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      06-14-2007, 04:02 PM   #1
Aebous
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Wink Looking2Buy (hey my former name on z4um!)

Well anyways, a little backhistory. I never got around to buying a z4. Also haven't kept up on happenings lately, so Anyways....

I'm looking again but this time i'm more serious than a pool of hungry alligators. The local BMW dealer called me and mentioned a 03 3.0 z4, white, zenons, power top, nav, SMG, somewhere's around 40k miles. No price yet as they just got it in. My questions are this being as we don't have a z4um thread for me to find that handy what to look for thread or problems thread.....

1) What do I need to keep an eye out for? I know about body damage stuff like that, i'm more concerned about asking about all those recall stuffs like the loose gas caps and everything else I don't remember.
2) How reliable is the SMG? I've driven one and while it was fun and i'd still prefer the stick, traffic considerations here in Vegas make me want the SMG enough that i'm not waiting for a stick if I like the car enough.
3) Warrenty info...if I recall the original warrenty is 4yrs or some miles...
4) If the warrenty is expired, how much money can I expect to spend on upkeep (i.e. oil changes)

I tried the search function but couldn't find a what to look for thread, I did find the warrenty thread and will research that more when I have the time. I'm going to look at the car on Saturday, and i'm just desperate enough that I may just buy it SMG or not. Well provided the price is decent.
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      06-14-2007, 04:21 PM   #2
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2) How reliable is the SMG? I've driven one and while it was fun and i'd still prefer the stick, traffic considerations here in Vegas make me want the SMG enough that i'm not waiting for a stick if I like the car enough.

Make sure it has the latest SMG programming, especially if you get an '03. There were a lot of transmission software glitches on early SMG models.

3) Warrenty info...if I recall the original warrenty is 4yrs or some miles...

4 years and 50K miles. Have the dealer CPO the car and ask the dealer to let you buy the maintenance warranty when you buy the car (over a 2-year period, the maitenance warranty pretty much pays itself). Typically, you're not allowed to get either extended bumper-to-bumper warranty or extended maitenance warranty if you buy a BMW used; only the original owner can buy them.

4) If the warrenty is expired, how much money can I expect to spend on upkeep (i.e. oil changes)

Oil changes are pretty cheap IMO. For a non-M, I pay around $70 at Seattle BMW. If the car's still under warranty now, you should look at its service records and see if its brake pads and rotors have ever been replaced. If not, get the dealer to replace them under warranty. Otherwise that's a $2K job (parts + install) out of your pocket.
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      06-14-2007, 05:10 PM   #3
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With an 03, you will most likely will not have the remote power down from the key, unless it has been added. Check for leather ware on the seats where you would get in and out. Check for worn areas on the bottom of the front bumper. You can always ask for a carfax, with the vin number to see if it has been in an accident. If the car still has bumper to bumper on it any plastics issues on the interior could be taken care of as well as any squeaks. I'm sure you have thought of the things I point out, but, just in case. Operate everything, radio, power top, and check that the key programming is the way you want it.

Have fun!
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      06-14-2007, 05:14 PM   #4
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[QUOTE=GP20;1072979]2) How reliable is the SMG? I've driven one and while it was fun and i'd still prefer the stick, traffic considerations here in Vegas make me want the SMG enough that i'm not waiting for a stick if I like the car enough.

Make sure it has the latest SMG programming, especially if you get an '03. There were a lot of transmission software glitches on early SMG models.

X2

I had a 04 3.0i with SMG (latest programming) and had no trouble at all.

Good luck..
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      06-15-2007, 01:30 PM   #5
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Ok, being that i'm pressed for time (omw to work) what's the latest SMG firmware?
As far as the power top down with the key...if that isn't programmed I can get it done right? Cause that is sexy....rented a z4 once in Germany that had it...coolest feature ever IMO.

Also how much to get the key programmed you think? On that note, what about other little things like the tap the blinker down and the light blinks 3 times for a lane change...
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      06-15-2007, 10:00 PM   #6
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Well damn the luck, they sold the car. Ah well back to the searching, maybe now I'll be able to get a stick. They keep trying to sell me a 2.5 el oh el.
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      06-15-2007, 10:24 PM   #7
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No, definately go for the 3.0. Couple of '03 3.0's on CarMax (I've used them a few times - never had a problem - no I don't work for them), though you'll need to ship them in for $600-$700. All silver. I had a 2003 3.0 for 4 years, not a single problem to report except tires and oil changes.

