Z4 3.0si Coupe – Rusted Break Callipers
Discussion
Hello all,
I’ve just put a deposit on a Z4 (E86) 3.0si . It’s a 58 reg and has done about 26,000 miles.
It’s in pretty good nick except for the brake callipers and wheel weights, which look like they’ve spent the past two years on the hull of a cross channel ferry.
I’ve heard that corrosion on break callipers is not unusual for low mileage BMWs.
Do any of you guys have experience of this? Is it something I should be concerned about? Maybe even walk away from it completely?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
I’ve just put a deposit on a Z4 (E86) 3.0si . It’s a 58 reg and has done about 26,000 miles.
It’s in pretty good nick except for the brake callipers and wheel weights, which look like they’ve spent the past two years on the hull of a cross channel ferry.
I’ve heard that corrosion on break callipers is not unusual for low mileage BMWs.
Do any of you guys have experience of this? Is it something I should be concerned about? Maybe even walk away from it completely?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
jaedba2604 said:
Is it an AUC? Guess i'd be concerned it was inidicative of the overall condition of the car prior to be prepared for sale...
No, it's from a Jag dealership who took in as P/X. I'm getting a warranty from them which has the usual 'wear and tear' exclusion. I drove the car and the brakes seemed ok to me.
Just bought a Z4 myself and the calipers have been painted with smoothrite, not a bad idea imo. altho go for black, they look a bit wannabe in anything too bright.
does it stack reasonably cost wise? if they're charging top dollar, you might be able to negotiate them down for a bit of a refurb.
does it stack reasonably cost wise? if they're charging top dollar, you might be able to negotiate them down for a bit of a refurb.
jaedba2604 said:
Just bought a Z4 myself and the calipers have been painted with smoothrite, not a bad idea imo. altho go for black, they look a bit wannabe in anything too bright.
does it stack reasonably cost wise? if they're charging top dollar, you might be able to negotiate them down for a bit of a refurb.
It's not the cheapest car out there. But it's not a bad price for the age, and it's got lots of optional goodies. does it stack reasonably cost wise? if they're charging top dollar, you might be able to negotiate them down for a bit of a refurb.
I think your suggestion of having them coated is a good idea. And black would match the colour of the car.
They're brake calipers BTW.
I made sure the dealer had the hubs sprayed silver and the calipers black when I bought my 130i back in June. As part of the AUC process, they'll be repainting the front and rear bumpers and refurbishing any marked alloys, so it's not OTT to ask them to do this.
I made sure the dealer had the hubs sprayed silver and the calipers black when I bought my 130i back in June. As part of the AUC process, they'll be repainting the front and rear bumpers and refurbishing any marked alloys, so it's not OTT to ask them to do this.
Rabbo said:
They're brake calipers BTW.
I made sure the dealer had the hubs sprayed silver and the calipers black when I bought my 130i back in June. As part of the AUC process, they'll be repainting the front and rear bumpers and refurbishing any marked alloys, so it's not OTT to ask them to do this.
Whilst it's not OTT to ask, plenty of buyers have been told that if they want the hubs and calipers painting, it will cost extra and the Dealership won't budge. It all depends on how eager they are to make the sale.I made sure the dealer had the hubs sprayed silver and the calipers black when I bought my 130i back in June. As part of the AUC process, they'll be repainting the front and rear bumpers and refurbishing any marked alloys, so it's not OTT to ask them to do this.
4rephill said:
<----->
It all depends on how eager they are to make the sale.
To be honest, I want it. I missed out on two previous examples I wanted because I hesitated. It all depends on how eager they are to make the sale.
I spent a couple of years dithering over what I wanted when I knew it was the Z4C. Then I bought the Ducati last year instead.
Now, I don't want to put it off any longer.
SpudLink said:
To be honest, I want it. I missed out on two previous examples I wanted because I hesitated.
I spent a couple of years dithering over what I wanted when I knew it was the Z4C. Then I bought the Ducati last year instead.
Now, I don't want to put it off any longer.
I'd try asking them if I were you, it can't hurt, something along the lines of : "I like the car and am interested in doing a deal but the rusty calipers are niggling Me a bit. Is there any chance of getting them tidied up with some paint as part of the deal?"I spent a couple of years dithering over what I wanted when I knew it was the Z4C. Then I bought the Ducati last year instead.
Now, I don't want to put it off any longer.
Make them feel like they'd be doing you a favour. You've got two chances at the end of the day.
If they say they won't paint them for free, see if they'd do a deal on the cost of painting them if you buy the car. Again, it can'y hurt to ask.
Best of luck with it, hope it all turns out to your satisfaction!
So, I’m picking the car up tomorrow. The dealer wont be giving me money off the car because of the corrosion on the brakes. They are giving me a chunk off the extended warranty. I’ll check the small print about making claims on things that were noticed at the time of purchase. 
Anyway, I’m pretty excited about getting what I like to think of as my first GT car.
Anyway, I’m pretty excited about getting what I like to think of as my first GT car.
The deed is done. I'm now the proud owner of a black Z4 3.0 Coupe.
It's even more impressive than I thought when I tested it.
As for the brakes, I'll get 'em cleaned, coated, and painted black at some point.
It's even more impressive than I thought when I tested it.
Wills2 said:
Congrats on the purchase, I've had one for 5 years (christ is it that long?) its been utterly reliable and the engine is creamy smooth, the only thing I would do is change the RFTs if that hasn't been done already.
It has fairly new run-flats. The ride is not unacceptable, but I still plan to replace them with something else. But I will probably run these for a while 1st. As for the brakes, I'll get 'em cleaned, coated, and painted black at some point.
Edited by SpudLink on Saturday 31st March 17:24
I've found a rust treatment called Fertan that you can just spray or paint on, even calipers & drums, leave for a few days then wash off. Apparently all the major motor manufacturers use it. I used it on my car, and it left the metal rust free & black, and after a couple of months is still rust free. More info here www.fertan.com or buy it on eBay.
johnalfanut said:
I've found a rust treatment called Fertan that you can just spray or paint on, even calipers & drums, leave for a few days then wash off. Apparently all the major motor manufacturers use it. I used it on my car, and it left the metal rust free & black, and after a couple of months is still rust free. More info here www.fertan.com or buy it on eBay.
i've got a couple of bottles of something like this..trustan something or other and some loctite rust treatment..wonder if this is the same stuff...smells weird, sort of like liquorice.Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff