[TonyTheTurtle]

Hey all,

Just wanted to check in and ask the pros what ya'll thought of this particular example:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

It's the color combo I've been looking for, White on black with alcantara (would be happy with any other interior* color except just plain black), has the Premium package, brushed alum accents.

Only thing, is that it has 39k miles which is kind of up there.

Doesn't really bother me THAT much, but wanted to get some opinions on whether I should be okay with that based on the price.

Carfax & AutoChecks look clean
Been maintained at a bmw dealership its whole life, and oil change intervals seem to be around every 5-7k miles.

Also what are the chances that the dealership may be able to remove that windshile strip tint?

Cheers all!

[Westside Guy]

I personally would look for a car with much lower mileage and if the price still works for you a 2022 or 2023 model as you would have more of the original warranty covering any issues.

[MisanoblueZ4]

That might be the lowest priced M40i I’ve seen yet. Almost 30i pricing on that car.
With the color combo you are looking for I’d say go for it. It’s taken a majority of its hard depreciation at this point.
Mileage and price are fine IMO, that’s about 10k a year.

Wonder what bath the OG owner took on it if traded into a Subaru dealer, they probably only gave him mid-high 30’s for trade.

[misterturbo]

^Agree. And you REALLY need to look at these cars in person, IMHO.

For whatever reason (maybe heavy leasing and lack of true ownership) a lot of the interiors in used G29s didn't age well. I looked at many prior to settling into my current one, and all the 1 owner leases looked prety worn.

Sub 20k miles should be your target in this price range.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by misterturbo

^Agree. And you REALLY need to look at these cars in person, IMHO.

For whatever reason (maybe heavy leasing and lack of true ownership) a lot of the interiors in used G29s didn't age well. I looked at many prior to settling into my current one, and all the 1 owner leases looked prety worn.

Sub 20k miles should be your target in this price range.

Exactly, if the OP keeps on searching he should be able to find lower mileage Z4's out there. My car is 2 years old and has only been driven 11,500 miles.

[MisanoblueZ4]

Originally Posted by misterturbo

^Agree. And you REALLY need to look at these cars in person, IMHO.

For whatever reason (maybe heavy leasing and lack of true ownership) a lot of the interiors in used G29s didn't age well. I looked at many prior to settling into my current one, and all the 1 owner leases looked prety worn.

Sub 20k miles should be your target in this price range.

I think that is too difficult to find, sub 20k miles for 42k and the color/interior combo M40i. Spring is right around the corner and prices will hold a bit better compared to end of summer/fall.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by MisanoblueZ4

I think that is too difficult to find, sub 20k miles for 42k and the color/interior combo M40i. Spring is right around the corner and prices will hold a bit better compared to end of summer/fall.

You are correct about the price/ mileage but at the end of the day you get what you pay for.

[MisanoblueZ4]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

Exactly, if the OP keeps on searching he should be able to find lower mileage Z4's out there. My car is 2 years old and has only been driven 11,500 miles.

I paid mid 50’s for a CPO 2021 with 12k miles last September. If OP can swing another 10k into his budget there are a lot of possibilities out there. With some negotiations be could buy that 2020 for better then 42k……price is really good on a M40i with average car mileage.
Just IMO, but yes if he goes up in price the newer or lower mileage the car he can land.

[MisanoblueZ4]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

You are correct about the price/ mileage but at the end of the day you get what you pay for.

lol, that is a very valid point

[IcewaterPete]

Originally Posted by TonyTheTurtle

Hey all,

Only thing, is that it has 39k miles which is kind of up there.


Cheers all!

Yes, the mileage is up there and may have been the original owners only car. With that in mind it is imperative to see this car in person and go over it closely for wear and tear plus paint nicks. I always pay special attention to the underside of the front spoiler and the wheels for curb rash. If that’s rough then I’d walk. Guys who treat their cars well make sure to keep far away from curbs!

The other consideration regarding the mileage is what are your plans for using the car. If you are using it just as a summer toy or to keep somewhere it is only used occasionally then the miles don’t matter so much. If you plan to drive it every day then skip this one and pay up for a lower mileage car that still has some warranty left allowing you to shake it down a bit and have some piece of mind.

Enjoy the search!

[Small Cap Trader]

39k miles is high? I'm going to drive the nuts off of my Z4 when I get it. They are going to depreciate no matter what. You only live once, no garage queens for me

[Balr14]

If I have to buy a car with higher mileage to get the model I want that fits my budget, so be it. I would not be happy settling for a lower model. I have owned a few higher mileage (50k+ miles) BMWs and I know what to expect and what models to avoid. With any German car, you have to do your homework, because they are all expensive to repair.

