Buying an Audi TT 225bhp or a BMW Z4

the culture of deference

I am going to look at a few of these over the next month or so, year from 2000-2004, and 225 models.

I am only looking at pristine models with low mileage with Audi FSH, and no accident history.

What else do I need to be aware of, whats the best way to check for faults when test driving them.

Neilw

Get someone to scan the car with vcds to see if there are any faults logged.
Also make sure the haldex system has been serviced, audi don't do this as part of their service schedule so make sure it's been done elsewhere.

1.8t is reliable. I'd get a boost leak test done as vacuum pipes are prone to splitting causing poor running.

pete4130

the culture of deference wrote: »

I am going to look at a few of these over the next month or so, year from 2000-2004, and 225 models.

I am only looking at pristine models with low mileage with Audi FSH, and no accident history.

What else do I need to be aware of, whats the best way to check for faults when test driving them.

The best way is to do a history check to try to confirm the mileage, accident history. Ring the mechanics on the service book to confirm history/work done and get it checked over by a mechanic of AA etc to check for any damage, faults etc...pretty simple.

Even if everything checks out 100%, within a week of buying, something might go wrong that was undetectable, unavoidable and not hidden. I've bought a car in the past and the rad fan bearing died within a week. Car checked out totally fine. Just one of those things you need to know you might have to suck up and take.

the culture of deference

Thanks

I looked at a 2007 BMW Z4 today too, very low mileage, add says FSH BMW, turns out it's only been serviced once EVER and not taxed since november 2011.

Car is exact colour and interior is the one I want.

Would this scare people away?

Anyone got any good knowledge about these as well?

Alanstrainor

5 years and one service! Yes that would worry me!

vectra

the culture of deference wrote: »

Thanks

I looked at a 2007 BMW Z4 today too, very low mileage, add says FSH BMW, turns out it's only been serviced once EVER

Even with small miles I would insist on a car being serviced every 12 months.

Idbatterim

what mileage does the car have? did the owner say it had only been serviced once, or is there a chance it just wasnt stamped in the book? If its only been serviced once, firstly its a disgrace and if they didnt even change the oil, I assume nothing else has been done either...

Shane732

What's the mileage on it?

It's probably down to the condition based service system on the car.

I think a lot of time based services only kick in around 4-5 years in. Although I imagine an oil service would have been necessary at some stage.

Read up on the condition based servicing system and see when the Z4 was due to be serviced. Also check that the Z4 actually had condition based servicing!

T-Maxx

OP you have to be realistic on this one as well. An 8 to 12 year old car with Audi FSH, low mileage and in pristine condition? That's going to take more than a "month or so", especially here in Ireland where the majority of people couldn't give two hoots about their cars.

lomb

Also alot of 225s have been accident damaged. Mine is and was a cat d write off in the UK, and frankly it is a better car than the vast majority of non accident damaged cars.
The 225 is a great car especially in roadster form, drive a few, look for detailed specialist history including haldex and youll know a good one when you see it, you could be a long time looking though...

The z4 needs the 3L being normally aspirated and unfortunately in this country with road taxes is in a different league in ongoing running costs so I wouldnt consider it personally.

the culture of deference

the culture of deference wrote: »

............

I looked at a 2007 BMW Z4 today too, very low mileage, add says FSH BMW, turns out it's only been serviced once EVER and not taxed since november 2011.

................

Would this scare people away?

..............

It's not wonderful but realistically it mightn't be too bad.
If it's been off the road since 2011 (not taxed might indicate that) it's due a service anyway ideally. If it got one service between being new and Nov 2011 than it presumably went 2 years to first service and none since than. Modern service intervals in mileage terms on decent oil, well 15k miles would be completely fine. As with most, I'm of the view annual at least regardless of miles but in reality if the car checks out otherwise (mechanic, BMW specialist type person) it will most likely be completely fine, again, that's if it got the service at the 2 year mark, if the one single service was in 2011 or later I wouldn't consider it unless it was looney cheap.

It's not a case of one service in 5 years, f that, the car is sh1t, look at the bigger picture, find out as much as you can, when was the car serviced, who serviced it, can you verify it was actually done etc etc etc.

galwaytt

T-Maxx wrote: »

OP you have to be realistic on this one as well. An 8 to 12 year old car with Audi FSH, low mileage and in pristine condition? That's going to take more than a "month or so", especially here in Ireland where the majority of people couldn't give two hoots about their cars.

