Which Z4 to replace trusty E39

Hello again,
I have my eye on a very low mileage E8 ( sorry E89, E8 out of my league) that is closer to me. The owner says everything is still perfect as he has done 300miles a year for past 5 years (1500) and 35k in total. He confirms tyres are very old and so is the engine oil. In fact apart from a quick drive to dealer, he hasn't used it since May 24 (for MOT).
There has never been any advisories and none of the usual faults have occurred yet ( rocker cover, rear lights, suspension, roof, etc.)

Is this a case of too few miles could be worse than too many?

There is a £2k premium for such low use over a car with 80k.

Cheers

 

Is that an E85 or an E89 you are looking at?

A few personal thoughts on a car that has been sat for extended periods of time, but again, only my own thoughts/experience. I once bought a three year old Escort, it had 8K miles on the clock, had been used as a mobility car since new, short journeys etc. Excellent service history, always on the exact miles and all at the same dealer. Bought the car and within 2K miles needed new brakes, clutch and other consumables. The car was just not used enough, I then drove it as a 25 year old would, and it cost me a fortune to keep on the road. I know a BMW is in a different league to a 1993 Escort, but it taught me a lesson in terms of a low mileage car. I'd much rather a car that has been used than one that has sat.
Have none of the usual faults occurred because it has not been driven enough? Are they waiting in the wings for you..? The negative in me talking!
The engine will never have got warm on the Z4 you are looking at, neither will the exhaust. I'd be looking at corrosion on the pipes/back box. Will need a fresh set of tyres and oil immediately.
Worth looking at, but it should be approached with caution and eyes wide open. Low miles are not always the best selling point for me.

 

Yes Wynne71, I have priced tyres and 5w30 now. Driver's seat looks very worn pointing to lots of short journeys.

Already getting worried...

 

I have done some more research, but actually, I have realised that for less than this owner is asking, I can buy a better car with less worries from an established dealer and all the protection and warranty that comes from that route.

 

I had a 2009 E89 3.0i manual for 5 months bought from a main BMW dealer with 43000 miles and had nothing but trouble with it , needed a diff , drive shafts , 4 wheel alignment etc . Sound was amazing from the 3.0 litre engine , steering was very floaty over 60mph , I ended up giving the car back and bought a Boxster .
I would only buy from a dealer , pay the premium and keep up the warranty otherwise have the car checked over by a mechanic unfortunately people aspire to own one but dont want to maintain them properly .

 

SORRY, THIS SOLD LAST WEEK
Can anybody see any reasons not to take a long drive to have a look at this. My heart says get 3.0 but the 2.5 will probably be quick enough for me and I would like to fit wood trim in future. 17" wheels are not quite as sexy as 18 or 19", but tyres are cheaper and more comfortable.

https://www.horsepower-motor-centre.co.uk/used-cars/18443012-bmw-z4-2.5-23i-s-drive-euro-5-2dr/

Opinions gratefully received.

 

Overall body work and trim looks OK. Difficult to make out condition of driver’s seat

Discs look shot. Plenty of rust underneath, although is this the UK norm? See rear damper for example.

Tyre tread getting low.

Wheels are ugly.

Mileage high for a sports car; typical would be circa 4000 to 5000 per annum.

No service history? This may rule out BMW cover in the future.

I’d guess that if you driven both a 3l and a 2.5, you would ignore this one.

 

I have to say that it doesn't look too bad to me. Considering the age of the car, the underside looks all fine, surface rust on some components as would be expected for the years and miles. The body/interior looks tidy from the photos.
The tyres are BMW spec, so the previous owner/s have followed the spec on these. Discs looks to have surface corrosion from not being driven after a clean, but worth a closer look. Nothing on the recent MOT about brakes though.
MOT history is ok, some odd failures early in its life, but nothing drastic since then. As to the mileage, 49K for a 15 year old car is low. And the MOT history looks to match the increase of miles over time.
So all in all, I'd be inclined to go and have a look. Wheels look ok to me, not all the M Sport jazz and all that, but you can always change these if you don't like them. Only two owners, so possible that it has been cared for.
I'd call and ask for photos of the service history, if they have some!

