[Mr. Bill]

Hi Everyone. I have been looking for a low mileage 2020 Z4 with certain specs (premium, driving assistance and executive packages plus a couple of other preferences like frozen grey metallic and magma red leather seats). I’m looking for a 2020 because that is the only year that Dinan made the Stage 1 performance software for the Z4. I know that the car doesn’t need more power, but I really don’t need another car either, so this is really about wants. I found exactly what I want about 50 miles from me for $48k. It has a little over 4k miles and 1 owner. The original MSRP was $75k. The catch is that the car was dubbed a lemon and bought back by BMW. It looks like the Body Domain Controller had to be replaced to fix the problem. I imagine there is more to the story than that, which I will endeavor to find out.

I can always spend more money on a Z4 with more miles that ticks a lot but not all of the boxes. I can also be patient until my exact spec shows up within a reasonable distance to my house or wait for a deal that I’m willing to fly to see and drive home. This would be a third car that I would modify for S’s & G’s.

My question is, would you ever consider buying a car that was a lemon? Thanks in advance.

[Balr14]

I have bought cars in the past, that were "lemon lawed" by the manufacturer for similar type problems. Often it is just that the fix took to long and they were forced to buy it back. Do your homework, find as much as you can for the reason it has been lemon lawed. The car you are considering is a great buy and the specs you are looking for are not common. Assuming, it is a good car, there are some issues you may run into:

They can be hard to register in a different state. Every state has their own laws about this. Some states are damned picky.

They can be hard to insure. Their replacement value isn't what it should be and doesn't fit any insurance tables. You may need an "agreed upon" value policy, like Grundy.

Resale value sucks and they are hard to sell.

I bought an early Viper that was "lemon lawed" years ago. I got a huge discount or I never would have bought it. It turned out pretty well... car was no worse than any other early Viper. It was hard to sell, but they all were. Nobody likes side curtains, no exterior door handles and loud pipes that burn your legs.

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by Mr. Bill

My question is, would you ever consider buying a car that was a lemon? Thanks in advance.

I did once, never again. I'm sure there are great buys out there for them but I could never have adequate peace of mind. Once bitten twice shy.

[823BMW]

No, I would not purchase a previous lemon. The pricing is not a discount for that history, this is for fun not headaches, and when you go to sell the next buyer will have the same reservations. Be patient and widen your search distance to find your specs. Also try to find a CPO vehicle if possible.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Hard Pass

[Westside Guy]

I think it is appropriate to use the famous quote from the movie Donnie Brasco.

[Mr. Bill]

Interesting points. Appreciate the input.

[///M TOWN]

Pass… Pasadena !!