Z4 3.0 Coupe (E86) - what to look for?
Discussion
Hi,
I'm considering a Z4 3.0 Coupe (E86) to replace my current car, a modified Volvo C30 T5. I've found a few that I like the look of, but I've never owned a BMW so I thought I'd ask a few questions before I start going and viewing cars.
What do I need to look out for?
Do they have a cambelt or a chain? How often do they need changing?
What is the difference between an SE and a Sport?
Some cars seem to have silver engine covers, others black - is this to indicate a technical difference between the engines?
What are the must-haves in terms of options etc?
Are there any modifications which are considered essential for these?
Finally, what are they like to live with? The car won't be a daily driver, but it will be doing a few weekends away each year.
General ownership tales are appreciated too! Thanks in advance
I'm considering a Z4 3.0 Coupe (E86) to replace my current car, a modified Volvo C30 T5. I've found a few that I like the look of, but I've never owned a BMW so I thought I'd ask a few questions before I start going and viewing cars.
What do I need to look out for?
Do they have a cambelt or a chain? How often do they need changing?
What is the difference between an SE and a Sport?
Some cars seem to have silver engine covers, others black - is this to indicate a technical difference between the engines?
What are the must-haves in terms of options etc?
Are there any modifications which are considered essential for these?
Finally, what are they like to live with? The car won't be a daily driver, but it will be doing a few weekends away each year.
General ownership tales are appreciated too! Thanks in advance
Cam chain
If it's not already been done remove the clutch delay valve, it's fitted to stop people who can't use a manual gearbox from wrecking the clutch, in reality it just makes the gear change worse.
Replace the front wishbone rear bushes with the M version and get it aligned with the M settings, if it still has run flats replace them with normal tyres and carry a can of foam and a compressor.
I've got the convertible version, I use it every day and have done 400 miles in one go before without issue.
Look out for M sport seats, the standard ones aren't great, same goes for xenon headlights over halogen, lots of halogen headlights have washers so don't rely on that to check it has them, check that there's no beam adjustment on the headlight switch.
Can’t help massively as Im far from an expert - only picked mine up last week.
But from what I gathered -
coupes all share the same engine as they are all facelift (M excluded obviously)
Sport spec gets you much nicer seats, firmer lower suspension and bigger wheels.
All chain engines considered fairly reliable, water pump being the big ticket item.
But from what I gathered -
coupes all share the same engine as they are all facelift (M excluded obviously)
Sport spec gets you much nicer seats, firmer lower suspension and bigger wheels.
All chain engines considered fairly reliable, water pump being the big ticket item.
Well people have already answered a few of your questions!
They all have the same 3.0Si engine (other than the M model obviously) and it is a great engine - won some awards back in the day too! The SE came with "Sport" seats, the Sport had M-Sport seats, M-Sport steering wheel, M-Sport suspension which is 15mm lower and stiffer and an anthracite headlining.
But all those features were options so you can find SEs with 1 or more of them.
Early ones had the silver engine cover, then around September 2006 BMW fitted a revised N52(k) engine with the black cover. There are a few technical differences, but power stayed the same. I've had 1 of each and they drove exactly the same.
As far as options go, BMW were pretty mean with the spec. even compared to a 3 Series. Cruise control, Multi-Function steering wheel and rear parking sensors were all options - although cruise is fairly easy to retro-fit. Other popular options are Bi-Xenon headlights, heated seats, upgraded stereo, cup-holders and power-fold door mirrors, probably in that order of desirability! So it's worth deciding which ones are "must haves" before you start looking.
I had my 1st one 2 years from 2014 to 2016 and did 8,000 miles in it. The electric water pump died at 60,000 miles and 9 years, and my BMW Indy bought the new one from BMW for £500!
He now sources genuine Pierburg ones elsewhere - they're usually about £250 from Euro Car Parts. But otherwise I had no issues with it - I even managed to sell it for a few hundred more than I paid!
I bought my next one in 2016 and still have it 12,000 miles later - no issues other than routine servicing, replacement rear brake pipes (in copper), a new battery and a new screen washer pump for the last MOT. Although it's going in for a new A/C condenser next week!
They often suffer from corroded rear brake pipes - it's where they pass under the car below the passenger seat. There is a plastic cover, and the end of it tends to trap road debris and holds damp, so they are worth checking.
Some of them also had issues with rusty tailgates, so when it's open it's worth checking around the edges
As someone said, it's well worth getting onto the z4forum as there is loads of useful information on there or I'd be happy to try to help if you messaged me.
Here's a photo of M-Sport seats, which are hugely desirable - to the extent that a used pair will fetch the best part of £1,000!
Happy hunting.