....it's going to take a lot longer than a month..........you're not going to find a low-mileage, FSH Audi, in pristine condition.....because they're 12 yrs old. And a car of that age is pre-discovery of several recalls.

In 12 years it will not have been able to avoid normal wear'n'tear, the odd stone chip, car park ding. If it's been used that little, and parked up that much, it'll actually have bigger issues when you start to use it...........cars don't like being parked up, end of.

I just spent a month looking, and bought a 225 TTC, and I bought a great condition, 125k mile car in Kildare, that has been minded well. But it's not perfect. As mentioned, some of the vacuum pipes need looking at, and it has the dashpod fault. I have a Forge DV to put onto it as I feel the OEM one is now past it's sell-by-date, and Audi spent all of €5 making it in the first place (it's all-plastic). But I've had 2 TT's before, and so I'm happy with the underlying quality of the car.

There again, the car was good value, so I'm delighted with it. At the prices they're selling for, I don't feel having a few niggles addressed is a minus.

Personally, I don't like the Z4, and I don't feel it's as well-designed or put together - but ymmv as they say......mind you, for me a 2+2 is essential, as I have 2 x small people to carry, so a 2 seater is no good to me.

I had my first TT 12 years ago, and after 2 then, went away and tried a bunch of other things. Now, 12 years letter, I was happy to back to it, so it must be doing something right.

Actually, I know of a really nice 180 TTC locally, that only came up the week AFTER I bought mine - it's even the same colour - bloody typical.

As for the 180 vs 225, I'd buy the best car and not put weight on the bhp. In real life, there's s.f.a. between them, unless you're tearing around the place.

the culture of deference

Thanks for all the advice guys

here is the bmw

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3235066

here is the TT

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3421941

the culture of deference

RoverJames wrote: »

It's not wonderful but realistically it mightn't be too bad.
If it's been off the road since 2011 (not taxed might indicate that) it's due a service anyway ideally. If it got one service between being new and Nov 2011 than it presumably went 2 years to first service and none since than. Modern service intervals in mileage terms on decent oil, well 15k miles would be completely fine. As with most, I'm of the view annual at least regardless of miles but in reality if the car checks out otherwise (mechanic, BMW specialist type person) it will most likely be completely fine, again, that's if it got the service at the 2 year mark, if the one single service was in 2011 or later I wouldn't consider it unless it was looney cheap.

It's not a case of one service in 5 years, f that, the car is sh1t, look at the bigger picture, find out as much as you can, when was the car serviced, who serviced it, can you verify it was actually done etc etc etc.

I asked the seller all the questions. He was of the opinion that it only needed one service, he wouldn't say it was off road since nov, but did agree it hadn't been taxed since then, then he started to get thick with me when I pointed out that the car does not have Full BMW history on the basis of 1 service in 5 years.

Why do sellers get thick or offended when you ask more than 10 questions.

.... when was it serviced, 2009 sometime ? You'd want 3 grand off the asking anyway imo to be tempted.

CianRyan

I could be slated for this but it worth seeing if you've considered a 350Z like this or this??
It's not German, which Irish people seem to have top of their lists but they're brilliant cars with more power than the other two. Bose stero as standard, blah blah blah.

If it were me, I'd look for a clean 350Z or 370Z if you can find one in budget but you'd be looking €25,000+.

Food for thought if nothing else.

JJJJNR

That z4 is really good value, I'd factor in a good service asap if you buy it.. lovely car.

the culture of deference

RoverJames wrote: »

.... when was it serviced, 2009 sometime ? You'd want 3 grand off the asking anyway imo to be tempted.

He wasn't able to say, and he got thick when I asked him to find out.

CianRyan wrote: »

I could be slated for this but it worth seeing if you've considered a 350Z like this or this??

Funny you should mention 350z. Always liked them. I had looked at this one.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3324717

CianRyan

That looks gorgeous and at €10k it's a bargain, especially when compared to the Z4 with dodgy service history for €18k.

the culture of deference

CianRyan wrote: »

That looks gorgeous and at €10k it's a bargain, especially when compared to the Z4 with dodgy service history for €18k.

Yea, but the guy is only offering 3 months warranty on that 350z. It has a new NCT, but tax out since february.

