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Roof motor not working on a potential purchase.
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- Newbie
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2020 6:04 pm
Roof motor not working on a potential purchase.
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.
Is it worth considering, or will it cost a fortune to fix ?
Thanks in advance.
- mr.tourette
- Lifer
- Posts: 4294
- Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 9:16 am
- Location: north wales
Roof motor not working on a potential purchase.
can be fixed lretty cheaply these days..sub 150 i believe so wouldn't put me off
if its got tits or tyres..its trouble
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- Newbie
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- Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2020 6:04 pm
Roof motor not working on a potential purchase.
Thanks, I'll go and have a look at it over the weekend and see what the rest of it is like.
- Mr Tidy
- Legend
- Posts: 23789
- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
- Location: North West Surrey
Roof motor not working on a potential purchase.
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.
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.
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
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- Newbie
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2020 6:04 pm
Roof motor not working on a potential purchase.
Cheers...any advice on anything common and expensive to look out for ?
- Mr Tidy
- Legend
- Posts: 23789
- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
- Location: North West Surrey
Roof motor not working on a potential purchase.
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.
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.
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
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- Lifer
- Posts: 9537
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:09 am
- Location: South west Buckinghamshire
Roof motor not working on a potential purchase.
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
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
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
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- Senior Member
- Posts: 1113
- Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2018 8:43 am
- Location: Braintree
Roof motor not working on a potential purchase.
Gotta love this forum- great advice as always. Great for “newbies” to go looking at potential purchases with their eyes open
- maxman
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2821
- Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 11:34 pm
- Location: Wrexham
Roof motor not working on a potential purchase.
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.
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- Newbie
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2020 6:04 pm
Roof motor not working on a potential purchase.
Thanks guys