 

Maybe following spec but 9 years old so need replacing

I misread the age of the car.

Having owned a 3l Z4 I''ll stick with preferring one to a 2.5.

 

Thanks, again folks.
You are confirming that I am on the right track, however....

SORRY, THIS SOLD LAST WEEK

But the dealer has plenty of quality cars and excellent reputation and will call me when something similar comes into stock.

Cheers

 

If you are able to, hold of buying a convertible until the clocks change and nights draw in. Their desirability in the winter diminishes enormously, can be more choice and prices can drop a little too.

 

Trust me E39mad, I'm trying to hold off, really, really trying .

 

UPDATE

The search is over. I finally bought a deepsea blue/Tiefseeblau Metallic with ivory leather from a knowledgeable and careful Polish gent 120 miles from Plymouth.
Manual and the desirable 3.0 30i sDrive with no expensive turbos to replace.

Yes. I know you want pictures, but you will have to wait.

She is currently up on axle stands as I chose to save £1000 and not have his black 19" aftermarket rims with cheap tyres, but the original silver 18" wheels (style 293) with 4 two year old non RFT Bridgestone Turanza 6 tyres; these however were corroded and kerbed so are already with South West Wheel Repairs in Exeter for three days. That's given me a chance to clean and paint hubs, calipers, shocks and back plates.

Other jobs to do:
polish and seal the paintwork that is covered in light scratches.
There is a daft spoiler stuck to the boot that need to be removed ASAP
the interior has been wrapped in faux carbon fibre; that needs to be removed and replaced with wood trim when some turns up on eBay unless somebody here is selling some.
The kidney grilles are shiny black plastic so I am searching for some original chrome/silver ones.
The lower front valance panel has been badly sprayed with rattle can, so needs to visit a body shop.
Leather needs cleaning.

But, despite high mileage, everything works, no rattles, squeaks, leaks or problems. The service history is all receipts from past five years, but nothing before. No dents or rust. The engine bay is clean and dusty with absolutely no oil or coolant leaks. Brake discs and pads are new. Slight wear to driver's side seat. Etc. A real genuine car with no dealer mark up.

She drives perfectly, especially considering mileage, no play or wobbles in steering, no rattling or squeaking over bumps ( standard suspension), braking is solid and straight, clutch and gearbox sweet. Oh, and that in-line six? STUNNING, all the way to 7000 rpm!
Combined with the suspension and steering she really flies. How long before I get my first speeding ticket ?
I honestly do not know why anyone would want more power in a road car, but maybe that is a good thing or else I would be buying a 35iS turbo or a Porsche.

Taking my wife, and then 21yo son, out with roof down in the Autumn sun yesterday, and seeing the silly grins on their faces will be a memory I will take to my grave; worth very penny.

Well, hopefully images next week. Thanks for all your advice and help.

 

Fantastic news!
Looking forward to the thread on this one.

 

Well sorry for delay, it has rained a lot lately and I spent a while sorting out vibration from wheels (my own fault!), but a couple of shots from our afternoon driving the twisty roads of South Dartmoor today. I forgot my camera so they are poor quality from my wife's old 'phone "digitally zooming".
Hopefully we will get out in the sun again tomorrow for better images.



Oh by the way I beeped and waved to two Z4 drivers today, a blue G29 and a grey E85, but without a response; do we not acknowledge one another?

 

Here are some better shots today. The car isn't perfect; there is a long list of jobs, but at the moment it is more importartant to get out with my wife and enjoy the wind in the hair driving while the sun shines.
The last owner covered the aluminium trim with carbon fibre style vinyl that I am keen to replace with wood ASAP. He also had all black kidney grills that I replaced with silver/ chrome ( 35iS I think) that I fortunately got for £22 on eBay! I am pleased with the painted brake calipers behind refurbished wheels.

 

It's a fabulous shape and colour. Wheel design looks great too.

Love the classic long bonnet on these Z4's.

 

That looks very smart indeed. I bet you are chuffed to bits, especially as you are making it your own now.