1999 LT or 2004LT

[apk]

I am looking at the above bikes, both have identical mileage - 15000, the 1999 is mint at a BMW dealer with full warrenty for £6295, the 2004 at a Honda dealer for £7,995, as yet unseen but is described as an import.

To me the 1999 seems high, but comes with reassurance of 12mths warrenty, the 2004 only 3 months.

What are the key differences between the 2 years, the 2004 I know has the split headlight and a bit more chrome, but is it any more substantial ?

[c00k1e]

I am in the UK so I dont know the answer, but the formular should involve;
How much is a 12 month extended warrentee?
How much would it be to add one to the '04?
How much is a clutch and rear end job in your area?

Once you have all these figures, you should know which one to go for.

Both have been 'underused'. But the '99 may be worth it due to the warrentee.

[Tonio]

2004 is more fun to ride, lighter and less tricky in slow maneuvers. Front of the bike has been enhanced.
It has also got an electrical thingy to stand it up.
It looks a bit smarter too.
I would choose 2004.
In fact that's what I did a few months ago.
:bmw:

[jackd]

Unless the 2004 is very high miles it should have technical advantage over the 1999. IMHO even if the 1999 is mint, it's age will eventually be a problem when you start it's replacement cycle. Especially if you are paying a premium now.

The newer model has a little more HP, power center stand, has shown better reliability on rear bearings, and has the newest 'power' brakes. All good things when you resell.

Most of the 30% premium you pay for the 2004 should be returned at resale time. You indicated that the clock was the same but didn't indicate what it was. A very low mileage 1999 could have old tires and may have gone years without riding. That could eventually be a problem. Three months of riding warranty is almost as good as 12 months if you will be laying the bike up over the winter.

[earthman]

the 1999 is mint at a BMW dealer with full warrenty for £6295

To me the 1999 seems high, but comes with reassurance of 12mths warrenty



I read in this weeks MCN that you can get a 1999 for £4000, don't know where they have been looking or what state the bike would be in but I've not found one going for £4k.

I've also seen a few 1999's going for around the £6k mark, I'm tempted but still worried about the drive bearing issue, if the 2004 models are guaranteed not to have the dodgy bearing then I would wait untill one comes down to my price range.

[grahamw]

The 99 does seem a bit high and the 04 reasonable. There were 2 on Ebay earlier this week but I don't know what they went for. I paid 4000 for my 01 on a 51 plate 18 months ago - but that was more good luck than negotiating skill - and it booked at 6000 earlier this year but was over the miles. The 04 would be my preference and I would be asking more questions about the warranty - who is it with and can I pay for an extension? It might be worth offering a silly amount for it - how long has it been on the floor?

Good luck

[bflemingor]

Sorry, but I thought the HP, lights, & centerstand changes were '05 & later, not on the '04s... perhaps that's just on our side of the pond??

[apk]

Thanks for your replies, both have 15000 miles, my view is the 99 although mint for its age has been underused which could cause problems, the 2004 being 5000 miles a year is enough to keep things working. I have not seen the 2004 yet and so cannot comment on condition, but the photo's look fanastic, the warrenty I am not too sure of. Coincidentally the 2004 is through a previous client of mine so hopefully should get a good deal and be looked after better.

My thoughts are the 2004 is the better buy, its just about £5k more than I had intended spending this time last week !!

[Dochatley]

Just my 2 cents (some say not worth that much) but I wouldn't really go by year as far as what type condition it is in. Features yes, if you want a little more HP, power center stand, and has the newest 'power' brakes. We didn't get that till 05'. As far as bearings you will get 1000 different opinions. There have been failures from 99' to 06' and I haven't seen a specific year being any worse than the other. I would check out both bikes in person and see which has had the best care. The 04' could have been ridden rough, not maintained properly, you never know. That warranty could save you a lot of bucks since you don't know the complete history of the bike.

Also, how much is 6295 and 7995 pounds in US dollars?

[tkramer]

Sorry, but I thought the HP, lights, & centerstand changes were '05 & later, not on the '04s... perhaps that's just on our side of the pond??

Yup, the Europeans got the upgraded LT a year before us Yanks.

[apk]

Also, how much is 6295 and 7995 pounds in US dollars?

by my reckoning about $12k and $15.5k.

I bet you could get both for $15.5k in the US !!

[earthman]

As far as bearings you will get 1000 different opinions. There have been failures from 99' to 06'



Blimey, even 06 models can be affected, why on earth don't BMW solve this issue for good?