Cheap BMW Z4 3.0
Discussion
Afternoon all,
Following 12 months in my company DS DS5 I have had an itch for something more exciting. However due to saving for a house I only had a budget of about £3k to spend
With this in mind I started looking at MX5's (wanted a convertible) however I realised looking online very ropey Z4 2.2's could be sourced within my budget. However earlier today I stumbled upon a 53 Plate BMW Z4 up for £2,995 it was a 3.0 SE Manual with 117k miles and appeared to be very clean a quick phone call with the seller confirmed that the car sounded mechanically sound with great service history and recent tyres and taking advantage of the s
t weather I put in a cheeky bid of £2,650 which was accepted 
The only issue the car has is a temperamental roof however searching the forums beforehand I have found a local guy who can fix the motors and relocate them for £100 so I will be getting this booked in ASAP.
Few pictures below (pick the car up on Sunday)
Following 12 months in my company DS DS5 I have had an itch for something more exciting. However due to saving for a house I only had a budget of about £3k to spend
With this in mind I started looking at MX5's (wanted a convertible) however I realised looking online very ropey Z4 2.2's could be sourced within my budget. However earlier today I stumbled upon a 53 Plate BMW Z4 up for £2,995 it was a 3.0 SE Manual with 117k miles and appeared to be very clean a quick phone call with the seller confirmed that the car sounded mechanically sound with great service history and recent tyres and taking advantage of the s
t weather I put in a cheeky bid of £2,650 which was accepted The only issue the car has is a temperamental roof however searching the forums beforehand I have found a local guy who can fix the motors and relocate them for £100 so I will be getting this booked in ASAP.
Few pictures below (pick the car up on Sunday)
Shnozz said:
Cracking car for the money! So much better than the MX5 PH car of everything.
I remember being lent a colleague's company car Z3 back in the day whilst he was on holiday. Hateful thing that I left parked up in the work car park after a weekend as it was so dire. Then along came the Z4 and my old man was keen so went to test drive one with him, expecting it to be equally turd. Massively surprised at what a great car it was and that was only the 2.5. The 3 litre must be a very sweet car.
Enjoy, and hopefully gives you many pain free miles. Would be my car of choice for <£3.5k also.
Thanks a lot 🙂I remember being lent a colleague's company car Z3 back in the day whilst he was on holiday. Hateful thing that I left parked up in the work car park after a weekend as it was so dire. Then along came the Z4 and my old man was keen so went to test drive one with him, expecting it to be equally turd. Massively surprised at what a great car it was and that was only the 2.5. The 3 litre must be a very sweet car.
Enjoy, and hopefully gives you many pain free miles. Would be my car of choice for <£3.5k also.
I have never drove one before and this is my first try of a rwd convertible but I am sure I will like it!
I honestly think for the money you can’t go wrong the engines are pretty strong and it even had a decent spec inside with heated and electric seats and air con etc.
Will post my intial thoughts once I pick it up on Sunday
Shnozz said:
Joey Deacon said:
These are such good value at the moment, I am sure they will start to creep up in value soon.
I was looking at cheap Boxsters a while ago and soon realised I could get a much newer Z4 for less money than an early 2.5 Boxster.
If I had somewhere to park it I would get one as a summer fun car.
I would expect the Z4 to be a far cheaper proposition to run too at shed money. I was looking at cheap Boxsters a while ago and soon realised I could get a much newer Z4 for less money than an early 2.5 Boxster.
If I had somewhere to park it I would get one as a summer fun car.
I did consider upping the budget and getting an early Boxter S but a decent one would be 3x what I paid for this and with a lot more potentially to cause a large maintenance bill!
They probably drive a tad nicer but I feel these are under valued in the current market when things like a leggy 350z convertible are still £6k
NorthernSky said:
+1 for the 107 alloys - had one of these as 3.0i with these wheels in midnight blue and a tan roof (which failed, 700 quid).
It sounds like the OP has done sensible research regards to the roof, and that relocation will save a lot of bother. Maybe source a new motor anyway as the old one could be on it's way out, being 15 years old.
Have many happy memories of mine, and regret selling it after 20000 miles of near faultless use, tearing down country lanes with the roof off and a big grin on face.
