Dumb buyers question?

frogers · 12-06-2019, 07:42 PM

Looking at buying a Z4M Coupe. One I am interested in has two claims - one for $3000 for vandalism (paint scratches) and another for $4200 - damages unknown (a couple of owners back). Should I be concerned and how do y'all think this should impact value?

Or anyone selling something nice in PNW?

Thanks!

KevinC · 12-07-2019, 09:41 AM

ANY paintwork is a red flag IMHO, and must be inspected carefully for quality. I'd verify thickness with a paint meter, then, depending on color (a metallic would be my biggest concern) view it in as many different lighting situations as possible to ensure the color is uniform.

$4200 isn't much damage nowadays so that's probably a relatively minor mishap of some kind, and the same caveat as above would apply.

All that said, I'd first try to find a car with no body repair/paint history. My current one has had the driver's door skin replaced, but the original damage was minor and the paint work was impeccable and you'd never know it was touched unless I told you.

As for searching, virtually every Z4MC for sale winds up at..

http://z4mcoupebuyersguide.com

.. but some will occasionally fly under the radar, or at least for a while until that site's guy finds it. GLWS!

Our03z4 · 12-07-2019, 09:48 AM

I would expect most Z4s to have the front and rear bumper to have been repainted at some point. Unless low miles and garage kept. So look closely at those areas, won't show up on a Carfax.

wdb · 12-07-2019, 11:15 AM

There are quite a few avenues here. Are you looking for investment grade? Walk away. Are you looking for a driver? Careful inspection and shrewd negotiation skills are your friend.

frogers · 12-07-2019, 06:11 PM

Thanks for the input. At 50000 miles, sepang and under 25K it may be too good to be true...

KevinC · 12-08-2019, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogers

Thanks for the input. At 50000 miles, sepang and under 25K it may be too good to be true...

50k miles would seem to be a sweet spot of sorts. Not "investment grade" silly-low mileage, but not at all high either, and lots of smiles left. Sepang seems like it could be a tricky color to partially repaint though, I'd certainly want to see it in several different lighting situations.

pwrdbym · 12-13-2019, 10:08 AM

The repair history is always going to degrade resale value so just be sure you're not paying retail for it going in.

12-06-2019, 07:42 PM	#1
frogers Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: z4m, e46 m3 Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Vancouver Canada iTrader: (0)	Dumb buyers question? Looking at buying a Z4M Coupe. One I am interested in has two claims - one for $3000 for vandalism (paint scratches) and another for $4200 - damages unknown (a couple of owners back). Should I be concerned and how do y'all think this should impact value? Or anyone selling something nice in PNW? Thanks!
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12-07-2019, 09:41 AM	#2
KevinC your average JAMF 3101 Rep 4,094 Posts Drives: '21 M2 Comp, '19 Golf R Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cochise County, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 VW Golf R [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	ANY paintwork is a red flag IMHO, and must be inspected carefully for quality. I'd verify thickness with a paint meter, then, depending on color (a metallic would be my biggest concern) view it in as many different lighting situations as possible to ensure the color is uniform. $4200 isn't much damage nowadays so that's probably a relatively minor mishap of some kind, and the same caveat as above would apply. All that said, I'd first try to find a car with no body repair/paint history. My current one has had the driver's door skin replaced, but the original damage was minor and the paint work was impeccable and you'd never know it was touched unless I told you. As for searching, virtually every Z4MC for sale winds up at.. http://z4mcoupebuyersguide.com .. but some will occasionally fly under the radar, or at least for a while until that site's guy finds it. GLWS! __________________ '21 M2 Comp '19 Golf R
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12-07-2019, 09:48 AM	#3
Our03z4 Captain 1691 Rep 685 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe, Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I would expect most Z4s to have the front and rear bumper to have been repainted at some point. Unless low miles and garage kept. So look closely at those areas, won't show up on a Carfax.
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12-07-2019, 11:15 AM	#4
wdb dances with roads 4722 Rep 4,096 Posts Drives: '07 E86, '02 996, '95 Seven Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: the perimeter iTrader: (4)	There are quite a few avenues here. Are you looking for investment grade? Walk away. Are you looking for a driver? Careful inspection and shrewd negotiation skills are your friend.
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12-07-2019, 06:11 PM	#5
frogers Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: z4m, e46 m3 Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Vancouver Canada iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the input. At 50000 miles, sepang and under 25K it may be too good to be true...
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12-13-2019, 10:08 AM	#7
pwrdbym Second Lieutenant 160 Rep 224 Posts Drives: 06 Z4M Roadster Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: OKC, OK iTrader: (0)	The repair history is always going to degrade resale value so just be sure you're not paying retail for it going in. __________________ 11 BMW E93 M3-- 06 BMW Z4M Roadster 99 BMW M Coupe -- 85 BMW M635CSI 97 M3 Coupe (Track)--95 BMW M3 Coupe 91 BMW 850i 6MT--20 Ram 1500 16 Chevy Tahoe 4WD
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