Quick summary from CarMax current inventory FYI;

$25,450 - 29k miles - Auto
$25,450 - 18k miles - Auto (not a bad deal....? In Nashville, stock no. 4199016 )
$25,840 - 42k miles - Manual
$25,998 - 36k miles - Auto
$26,450 - 30k miles - Manual
$24,899 - 46k miles - Manual
$27,998 - 16k miles - Manual
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      06-16-2007, 01:10 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by felixoz View Post
No, definately go for the 3.0. Couple of '03 3.0's on CarMax (I've used them a few times - never had a problem - no I don't work for them), though you'll need to ship them in for $600-$700. All silver. I had a 2003 3.0 for 4 years, not a single problem to report except tires and oil changes.

Quick summary from CarMax current inventory FYI;

$25,450 - 29k miles - Auto
$25,450 - 18k miles - Auto (not a bad deal....? In Nashville, stock no. 4199016 )
$25,840 - 42k miles - Manual
$25,998 - 36k miles - Auto
$26,450 - 30k miles - Manual
$24,899 - 46k miles - Manual
$27,998 - 16k miles - Manual

Yeah I've been keeping an eye on Carmax, almost had them ship a white 3.0 to me. But at the time I didn't have the 800 bucks to do it. Besides, i'm not sure I want to pay that to get it shipped. Yeah I know they have to pay a driver/gas etc etc but I just don't agree with it. I swear though practically every used z4 is either a 2.5 or if it's a 3.0 it's a full auto tranny. Ah well. Coming into a few extra dollars soon so I may throw my aversion to paying carmax to the side and get one.
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      06-20-2007, 02:36 AM   #9
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Bumping for new/continuation topic.
Ok I figured it's not worth making a new thread over so here goes...
Expanded my search area on carmax/autotrader etc.
Found 2 z4's with options I want, same dealer too go figure.
#1: 03 3.0 6spd man. 30k miles $25k price. Dark blue, black interior, nav sys, sport & premium package, power top, heated seats.
#2: 04 3.0 6spd man. 34k miles $29k price. Light blue, beige interior, nav sys, sport &premium package, power top.

Hard to say if they both have or don't have the sport seats, the dark blue however looks like the lateral support is much greater than the light blue's but could be the pic/color leather.
It looks like both cars have Xenons

So my question is this, I figure i'll get one or the other, i'm leaning more towards the 03 due to the color combos/heated seats although I do like the light blue color more from the pics. I'm kinda wondering about the price on the 04, but then it is cali...so are they good prices for both?

Is there a way to tell from the pictures the difference between a sport seat and a regular one? I know I could call and ask, and probably will, I just prefer to know details like that before I call.
*Edit* Not getting the black z4

Last edited by Aebous; 06-30-2007 at 03:23 AM.. Reason: Taking the black one out
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      06-20-2007, 08:43 AM   #10
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I hope you're gonna do some bargaining. Those prices don't seem that great. You should be able to pick up a 2005 3.0 for around $30,000.
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      06-20-2007, 10:22 AM   #11
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The car you're looking at on autotrader has the sport seats. You can tell by the height of the tabs on the side of the bottom section as well as on the sides of the back section.

You'll find that alot of people purchase these as "third cars" and only drive them on weekends and when the weather is good. Track cars will (1) generally have more miles on them and (2) almost always have some sort of modification on them (even if only a set of racing/street brake pads).

Being an '04 model there should be enough of the original warranty remaining to cover any major problems (best to check exactly when the warranty expires....you can do this through any dealer is you have the VIN).

I think for around $100 you can have a BMW dealer inspect the car for problems.
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      06-20-2007, 11:29 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by takedown8 View Post
I hope you're gonna do some bargaining. Those prices don't seem that great. You should be able to pick up a 2005 3.0 for around $30,000.
I concur.
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      06-20-2007, 12:26 PM   #13
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Good to know. I was planning on barganing but didn't realize you could get them for that. The looking around i've done showed I could probably get an 04 for around 25, but then i've only looked in the las vegas/california areas. Maybe I'll spread the search out and see what I can find.
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      06-21-2007, 01:56 AM   #14
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Decisions decisions....tan power top or not. I'm looking at the black on I linked earlier harder an harder. I just really don't like tan tops the black while not in my top 3 choice still looks damn nice. The miles and the price IMO is good.
Maybe I'll take a trip to a local bmw dealer and look for any black ones with a tan top...i hate judging by a pic.
*edit not getting the black one*

