Starting search

[Warrior170]

Just joined your forum today, about to dip my toe into Z4 ownership and probably you've been asked a thousand times to guide a Newbie in the direction of a good one. Mid 50s and not going to track days or driving wild but like decent overtake punch so probably not a 2l
I like the look of the E86 coupe. probably the 3L Si. But open to suggestion as to whats useable.
I wouldn't mind an auto but are they any good? Dodgy left knee but could drive manual as second car.
Will spend what I need to for the right car but looking online maybe around the 9/10k mark. Is it worth paying more?
What mileage should I look for at this sort of price?
Would you stick your neck out for a Z4m? at what price and miles.
Where best to buy, Forum, private, Dealership?
What is road tax on them?
Sat nav no sat nav
If you ditch the run flats does it affect insurance?
Hope someone has the patience to give me some guidance and excuse the questions. Oh and if you know of a stunner at a decent price let me know.

[Crazy Harry]

Hi and welcome - great list of questions; you've thought about this before havn't you!

I went for an E85 roadster so can't help that much - but can understand the attraction of the coupe shape. Forum cars are known and most of the common bugs tend to be sorted. Keep asking questions and enjoy the hunt

[Warrior170]

cheers Harry, yes I've had a look about and have just started to look seriously. have the cash within couple of weeks so it will be burning a hole but want to look around for the right one. One chance to make the right purchase!

[Mr Tidy]

Well first off, welcome to the forum.

This guide is a good starting point:- viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21281 But the BMW Warranty link doesn't let you get the VIN from the Reg No. any more.

Your probably right to look for bigger than a 2.0 litre - that way you'll get a straight 6, which is one of the Z4s unique features.

Pre-facelift E85s (03 to early 06) came as a 2.2i (170PS), 2.5i (192PS) or 3.0i (231PS). They all used the same M54 engine the same as the E46 3 Series, just in different sizes so the running costs are pretty much the same for all of them - so you might as well have the bigger ones!

Facelift E85s came as a 2.5i (177PS), 2.5Si (218PS) or 3.0Si (265PS) and use the N52 engine as fitted to early E9* 3 Series, again just in different sizes - so the running costs are pretty much the same. The E86 only came along with the facelift, and was only offered with the 3.0Si engine. The N52 engine is a newer generation, and has a couple of foibles in that there is no dipstick (you check the level using a button on the dash) and has an electric water pump which seems to last 8 to 10 years or 60,000 miles. Because it's electric when it goes it just stops, so in about a mile the car will overheat. Replacements cost over £200 just for the part, so it's worth bearing in mind - if you find evidence of a car having had a new one that's a bonus!

Road tax on all of these is £325 a year. It's £555 a year for an M which only came along with the facelift, but you'll struggle to find an M in your budget unless it's very leggy. And in any case everything for an M costs significantly more - plus they need valve clearances checked and adjusted regularly as they aren't hydraulic. The upside is you do get 343PS though. :laugh:

One issue the E85s suffer from is roof motor problems. BMW located them where they often get drowned in water from the roof drains. I think BMW want in the region of £800 for a new one, but there are people on here who can often revive dead ones and relocate them into the boot out of harm's way for around £200. They are in Hampshire, Bristol, Warrington and Durham, so it depends where you are.

Some E86s have suffered from rust on the tailgate - usually around the edges as you look at it when it's open.

BMW were a bit mean with spec so decide what items are "must haves" before you start looking. Heated seats are very desirable, especially on Roadsters, Bi-Xenon lights are much better than Halogens and M-Sport seats are sought-after - to the extent a pair of used ones will fetch the best part of £1,000. If you stick to facelift models the Sport models had them as standard, whereas they were an option on the SE models.

Other options were multi-function steering wheel, rear parking sensors, folding door mirrors, cup-holders and cruise control, but that last one isn't too hard to retro-fit.

You ought to get a good E85 3.0Si within your budget, or towards the top of it a good E86 3.0Si with maybe 70K or so miles on it as Coupes do seem to command a premium. Higher mileages aren't an issue so long as the car has been maintained properly. I sold an E91 325i earlier this year (same engine as a 2.5Si) that had done 139K miles and was still running fine. My E86 has done 90K and also runs just great. Some have done over 150k miles on these engines without problems.

As to where to buy I'd start on here, as most people on here are obviously enthusiasts so tend to be fastidious about looking after their cars. But I got a good deal on my 1st Coupe on AutoTrader, and it had full BMW history. I sold it on here, but found my next one on Pistonheads.

