Thinking of P/Xing.

[zedwheels]

I have been looking about for a while now for a change to a z4 and have come across
two that i quite like.
First is a black Alpina Z4 3.4ltr year is 2004 (54) done 72K mls. lovely looker with sat nav, full service history for £11495. or.
Red Z4 ///m also lovely looking car 2006 (o6) done 60K mls. with sat nav full history
for £11950.
Third is a Z3 silver 2000 plate 3ltr also with full service and only done 7000 mls. one
owner from new for £10k.
I'm looking for opinions realy as it would be a complete change over to go to 4 series
and i know that there's a lot of experience out there who can say if these are overpriced
and which they would go for. So any advice please?

 

[Macca]

I thought long and hard about changing my Z3 to a Z4 last year and went for it. I'm glad I did. The 3rd one in your list (Z3), looks a bit overpriced to me. I would personally go for your 2nd choice (Z4M). Then again, it's what you prefer I suppose. Can you not test drive them to find out?

 

[GazHyde]

I have thought long and hard on this subject. I would most likely be in a Z4 right now if I didn't get made redundant last year.

When I get chance I am most likely going to try and get a Z4 2.5si (220ish BHP) or 3.0si (260ish BHP).

The thought on an ///M is always in my mind, but the Z4M is out of reach currently. I could afford an early Z3M, but no traction control would mean I wouldn't want to drive it all year round. With mine I can drive it whatever the weather and not worry about ending up the wrong way round in a ditch! It's a confidence thing with me, and I would hate to have a car I can't drive when I want!

With regards to the cars you listed...

Z3 is overpriced unless it's factory condition. If it is mint, would you end up sticking in the garage too worried about putting miles and dirt on the car?

Z4 Alpina - yummy! You can get a lot of Z4 for 11.5k, and newer too!

Z4M - sounds a great price. The M running costs put me off for now though (servicing, tax, insurance, tyres etc).

 

[z3cade]

10k is to much for the Z3.. the Z4M sounds tasty tho...

 

[Jonttt]

The Z3 rings some bells.

May not be the same car but there was a dealer trying to offload a similar car last year on .net (and there can't be many of those around). I remember it caused quite a bit of controversy but I can't remember if that was because it was a dealer trying to offload or something wrong with the car ?

A neighbour of mine used to have one of the Alpinas, great cars. They were brought out pre the Z4m's being available and so are that bit older.

Remember with the Z4m's the running in service is critical to value. I know of them being offloaded at big discounts due to not having that stamp in the service book ;-)

 

[badman gee]

The Z3 rings some bells.

Jon,

Is it a big issue if a car has missed that service?

How much does it affect resale values?

Many thanks

Mark

Ps out of that list id go for the Z4m if its a good one!!!

 

[Aceman]

The Alpina for me would be the right choice although I have always had a very soft spot for Alpina Z4's. I think with the bodykit and those 19" wheels the stance is just right plus it should be cheaper to maintain as it will just be like a standard 3.0 to service, the Alpina 3.4 is a real cracker too having been specially selected off the production line and hand rebuilt. In reality the two are very much matched for performance and the Alpina will be easier to drive as the 3.4 has lots more usable torque which will help if you intend to use everyday. I think they are just a bit more special and rarer than an ///M, I for one would choose one over the ///M if making the choice.

 

[g8jka]

Drive the Z4 ///M and you won't need to look at anything else :-bd

 

[zedwheels]

Thanks for the replies.
I was leaning towards the Alpina too it looks stunning in black with all those
alpina designs over the seats and the 19" wheels. It is older by a couple of years
and has more mileage on the clock.
The m/// also is a looker and i think that it would out perform the Alpina as pointed out above the Alpina will be more refined. Both are very nice machines.
The 3Ltr Z3 is from a dealer and it has had one lady owner from new, full BMWSH and only done 7000 miles, thats why the asking price is so high but still i think its over priced too!
I intend to visit the garage probably over the weekend for a test drive of both Alpina and M///. If i melt and stop thinking sensibly i will let you know.

