My latest Zed, a punt on a project

[9designs]

A little project thread, I’ll post from time to time…….


Finding myself Zed-less after selling my excellent 35iS thought I’d look for a “cheap runabout” for summer. Considered an MX5, they just look a bit smaller and I’d miss the 6 pot. Old Boxster are naff inside and look dated to me, plus expensive to fix.


So the obvious choice was another E85….. lots of choice here and arrange of prices. Sticking with a roadster as I like the roof down option, plus coupe doesn’t end up “cheap”.

Needed to be a 6 pot, no debate. As I have two other manuals an auto is kind of nice in a cruising car, a Zed isn’t a car I tend to “hoon” unlike my hot hatches .

I had manual 3.0Si before, bought and sold here, should of kept it as good as I’ve seen, wasn’t over impressed with the shift though.
That kind of shaped my search, a 3.0Si Auto Roadster, which brings the later 6 speed ZF box. A bit of a rare beast, perhaps not popular either at present.

When one popped up 30 mins from home, all be it at a trade fixed price site I got curious. This was going to be a “buy as seen”, no warranty, a car that the trade had off loaded due to age and mileage etc. Long story slightly short I bought it, taking a punt or making an investment, you decide.


The details:-

57 Plate, only TWO owners, last one 10 years.
3.0Si Auto Sport, silver/grey with red interior (my 4th Z4, all had red leather, clearly I like it)
127K miles, so that is a little compromise to accept, but I guess these engine/boxes go to the moon and back
MOT till Oct.
With 7 service stamps, feel there should have been a few more, it’s due one now anyway.
Has Cup holders !!
Built in NAV system
Cruise control
Multi function Wheel /Paddles
Electric memory sports seats (No heat…. I mean who orders leather without heat!?!?!)
Normal stereo – ie no Subs ☹ (Can I retro fit easily?)
80’s phone holder/dock in armrest…. How times changed !!
Roof motor has been relocated and working fine.

Discs and pads look hardly used.
Battery looks recent Bosch
Normal headlamps
4 S001 Bridgestone RF tyres with good tread. Shame is run flat, but the S001 are good tyre, same on wife’s 120D xDrive
Full Handbook pack
Still has medical kit in passenger seat stowage.
Leather looks nice condition, better than expected for mileage.
Only a couple chips or scratches.. touch up level.
No apparent body rust.


The bad bits:-

Engine oil leak – looks to me to be the cam cover gasket - 20 quid gasket kit and I guess couple of hours DIY work?
Vibration over some surface or sometimes when braking….. Front lollypops bushes look shot. ( Going for new arms, link, rods and bushes. Meyla HD kit.. 280quid of eBay).
Think I will tackle this on the drive, though will get local BWM Indi to quote. Tips and advice on doing the job at home welcomed.
Rear subframe has some surface corrosion, will clean up underneath and Lanoguard to protect for future. (If I’ve caught it in time I’m on a winner… Next MOT will tell)
Brake callipers rusted up, look poor. So either sand down and paint or replace… Working okay though.
Headlamps need a polish up. - Easy fix
Paint needs good detailing – - Easy fix ….(I’ve a DA and coated 3-4 cars now).
BBS 108’s need a refurb of some description (or replace)
One small tear on outer skin of roof, other wise looks okay. Not to fussed, it’s very small area. (Are they patch repair kits? Will clean it up with AutoGlym kit)
Small puncture hole on driver armrest. ( second hand door card off eBay, if I can’t repair/weld it).
Only one Carley error so far passenger window anti trap relay fault.


So far it appears just general expected age related wear. Which could be expected on any/all E85’s, plus some TLC to bring it up to Forum standard…. Target is ZedFest.

TBH, I may do the above work and sell on for hopefully a profit, or if get attached I may do a little extra to it and keep. Ie, Carplay screen, new wheels. Scorpion exhaust, Koni’s… Retrofit stereo and heated mats, leather console and dash cover up kit)

Tell me Z4-Forum collective, was £4K a risky punt or nice opportunity to bring a somewhat rare version back to desirable state. It will take a bit of time and effort, but I feel there is still a good car in there.

[TOMGREEN413]

sound purchase even if it wasn't a Coupe

[smorris_12]

That sounds a bit of a bargain.

[9designs]

There was a coupe parked next to it, manual, blue, 3.0, 170k on the clock…. £4.8k …. But I wanted a roadster.

[TOMGREEN413]

There was a coupe parked next to it, manual, blue, 3.0, 170k on the clock…. £4.8k …. But I wanted a roadster.

Could be a nice track car project for someone

[inkey$]

Sounds like a good project. Any pictures?

[j3nks79]

Oh one of the ones from BINCA

[9designs]

Oh one of the ones from BINCA

Yep….. Harry was good chap, worth keeping an eye on their stock.

[Barty]

Sounds like a great project and a good find. Any pics?

[enuff_zed]

Is the door card insert red to match the seats?
If not then I have a standard black panel you can have for postage and a beer.
Never looked to see if it’s possible to swap the insert?

[smorris_12]

Never looked to see if it’s possible to swap the insert?

I did on my E46. Bought a leather interior. The door cards were tattier than mine but the leather was fine so drilled out the melted plastic stubs holding the panel in place and then used chunky, short wood screws and washers to attach the panel to the other card.

[Usel]

Never looked to see if it’s possible to swap the insert?

I did on my E46. Bought a leather interior. The door cards were tattier than mine but the leather was fine so drilled out the melted plastic stubs holding the panel in place and then used chunky, short wood screws and washers to attach the panel to the other card.

On the Z4 they are plastic welded all the way round. They can be removed with a bit of cutting here and there then levering off with your favorite big screw driver.
Not easy and not difficult just time consuming.

Reattach with a bead of silicone/no more nails all the way round.

[j3nks79]

Oh one of the ones from BINCA

Yep….. Harry was good chap, worth keeping an eye on their stock.

They just buy direct from auction and then re advertise with a markup.
I have my own accounts with BCA and Manhiem so i just buy direct.

[Silverstar]

Seems like a good little project. If you think there is a good car in there somehwere then its worth putting the effort in to bring it back to its best. By the way no dealer can sell the car as a trade sale and without warranty to someone who is not in the trade, despite what they mark on the invoice e.g. sold as seen etc. you are still protected by your statutory rights.

[Silverstar]

Oh one of the ones from BINCA

Yep….. Harry was good chap, worth keeping an eye on their stock.

They just buy direct from auction and then re advertise with a markup.
I have my own accounts with BCA and Manhiem so i just buy direct.

Are BCA still not doing physical auctions?