OP, one last suggestion - pop the bonnet and look for the sound insulating foam that is supposed to mute the sweet sound of the 6cyl engine. Open the pipe and remove this foam for a clearer engine note.
I have heard about the sound generator and will certainly be looking at doing this modification. It sounds like the OP has done sensible research regards to the roof, and that relocation will save a lot of bother. Maybe source a new motor anyway as the old one could be on it's way out, being 15 years old.
Have many happy memories of mine, and regret selling it after 20000 miles of near faultless use, tearing down country lanes with the roof off and a big grin on face.
OP, one last suggestion - pop the bonnet and look for the sound insulating foam that is supposed to mute the sweet sound of the 6cyl engine. Open the pipe and remove this foam for a clearer engine note.
Apart from that I may add a fruitier exhaust but only a cat back as the one I have purchased had new cats only 6 months ago. Looking the rear springs were changed in 2015 which is another weak point apparently so I should be good to go
Don’t want to spend a fortune as once my company car goes back (18 months) I will take the £6k Allowance flog the Z4 and purchase something silly as I only do about 10-12k per annum now anyway.
Pick it up 10:30 tomorrow I hope the weather is dry!
Jakg said:
greggy50 said:
Pick it up 10:30 tomorrow I hope the weather is dry!
It's 11:30. First impressions?Had the roof down for 20 mins before it stated raining off out with my girlfriend now for a pub lunch. Will report back properly later
I have now had the car a few days and I am really pleased with it. I have never had a convertible or a proper RWD sports car before (once had a 530d estate) so I have been taking it easy but overall I am enjoying the experience.
I have found myself driving with the roof down a lot as the heater and heated seats means I still stay toasty inside but I am getting a few strange looks of pedestrians I have noticed particularly when it is really cold outside...
In terms of the car itself it has most of the key options looking at the original brochure including upgraded alloys, leather seats, electric memory seats, 6 CD changer, cup holders and heated seats. All it is missing really is Sat-Nav which would be crap now anyway and cruise control which I have seen can be retrofitted very cheaply if required.
The engine itself pulls hard and is very smooth, I have been stuck in a diesel for the past 12 months so its great to have a proper petrol engine again. It also really sings when you get above 5k and I cant help but drop down a gear or two when I approach a tunnel.
My only issues so far are as follows:
Roof - It has a few marks that almost appear to be mold where I assume it has been put down when wet. Any tips on how to refurbish this? I will take some photos tomorrow.
Rear Tyre - It has a slow puncture (losing 2 psi per day) they are some naff Chinese brand so I will look at changing these before I turn the traction control off...
Overall however I am super happy and for £2,650 I honestly can't think of anything better for the money for a weekend car.
Few pictures below
|https://thumbsnap.com/gtNEXW8E[/url]
I have found myself driving with the roof down a lot as the heater and heated seats means I still stay toasty inside but I am getting a few strange looks of pedestrians I have noticed particularly when it is really cold outside...
In terms of the car itself it has most of the key options looking at the original brochure including upgraded alloys, leather seats, electric memory seats, 6 CD changer, cup holders and heated seats. All it is missing really is Sat-Nav which would be crap now anyway and cruise control which I have seen can be retrofitted very cheaply if required.
The engine itself pulls hard and is very smooth, I have been stuck in a diesel for the past 12 months so its great to have a proper petrol engine again. It also really sings when you get above 5k and I cant help but drop down a gear or two when I approach a tunnel.
My only issues so far are as follows:
Roof - It has a few marks that almost appear to be mold where I assume it has been put down when wet. Any tips on how to refurbish this? I will take some photos tomorrow.
Rear Tyre - It has a slow puncture (losing 2 psi per day) they are some naff Chinese brand so I will look at changing these before I turn the traction control off...
Overall however I am super happy and for £2,650 I honestly can't think of anything better for the money for a weekend car.
Few pictures below
|https://thumbsnap.com/gtNEXW8E[/url]Edited by greggy50 on Tuesday 13th March 17:51
Will look at getting two near rear tyres
Just done the sound generator modification only had to removed two screws underneath the glovebox and remove the foam I have heard its a great free modification
Have noticed the car has come with a wind deflector in the boot lid which you can attach between the roll bars was this standard? I am surprised with how much kit it has for a 15 year old car.
