Roof motor not working on a potential purchase.

Grover · Post by **Grover** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 8:35 pm

Hi guys, I'm currently looking for a 3 litre E85 and one has come up reasonably close to me, the only problem is that the roof has stopped working recently.
Is it worth considering, or will it cost a fortune to fix ?
Thanks in advance.

mr.tourette · Post by **mr.tourette** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 8:39 pm

can be fixed lretty cheaply these days..sub 150 i believe so wouldn't put me off

Grover · Post by **Grover** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 8:45 pm

Thanks, I'll go and have a look at it over the weekend and see what the rest of it is like.

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 8:53 pm

mr-tourette is right, but it's probably worth explaining that you won't get it fixed by BMW for that sort of money!

You'd need to take it to one of the 3 or 4 forum members who specialise in fixing them.

Good luck with your viewing.

Grover · Post by **Grover** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 9:22 pm

Cheers...any advice on anything common and expensive to look out for ?

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 9:48 pm

Here's a link to a check list that should help:- viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21281

As they have aged they do seem prone to rear brake pipes corroding. The pipes pass under the floor beneath the passenger seat inside a plastic cover, but the rear end of the cover tends to fill up with road debris which holds moisture when it gets wet causing the pipes to corrode so that's worth a look if possible.

You don't mention what age the car is, but there was a facelift in 2006 and post-facelift cars use a later generation engine (N52 instead of M54). If it is a facelift don't bother looking for the dipstick as it won't have one! You check the oil level using a button on the dash. And the facelift engine is more powerful!

The facelifts also have an electric water pump which will fail at some point, and when it does the engine will overheat within a mile or so. The issue is that new pumps cost £500 from BMW, but the same Pierburg pump can be sourced elsewhere for more like £300. The pump on my 1st Z4 failed at 60K miles (and 9 years) but my 2nd was on the original at 91K (and 13 years), so lifespan is variable. I wouldn't dismiss a car that hadn't had a new one, but it's worth bearing in mind it may happen - and if a car has had a new one that's a bonus!

Hope that is helpful.

firebobby · Post by **firebobby** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 9:56 pm

Welcome to the forum, they can suffer from water leaks from split header tanks, oil leaks from the rocker cover gasket and or oil filter housing, worn suspension parts, broken rear springs, interior water leaks etc.
All of the above are pretty easy DIY, if your handy.
We like photos if you do take the leap, they are great cars and very addictive

Big Bad Boris · Post by **Big Bad Boris** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:02 pm

Gotta love this forum- great advice as always. Great for “newbies” to go looking at potential purchases with their eyes open

maxman · Post by **maxman** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:09 pm

A good time to check for sticky steering with the heat we have at present .Same applies with the drivers door if left in full view of the sun.

Grover · Post by **Grover** » Tue Sep 15, 2020 9:10 am

Thanks guys

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