Matt Simis

350z's are actually quite solid and IMO, more sporting and interesting than a TT and a boggo spec Z4. The Z4-M is meant to be excellent (light than a M3 CSL but almost the same engine, its got good genes) but is a totally different animal to buy and live with.

CianRyan

the culture of deference wrote: »

Yea, but the guy is only offering 3 months warranty on that 350z. It has a new NCT, but tax out since february.

Tax is the killer with these but it's the same as it would be with the BMW, topped at €1633.

You might be able to argue the warrenty but with Nissan I wouldn't worry to much about things going wrong. As you said, fresh NCT so at least everything's working at the minute.

the culture of deference

the culture of deference wrote: »

He wasn't able to say, and he got thick when I asked him to find out............

I'd tell him to stick his car up his h0le in that case, he probably wouldn't be conducive to knocking a wad off the asking price either if he has an attitude like that.

CianRyan wrote: »

Tax is the killer with these but it's the same as it would be with the BMW, topped at €1633.........

€1390 for the BMW, it's under 3000cc

the culture of deference

RoverJames wrote: »

I'd tell him to stick his car up his h0le in that case, he probably wouldn't be conducive to knocking a wad off the asking price either if he has an attitude like that.

Yeah it sounds like that. Why doe's he bother selling cars.

RoverJames wrote: »

€1390 for the BMW, it's under 3000cc

The TT wins out in tax alright, I have seen some of the 2 litre Z4's as well. If I go for a Z4 I am more interested in the coulour (blue) and interior (ivory leather) than the engine size.

Shane732

the culture of deference wrote: »

Yeah it sounds like that. Why doe's he bother selling cars.







The TT wins out in tax alright, I have seen some of the 2 litre Z4's as well. If I go for a Z4 I am more interested in the coulour (blue) and interior (ivory leather) than the engine size.

TT needs a new set of wheels anyway. Those look sh1t.

The 350z is a good shout.

qz

Hang on, you're looking at two cars, on of them is €18k, the other is €5k?

I don't really understand that. Granted if they're both cars you want, but it just seems like a massive gap.

galwaytt

CianRyan wrote: »

the culture of deference wrote: »

Yea, but the guy is only offering 3 months warranty on that 350z. It has a new NCT, but tax out since february.

Tax is the killer with these but it's the same as it would be with the BMW, topped at €1633.

You might be able to argue the warrenty but with Nissan I wouldn't worry to much about things going wrong. As you said, fresh NCT so at least everything's working at the minute.

The Z is a fine car. The engine great. But its nuts tax, 2 seats only, and interior is sub-Korean quality. You'll be marrying it, but that's not the car's fault.

I like the colour of the TT. You should get it for 4k or very close. At that money it's good value

Actually: there's no comparison in the TT and Z. Price, Age, Tax, depreciation. The Z will depreciate by the entire price of the TT in 18 months. Why are you comparing such disparate cars ? Should you not be comparing the MK2 TT ?

Matt Simis

galwaytt wrote: »

Actually: there's no comparison in the TT and Z. Price, Age, Tax, depreciation. The Z will depreciate by the entire price of the TT in 18 months. Why are you comparing such disparate cars ? Should you not be comparing the MK2 TT ?

Afaik a 350z sold for EUR3500 a while back, the "nuts tax" is taken care of in the asking price like all big engined things.

squod

the culture of deference wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice guys

here is the bmw

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3235066

here is the TT

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3421941

Seen a '00 TT today that didn't look half bad for it's asking. ~3.5k with 60k on the clock.

CianRyan

Would a newer TT not be more comparable to a 370Z?

I wouldn't reckon they're comparable at all really, 3.5l NA rwd and 2.0 turbo fwd ... body style no vlc is the same though.

CianRyan

The TT's FWD?
Jeysus, I've always presumed it was either RWD or AWD depending on spec'.
Still, there's no secret to which one I'd pick.

Btw, the 370Z is 3.7L.

Some newer TTs are quattro. Cheers for the wink but I only skimread your post and after all the talk of 350z I didn't spot the 7, that's an even more ludicrous comparison

btkm8unsl0w5r4

3 ltr petrol straight 6 rwd sports car versus 1.8 fwd fashion accessory with black modded wheels. No contest

galwaytt

Bethany Damp Yak wrote: »

3 ltr petrol straight 6 rwd sports car versus 1.8 fwd fashion accessory with black modded wheels. No contest

Oh puhleez.

