Newbie looking for a Z4

[Ole gits rule]

We are a convincing lot, in fact Pondrew, has almost convinced us that he is human.

Almost......

Think there is someway to go before he convinces me he is human - men from mars, women from Venus, Pondrews not in this universe, never mind galaxy

[Pondrew]

What.....is this National 'have a pop at Pond' day? Oh...hang on...everyday is on here!
You boys have been out in the sun too long.

[Ole gits rule]

What.....is this National 'have a pop at Pond' day? Oh...hang on...everyday is on here!
You boys have been out in the sun too long.

No fun if we cant have a pop at the pond, mind I think you enjoy

[Pondrew]

And before he makes any Norfolk comments I should point out that I'm almost hoomun.

They do the foo, hoomun, coocumber thing round here too! Someone we know even calls a female sheep an "oo".
My Mrs hates it when I talk like a 'fen-man'.

I'm not from Spalding, I just reside here. I'm from the home counties, don't you know!

[Pondrew]

No fun if we cant have a pop at the pond, mind I think you enjoy

I know you all love me really (well most)!

[enuff_zed]

ShortieMcClaire, out of interest, would you be interested in an automatic?
Long story but basically I finished doing up a lovely black 3.0i auto and foolishly let my wife drive it yesterday. now she wants it!
But that means we need to sell her 2.5i automatic.
I bought it for her 3 years ago as a Valentine's present, have done all the usual maintenance, full suspension change, engine ork, moved the roof motor into the boot., LED interior lights and loads more.
It also has a 'Bury' contraption that allows you to link your phone for hands free etc.
It's Sterling Grey.
I need to clean it and get some photos done but thought I'd check first. If auto is not your thing then I won't rush.
It's done 104k and I'd be looking for around £4000.
Here's a couple of photos to give you some idea.

30 Jan 22a.JPG (77.63 KiB) Viewed 290 times

Old Buck 12 Jun 21.JPG (241.95 KiB) Viewed 290 times

East Harling woods 24 Apr 21.JPG (254.07 KiB) Viewed 290 times

[ShortieMcClaire]

ShortieMcClaire, out of interest, would you be interested in an automatic?
Long story but basically I finished doing up a lovely black 3.0i auto and foolishly let my wife drive it yesterday. now she wants it!
But that means we need to sell her 2.5i automatic.
I bought it for her 3 years ago as a Valentine's present, have done all the usual maintenance, full suspension change, engine ork, moved the roof motor into the boot., LED interior lights and loads more.
It also has a 'Bury' contraption that allows you to link your phone for hands free etc.
It's Sterling Grey.
I need to clean it and get some photos done but thought I'd check first. If auto is not your thing then I won't rush.
It's done 104k and I'd be looking for around £4000.
Here's a couple of photos to give you some idea.
30 Jan 22a.JPG
Old Buck 12 Jun 21.JPG
East Harling woods 24 Apr 21.JPG

she’s lovely but I’m looking for one that’s done less miles & one that’s maby a bit different….I love the red leather interiors & the front & rear spoilers. Thanks so much for thinking of me though. The orange re spray with all the bells & whistles was right up my street but he’s sold it

[enuff_zed]

ShortieMcClaire, out of interest, would you be interested in an automatic?
Long story but basically I finished doing up a lovely black 3.0i auto and foolishly let my wife drive it yesterday. now she wants it!
But that means we need to sell her 2.5i automatic.
I bought it for her 3 years ago as a Valentine's present, have done all the usual maintenance, full suspension change, engine ork, moved the roof motor into the boot., LED interior lights and loads more.
It also has a 'Bury' contraption that allows you to link your phone for hands free etc.
It's Sterling Grey.
I need to clean it and get some photos done but thought I'd check first. If auto is not your thing then I won't rush.
It's done 104k and I'd be looking for around £4000.
Here's a couple of photos to give you some idea.
30 Jan 22a.JPG
Old Buck 12 Jun 21.JPG
East Harling woods 24 Apr 21.JPG

she’s lovely but I’m looking for one that’s done less miles & one that’s maby a bit different….I love the red leather interiors & the front & rear spoilers. Thanks so much for thinking of me though. The orange re spray with all the bells & whistles was right up my street but he’s sold it

Fully understand all that and as the owner of an orange E89 I agree with you.
All I would say is don't get too hung up on mileage. These engines will go past 250k no problem with a bit of tlc.
Find one that has been well maintained and it will be fine.

