"New" 2011 35i now in the stable

[Eltee]

Sold my 2009 Z4 about a month ago and have been searching the nation for a newer 35i or is with DCT and more options than my old.

Since I was looking for a specific color combo (black/coral), with at least Cold Weather, Premium, and Navigation I was not coming up with anything that didn't sell before I could act on it.

Found a place in Florida (Vehicle Clearing House) that among other things will do a nationwide search for vehicles that will be coming up for auction. (Probably any dealer can do this but this place has great write ups and has good reviews on Cars.com.)

So Rick (the pres of VCH) did a search and found a couple cars that met my specific requirements. Manheim auctions had the best one coming up on the block a few days later. Rick sent me a listing of similar Zs that had sold during the last month with the price. Manheim does an extensive go over of the car and had pictures of any and all problems. The car I was looking at only had a scratch under the front lip. 2011 35i with all the options I was looking for (plus premium sound, M sport package and Comfort Access) and only 15K miles. A year left of warranty.

So I gave Rick the go ahead to go as high as $39500 at the auction. Car started at $35,000 and went up in $500 increments and Rick bought it at $37,500 after 35 seconds. Rick gets $800 for his service and Manheim got $645. So for $39,000 I got the exact car I was looking for. (Paying only $1500 over wholesale price ain't a bad deal in my book) Flew out to New Jersey, picked it up and drove it back to the Milwaukee area.

Love the DCT and paddles. Driving in Sport Plus is a hoot.

Anyway thought I'd share. Maybe you've all heard of going this route but if you haven't you might look up Rick at Vehicle Clearing House in Winter Park Fl. Great guy, no pressure, very helpful and reasonable rate. And no he is not a relative!

[jparnes1]

[nicknaz]

congrats.

[Putzo]

Sweet!

[Eltee]

Since JP commented on my "cool photos", thought I'd better respond.

Finally got her cleaned up. I was impressed, didn't find a scratch! The previous owner obviously took good care and only put 15K on in 3 years.

Just purchased a set of style 293s with Michelin Pilot Sport AS Plus non run flats. Tires have supposedly only 2K miles and getting the complete package with TPMS for basically the price of new tires. I really like the 293s but have already come to like the 325Ms that are on her. Rear tires are in need of replacement and I prefer non runflats. So more than likely I'll be selling the 325Ms.

Also new LCI LED side lights arrived. Just have to figure out how to get the old out! (Looks awfully tight in there)

[jparnes1]

Sweet ride. LCI side markers are super simple to replace. Just take a long screw driver to release the tab on the inside. Push rearward and outward and off it comes. You can also search for the thread about this. A bunch of us did it last year.

[nicknaz]

Edit: incorrect info

[Eltee]

I realize the 296s have had major problems with cracking. I wasn't aware of that problem with the 293s? Is that a problem with them too??

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Eltee

I realize the 296s have had major problems with cracking. I wasn't aware of that problem with the 293s? Is that a problem with them too??

That was my mistake. I confused the style number. I haven't read of any issue with style 293

[mbetoni]

Obviously, aesthetics on wheels are solely at the discretion of the owner, but imo those 325s are a much nicer wheel than the 293. I say keep those babies and replace your tires as needed.

Either way, fabulous looking car. Congrats.

[Putzo]

Originally Posted by mbetoni

Obviously, aesthetics on wheels are solely at the discretion of the owner, but imo those 325s are a much nicer wheel than the 293. I say keep those babies and replace your tires as needed.

+1

Keep the 325Ms.

[2011CrazE89]

This may be a stupid question but I have no idea what the difference is between a 325 and a 293 wheel. What wheel do I have?

[Eltee]

Think thats a 276. Not sure at that angle but I think that is what they are. Here's a link to some of the E89 wheel styles.

http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/Z/Z4-E89

As far as the 293s that will arrive Friday, I might be having second thoughts. Maybe I'll keep both for a while and swap them out a couple times. Tread on the 325s is good for a few thousand miles yet and I'll eventually sell one of the sets. If I go with the 325s I will just need to switch the tires from the 293s.

[2011CrazE89]

Originally Posted by Eltee

Think thats a 276. Not sure at that angle but I think that is what they are. Here's a link to some of the E89 wheel styles.

http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/Z/Z4-E89

As far as the 293s that will arrive Friday, I might be having second thoughts. Maybe I'll keep both for a while and swap them out a couple times. Tread on the 325s is good for a few thousand miles yet and I'll eventually sell one of the sets. If I go with the 325s I will just need to switch the tires from the 293s.

Cool thanks for the link. I have the 276 wheel.

[2011CrazE89]

Now that I know what the 293 wheel looks like I would say definitely keep the 325's. Those 293's look like a real pain to keep clean.

[Eltee]

Here's a shot of my old 2009 with 293s. Really liked the looks. Pain to keep clean but not too bad. Guess I'll have to wait and see.