5i.

You can get a nice sub 60k 3.0i with nav on autotrader for under £14k or a 54 plate with sub 20k miles on it for £13.5k, so maybe £12500 if you haggle hard.
In fact there are hundreds on there for between £11 and £13k with low mileage.

There is an 06 plate 39k miler 2.5i, albeit with low spec on there for £12899.


I would want that 54 plate 2.5i for under £10k, trade in on it would be about £7-8k.


[i]2004 BMW Z4 3.0i SE 2dr
Price:
£12,950ono


Features: 45,000 miles Manual Black Petrol Coupe 2979 cc Full Description: Glossary of Terms

45,000 miles, Black, Top Spec. BMW Z4 3.0 i SE Convertible Roadster, 6 Speed Manual, 2004, Pearl Black Paint, 18" Composite Star Alloys, Built in DVD Satellite Navigation System & Bluetooth Professional Telephone System, Anti-Lock Brakes, Traction & Dynamic Stability Control, Parking Sensors, Rollover Protection, Auto Switch on Lights & Auto Adjustable Headlamps, Front Fog Lights, Automatic Rain Sensor Wipers, Head Light Washer System, Auto Dimming Interior & Exterior Rear View Mirrors including Heated & Electrically Folding Door Mirrors, Electrically Adjustable and Memory Black Leather Heated Seats, Air Conditioning Climate Control including Full Auto Electric Roof & Windows, Trip Computer, Multiple Airbags, Feather Light Electric Power Adjustable Steering, Rear Spoiler, Sports Button, Sports Suspension, 6CD+1 Disc Auto-changer with Business CD Extra Loud Speaker System with Auto Volume, ipod Connection, Multi Function Steering Wheel, Remote Central Locking Alarm & Immobilizer, T&T, 3 Previous Owners, two recent run flat tyres fitted. £12,950 ono.







Private Seller:
Contact Seller:

Contact number: 01254 823718 or
078677 92756

[/i]


Why not sell your car privately, and then bag a bargin on a priavte Z4??

Don't be lazy!!

[gizlaroc]

Trade has got that 2.5i at £9700 at the moment and nothing is making trade.

Hope that helps.

[Ment-Al]

Ive been trying to sell my car for months!!! I don't even use it anymore.

OK, well if I approach the dealer with my car as part exchange, what offer in my head should I go in armed with?

Mine: 2003/53 318Ci Sport, 72k miles, upgraded 18" MV alloys, Full BMW service history.
Theirs: 2004/54 Z4 2.5i SE as above

Theirs is up for 12,995.

In my head I have this figure of £5k to do the swap.

He told me that trade value on mine with 52k miles was £8,600 but to expect nearer £7k due to mileage.

Is it worth taking in some comparables and trying to work something that way? They know my family personally, and this salesman has sold my Dad 10 BMW's in as many years. Should this make him a bit more receptive to offers?

The Z4 will be taxed and tested, 12 months BMW AUC warranty etc so therefore peace of mind for me I would think.

This will be the first time I've gone into a dealer to buy a car so any advice appreciated.

Thanks

[Andrew D]

Ment-Al said:

I'd be pushing the boat out on insurance on this one to be honest. I'm only 22 with 1ncb.

That's no excuse, I was 23 when I got my 3.0i in '06!!

I imagine insurance for all Z4's is prohibitive for under-25's, so the marginal cost for a 3.0i won't be too much more. That said (and unlike some of the absolutists here on PH!) I appreciate the benefit of a balanced car. By which I mean just because a car isn't either the fastest or cheapest to run doesn't mean it's crap! If you can make a big enough saving in purchase cost and insurance then the 2.5i might well be a better proposition. It's still got plenty of power and, unlike the 2.2i, you get the all-important Sport button. Only five gears though, but then I only really use fifth on my way to sixth (SMG; no skipping allowed!).

As for worrying about this particular example going; don't. There are loads hitting the market at the moment, and that colour combination was very common indeed on pre-facelift cars. The options are reasonable, but I'd only be concerned about getting; those wheels or some 18"s, HiFi (as you want it), sport suspension, wind deflector (fully-fitted version) and seat heating.

The mirrors fold easily by hand (and you'll not want to drive straight into spaces that tight without getting out first anyway!), storage is sufficient as standard, and the xenons don't give you corona rings and cost a lot more to replace.

