Discussion
Hi
I am a BMW owner, but I have more knowledge on E36 & E46 models....but none on the Z4....!!
A friend is thinking about buying a 2003 BMW Z4 2.5 with 41k miles.
The car has not been used for some years, and has been kept outside...(!!)
We are going up to see it next week, but I have no idea what the value of these cars is...
Having watch countless Youtube 'car revival/rescue' videos on all sorts of different cars, I know there will be issues with the car.
My first thought was the roof...are these robust ...?
And are there specific problem areas on the Z4 chassis ?
We are hoping to get the car on a lift to see the underside, but it would be helpful if we knew what we should be looking for...!
And what would be a realistic price to pay....bearing in mind it is a widow who is currently the owner; a relative of my friend who is interested in buying it.
Any advice welcome !
Thanks in advance
I am a BMW owner, but I have more knowledge on E36 & E46 models....but none on the Z4....!!
A friend is thinking about buying a 2003 BMW Z4 2.5 with 41k miles.
The car has not been used for some years, and has been kept outside...(!!)
We are going up to see it next week, but I have no idea what the value of these cars is...
Having watch countless Youtube 'car revival/rescue' videos on all sorts of different cars, I know there will be issues with the car.
My first thought was the roof...are these robust ...?
And are there specific problem areas on the Z4 chassis ?
We are hoping to get the car on a lift to see the underside, but it would be helpful if we knew what we should be looking for...!
And what would be a realistic price to pay....bearing in mind it is a widow who is currently the owner; a relative of my friend who is interested in buying it.
Any advice welcome !
Thanks in advance
As always the PH buying guide is a reasonable summary of what to look for. http://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-buying-guid... and this guy has done a thorough series on “living with” one that might be worth a look https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAdwybbrczb...
As an owner of a 2004 3.0 E85 I would say the roof is robust, but the motor is a weak point if it hasn’t been relocated. This can be DIY, but needs doing. Roof drains can block (which leads to the motor problems) and you can get leaks and blockages in the scuttle drains and in the doors. You can also get water build up under the cabin carpet as a result, which will affect the ABS system as the control modules are under the carpet, and it will rust the floor pan from top down as well. I’ve just had to change mine, the carpet was dry but the insulation underneath was sodden despite being in a dry garage for two years. It was relatively simple to do but I wouldn’t buy another without checking this.
As for a fair price, you know yourself that’s really a question of why it was parked up and whether the mice have got at the wiring loom or not. You could always offer her half of what you sell it for when restored…
As an owner of a 2004 3.0 E85 I would say the roof is robust, but the motor is a weak point if it hasn’t been relocated. This can be DIY, but needs doing. Roof drains can block (which leads to the motor problems) and you can get leaks and blockages in the scuttle drains and in the doors. You can also get water build up under the cabin carpet as a result, which will affect the ABS system as the control modules are under the carpet, and it will rust the floor pan from top down as well. I’ve just had to change mine, the carpet was dry but the insulation underneath was sodden despite being in a dry garage for two years. It was relatively simple to do but I wouldn’t buy another without checking this.
As for a fair price, you know yourself that’s really a question of why it was parked up and whether the mice have got at the wiring loom or not. You could always offer her half of what you sell it for when restored…
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