Just done the sound generator modification only had to removed two screws underneath the glovebox and remove the foam I have heard its a great free modification
Have noticed the car has come with a wind deflector in the boot lid which you can attach between the roll bars was this standard? I am surprised with how much kit it has for a 15 year old car.
Jakg said:
How is it 2 weeks in?
Done 1,000 miles and it’s great so far. It’s fun to drive and now I have taken the foam out the sound generator nearest the cabin the noise is fantastic inside the car.I am going to get the tracking done as it’s not quite prefect but it drives really nicely and makes a change from my diesel daily.
One issue is a slight driveline clunk when setting off or doing 1st to 2nd gearchange. The clutch and gearbox seem sweet so I assume it could be bushes/driveshaft or diff related? If you are smooth it is not really an issue and it may be more my driving behind honest...
e30m3Mark said:
greggy50 said:
Jakg said:
How is it 2 weeks in?
Done 1,000 miles and it’s great so far. It’s fun to drive and now I have taken the foam out the sound generator nearest the cabin the noise is fantastic inside the car.I am going to get the tracking done as it’s not quite prefect but it drives really nicely and makes a change from my diesel daily.
One issue is a slight driveline clunk when setting off or doing 1st to 2nd gearchange. The clutch and gearbox seem sweet so I assume it could be bushes/driveshaft or diff related? If you are smooth it is not really an issue and it may be more my driving behind honest...
https://m.ebay.com/itm/For-BMW-3Series-Z4-E46-Driv...
To confirm since buying the car I have ordered the following:
New DISA Valve £40
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151006154531?ul_noapp=t...
Vanos Repair Kit £100
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221946288092
Roof Repair £100
Member from Z4 Forum
Tracking £30
New Flex Disk and Bearing Support £40
https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-BMW-3Series-Z4-E46-Dr...
The Flex/Disk and bearing was due to the clunking noise mentioned earlier I am yet to fit this but I hope it would resolve the problem.
The Vanos/DISA was more preventive maintenance from googling as due to the milleage both are at the risk of failure. The car does seem to pull a lot harder from 4k almost as if it is turbod and they is a slight ticking noise both of which are signs of vanos failure. I will fit the parts myself apart from the flex disk/bearing support which I don't fancy doing personally.
This means the total expenditure on the car will be £310 if you add this onto the £2,550 I paid it totals £2,860 so far. It will need a service in 6 months and I will stick some better pads on the front and it will then owe me circa £3k all in. Personally I am very pleased with this as I should then have a car that should last a while and hopefully with the Vanos/Disa work pull stronger as well.
New DISA Valve £40
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151006154531?ul_noapp=t...
Vanos Repair Kit £100
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221946288092
Roof Repair £100
Member from Z4 Forum
Tracking £30
New Flex Disk and Bearing Support £40
https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-BMW-3Series-Z4-E46-Dr...
The Flex/Disk and bearing was due to the clunking noise mentioned earlier I am yet to fit this but I hope it would resolve the problem.
The Vanos/DISA was more preventive maintenance from googling as due to the milleage both are at the risk of failure. The car does seem to pull a lot harder from 4k almost as if it is turbod and they is a slight ticking noise both of which are signs of vanos failure. I will fit the parts myself apart from the flex disk/bearing support which I don't fancy doing personally.
This means the total expenditure on the car will be £310 if you add this onto the £2,550 I paid it totals £2,860 so far. It will need a service in 6 months and I will stick some better pads on the front and it will then owe me circa £3k all in. Personally I am very pleased with this as I should then have a car that should last a while and hopefully with the Vanos/Disa work pull stronger as well.
Just to add I have seen that the genuine wind deflectors with brackets re-sell for around £150 on eBay as I never actually use it I will be selling mine bringing my total expenditure back down to circa. £2,700.
I could make another £350 swapping away the xenon headlamps that come on the 3.0 for the normal lights if I really wanted to get this for a bargain basement price but I want to keep them.
I could make another £350 swapping away the xenon headlamps that come on the 3.0 for the normal lights if I really wanted to get this for a bargain basement price but I want to keep them.
