Early Z4 - what do I need to know?
Discussion
I am toying with the idea of buying another car and currently I think Z4 is favourite.
I'd be looking at an early model with relatively high mileage - I don't really want to spend over £5k but would want something that's been looked after.
Z3 might have done but I think they're 5 speed? And that would annoy me on long journeys.
If I go to see any and/or buy one - what common issues am I likely to find?
Also, I'm a little wary of convertibles - it would live outside, so the roof needs to not leak...
I'd be looking at an early model with relatively high mileage - I don't really want to spend over £5k but would want something that's been looked after.
Z3 might have done but I think they're 5 speed? And that would annoy me on long journeys.
If I go to see any and/or buy one - what common issues am I likely to find?
Also, I'm a little wary of convertibles - it would live outside, so the roof needs to not leak...
LordGrover said:
2.2?
The first ones were available as 6 cyl 2.2, 2.5 and 3.0, but the 2.2 was replaced by a 4 cyl 2.0 at facelift in 2006.Roof motor is the most expensive likely repair, though I've read suspension and cooling can need attention. Springs break but aren't that expensive.
Make sure all the electrics work well, esp central locking as the G5 module is £600 (though refurb's available online). 5 spoke 108s deteriorate badly.
The 3.0 SE was more common with than the Sport pre facelift. The seats are poor but all the 3.0s come with sports suspension, and usually 18s, auto lights and wipers, electric seat adjustment, and the manual is a 6 speed, so represent a better buy than the 2.5 imho.
Eta: get rid of Rfts and it'll handle like you'd expect it to. Google Z4 sticky steering, can be v expensive, apparently.
Edited by Sticks. on Sunday 26th February 19:08
davek_964 said:
Thanks for the help - that link is very useful.
Having browsed, I think I'm favouring the 3.0 Si coupe in the £8k - £10k region. But that's assuming the insurance is reasonable. - don't think it should be that bad but I'll find out tomorrow.
I wouldn't be put off by stories of roof motor problems - there are a few members around the country on the Z4Forum that will drain them out and relocate them into the boot so they don't risk getting drowned for sensible money!Having browsed, I think I'm favouring the 3.0 Si coupe in the £8k - £10k region. But that's assuming the insurance is reasonable. - don't think it should be that bad but I'll find out tomorrow.
What the guide doesn't seem to mention is that the early 6 cylinder models use the M54 engine (as found in the E46 3 Series), but post face-lift models (early 06 onwards, so all Coupes) use the N52 engine as fitted to the E9* 3 Series.
The newer engine is fantastic when you are in a hurry, but has some "technological advances" that some may see as backward!
The N52 engine has no dipstick, just a digital readout on the OBC so unless you check it regularly you'll only know it is getting low when it is too low (assuming the sensor is working)!
And the N52 engine uses an electric water pump - OEM they cost £500 + fitting (don't ask how I know)!
I did get a quote of £340 from ECP but whatever, they aren't cheap! I still love my Z4 Coupe (I must do, it's my second), but you need to go into buying one with your eyes open (I should really have done more research before I bought one).
I know you are now thinking of a Coupe, so have no choice but if I was buying a Roadster I would be sorely tempted to look for a good 3.0 pre-facelift with the M54 engine.
But I would also spend a lot of time on Z4Forum before I made a final decision!
Good luck anyway - they are so different to anything BMW has made since.
Mr Tidy said:
I wouldn't be put off by stories of roof motor problems - there are a few members around the country on the Z4Forum that will drain them out and relocate them into the boot so they don't risk getting drowned for sensible money!
Iirc the roof motor issue is just the pre-facelift cars. They don't all fail, my 04 still has the original one, but then it's always been garaged.Then again, I haven't tried it lately......
I've never really been a convertible fan, so it's that rather than anything else which makes me favour the coupe. On the other hand, given that it will be my 4th car it might make sense if it was a little different and not having a roof would mean it was.
I am thinking that I'm not hard set on either, so if the right car appeared - either a ~£5k roadster or a ~£9k coupe I'd probably be happy with either.
Assuming my insurers don't tell me today that it would add £500 to my insurance, but that seems unlikely. I'm expecting ~£200 and can live with that. Much more and I may decide it's a frivolous step too far.
I am thinking that I'm not hard set on either, so if the right car appeared - either a ~£5k roadster or a ~£9k coupe I'd probably be happy with either.
Assuming my insurers don't tell me today that it would add £500 to my insurance, but that seems unlikely. I'm expecting ~£200 and can live with that. Much more and I may decide it's a frivolous step too far.
Don't forget that if you're going for a coupe, you're limited to the 3.0 or the 3.2 M models as they didn't do the smaller engine in them.
You can get the [url=http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-3-0-SE-/1223325602403.0 SE for less than £7k[/url], but £5k will be pushing it or be a Cat D (which may be fine if a thorough investigation removes any worries). SI models are a bit more expensive, and Ms start at £10k for Cat D models.
You can get the [url=http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-3-0-SE-/1223325602403.0 SE for less than £7k[/url], but £5k will be pushing it or be a Cat D (which may be fine if a thorough investigation removes any worries). SI models are a bit more expensive, and Ms start at £10k for Cat D models.
mmm-five said:
Don't forget that if you're going for a coupe, you're limited to the 3.0 or the 3.2 M models as they didn't do the smaller engine in them.
You can get the [url=http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-3-0-SE-/1223325602403.0 SE for less than £7k[/url], but £5k will be pushing it or be a Cat D (which may be fine if a thorough investigation removes any worries). SI models are a bit more expensive, and Ms start at £10k for Cat D models.
I wouldn't buy Cat D.You can get the [url=http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-3-0-SE-/1223325602403.0 SE for less than £7k[/url], but £5k will be pushing it or be a Cat D (which may be fine if a thorough investigation removes any worries). SI models are a bit more expensive, and Ms start at £10k for Cat D models.
When I looked yesterday, there were a few Si under £10k.
I've got an e89 now but I've owned in e 85 a 2,2 a 2.5 and a 3.0sisport all roadsters. The previous posts have comprehensively covered most you need to know . Engine/ power wise I'd say it all depends on what you're waiting in performance. I think you would be wise to be guided by the overall condition and history of what you're buying. Look long and hard before parting with your cash.
tonymor said:
I've got an e89 now but I've owned in e 85 a 2,2 a 2.5 and a 3.0sisport all roadsters. The previous posts have comprehensively covered most you need to know . Engine/ power wise I'd say it all depends on what you're waiting in performance. I think you would be wise to be guided by the overall condition and history of what you're buying. Look long and hard before parting with your cash.
The performance thing is tricky.This car is supposed to be a relatively cheap runaround. It would be used sometimes for work - probably about half the time, and sometimes at weekends depending on where I'm going and what the weather is doing (ironically, if the weather is really nice it won't be the car I choose, even if I end up with a convertible). It will not be my "quick" sports car - that's not what I'm buying it for, so performance isn't all that important.
On the other hand, if it's too slow it will annoy me. I am very used to fairly quick cars and if I do get stuck behind somebody and need a 3 mile straight to get past them I will be annoyed.
I would say that the power / acceleration needs to be comparable to my Cayenne (a 4.5S which does 0-60 in about 7 seconds I think). That is a remarkable car for its size and never feels particularly slow - and provides adequate power for overtaking people when necessary - so that's about what I need I think. Which suggests that a 2.5 would probably be sufficient if the right car was up for sale.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff