Advice on this car warmly welcomed

[bespokec]

Hi All
Looking at this car (hopefully today)
Pricing seems competitive compared to others on this site
But was wondering if others with more knowledge would pass on their wisdom !

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/886292.htm

[MattOz]

Right, the car looks ok, but not outstanding. Has no nav, no h/k and no bluetooth, so it's basic spec. The 18's have been refurbished in a lighter silver colour than the original shadow chrome finish. At that mileage it'll be needing a oil service within the next 7k miles or so, so nothing to worry about there.

Check for history. Vital 1200 mile running in service etc. It'll be out of BMW warranty, so does the dealer provide anything worthwhile?

Just make sure it's exactly what you want as there is a huge choice for sale at the moment, but only a few really good examples.

Matt

[Shatterstone]

Seems a little expensive as its not got many options, for that price id hope to have all the toys on a coupe. Hunt around, and you can probibly get a better deal than that.

[AngryApples]

I'm looking myself for one, I'd agree with one comments here so far - seems pricey considering the spec

Hope youre not feeling as frustrated as me with the process, yes, there is loads of choice out there but most are flawed in some way or another

Dont forget to use BM's premium line to check the spec and history on the car, I've found this very handy with only 1 car I've seen coming up to the mark as "FBMWSH" (and that was sold before I got to it...!)

[MattOz]

Let me put it another way........

My car is the same age, but with more miles. I have nav, bluetooth, h/k etc and a recent inspection 2 at BMW. Mine also has BMW warranty until October. I'd hope to get about the same price as that carbon black one for mine if it was for sale.

Matt

Edited by MattOz on Thursday 26th March 19:06

[torres del paine]

It looks like a good car but it's too expensive.

I bought a 54 plate, silver/grey, manual, 39,000 miles with every optional extra except sat nav and sunroof for £16,350. It's in fantastic condition and drives like new.

I wouldn't worry too much about sat nav (it's not much cop anyway) and resale and all of that. It's car for you to enjoy, so just enjoy it.

[Shatterstone]

Like Torres said, there are much better buys out there, mine was an 04 phoenix yellow cab with 45k on the clock fbmwsh, all toys except sat nav, just mot'd and serviced, mint condition, and i picked it up from an independent dealer for 13.7k 2 weeks ago

[AngryApples]

TDP and Shatter -

I'm intrigued - as a straw poll did you manage to get much off screen price?

[Shatterstone]

got naff all off the screen price unfortunatly although i did get 6 month tax thrown in, and i was paying cash! was in one of those car supermarkets of all places, not the normal place to find one

[bespokec]

Thanks very much. It is 10 mins from me, so was hoping it would be perfect
Alas life is never that easy !

[M5Dave]

Have a look on the BMW website.

If you don't mind going a year older, Cooper Reading have a September 2004 '54' plate car with 40k miles for £18,995.

Silver Grey, black leather, 19" alloys, pro sat nav and a couple of other bits and pieces.

Granted there will be cheaper cars out there, but at least this way you know it's been prepared to BMW standards, has a worthwhile warranty and you don't need to worry about checking service histories and the like.

They'll probably haggle a bit on the price as well.

Edited by M5Dave on Thursday 26th March 23:23

[torres del paine]

In the end I bought mine privately as the car was so good, best I'd seen. It all checked out, drove superbly in every respect - engine was strong and smooth and the rest of the car was tight, no slack at all. Furthermore, the interior was just right, you could tell it was a good car. The leather was in fantastic condition, unused in the back, the boot had hardly been used (looked new) with no carpet scuffs, dirt, evidence of excessive cleaning to cover up wear and tear. The footwells, all contact points, engine bay and the rest of interior and exterior were in above average condition. It had been cherished.

Also the owner was friendly, honest, communicative and did exactly what I asked of him, including letting me test drive the car properly for 40 minutes or so.

I got £600 off for the sat nav plus it was due an oil service and tax at the end of this month.

[master L]

looks expensive to me, i think unless your going to use it on track i would go for a m3 with satnav and 19" alloys,
18" downgrades the car so much on looks, but they are better on track,

if you do buy this you should be able to bring the price down by at least a grand