Edited by greggy50 on Friday 27th April 10:29
parabolica said:
How are you getting on with it OP? I'm off to see a low mileage 2003 3.0 tomorrow and got high hopes for it. Looks good in the pictures but I guess we'll see up close. Any "wish I'd known that before buying it" thoughts?
Incidentally if anyone has experience of the SMG boxes in these I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts.
Its going well however I have had it confirmed the the DMF is on the way out. I therefore have been quoted £1,050 for a new clutch, flywheel and associated bits along with a full vanos rebuild. Incidentally if anyone has experience of the SMG boxes in these I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts.
Edited by parabolica on Sunday 6th May 17:12
Therefore this means the car will now owe me £3,600 (I sold the wind deflector for £200) the costs for this are as follows:
Car £2,650 (£2,450 after wind deflector)
DISA Rebuild Kit £50 (They will all need this)
DMF + Clutch £800
Vanos Rebuild £275 (They will all need this after 40k/50k miles it doesn't damage the car it just means they are down on power)
Roof Repair + Motor Relocate £100 (Common problem and a cheap fix via the forums so look for one with this to get a bargain)
Tracking £25
The DMF going is a major annoyance but to be honest once it is done I will have a mint Z4 with all the issues fixed for £3,600 and being honest I don't think I will lose much when I come to sell it. The car drives nicely and sounds great with the sound generator modification. My only annoyance is the drive line clunk and rattle from the DMF however the new bushes and vanos rebuild and clutch etc. will transform the car I am sure.
In terms of other common issues springs can snap however mine were changed only 12 months ago along with the catalic convertors and disks & pads so no worries in terms of that.
For the money I don't think they can be beaten and everyone so far has commented they can't believe the cost only cost me what it did I would recommend one to anyone.
If you can get one with a broken roof even better as they are cheap to fix and you can pick up a bargain.
Edited by greggy50 on Wednesday 9th May 21:39
parabolica said:
Thanks OP; I actually bought the one I went to look at. 03, 3.0 and only 60k. Great history and everything seemed to work as it should. Going to take it to an indy once I’ve picked it up so they can do a thorough vehicle check.
From my research I would recommend getting the Vanos and the DISA rebuild kit done. The DISA essentially if it fails can destroy your engine so for the sake of £40 and 1 hour labour it is well worth doing. I did mine myself and it takes around 45 minutes and you only need a socket set. If you offer £40 for the below it will be accepted https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-0-DISA-Valve-Inta...
The Vanos seals will have gone by now even on a 60k example from reading the forums you won't appreciate the difference in power until you have had it done!
P.S Do the sound generator modification it takes 10 minutes and transforms the noise inside the car. You just need to unscrew the panel below the glovebox and then pull the foam out the end of the tube.
parabolica said:
Huh; if you fill out their form and put in the details for an 03 Z4 it says the part is not compatible - I'm assuming you've already done yours?
Is it a DIY mod? Got a garage full of spanners and tools but if it involves anything specialist I might ask the indy about it.
This video explains itIs it a DIY mod? Got a garage full of spanners and tools but if it involves anything specialist I might ask the indy about it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIq7QJpRnRw
Take off the air filter and its a couple of screws its really easy
Mr Tidy said:
They do seem to be a bit of a bargain - how many other RWD 2-seaters are there with an N/A straight 6?
Sorry to hear of your problems greggy, but it's good to see you are still being positive about the car!
Mine will never have roof motor issues as it is a Coupe, but roof motors can be revived and relocated quite cheaply by some of the guys on the Z4forum.
I'm on my 2nd Coupe, so it only seems fair to post some gratuitous photos!
It's probably fair to say I am addicted!
The Coupes are a lovely looking thingSorry to hear of your problems greggy, but it's good to see you are still being positive about the car!
Mine will never have roof motor issues as it is a Coupe, but roof motors can be revived and relocated quite cheaply by some of the guys on the Z4forum.
I'm on my 2nd Coupe, so it only seems fair to post some gratuitous photos!
It's probably fair to say I am addicted!
Z4M Coupes are strong money now and they are 100% a future classic.
I think all Z4's in terms of retaining value will be pretty good now which makes the overall ownership cost a lot cheaper.
I have had my issues but I purchased cheap to begin with and I still think its great value for what I got.
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