100k+ z4mc - expected expenses

shuey · Post by **shuey** » Mon May 21, 2018 8:01 pm

Hey all

So I’m toying with the idea of buying a 100k miler z4mc instead of the z4c.

Ignoring the obvious service items as brake discs and pads, tyres and oil changes, what major expenses can I be expecting, such as clutch or engine bits or anything else I’m not aware off? And what kind of cost would I be looking at for fixes?

I’m cool with accepting the tax and fuel expense, but just want to be sure I’m not going beyond what I can afford.

Cheers

bmwaddict · Post by **bmwaddict** » Mon May 21, 2018 8:09 pm

I'd definitely get the Rod bearing shells changed, as a preventative measure at over 100k. Mine were in pretty good nick when changed at 107k, but I got it out of the way, costs about £1K, but better than a new engine if the worst were to happen.

shuey · Post by **shuey** » Mon May 21, 2018 8:26 pm

Is that parts and labour? And from an indie or bmw

bmwaddict · Post by **bmwaddict** » Mon May 21, 2018 8:42 pm

shuey wrote: ↑Mon May 21, 2018 8:26 pm Is that parts and labour? And from an indie or bmw

That's parts and labour, all in from an indie. Not sure what BMW charge but it's more than that.

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Tue May 22, 2018 1:48 am

Not many Z4M's with over 100k on here. Take a look around the E46 M3 Forums for more feedback on high milage S54's.

bradz · Post by **bradz** » Tue May 22, 2018 9:08 am

Rod bearings and that's about it.

I have lots of friends with 150k+ S54's that are track cars that take some serious abuse. Head gasket can be an issue, but it's not common.

Adam

mmm-five · Post by **mmm-five** » Tue May 22, 2018 11:27 am

Diff (£3k) can become noisy, although mine was exacerbated by the shunt to the rear wheel @ 145k miles. Had one under warranty at 75k miles too, and the dealer said 100,000 miles was about the max for them.

Clutch & flywheel (£1k-£3k depending on dealer/indy/genuine/OEM parts) - mine worked one day, no sign of failure, and then just failed @ 140k miles.

Suspension, if original, will be well past it’s best - budget £1k+ for OE stuff, or £2k for adjustable KW or Bilstein.

Preventatively, I’ve replaced the whole cooling system at about 110k as it seemed to be getting hotter than normal (by about 10°c) - total for that was about £1k.

I’ve also replaced the OE anti-roll bars as they were getting a bit crummy (£250).

Other than invoices for regular maintenance and recent consumables (tyres, discs, pads, bushes, mounts, etc.), that’s about it.

After all that, I consider my car to be in as good a mechanical condition as one of much lesser miles, and probably better than some at half the miles with all original parts.

Fishy Dave · Post by **Fishy Dave** » Tue May 22, 2018 11:32 am

bradz wrote: ↑Tue May 22, 2018 9:08 am Rod bearings and that's about it.

I have lots of friends with 150k+ S54's that are track cars that take some serious abuse. Head gasket can be an issue, but it's not common.

Adam

Agreed, we have a 150k+ mile M3 racing with us which has competed in two 24 hour races and two seasons of CSCC racing and is an original, unopened S54!

Gustavo7 · Post by **Gustavo7** » Tue May 22, 2018 4:14 pm

As an owner of a 118k mile Z4MC, I would look out for corroded brake calipers / sticky calipers requiring a refurbishment and tired suspension requiring replacement.

Mine is on the original rod bearings, I will probably do it on the next inspection 2 in 7k miles for peace of mind.

tomscott · Post by **tomscott** » Tue May 22, 2018 4:45 pm

Engine bolts worth replacing. Engine mounts are rubber most probably perished.

shuey · Post by **shuey** » Wed May 23, 2018 2:04 am

Thanks guys, sounds like there’s potentially a good 2k-3k dependant on car condition etc.
Think I might have to do the sensible thing and wait for another year before I go for the M and get the z4 c for now

mmm-five · Post by **mmm-five** » Wed May 23, 2018 8:27 am

shuey wrote: ↑Wed May 23, 2018 2:04 am Thanks guys, sounds like there’s potentially a good 2k-3k dependant on car condition etc.
Think I might have to do the sensible thing and wait for another year before I go for the M and get the z4 c for now

Why?

A 90k mile car won’t be much less likely to require the same repairs as a 100k car.

You just have to weigh up what’s already been done vs what might need doing in 1/2/3 years depending on your usage.

I’d rather buy a 110k mile car that’s had recent suspension, brakes, tyres, inspection than a 90k mile one needing it all doing in the next 6 months.

ZAR4MC · Post by **ZAR4MC** » Wed May 23, 2018 8:49 am

Around 100k i'd say you need to be looking at: Engine and Gearbox Mounts, replace Rod Bearings, refresh Vanos, Valve Clearance adjustment.. a bit later down the road you may need to check out suspension bits and bobs...

shuey · Post by **shuey** » Wed May 23, 2018 10:55 am

Yeh it’s more to do with my budget at mo. I’ll be kinda stretching myself a little if I went for the Z4M and it’ll have to be a high miler (can’t really go over £15k) and at the price it’s prob unlikely I’ll find one with that’s had all the work done. Plus if I wait a year I can up my budget by another 5k and get something with a significantly lower mileage (I know mileage isn’t as important as service history).

So Z4C for now

RickRob · Post by **RickRob** » Wed May 23, 2018 11:40 am

My Z4MR is on 113k miles. Will get the rod bearings done soon - have been quoted just over £1k all in from an Indy.

It's going in next week to have the front to rear brake pipes replaced as they are corroded and to have a broken exhaust mounting fixed. That will be about £900 all in.

I bought the car 4 years' ago and the only non-servicing cost was getting the roof motor replaced with a refurbed one and moved into the boot. That was about £300. So by my calculations, even when I have spent the next £2k or so, I am still ahead, on the basis that the lack of depreciation has more than offset the costs.

Plus the Zed makes me happy, which is priceless!

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