It will depend on what I'm offered for mine about 18 months ago, prices have fallen quite a bit since then, wonder what to expect on a P/X value!!

I will make a point now of asking if the running in stamp is in the records.

Cheers.

 

[WeeJimmy]

I will make a point now of asking if the running in stamp is in the records.

Yes it is.

Are you planning on ragging it every day? If so, Z4M.

Are you planning on driving it sensibly most days and ragging it occasionally? If so, Alpina.

Are you planning on only driving it on dry days, storing it in a humidity-controlled garage and SORNing it over winter? If so, Z3.

 

[zedwheels]

Hi weeJimmey.
Probably will be "ragging" it occassionaly and cruising about at normal pace most of the time. No wont be a total garage monument but mostly weekends as i would find it too
expensive to use for everyday running about, got the Passat for that use.

So your recommend is the Alpina! Nice....

I do have a realistic P/X price for mine in mind i believe but will have to see what sales
talk i will have. I expect that the cars their selling are wanted by everyone and the one
I want to P/X nobody wants anymore!! Usual patter!!

 

[zedwheels]

Well i went to view the Red ///M and the Metallic cosmos black Alpina S Lux. today.
I didnt drive the ///M did sit in it and start it up, sounded nice but on inspection the body work had quite a few scratches and the front skirt had been bottomed on something as the edge of it was creased and paint missing, there was also a slight variation in the red between the body and the bumper and the boot lid paintwork looked mottled when viewed closely. looked like previous owner had done lotts of "ragging" in it and enjoyed the
thrills but i decided this particular ///M was not for me!
The Alpina which was inside the showroom i did ask to test drive, so waited for everything else to get moved before it too come out into the sunshine. Had a close look around and although it had what i would say a couple of minor marks, slight graze to wing mirror, small
stone chips to the bonnet but nothing anyone wouldnt expect it was in great shape. So In we get, throttled it up trade plates in and off we go. Problem was the road speed in the area was 50max. OK Yeh, I can tell you the pace of this thing when opened up actually pushed you in the back, it was thrilling.




Yes i had melted and lost all control of my senses, it just had to be done....

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

Well done mate,

I have a soft spot for the Z4 alpina, I like it's rarity and those alloys!

As it is still a Z roadster you are still allowed on here (says me with a coupe!)

pictures please!

 

[badman gee]

Well i went to view the Red ///M and the Metallic cosmos black Alpina S Lux. today.
I didnt drive the ///M did sit in it and start it up, sounded nice but on inspection the body work had quite a few scratches and the front skirt had been bottomed on something as the edge of it was creased and paint missing, there was also a slight variation in the red between the body and the bumper and the boot lid paintwork looked mottled when viewed closely. looked like previous owner had done lotts of "ragging" in it and enjoyed the
thrills but i decided this particular ///M was not for me!
The Alpina which was inside the showroom i did ask to test drive, so waited for everything else to get moved before it too come out into the sunshine. Had a close look around and although it had what i would say a couple of minor marks, slight graze to wing mirror, small
stone chips to the bonnet but nothing anyone wouldnt expect it was in great shape. So In we get, throttled it up trade plates in and off we go. Problem was the road speed in the area was 50max. OK Yeh, I can tell you the pace of this thing when opened up actually pushed you in the back, it was thrilling.




Yes i had melted and lost all control of my senses, it just had to be done....

Did you buy it, put us out of our misery

 

[gookah]

Did you buy it, put us out of our misery

it just had to be done....

I believe "computer said Yes"

 

[swamper]

yep come on get some pics up...

 

[badman gee]

yep come on get some pics up...

It's on piston heads, unless I'm much mistaken.

If you follow the link to the company the z4m is there too.


Am I right sir?

 

[board]

Any links? Save me searching

 

[badman gee]

Couldn't get on p heads last night.

if you search under classifieds bmw alpina its on page 2

 

[Freds Dad]

Good choice

I take it that this is the PH advert http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3159792.htm