Regarding the steering comment in your original post; Servotronic is a feature of the steering that adjusts the steering weight dependant on speed (apparently). Never really noticed it working ony mine. All Z4's except the Z4M have electric power steering, which some don't like but I find perfectly acceptable. The Sport button also increases the weight of the steering so you don't get as much wondering about and it feels more direct.

[Andrew D]

Ment-Al said:

Theirs is up for 12,995.

In my head I have this figure of £5k to do the swap.

He told me that trade value on mine with 52k miles was £8,600 but to expect nearer £7k due to mileage.

I'd say £5k is about right. The mileage on yours isn't massive for the age but if you assume an offer of £7,500 that's only £500 to knock off the sticker price. And it'd be pretty arrogant of the salesman to offer below-average book price for your car and demand full sticker for the Z4. There will be others; don't throw it away for the sake of negotiating, but don't get abused!

Some things to look out for:-
Service history; Mileage-base servicing generally, but should have an Oil Service at least every two years. Brake fluid every two years. Coolant every four years.
Rear springs have been known to break, £150 a corner to replace but worth checking if they've been done.

Edited by Andrew D on Friday 19th September 11:41

[dan101smith]

Quick comment on the Carver hi-fi - my g/f's car has it, and it is awesome! I'm not one to go booming through town centres, but it does a pretty faithful recreation of all my Brian Adams CDs

If you can find one without the runflats on, so much the better, if not try using that as a haggling tool.

Edited by dan101smith on Friday 19th September 13:03

[gizlaroc]

Ment-Al said:

Ive been trying to sell my car for months!!! I don't even use it anymore.


Mine: 2003/53 318Ci Sport, 72k miles, upgraded 18" MV alloys, Full BMW service history.


In my head I have this figure of £5k to do the swap.

Your car is bookig at £7020 with the mileage. There are quite a few 2003 and later cars at dealers on autotrader with sub 80k miles for less than £8k.
45k mile car for £7500.

I would guess you need to be realistic about this, I would advertise at £6500 privately to even get a look in.
The dealer may be offering you £7k but get a proper figure, I would think it will be nearer £5k really, now this may be £5k for yours and a more realistic £11k for theirs, or it may be £7k for yours and theirs at close to the £13k they are asking for the Z4.
But either way you will be getting close to £5k for your car whether you pay for it in in the Z4 or not.


How much have you been advertising your car for and at what price??

I just advertised my 320d sport touring, 2007 57 plate for £22k, a good grand cheaper than the next one out there and sold it in 24 hours, plus had 4 buyers lined up in case anything fell through.
Someone else I know has an 07 plate up for £22k and has not had a call in 7 weeks now.

Price is everything.


Get yours sold for £6500 and then go buy a 2.5i for £9500 or a 3.0i for £10k.
As you say you are not using it so in an ideal position to sell privately and buy the right car.

Or take a shafting and go to the dealer.

Edited by gizlaroc on Friday 19th September 12:31

[Fox-]

Make sure you get the 3 litre. I drive my parents 3.0 Z4 and it's lovely but I wouldnt want anything less than the 3 litre becuase whats the point? The 2.5's are no cheaper to fuel, no cheaper to service, no cheaper to repair and no cheaper to tax. It's only the insurance that makes a difference.

22 is no problem, I was 22 when I got my 530i Sport - glad I didnt save a few hundred on insurance and go for the 525i Sport instead and I suspect you will feel the same if you get the 3.0 Z4.

[honest_delboy]

agree with Gizlaroc, sell privately and buy privately, the money you save can go towards the eaxtra insurance for the 3.0 !

remember to post how you got on

[Ment-Al]

I will give it some serious thought when sober in the morning.

But yeah, makes sense. Even if i have to hold on a little longer.

[sparkythecat]

I don't know which dealer you're on about, but I regularly pass Woodmans BMW at Blackpool.
The ammount of stock they're sitting on is staggering and there appear to be plenty of Z4s on the forecourt. Make sure you shop around, it's definitely a buyers market.

[OllieBirmingham]

With regards to cash purchases from dealers, they could be trousering four figures in finance commision alone, whilst still doing you a very reasonable rate so the old adage about discount for cash purchases is quite frankly, bks.