They all have the same 3.0Si engine (other than the M model obviously) and it is a great engine - won some awards back in the day too! The SE came with "Sport" seats, the Sport had M-Sport seats, M-Sport steering wheel, M-Sport suspension which is 15mm lower and stiffer and an anthracite headlining.
But all those features were options so you can find SEs with 1 or more of them.
Early ones had the silver engine cover, then around September 2006 BMW fitted a revised N52(k) engine with the black cover. There are a few technical differences, but power stayed the same. I've had 1 of each and they drove exactly the same.
As far as options go, BMW were pretty mean with the spec. even compared to a 3 Series. Cruise control, Multi-Function steering wheel and rear parking sensors were all options - although cruise is fairly easy to retro-fit. Other popular options are Bi-Xenon headlights, heated seats, upgraded stereo, cup-holders and power-fold door mirrors, probably in that order of desirability! So it's worth deciding which ones are "must haves" before you start looking.
I had my 1st one 2 years from 2014 to 2016 and did 8,000 miles in it. The electric water pump died at 60,000 miles and 9 years, and my BMW Indy bought the new one from BMW for £500!
He now sources genuine Pierburg ones elsewhere - they're usually about £250 from Euro Car Parts. But otherwise I had no issues with it - I even managed to sell it for a few hundred more than I paid!I bought my next one in 2016 and still have it 12,000 miles later - no issues other than routine servicing, replacement rear brake pipes (in copper), a new battery and a new screen washer pump for the last MOT. Although it's going in for a new A/C condenser next week!
They often suffer from corroded rear brake pipes - it's where they pass under the car below the passenger seat. There is a plastic cover, and the end of it tends to trap road debris and holds damp, so they are worth checking.
Some of them also had issues with rusty tailgates, so when it's open it's worth checking around the edges
As someone said, it's well worth getting onto the z4forum as there is loads of useful information on there or I'd be happy to try to help if you messaged me.
Here's a photo of M-Sport seats, which are hugely desirable - to the extent that a used pair will fetch the best part of £1,000!
Happy hunting.
Having only recently bought mine , things I looked out for :
MOT checks from DVLA can highlight the bushes, brake pipes and brake wear.
Check the body for dings , as they are usually more expensive that mechanical
Water pump replacement
Rear springs ( average 60 k miles , it seems before breaking)
Tyre wear , especially rear inside edges
Any clunks in take off from standing start
Expansion bottle leaks
Wheel condition, as some versions corrode more than others
Mix of tyres is never good
Rocker cover oil leak
Brakes go rotten
Handbrake actuation
There are some pups out there and they arent 'that' rare as yet to allow some pickiness. I did a wasted 150 mile journey to look at one , to find his idea of mint , was my idea of a pup.
Engines are usually sound as long as they run smoothly. Gearbox in manual can be a little notchy at slower changes.
Just had a geo done on mine this morning and has transformed its stability and made it a lot nicer to drive, so consider doing this as well.
MOT checks from DVLA can highlight the bushes, brake pipes and brake wear.
Check the body for dings , as they are usually more expensive that mechanical
Water pump replacement
Rear springs ( average 60 k miles , it seems before breaking)
Tyre wear , especially rear inside edges
Any clunks in take off from standing start
Expansion bottle leaks
Wheel condition, as some versions corrode more than others
Mix of tyres is never good
Rocker cover oil leak
Brakes go rotten
Handbrake actuation
There are some pups out there and they arent 'that' rare as yet to allow some pickiness. I did a wasted 150 mile journey to look at one , to find his idea of mint , was my idea of a pup.
Engines are usually sound as long as they run smoothly. Gearbox in manual can be a little notchy at slower changes.
Just had a geo done on mine this morning and has transformed its stability and made it a lot nicer to drive, so consider doing this as well.
“Some cars seem to have silver engine covers, others black - is this to indicate a technical difference between the engines?”
Yes ..
the later ones ( black top ) have the revised N52K engine with a number of improvements
Notably revised :
• Cylinder head cover
• Camshafts
• Crankshaft
• Stem diameter of exhaust valves increased to 6 mm instead of 5 mm
• Torsional vibration damper
• Crankcase ventilation
• Hot-film air mass meter (HFM)
• Throttle valve
• Digital motor electronics
They are worth seeking out
As others have said the Z4-forum.com is where you need to head
Good luck .. they are great cars
Yes ..
the later ones ( black top ) have the revised N52K engine with a number of improvements
Notably revised :
• Cylinder head cover
• Camshafts
• Crankshaft
• Stem diameter of exhaust valves increased to 6 mm instead of 5 mm
• Torsional vibration damper
• Crankcase ventilation
• Hot-film air mass meter (HFM)
• Throttle valve
• Digital motor electronics
They are worth seeking out
As others have said the Z4-forum.com is where you need to head
Good luck .. they are great cars
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff