Help me assess the cars!

[citan2503]

Hi!

I'm looking at two Z4 in the Pacific Northwest.

I think the 30i is a bit too expensive and brake pads would need to be replaced ASAP based on CARFAX and the 35i seems like it went through "minor" accidents and very early replaced the entire turbo/supercharger which scares me a bit...

What do you think?

It'd be my first Z4.. dreamt about it seems I'm a kid. I'm in my 30s now, have way enough money to have a second car for fun to commute, weekends, etc.. without putting too much money into it.. Also looking at AMG 43 SLC 2017.. if ever people want to bash on Mercedez and re-assure me that E89 is the way to go

30i - No Turbo, Older, Lower Mileage, Cheaper...
- https://www.seattlefinestmotors.com/...BMW-Z4/1019915
- https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistor...oVWMr14QQm_g7D
35i - Higher Mileage, Newer, DTC, M Package, More expensive...
https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-fo...758/2015BMWZ4/
https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistor...1aqg8M9syHT-GY

Thanks!

[B21]

The 35i is much better spec’d than the 30i…the 30i is a bomb proof motor as far as BMWs go..the 35i can incur big ticket items but at 50k with new turbos and a 2015 build it should be trouble free…

The 35i goes like a Saturn V rocket , the 30i is quick but not fast..

Given the pricing I’d go with the 35i..but suggest you get an extended warranty if you don’t want to face unanticipated bills…

[citan2503]

Thanks! How an extended car warranty would look like from a dealer that's not BMW for a Car that is already from 2015?

[B21]

Originally Posted by citan2503

Thanks! How an extended car warranty would look like from a dealer that's not BMW for a Car that is already from 2015?

I’m not sure how US third party warranties work…in the uk you can buy such products…maybe BMW US will offer you one..

There are several multi thousand dollar things that MAY go wrong with 35i/35is so it’s a trade off..do you feel lucky then don’t bother..paranoid types get a warranty…in the UK you’d expect to pay about 1000usd per annum for such a warranty….

[RobbiZ4]

... and many warranties don't cover roof issues. So keep back some bucks for required repairs.

[citan2503]

Yep, I heard the cables can be worn out when using the hardtop down too much. Is that an expensive repair?

[KennyP]

Originally Posted by citan2503

Yep, I heard the cables can be worn out when using the hardtop down too much. Is that an expensive repair?

If you can find a good indy Bmw car electrician then it shouldnt be too expensive.
I found some wires broken in the rear shell this spring.. roof did not open anymore... i think they were hall sensor wires. Found a good BMW indy place, that fixed Bmw tops aswell. So sent my car to them. They even had a second e89 in with a roof issue at the same time. And there are only 33 e89 z4-s in the country...

They diagnosed the problem and fixed/replaced the broken wires. Ended up paying 275 eur for the fix that was not bad at all. For context their online price list says that they charge 42 eur per hour of work which is quite normal here.