Personally I prefer buying privately as that way you get to weigh up the seller, and can form an impression of how they are likely to have looked after the car - you don't get that buying from a dealer, and you just know you are paying a premium. OK you get some come back, but quite often it isn't much use!

Anyway that's enough waffle from me - good luck tracking the right one down. :thumbup:

[buzyg]

Welcome to the forum. The Coupe E86 only comes with two engines. The 3.0 and the 3.2. They are both fine staight six engines. The 3.2 in the ///M is a true gem, but you pay for the privilege and the extra 78 hp. Tax is £550 and rising, which is a fair chunk, especially on a weekend car.

Your budget should find you a very decent 3.0. You will need to find fair bit more if you decide to follow your heart not your head and buy an ///M.

[g3org3y]

I like the look of the E86 coupe. probably the 3L Si. But open to suggestion as to whats useable.
I wouldn't mind an auto but are they any good? Dodgy left knee but could drive manual as second car.
Will spend what I need to for the right car but looking online maybe around the 9/10k mark. Is it worth paying more?
What mileage should I look for at this sort of price?
Would you stick your neck out for a Z4m? at what price and miles.
Where best to buy, Forum, private, Dealership?
What is road tax on them?
Sat nav no sat nav
If you ditch the run flats does it affect insurance?
Hope someone has the patience to give me some guidance and excuse the questions. Oh and if you know of a stunner at a decent price let me know.

As mentioned, for the coupe, you're either looking at the 3.0Si or the full fat 3.2 Z4M. The 3.0Si is no slouch but the M is a step above. Of course, this comes with more expensive upkeep and the famous 'M Tax' (:P) for parts. Also worth considering the M is manual only and has the better hydraulic steering.

Hold out for spec. When searching for my Z4, I noticed spec was very variable. At that price point, you should be picky. Sport adds the stiffer suspension + sports seats + M Sport alloys. Xenons IMO are essential. Cruise is nice. Other options include heated seats (very nice if going for the Roadster and doing winter driving), Sat Nav, upgraded audio system, folding mirrors, stereo controls on the steering wheel, electric memory seats etc I think even the cup holders were an option!

Sat Nav is old and feels it compared to the modern Tom Tom. Wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

Re where to buy, forum = enthusiast owned so probably more looked after. Private is cheaper than a dealer but you don't have any comeback if there are issues.

Good luck with your search!

[Warrior170]

Thanks for that. Bit of a minefield but will get there.

[Warrior170]

Looks like an E86 3L Si sport with xenon and heated seats it is.
please feel free to pass on any details of for sale cars that look the business.
M car sounds too grief much but budget for the 3l is not fixed so will pay for the right car.
Much appreciate the help guys

[MattZCars]

Hey OP I'm a relative newby on here having bought a facelift 2.5 SE Roadster (E85 for those obsessed with model numbers) around a month ago. From your priorities and budget it sounds like a 3.0si Coupe with some nice options would be perfect for you. It may take a while to find the right car but be patient, nice coupe's hold their value well and because of very favourable press when new, are always sought after.

Would agree that buying privately if you can is generally preferable. But I would say the absolute most important thing is a proper service history from either BMW or a good specialist (most specialists are mentioned somewhere on here, so checking is just a matter of typing their name in the search box on here) There are some potentially expensive problems, so a proper well looked after car should be less likely to give you problems.

You have the budget for a very nice car, good luck!

[MattZCars]

P.s. forgot to say...having owned mine for 6 weeks I would say following items will improve your car massively....

Standard seats aren't that great, Sport seats much better.
Runflat tyres seriously compromise handling, steering and ride. Non runflats with a space saver spare probably the best single upgrade to any Z4.
Standard headlights are pretty weak. Xenon's almost essential to go anywhere the speed limit at night!

All these well documented on here

[Warrior170]

Thanks Matt.
Do prices drop for these at the end of summer or pretty static throughout with it being coupe?

[MattZCars]

Thanks Matt.
Do prices drop for these at the end of summer or pretty static throughout with it being coupe?

I haven't monitored prices of coupes specifically that closely through the year but car prices don't vary as much as people think through the year. It's a bit of an urban myth. Dealers may be a bit less ambitious with asking prices in the winter but that's all. Far more important to buy a good car when you see it than wait for prices to "drop"