Last edited by Aebous; 06-30-2007 at 03:23 AM..
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      06-21-2007, 03:07 AM   #15
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Quote:
I think for around $100 you can have a BMW dealer inspect the car for problems.
Good idea for having an inspection done before buying the car, but DON'T get it done at the dealer. Reputable indy shop is the way to go. The dealer could really careless especially when they don't sell you the car. A friend of mine bought a bimmer last year and had the dealer inspect the car first, and later decided to have an indy shop inspect the car again for the peace of mind, and ended up finding several things wrong with the car. Also, BMW technicians are not trained to tell if a car has ever been in an accident or not. Might be a good idea to have a reputable bodyshop look at the car first also. They can easily tell if a car has had body repair.
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      06-21-2007, 03:17 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aebous View Post

On a side note, I see a 04 black w/ beige top (EWWW) 3.0 sport and premium package with 11k miles for 23k.....I'll admit, I'm no fan of black on this car (well ok it looks sharp but I think lighter colors do the car more justice) but for 23k i'm about to scoot my happy rear end over there and look it over. Although, looking around like I have been doing that's really super low for an 04 with so few miles....so simply put, I'm thinking it's too good to be true...it's in stanton california. So what do ya'll think? Prior wreck? Track car? Dealer trying to get rid of it?
http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dd...ler_id=1146943
I'll make your decision easy then. That car's been crashed before, badly enough to have the front bumper replaced, and likely repaired by a bad body shop who didn't know better than to put an '05 bumper (with the orange side relfectors) on an '04. Not to mention it's missing the lower bumper grill. The front side fenders are not aligned correctly. The hood does not appear to be "open" (looking at it from the side, near the windshiled section), in which case it's not even close to aligning correctly. It has 2.5i front grills instead of the silver 3.0i front grills. The missing side 3.0i badges MIGHT back up the assumption that the fenders were replaced.
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      06-21-2007, 01:31 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GP20 View Post
I'll make your decision easy then. That car's been crashed before, badly enough to have the front bumper replaced, and likely repaired by a bad body shop who didn't know better than to put an '05 bumper (with the orange side relfectors) on an '04. Not to mention it's missing the lower bumper grill. The front side fenders are not aligned correctly. The hood does not appear to be "open" (looking at it from the side, near the windshiled section), in which case it's not even close to aligning correctly. It has 2.5i front grills instead of the silver 3.0i front grills. The missing side 3.0i badges MIGHT back up the assumption that the fenders were replaced.

Can I call you a god now?

Heh good stuff though, now that you mention the hood, yeah they did a bad job aligning it you can see on the front at the fenders one is closer to the front lip than the other side.....Tanks for the info, now i'll look at the pics a lot closer than I have been doing.

Tanks again
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      06-29-2007, 03:39 PM   #18
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SO, technically this is a bump but I didn't want to start another topic on the same thing.

I'm now looking at this superbly colored white z4 with red interior
http://www.russelbmw.com/profile.asp...=&FilterMake=0

Anyways, I called and was informed it had sport seats dispite it not being listed on bmwusa.com or the website there. That makes me hesitant though as nicely colored as the car is I think I could forgo sports seats. But if I did just how bad are the regular ones for lateral support?
So my question is thus,
Has anyone had a car shipped through bmw cross country like this?
What can I expect to spend?
And that dealer better be prepared to go down a few thousand :P

I figure I'll try to work it through a local bmw dealer, the guy in MD said we could do the paperwork etc over the phone, but ah, no thanks. It would involve lots of faxing etc
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      06-29-2007, 04:29 PM   #19
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Having had a '04 with the regular seats I'd say there is no comparasion between the two......the sport (or ///M) seats are THE ONLY WAY TO GO. The difference is very big between the two. The regular seats offer very little lateral support.

IMHO I find the ///M seats better for long sedate trips as well as spirited driving.
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      06-30-2007, 01:48 AM   #20
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Hmm, well, I don't see myself not getting it for just seats. So if they turn out to be regular ones and I decide I want more lateral support, are M seats semi cheap? Or maybe even an aftermarket brand
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      06-30-2007, 02:01 AM   #21
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That thing is SO tweaked it ain't funny! Looks like it hit a brick wall, then was repaired by Earl Scheib. And that wheel in picture #5 has worse rash than Paris Hilton's inner butt cheeks. RUN from that turd as fast as you can.
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      06-30-2007, 03:21 AM   #22
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Quote:
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That thing is SO tweaked it ain't funny! Looks like it hit a brick wall, then was repaired by Earl Scheib. And that wheel in picture #5 has worse rash than Paris Hilton's inner butt cheeks. RUN from that turd as fast as you can.
Wait, are you talking about the black one? Sorry scratch that, the white one doesn't have a wheel pic for #5....so yeah i've since ran from the black one....I'll edit it so there isn't further confusion.
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