[ShortieMcClaire]

ShortieMcClaire, out of interest, would you be interested in an automatic?
Long story but basically I finished doing up a lovely black 3.0i auto and foolishly let my wife drive it yesterday. now she wants it!
But that means we need to sell her 2.5i automatic.
I bought it for her 3 years ago as a Valentine's present, have done all the usual maintenance, full suspension change, engine ork, moved the roof motor into the boot., LED interior lights and loads more.
It also has a 'Bury' contraption that allows you to link your phone for hands free etc.
It's Sterling Grey.
I need to clean it and get some photos done but thought I'd check first. If auto is not your thing then I won't rush.
It's done 104k and I'd be looking for around £4000.
Here's a couple of photos to give you some idea.
30 Jan 22a.JPG
Old Buck 12 Jun 21.JPG
East Harling woods 24 Apr 21.JPG

she’s lovely but I’m looking for one that’s done less miles & one that’s maby a bit different….I love the red leather interiors & the front & rear spoilers. Thanks so much for thinking of me though. The orange re spray with all the bells & whistles was right up my street but he’s sold it

Fully understand all that and as the owner of an orange E89 I agree with you.
All I would say is don't get too hung up on mileage. These engines will go past 250k no problem with a bit of tlc.
Find one that has been well maintained and it will be fine.

ok- thanks for that bit of advice, makes a difference to my search as I always thought best to get a lower mileage

[Ole gits rule]

No fun if we cant have a pop at the pond, mind I think you enjoy

I know you all love me really (well most)!

Most people - are we certain, is Mrs Drew on that list

[N4LLY]

ShortieMcClaire, out of interest, would you be interested in an automatic?
Long story but basically I finished doing up a lovely black 3.0i auto and foolishly let my wife drive it yesterday. now she wants it!
But that means we need to sell her 2.5i automatic.
I bought it for her 3 years ago as a Valentine's present, have done all the usual maintenance, full suspension change, engine ork, moved the roof motor into the boot., LED interior lights and loads more.
It also has a 'Bury' contraption that allows you to link your phone for hands free etc.
It's Sterling Grey.
I need to clean it and get some photos done but thought I'd check first. If auto is not your thing then I won't rush.
It's done 104k and I'd be looking for around £4000.
Here's a couple of photos to give you some idea.
30 Jan 22a.JPG
Old Buck 12 Jun 21.JPG
East Harling woods 24 Apr 21.JPG

she’s lovely but I’m looking for one that’s done less miles & one that’s maby a bit different….I love the red leather interiors & the front & rear spoilers. Thanks so much for thinking of me though. The orange re spray with all the bells & whistles was right up my street but he’s sold it

Shame you missed out on the Orange E85 That was a cracker.

Re-spray enuff_zed, Motor

[enuff_zed]

ok- thanks for that bit of advice, makes a difference to my search as I always thought best to get a lower mileage

There is always a balance of course, but 100k on a 20-y-o car is only 5k per year in reality.
If you get a really low mileage one you can encounter a different set of problems as parts can dry out, corrode, you don't know how long old oil and coolant has sat still in them, internal condensation, etc, etc.
Very high mileage then obviously you start to get components wearing out.
Somewhere in between, with evidence of works carried out, is a good bet. This is why we are all suggesting forum cars as they are, in the main, well looked after.
For the older 6-cylinder engine (the M54) then I would suggest that anything between 60k and 120k would be ok, with more evidence of maintenance needed as you move to the to end of that range. Some more cautious people would advise you to go lower.
So far I have had 5 E85s. Mileages have been 104k, 112k, 118k, 112k and this last one which I got stupidly cheap is on 149k, but still purrs.
I have never (touch wood) had any engine issues other than preventative maintenance, couple of top cover gasket leaks and one starter motor change.

[ShortieMcClaire]

ok- thanks for that bit of advice, makes a difference to my search as I always thought best to get a lower mileage

There is always a balance of course, but 100k on a 20-y-o car is only 5k per year in reality.
If you get a really low mileage one you can encounter a different set of problems as parts can dry out, corrode, you don't know how long old oil and coolant has sat still in them, internal condensation, etc, etc.
Very high mileage then obviously you start to get components wearing out.
Somewhere in between, with evidence of works carried out, is a good bet. This is why we are all suggesting forum cars as they are, in the main, well looked after.
For the older 6-cylinder engine (the M54) then I would suggest that anything between 60k and 120k would be ok, with more evidence of maintenance needed as you move to the to end of that range. Some more cautious people would advise you to go lower.
So far I have had 5 E85s. Mileages have been 104k, 112k, 118k, 112k and this last one which I got stupidly cheap is on 149k, but still purrs.
I have never (touch wood) had any engine issues other than preventative maintenance, couple of top cover gasket leaks and one starter motor change.

great advice- thanks so much. I obviously would rather buy one on the forum but I’ll need to sell my mini (which is currently in the garage) then start looking properly. Joining this forum has been invaluable & also knowing my neighbour has one & is also pretty handy

[Scubaregs]

ShortieMcClaire, as enuff_zed, said, don't get hung up too much on mileage, proper maintenance is far more important and also you have already stated you have a very low weekly mileage.

enuff_zed's, car sounds ideal imo, we are getting some decent weather for once so now's the time to get into a soft top and it is I imagine at the bottom end of your budget. Nothing to stop you "upgrading" in the future when budget allows.
Whilst I understand your desire for certain colours/trim etc, it limits your market and often means a buyer picking a poorer example of a car as it is the colour they wanted.

Have you managed to get a drive in a ZED yet?

[ShortieMcClaire]

Not yet but thinking of asking my neighbour for a wee shot in his but he knows that I drive everything like I stole it so not sure if he’ll be keen