BMW Z4 Residual Values?

[mr tommo]

Im just trying to put together a few sums for a potential new car..

Lets take for example, a BMW Z4 2.5i SE (2004/54) .. http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/ww...category=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200715279826890

Thats up for £16,000.

Can someone look into their crystal ball for me and give some sort of educated guess as to what you think it will be worth in 2 years time, when its 5 years old?

Also I know there is a couple of Z4 & BMW owners on here so what are running costs (inc servicing)

Thanks

 

[merlin]

Depends how many miles it has on it when you start and how many you put on it.

Certainly you want to avoid high milers if you want to offload it with minimal hassle in 2 years.

 

[Giddy]

For what its worth I've lost about 6k in 18 months on mine. Running costs are relatively cheap, between 26-30mpg depending on driving style. About 300 for a set of tyres. What else you want to know?

 

[mr tommo]

Depends how many miles it has on it when you start and how many you put on it.

Certainly you want to avoid high milers if you want to offload it with minimal hassle in 2 years.

I will put about 10-12k per year on the car, And I wouldn't buy one that had done any more then 10k per year.

So when it comes to selling on, It would hopefully have under 50,000 miles on the clock. EDIT : When the car is 5 years old

For what its worth I've lost about 6k in 18 months on mine. Running costs are relatively cheap, between 26-30mpg depending on driving style. About 300 for a set of tyres. What else you want to know?

That fuel consumption seems pretty good

How often are service intervals, and how much would they cost from a main dealer?

I understand that the service intervals vary depending on your driving, I will be doing 10,000 miles per year, 8-9 of which will be around town

Is this likely to mean that my services will come around quite quickly?

One more thing (probably more to follow ) - What are the differences between the 2.5i and the 2.5i SE?

Tom

 

[[TW]Fox]

One more thing (probably more to follow ) - What are the differences between the 2.5i and the 2.5i SE?

There is no 2.5i. Pre 2006, you have the 2.5i SE and the 2.5i Sport. Both are the same power, but the Sport has the M-Tech goodies like Sport seats, M-tech suspension and so on. However, in the Z4, the Sport suspension destroys the ride - seriously, it's properly poor - IMHO you would be far better off with an SE.

Then there is the 2.5Si - this replaced the 2.5 in 2006. It is the new N52 Straight Six, develops over 200bhp, and has direct injection. It's also out of your price range so we wont worry about it.

Best peice of advice? Don't bother with anything short of a 3.0. The 2.5 is no more economical, it is no cheaper to service and it's barely cheaper to insure so why not get the top one right off the bat?

Been doing a lot of research on these lately - 16-20k gets a nice, sensible mileage 3.0i SE with all the toys but you WILL have to look high and low for one with cruise, bizarrely.

 

[mr tommo]

There is no 2.5i. Pre 2006, you have the 2.5i SE and the 2.5i Sport. Both are the same power, but the Sport has the M-Tech goodies like Sport seats, M-tech suspension and so on. However, in the Z4, the Sport suspension destroys the ride - seriously, it's properly poor - IMHO you would be far better off with an SE.

Thats that one sorted then

Best peice of advice? Don't bother with anything short of a 3.0. The 2.5 is no more economical, it is no cheaper to service and it's barely cheaper to insure so why not get the top one right off the bat?

TBH I immediately ruled out the 3.0 because of the "OMFG 3 Litres!! 9mpg!!Factor" Without really thinking it through. What Would I expect around town in a 3.0?

Been doing a lot of research on these lately - 16-20k gets a nice, sensible mileage 3.0i SE with all the toys but you WILL have to look high and low for one with cruise, bizarrely.

Will have a look at them now, any reason you have been looking?

£16k would be my max budget really but id be willing to drive to anywhere to get the right one.

Would a Warranty be necessary? Any Third Party ones that are any good?

Also , can anyone find a price list of servicing @ BMW?

Ive been thinking about these a lot lately, then I saw this post... http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=9137394#post9137394
and I was straight onto AutoTrader.

 

[Giddy]

Servicing is variable, but how that relates in real terms I have no idea. I think my last service was about £250 (30k).

Its worth finding one with all the toys, there are a lot for sale out there in naff colours with poor spec and they just don't sell. Pick up a decent example in the right colour with a few toys and you'll have no probs shifting it when the time comes.

Prices in 2 years... 12-13K?

When are you looking to buy?

 

[mr tommo]

Im not 100% on having a new car yet... You know when you get that real urge, well... Ive got it now. I just always wanted a Z4 since I went to a BMW Z4 Open day at our local dealers, and I was a passenger in a 3.0 Z4 while the BMW guy threw the car around some country lanes.

Just trying to work out what it will cost me in the 2 or 3 years of ownership.

If I do decide to purchase, It will be this summer or not at all.

Anyway , Back to the Z4, what do you think of yours Giddy? Happy with it?

 

[[TW]Fox]

TBH I immediately ruled out the 3.0 because of the "OMFG 3 Litres!! 9mpg!!Factor" Without really thinking it through. What Would I expect around town in a 3.0?

Pretty much exactly what you will get from a 2.5. All 3 of the Straight Six engines from this era (2.2, 2.5 and 3.0) deliver virtually identical fuel economy - the are the exact same engines used in the facelift E39 5 Series and just to give an you example off the top of my head the combined figure for them in the 5 is:

2.2: 31mpg
2.5: 30.4mpg
3.0: 29.7mpg

So, the same.

Low 20's around town.

Be aware though that the insurance on the 2.5 and 3.0 are far from cheap and the 3.0 especially is, irrespective of what some say, a properly potent car - BMW's often conservative figures put it at 5.9 to 60.

Will have a look at them now, any reason you have been looking?

Makes a great upgrade to someone who loves the hassle free ownership experience of a 530d but fancies something more Sporty and loves the M54 3.0

Would a Warranty be necessary?

It's a good idea, yes.

Also , can anyone find a price list of servicing @ BMW?

Same for all the cars with this engine so... £150-£200 for Oil Service, £250-£350 for Inspection 1 and £350-£450 for Inspection 2 depending on which main dealer you use.

 

[Giddy]

Anyway , Back to the Z4, what do you think of yours Giddy? Happy with it?

Yeah I love it, but I'm getting to the point now where I want to change, I've had it for 18 months and have got that itch again.

 

[mr tommo]

Low 20's is acceptable really when you consider the Performance.

Fox, I know you have the 530 Sport, so is the 3.0 really as good as people say it is?

My friend has a e46 325 Sport Convertible, and...Yeah its fairly quick, but it just sounds so muted I was really underwhelmed by the sound tbh.

The price of the Inspection II seems abit

Are there any decent Third Party Warranties about?

I really want a Six cylinder BMW, and I probably would be looking at a 3 series convertible mainly due to the advantage of having 4 seats, but I cant help thinking I would regret it knowing Ive just spend a lot of money on last seasons model (stupid I Know)