Where would you go next...

mickdw wrote: »

For sure each model SL goes up in value eventually and this one will be no different. Its a fantastic design. The 1980s SL took awhile to be sought after but worth alot of cash now.
Lovely thing to have as a second car - the engine must be stunning.

The engine has a lovely sound. I drove it about 20 mins yesterday then parked it up, it runs lovely. With 65000 miles and 16 years old it has never been anyone's daily.

Looked at vrt calculator they have new price down as 195k and price now for vrt purposes of only 5k after 97% depreciation rate applied. 37% vrt rate meaning its about 2k to vrt it. I paid 8k to buy it. Have to say, back to my days of feeling smug about buying high end older cars as my daily for buttons like the lads in luxobarge thread. Will probably throw a few quid at polishing exterior up to as new condition as possible but hopefully doesn't need much more.

Can't say I got a proper feel for it to be honest. Not sure what I'm expecting, more a tourer than a sports car I'd say.

There's no tax on it and plenty of ice around so won't get to enjoy it properly for a little while. It's a summer car, maybe get it on the road for 6 months April to October or something.

mickdw wrote: »

Something like that id be tempted to tax it for the summer only and keep it indoors for the winter.

Yeah exactly.

traco wrote: »

If its been running for a while does it raise up? Have you checked the level changes with the button on the dash, it should rasie the car by 20mm or something.

I'm not familiar with the SL to be fair but I think they have ABC and not airmatic but could be wrong. Some people mod the suspension level linkage to fool the cars and drop them that way.

For peace of mind I'd establish if its actually lowered or if its sinking down. If it is ABC and there isn't a record of a flush and filter change I'd get that done as maintaining the system makes sense in the long run and can save a lot of money.

Fantastic machines, well wear.

Like you I don't know much about them either this is a bit of a punt to be honest, although an educated punt through a recommendation.

It's abc as far as I know. One question I asked was whether suspension was in good shape (along with electrics, gearbox and engine) as I know people that had s class and serious problems with the complex suspension setups and I assumed this had a similarly complex system.
I was told by my mechanic that suspension was fine and electrics too. Gearbox and engine and bulletproof apparently, we will see.

I'll check tomorrow if it's lower than standard but I don't think it's failing anyway. The car will get whatever it needs whenever it needs it, I had bigger budget in mind to change my own car to a new one so won't begrudge throwing a few quid at it. I know its not low budget motoring even though it was relatively low budget purchase .

AidenL wrote: »

I’m collecting a 530e XDrive next week. Reading this thread, I’m getting the jitters that I should have stretched to a 545e.....

AidenL, did you pick up or have your car delivered to you in the end?
How was the buying process done and are you happy with your choice?

Beshoffs have a nice low mileage black M4 at the minute, don't know what the spec is like

The one in Beshoff's has the H/K sound system alright but they are asking 4k more and it's a year older.

Easiest way to tell if it has the H/K sound system is check for the H/K tweeter speakers on the inside of where the door mirrors join the door frame:

hooch-85 wrote: »

Beshoffs have a nice low mileage black M4 at the minute, don't know what the spec is like

I saw that. The spec is good (has HK!) but I'm not sure it's worth the asking price despite the low mileage.

It could be an option though.

Wailin wrote: »

Possibly outside budget but this is the best value m4 currently for sale.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-m4-competition-pack-m-twinpower-turbo-dct-aut/26155431

All important competition pack and about 10-12k cheaper than equivalent year bmw dealers.

16k over budget...

vintagevrs wrote: »

I'd agree the HK system is decent, and although I haven't been in an f series without it I did have an e series without it and spent some money on an amp and speakers as it was terrible.

On an M car though it may be less important? Spending thousands more to get that option sounds excessive, but then to counter that one that has the right options will hold that value and be an easier sell. The fact your put off by its a sense will prob repeat for future potential buyers if you did buy it. Hard to know what to do, but I guess looking at those blank tweeter covers would crack me up in such a premium car.

Music means the world to me and I know that if I did buy that M4 I would always regret it. Your point about future potential buyers is a valid one also. if I'm put off, others will be also.

It even has HUD so why the original UK buyer scrimped on HK is beyond me.

maddness wrote: »

I’ve HK on my 1 series and thought it was average at best. I upgraded with Eton speakers front and rear and it’s now awesome. I wouldn’t buy a M4 without it either tbh.

Whatever about it being average, it's a hell of a lot better than the basic system.

I found it very good myself.

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Whatever about it being average, it's a hell of a lot better than the basic system.

I found it very good myself.

In fairness I’d the HK in my 4GC and it was a lot better than the one in the 1 Series. Bmw don’t put in the same standard of speakers on the 1/2 series.

How difficult would a retrofit be? If you are happy with the car otherwise it may be an option..

On a side note, in my last 5 Series the H/K amp in the boot fried because of moisture forming in the boot compartment where it is located. These amps get very hot and its a very common problem with them to blow if even the slightest moisture forms in the boot compartment. The problem is that if the H/K system fails then it means your bluetooth, radio and other idrive features won't work until it's fixed as they are all networked together. I had to wait months to source a second hand amp. I searched the likes of ebay and even second hand ones were 1k plus from the likes of Poland and Latvia. I eventually found one for sale in Dublin from a guy who rolled his 5 Series and was breaking it for parts. Even though I got it a very good price from him I had to buy the entire loud speaker system as nobody would want to buy the remaining parts if the amp was missing.

In saying all that I'd find it unbearable to endure a base sound system in a BMW, they really are terrible and probably designed that way so that you tick the upgrade system from the options list.

Did they really sell M4s without HK?

Did you actually confirm that it’s not there rather than missing from the spec list by error?

carsfan2 wrote: »

AidenL, did you pick up or have your car delivered to you in the end?
How was the buying process done and are you happy with your choice?

I picked it up in the end. As it was a preexisting order, it was exempt.

All deliveries from this week on had to be literally delivered, no collections allowed I was told. There was a significant Garda checkpoint right outside the dealership, so things were being rigidly enforced.

It wasn't a normal collection experience, no coffee, no snooping around the showroom, even signing the finance documents took place outside.

I'll put a few quick pics up on the 2011 thread.