'03 Market value question - 1 owner, 31k, pristine

[rwprice]

I'm quite happy with my '99 Z3 and more or less know the market for them (I'm active in ZSCCA and sort of know the market). Because of my involvement in the marque and cars in general, a friend has asked me for advice on selling his Z4. Basically, it gets little use and he is beginning to have back problems that the car is not helping. (Note to forum members....do not age!). In any case here are the basics:

2003 Z4 roadster
Titanium silver/black leather
31,000 miles
Original owner
Garaged and not used in winter or in inclement weather
Serviced at dealers with all service records from new

3.0 M54 engine
Auto trans
Black top, power, with glass window
Seat heaters, power seat (drivers, I think)
Xenon lights, rain sensors

Condition of the car is amazing. Interior looks unused. Exterior looks perfect to me; owner said there were a couple of dings, but I couldn't find them. All in all, it could sit on a showroom floor and pass for new.

My dilemma in advising him is the age of car vs. mileage/condition.
A 2003/2004 with typical mileage (70k and up) and nice but typical wear would likely be somewhere in the range of $6,000 to maybe $10,000 here in western NC. Later models with comparably low mileage, condition, and provenance would be on the market at $16,000 to $20,000, I think.

Personally, I like the earlier Z4s, but I don't know the extent of the "model year/age penalty" that the market would apply.

I have tentatively suggested he advertise with a carefully written ad and ask $16,000, maybe $17,000, but that's just a rough estimate. Car would be advertised in Asheville, Charlotte, Atlanta CL as well as AutoTrader and possibly on BimmerForums.

I buy nice older models and keep cars for a long time, so don't do a lot of buy/sell. Any thoughts or suggestions would be most appreciated.

[sid33]

Having just purchased a '04 z, and looked at a lot of them all over the US, I would think the car would more in the $12-14k range. That being said, to the right buyer, it may be worth more, but will take a lot longer to sale. Have him post it on cargurus.com. I just sold my Porsche and got twice as many hits for car gurus.com that all the other sites combined.

[rwprice]

Having just purchased a '04 z, and looked at a lot of them all over the US, I would think the car would more in the $12-14k range. That being said, to the right buyer, it may be worth more, but will take a lot longer to sale. Have him post it on cargurus.com. I just sold my Porsche and got twice as many hits for car gurus.com that all the other sites combined.

Very useful comments. Thank you.

[BimmerBreaker]

Just my .02 and I don't mean to be insulting but $17K seems crazy high to me for a 2003 3.0 regardless of miles

Look at what other BMW's you can get for that sort of coin then think about how that Z4 compares. To someone who really wants a 2003 3.0 they may be wiling to pay a premium, but they are really only buying the miles - the color combo isn't super desirable. Your competition, besides other models and cars like Caymans and Boxsters, is pretty strong from within BMW itself. A buyer who doesn't mind a little more miles can get a 3.0si or an M for that price.

[cdsweet]

Having just purchased a '04 z, and looked at a lot of them all over the US, I would think the car would more in the $12-14k range. That being said, to the right buyer, it may be worth more, but will take a lot longer to sale. Have him post it on cargurus.com. I just sold my Porsche and got twice as many hits for car gurus.com that all the other sites combined.

I'm with Sid on this one. Having looked for months through hundreds(if not thousands)of adverts, this would probably sell much easier if it were listed for around $14k. Especially in Atlanta and its suburbs where there seem to be so many of them listed on CL. I had agreed to buy a army green 2003 from a guy an hour South of Atlanta. It had 64k, 5spd and minimal options but he had it listed for $6k. I was on my way thru Cincinnati when he called to tell me he sold it. If the your buddy is in no hurry, then list for $15k and wait for the right person that may be out there looking for exactly what you have. It's a toss of the dice. Maybe sell Bring a Trailer? Bigger audience and they love low mileage examples.

[rwprice]

Thanks all for the comments and suggestions. That's something great about these boards.....if you ask a serious, reasonable question, you will get serious, honest answers.

[gpraceman]

Take the average of KBB, Edmunds and NADA to get the basic market value. The low mileage may get you a buyer willing to spend a bit more than that.

[sid33]

Here is an '03 3.0i w/24k miles for $9k.

https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/d...215443652.html

[CTHuskyinMA]

Here is an '03 3.0i w/24k miles for $9k.

https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/d...215443652.html

That would be a heck of a deal, if not for the last line stating that the top motor is no longer working.

[BimmerBreaker]

Top motor is about a $1200 repair job depending on the shop

Less miles and asking a lot less than you are thinking of asking for yours...

[wdb]

It sounds like a great car, and he's gotten 14 years of happy memories. That's the real value.

I haven't been shopping for Z4 roadsters. I've been shopping for Boxsters. That year, mileage and condition Boxster would bring ~$12K - $14K. Boxster S a few $K more.