And please quote facts: the Nissan is a V6.

CianRyan

Thats true, the BMW is a straight six though.
So really, in my eyes anyway, this is between the Z4 and the 350Z.
Nothing like agood Z car.

RoverJames

RoverJames wrote: »

Some newer TTs are quattro.)

There has been quattro TT's since they came out first years ago. There are more quattros than fwd ones around.

Scarlette Rough Slang

Scarlette Rough Slang wrote: »

There has been quattro TT's since they came out first years ago. There are more quattros than fwd ones around.

THere are if you're on about the old ones, Cian specified the newer TT, most of them are fwd over here, I was replying with reference to the newer ones. I did say 2.0 in the post too so it was quite clear what I was on about to most I imagine.

Jimbob 83

That's alot of hairdressers cars for 1 thread, also well done on being promoted to head stylist

btkm8unsl0w5r4

galwaytt wrote: »

Oh puhleez.

And please quote facts: the Nissan is a V6.

I was referring to the tt, hence the fwd the engine size etc, I left clues in my post, so take a chill pill there sir. Would still take the BMW over the 350z cause I don'tlike the 350z, but performance wise and handling wise it's a better,match for the z4. Having driven a 350z I found it disappointing for the displacement and the interior is horrid.

blingrhino

Buy a 335i

CianRyan

I've yet to come across a thread where someone doesn't recommend a 3 series.

CianRyan

CianRyan wrote: »

I've yet to come across a thread where someone doesn't recommend a 3 series.

When the range spans from the 316 diesel to the 335i and M3 it's no surprise really, they are undoubtedly decent cars for the most part.

CianRyan

No doubt there are some brilliant cars in the range but there are brilliant cars in other ranges too.
Not everyone wants a 3 series, if some one's looking at a Z4 they've probably already thought of a 330i/335i.

Not many ranges have something to equal a 335i in terms of brilliance imo

CianRyan

Fair enough, that still doesn't mean everyone should buy one.

.... true, twas a suggestion though, much like your suggestion of the Nissan.

CianRyan

Mine was based on the criteria of the OP though, small sports coupés with a soft top. I felt the 350Z was fitting and in some areas surpassed the others.
The 335i, as good as it is, is a larger and heavier 4 seater. Even the E93 is somewhat different. In my opinion anyway.
I felt it was a bit of, "The 3 series is great, EVERYONE buy one" moment.

That'll be the end of my discussion on whether the 3 series should have been mentioned anyway.
In was meant in jest and I for one am not looking to get into any arguments on the matter.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

CianRyan wrote: »

Mine was based on the criteria of the OP though, small sports coupés with a soft top. I felt the 350Z was fitting and in some areas surpassed the others.
The 335i, as good as it is, is a larger and heavier 4 seater. Even the E93 is somewhat different. In my opinion anyway.
I felt it was a bit of, "The 3 series is great, EVERYONE buy one" moment.

The 335i is:
1. More practical.
2. More economical.
3. More powerful in BHP and torque.
4. As fast is not faster.
5. More comfortable.
6. Cheaper to tax.
7. Better interior.
8. Better equipped.
9. Better looking.
10. Better sounding.

Its a valid car for this thread, and IMHO a good choice. There is a reason the 3 series comes up again and again, and a reason they are common on the roads...its cause there great.

Tea 1000

Bethany Damp Yak wrote: »

There is a reason the 3 series comes up again and again, and a reason they are common on the roads...its cause there great.

Hang on - this is untrue... the reason they're popular on our roads is because they have the right badge. Most 3-series drivers don't know what wheels are driven, let alone the phrase "chassis dynamics".
335i is good alright, but not as good as a Z4 35i...

btkm8unsl0w5r4

the motivation of the people who own them does not take away from or dilute the fact that few cars in the class drive as well as a 3 series, in fact in nearly any class BMW have a car that drives better than the competition. The badge snobbery come from the truth that they make terrific engines and handling cars. Knowing what wheels are driven doesnt stop a person knowing its a quality car. I dont know what ingredients are in a good meal, but I know it tastes good

There are a lot of car better than the 335i but the 335i was the one brought up here.