I would expect the ZF 8 speed to be bulletproof and the B58 engine to be much better than the previous N models. Most of those problems were heat related, owing to the engine design and lack of space under the hood, which resulted in heat fatigue to a lot of parts (seals, gaskets, plastic components, turbo). Those problems have been corrected and the current generation of cars run much cooler. On the B58, I would expect to have to replace the charge pipe and turbo, at some point. The charge pipe is plastic and could collapse. The turbos BMW uses with the internal wastegate are prone to wastegate rattle at about 60k miles.

[TonyTheTurtle]

Thanks everyone for your responses!

I was almost sold on this car, I am from out of state so i ordered a LemonSquad report (because local shops could not get me a booking within two weeks), everything showed up fine with comments about the wear on the seats and light scratches being "normal for mileage".

I called the dealer this morning and tried to negotiate the price down but they would not budge. They updated the price on it overnight too, and so the price increased by ~1k? not sure how normal that is, or they have automatic systems in place to do that.

As much as i love that interior, I think it may be best for me to wait a little bit more and look for something with lower mileage at a slighly higher price.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by TonyTheTurtle

Thanks everyone for your responses!

I was almost sold on this car, I am from out of state so i ordered a LemonSquad report (because local shops could not get me a booking within two weeks), everything showed up fine with comments about the wear on the seats and light scratches being "normal for mileage".

I called the dealer this morning and tried to negotiate the price down but they would not budge. They updated the price on it overnight too, and so the price increased by ~1k? not sure how normal that is, or they have automatic systems in place to do that.

As much as i love that interior, I think it may be best for me to wait a little bit more and look for something with lower mileage at a slighly higher price.

That is a very wise decision! 👍🏻

[TonyTheTurtle]

For example:
I also found this 1 owner, premium pack, drive assist pack, half the mileage of the other one. $2k more

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

The only difference is that it has the leather black interior, instead of the alcantara, and the drive assist pack (which adds PDC).

[Balr14]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

That is a very wise decision! 👍🏻

Agreed. Don't jump on the first one that looks good. But, don't expect to be able to negotiate a lower price, either. When I was shopping, they all refused to budge.

[Westside Guy]

When it comes to buying used cars, I’ve always found that patience is a virtue! 😉

[IcewaterPete]

Originally Posted by Small Cap Trader

39k miles is high? I'm going to drive the nuts off of my Z4 when I get it. They are going to depreciate no matter what. You only live once, no garage queens for me

Amen to driving the wheels off it! It just depends on the situation. I have a ‘20 440i ‘vert that only has 20k on the clock after 4+ years. It ain’t for a lack of trying to drive it. I’m always taking it north in the summer 275 miles each way, but still nothing as it mainly is driven in the summer and my commutes are on trains and planes. So sadly it does a lot of sitting. But when it’s driven it’s driven! Already well into a second set of rear tires.

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by TonyTheTurtle

Thanks everyone for your responses!

As much as i love that interior, I think it may be best for me to wait a little bit more and look for something with lower mileage at a slighly higher price.

Good call. Here's my two cents which some will disagree with:

That high mileage Z4 was a daily driver. There's nothing wrong with that but I suspect most daily drivers don't get the same level of pampering as low mileage Z4s. The majority of Z4 owners are in the low mileage category so finding a deal on a low mileage shouldn't be that difficult with patience.

It doesn't make sense for a dealer to raise the price of their used offering, even if it's because they think they've got a fish on the hook. The used market for the Z4 is very small and the typical depreciation over the first couple of years is proof of that. Be patient and you'll find exactly what you're looking for.

Take a look at the following link to see the CPOs available. Non-CPO Z4s should of course be less expensive.

https://www.bmwusa.com/certified-pre...00%20or%20less

[Argo]

While the mileage is "high" compared to other Z4s, it's still very low compared to other BMWs that essentially have the same underpinnings. And you're getting a great deal on an M40i.

I'd say the car is likely is great state mechanically because it's still a B58+ZF8 drivetrain and that combo routinely makes it to much higher mileages without major issues.

If the top and interior are in good conditions, I'd personally consider it since you can now put even more miles on it without "worrying about value".

[TonyTheTurtle]

Originally Posted by Argo

While the mileage is "high" compared to other Z4s, it's still very low compared to other BMWs that essentially have the same underpinnings. And you're getting a great deal on an M40i.

I'd say the car is likely is great state mechanically because it's still a B58+ZF8 drivetrain and that combo routinely makes it to much higher mileages without major issues.

If the top and interior are in good conditions, I'd personally consider it since you can now put even more miles on it without "worrying about value".

I pulled the trigger. Update incoming.

[TonyTheTurtle]

Hey everyone, just wanted to post a brief update.

I ended up getting the car. They honored my initial price so i got it for 41k.

I flew down to Cali to pick it up and drove it all the way to Washington state. Insane experience and the car was flawless the whole way up. Probably could have waited and spent a little bit more money for a lower mileage one, but as someone who works from home and will proabbly only put weekend miles on it. It should be fine.

Overall, I am very happy with the purchase and I hope to put more miles on it ASAP!