Z4 coupe si 3.0 pointers
Discussion
A couple of very recent threads to get you started:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Major thing to check is if the water pumps been changed, they're prone to failing around 80k. Normal servicing etc. There's not that much to check!
Rusting boot lids have been highlighted in a few posts as water collects at the bottom of the rear windscreen when it rains.
The engines are a solid lump, chain cam, so check for rattles.
I love mine (which is for sale BTW
) cracking cars with a great driving position.
Rusting boot lids have been highlighted in a few posts as water collects at the bottom of the rear windscreen when it rains.
The engines are a solid lump, chain cam, so check for rattles.
I love mine (which is for sale BTW
) cracking cars with a great driving position. I'm on my 2nd - I love them!
Electric water pumps do die, and unlike a mechanical pump which tends to just lose efficiency gradually the electric ones die instantly so they get very hot in just seconds.
As to when they go, it seems pretty variable. My first one died at 60K miles and 9 years old, but someone else has made it to 120K miles and 10+ years. When mine went ECP quoted £340 for the part, but I have nowhere for DIY so got it replaced by a BMW Indy who fitted an OEM pump at £500 and a thermostat that cost another £100 (plus labour).
So if you find evidence of the one you are looking at having had one already you should be good for about a decade!
Be careful with the spec as well - many items that were standard on cheaper BMWs were extras on Z4s for some reason. Stuff like rear parking sensors, cruise and Multi-Fiunction Steering Wheel.
Options like heated seats, Bi-Xenons and upgraded stereos are quite sought after (especially as the standard halogens are pretty poor)!
And check whether you are looking at an SE or a Sport - confusingly the SE had Sport seats, but the Sport had M-Sport seats which are what they should all have had IMO (they are electric with memory in both) and 10mm lower M-Sport suspension.
You could always head over to Z4forum and do a bit more searching, but you probably won't get a response to questions as most of them are at the annual ZedFest this weekend.
Oh and check the tyres - plenty of owners change run-flats for non run-flats which is said to transform the ride (after all the Z4M version came with non-runflats as standard), but you don't want one with a mixture of the two!
Oops nearly forgot about tailgate rust - if you open it look up the inner edges where it goes into the gutter in the aperture. They tend to go quite near the bottom, but I believe the warranty is 12 years from registration so all Coupes are within date this year!
Good luck with the search. :thumbsup:
Felt the need for a gratuitous photo of my current one.
Electric water pumps do die, and unlike a mechanical pump which tends to just lose efficiency gradually the electric ones die instantly so they get very hot in just seconds.
As to when they go, it seems pretty variable. My first one died at 60K miles and 9 years old, but someone else has made it to 120K miles and 10+ years. When mine went ECP quoted £340 for the part, but I have nowhere for DIY so got it replaced by a BMW Indy who fitted an OEM pump at £500 and a thermostat that cost another £100 (plus labour).
So if you find evidence of the one you are looking at having had one already you should be good for about a decade!
Be careful with the spec as well - many items that were standard on cheaper BMWs were extras on Z4s for some reason. Stuff like rear parking sensors, cruise and Multi-Fiunction Steering Wheel.
Options like heated seats, Bi-Xenons and upgraded stereos are quite sought after (especially as the standard halogens are pretty poor)!
And check whether you are looking at an SE or a Sport - confusingly the SE had Sport seats, but the Sport had M-Sport seats which are what they should all have had IMO (they are electric with memory in both) and 10mm lower M-Sport suspension.
You could always head over to Z4forum and do a bit more searching, but you probably won't get a response to questions as most of them are at the annual ZedFest this weekend.
Oh and check the tyres - plenty of owners change run-flats for non run-flats which is said to transform the ride (after all the Z4M version came with non-runflats as standard), but you don't want one with a mixture of the two!
Oops nearly forgot about tailgate rust - if you open it look up the inner edges where it goes into the gutter in the aperture. They tend to go quite near the bottom, but I believe the warranty is 12 years from registration so all Coupes are within date this year!
Good luck with the search. :thumbsup:
Felt the need for a gratuitous photo of my current one.
Edited by Mr Tidy on Saturday 19th August 21:13
mr alan said:
They do seem to be a car that no one has a bad word to say about them.......
I've never really understood the point in them or the appeal. It has all the downsides of the Roadster (Crap steering, fairly low rent 1998ish E46 era interior, limited practicality etc) but without the huge benefit that makes all of that irrelevant in that the roof comes down.I'm clearly an outlier as the market speaks for itself - you can't give the Roadster away whereas the Coupe is very sought after. I just don't understand why you wouldn't have the roadster if you wanted a Z4. It's like the entire point.
Fox- said:
mr alan said:
They do seem to be a car that no one has a bad word to say about them.......
I've never really understood the point in them or the appeal. It has all the downsides of the Roadster (Crap steering, fairly low rent 1998ish E46 era interior, limited practicality etc) but without the huge benefit that makes all of that irrelevant in that the roof comes down.I'm clearly an outlier as the market speaks for itself - you can't give the Roadster away whereas the Coupe is very sought after. I just don't understand why you wouldn't have the roadster if you wanted a Z4. It's like the entire point.
The coupe shell is much stiffer than the roadster and I love its shape!
Much, much rarer than a roadster and to my eyes much more desirable!
Back to pointers, the other issue you get with them is the ABS unit packing-up. Its down to the brushes getting broke/stuck and the best thing to do is remove the pump, send it off to ECU testing and get it rebuilt which they supply a lifetime warranty with.
Well I have took the plunge and bought myself a new car,
It's an 07 Si with 47k on it, excellent condition with full BMW Sytner warranty, service history. A few marks are being sorted and I pick it up next weekend, can't wait. Goodbye 350 SLK hello Z4 3.0 si coupe.
Quick one what exactly does the sport button do, couldn't really tell anything changed. I asked the chap and he said it changes the gear change to rev ratio, err on a manual ? Hmmmm not sure on that
It's an 07 Si with 47k on it, excellent condition with full BMW Sytner warranty, service history. A few marks are being sorted and I pick it up next weekend, can't wait. Goodbye 350 SLK hello Z4 3.0 si coupe.
Quick one what exactly does the sport button do, couldn't really tell anything changed. I asked the chap and he said it changes the gear change to rev ratio, err on a manual ? Hmmmm not sure on that
mr alan said:
That looks nice, if prefer your wheels actually. Does the sport button do anything to the suspension ?
No, it doesn't adjust suspension.I've replaced my springs (with Suplex, german made, that seem to be superior to BMW originals) and replaced the tired dampers ( one was completely shot at 62k!) with Bilstein B4, along with new droplinks, polyurethane anti-roll bar bushes front and rear and had a proper wheel alignment carried out by someone highly recommended in Bristol.
These changes transformed the drive and was well worth the outlay!
Check out the Z4 forum if you haven't already as its great for advice/ideas for the Z4!
Enjoy your coupe!
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