N54 Manual Trans cars value?

[dcg78]

Hello, first post! I am looking to buy a N54 Z4 and am specifically looking at manual trans cars. I have located one out of state and am trying to make a deal with the dealership but they are wanting 2K over book value on it? Is this normal? I know the manual trans cars are rare but? The car has sat on the lot for 2 months. I have tried making offers but they are not budging at all on the price. What happened to haggling? Are those days gone? Thoughts?

[paris1]

End the back and forth and move on to the next stick shift car. Manual transmissions are in limited demand no matter what model and my guess is they will call you back within a week with a lower price.

[Tangent]

That's a tough one... A manual trans is hard to find these days in any BMW but in an E89 they're unicorns. I'll occasionally look for another one just for giggles and if I'm lucky I'll find one or two in the whole country. I mean of course you want to get the best deal possible but you have to be prepared to wait a while until another one shows up if you let this one go. Just how perfect of a match is this one to what you really want? If it's the perfect color and feature combo it would probably be worth paying a bit more for it.

[fmorelli]

Some deals are not meant to be. Pursue with diligence but don't force something that won't work.

Dealers hate manual transmission cars. That said I disagree with the other poster's comment about their not being desirable. Not so. Few are sold new (at high retail prices) but the small number of them are desired by enthusiasts. Been that way forever with BMWs. But dealerships are about turnovers, not selling one-off purple squirrels.

So generally speaking, my experience is that factory dealerships (BMW/Mercedes/...) sell odd-ball cars at good prices. I bought my last three cars from BMW and Mercedes dealers ... my Z4 stick for dirt cheap, a 535d (diesel ... another oddball), and a MB bluetec (another oddball). A bit of patience and you'll get what you want, at a decent price. I'm sure of it.

Good luck,

Filippo

[Wiles]

2012 N54 sDrive35i Manual transmission.
M-Sport Pkg
Comfort access.
Adaptive suspension.
White with Coral leather interior
Winter pkg Heated seats and wheel.
Premium Sound
19 inch wheels (2 sets) hate runflats.
(no Nav)

30,000 miles No accidents or issues.

kbb says trade value range ($23,914-26,397)
Private party value ($26,970- 29,577)

I think the top end of that seems fair. I would seriously consider 30k with both sets of wheels.

Only problem is I don't know what else I could find to replace it.

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by Wiles

2012 N54 sDrive35i Manual transmission.
M-Sport Pkg
Comfort access.
Adaptive suspension.
White with Coral leather interior
Winter pkg Heated seats and wheel.
Premium Sound
19 inch wheels (2 sets) hate runflats.
(no Nav)

30,000 miles No accidents or issues.

kbb says trade value range ($23,914-26,397)
Private party value ($26,970- 29,577)

I think the top end of that seems fair. I would seriously consider 30k with both sets of wheels.

Only problem is I don't know what else I could find to replace it.

That's the thing. I have the same car as you. Can't get rid of it because MT isn't offered with the I6. Take care of it and keep it forever!

[dcg78]

Thanks guys for the feedback. I ran a PPI on the car and apparently the front shocks are leaking (adaptive) and it will run around $2500 to replace. Along with other minor blemishes. They are still not budging even after this. Pretty frustrating to say the least. Car is almost at the 90 day mark on the lot which from my readings online are a point in which the dealer will probably want to move the car. As Filipo stated, I will probably hold off and wait for another to pop up if these guys don't want to make a deal! My offer is only $1500 off the listed online price (which is $2Gs over blue book value!).

[Kessler35is]

Is this car at a BMW dealership?

[fmorelli]

I had a dealer in the NW that was the most incompetent BMW pre-owned I've ever encountered. Tried to buy a car 4 times - the same car! They had the deal fall through and never called me. I spoke to 3 people, then finally researched the sales staff and found someone there, and pulled the deal back and bought. It was a very low production BMW with certain options, or I would not have gone to that effort.

Which is to say ...a manual transmission 35i is not a common car. And my guys in the above deal would not deal ... and it was a CPO car lol. I really didn't care about the money (I've learned it is foolish to look for a certain low production car, by sheer numbers or options, and lose it over a couple thousand dollars). I'm not saying money doesn't matter. I'm saying time and frustration matters on low number cars.

So that said ... are you particularly cost sensitive? Color sensitive? Feature sensitive? What are you looking for? What would you consider?

Filippo

[dcg78]

So the car in questions sold underneath me. Extremely lazy and slow salesman cost me the car. I made my offer and was told "I will get back to you tonight after talking with my sales manager. No call that night, no call the next day, so I called her on the day 3 after my offer and she said it sold an hour ago. WTF! I was actually ready to buy at asking price but of course wanted to throw in an offer to see where they were at on the car. I had a strong feeling the sales person was incompetent and am kicking myself for not researching the sales staff there and finding someone on the ball! Learning lesson....

I am guessing it just was not meant to be as I am a firm believer of "things happen for a reason." Just like the house my wife and I lost out on recently, we felt horrible for months for underbidding but then one much, much better came along (included a 4000 sq ft detached shop with lift) which we paid asking price right away to avoid losing it!

Fmorelli, yes I am specifically looking for a gray or navy blue manual in my price range that is on the west coast. It might be months before I find another or maybe days, who knows! I guess its all part of the hunt!

My plans for the car are to mod it with larger turbos, fuel, suspension, etc. My first car was a 97' Z3 1.9L which I was the first to do a SR20DET swap (600whp from a 2.0L). Was a very fun car. I miss having a roadster and the N54 is an amazing platform!

[fmorelli]

Price range and years would be helpful to know. Any interior? M-sport or not? Those that own do come across cars. If I see something that fits your parameters, glad to send you a PM. Remember something like 10,000 of these cars sold in the USA ... which isn't much.

Filippo

[dcg78]

Any interior is ok. Price up to 25k. Mileage below 75k. M-sport package does not matter. Any year is fine. I’m guessing with my parameters this puts me at 09-11 models. Gray, White, Navy are all ok with me.

Any ideas of how many MT versions were sold over the years?

[fmorelli]

I would suggest sticking with a 2011 ... some worthwhile improvements happened by that year's production, and you should be able to hit your price point. I don't know how many manuals were sold, but probably not many. If 10k USA E89 Z4 sales total (if I recall), manuals were probably 15% or so.

Here's an example of a nice car, the right year 2011 (very early model of 2011 with a 5/2010 build date), but unfortunately far from you. Great color combination, nice options, 2-owners, low mileage, price is right. Bonus it lived in CA since new and just came eastward on auto auction. Description says no paintwork, as well as no Carfax accidents. I attached the options list at the bottom.

https://www.chantillyautosales.com/2..._270906386.veh

It's about $1,000 to ship the car (I just shipped one from Portland to Virginia). Last four cars I've purchased, I've had to ship them in. Hard to find local cars that match my requirements I suppose.

Good luck!

Filippo

--- options for 2011 E89 Z4 N54 WBALM7C50BE382874 ---

VIN WBALM7C50BE382874

Type Code LM73

E Series E89 ()

Series Z

Type ROADST

Model Z4 35I (USA)

Steering LL

Doors 2

Engine N54

Displacement 3.00

Power 225

Drive HECK

Transmission MECH

Colour TIEFSEEBLAU METALLIC (A76)

Upholstery LEDER KANSAS/SCHWARZ (LYSW)

Prod. Date 2010-05-03

S1CAA Selection of COP relevant vehicles

S1CBA CO2 package

S1CDA Brake Energy Regeneration

S216A HYDRO STEERING-SERVOTRONIC

S249A Multifunction f steering wheel

S2S5A BMW LA wheel, multispoke 293

S2VBA Tire pressure display

S2VFA Adaptive M suspension

S319A Integrated universal remote control

S322A Comfort access

S423A Floor mats, velours

S428A Warning triangle and first aid kit

S430A Interior/outside mirror with auto dip

S431A Interior mirror with automatic-dip

S459A Seat adjuster, electric, with memory

S481A Sports seat

S488A Lumbar support, driver and passenger

S494A Seat heating driver/passenger

S4ADA Interior trim strips, alu, brushed, fine

S521A Rain sensor

S524A Adaptive Headlights

S534A Automatic air conditioning

S544A Cruise control with brake function

S563A Light package

S570A Reinforced power supply

S5DSA Emergency release, luggage compartment

S609A Navigation system Professional

S615A Expanded BMW Online Information

S620A Voice control

S639A Preparation f mobile phone cpl. USA/CDN

S645A BMW US Radio

S655A Satellite tuner

S677A HiFi System Professional DSP

S697A Area-Code 1 for DVD

S6AAA BMW TeleServices

S6ABA Control for Teleservices

S6FLA USB/Audio interface

S6UHA Traffic Information

S823A Hot-climate version

S840A High speed synchronisation

S845A Acoustic belt warning

S850A Dummy-SALAPA

S853A Language version English

S876A Radio frequency 315 MHz

S8S4A Decoding variable light distribution

S8SCA Telematics access request,country-spec.

S8SMA Car ident. number visible from outside

S8SPA Control unit COP

S9AAA Outer skin protection

[Vetracr]

A better reflection of the value of a manual transmission E89 is to look at prices from Barrett Jackson auction. At last years Palm Beach Barrett Jackson auction a 2009 6 speed 3.0 in excellent condition with 20000 miles sold for $30K. I have a 2010 6 speed 3.0 in mint condition with 11000 miles on it. I raised my insurance value after seeing what older car with more miles brought at auction. Plan to keep it awhile. E89 is last true BMW 2 seater. Would not be surprised to see value go up in a few years.

[Kessler35is]

Originally Posted by Vetracr

A better reflection of the value of a manual transmission E89 is to look at prices from Barrett Jackson auction. At last years Palm Beach Barrett Jackson auction a 2009 6 speed 3.0 in excellent condition with 20000 miles sold for $30K. I have a 2010 6 speed 3.0 in mint condition with 11000 miles on it. I raised my insurance value after seeing what older car with more miles brought at auction. Plan to keep it awhile. E89 is last true BMW 2 seater. Would not be surprised to see value go up in a few years.

What do you call the G29? I'm not a fan of the soft top, but it will be a 2 seater.

[BaaQaf]

From what I have gathered is the E89 Z4 6MT was made to order. So if you get one hold on to it with dear life.

[dcg78]

Update! I found my car! 2011’ MT black/red being shipped to me from Texas!

I ended up getting a lower mileage car and saved $5k. Patience pays off!

Very excited! Have already ordered a few mods for it!