2007 2.0 Any and all help needed

[Dezzy123]

Hi all, im looking at buying myself a 2007 z4 it had 102k miles on it its the 2L for insurance reasons if i could get the 6cyl i would. Im just after some advice on what to look out for any major problems etc this is going to be my daily do you recommend doing that or would another car suit me better
Thanks in advance for any help its greatly appreciated

 

[Argyll Andy]

Hello and welcome, re your question, the E85 2.0 aren’t known for their robustness. There’s a few members with longer ownership and bigger miles but they don’t have a great following on here. If insurance is the main issue have you looked at a 2.2, doubt there’s a huge difference between the 2.0 and 2.2. Good luck with your search

 

[enuff_zed]

Only real problems I’ve encountered are the valve timing system failing giving an EML and sometimes limp mode. Easily fixed though.
I have heard stories of head gaskets failing but not sure how common that is.
The rest of the car is the same regardless of engine size, so focus on engine history.
Where are you?
I am using a tatty 2.0 as a daily and happy to talk you over it if it would help?

 

[Dezzy123]

Only real problems I’ve encountered are the valve timing system failing giving an EML and sometimes limp mode. Easily fixed though.
I have heard stories of head gaskets failing but not sure how common that is.
The rest of the car is the same regardless of engine size, so focus on engine history.
Where are you?
I am using a tatty 2.0 as a daily and happy to talk you over it if it would help?

Im in south wales, its recently had the water pump, gasket seals and vacuum pump seals and is currently sat at 102k and its already had the roof motor relocation so thays something checked of the list, the biggest let down is it doesnt have a serivice history. How has your experience been as a daily has it lhad any major issues in your rome of owning it?

 

[Dezzy123]

Hello and welcome, re your question, the E85 2.0 aren’t known for their robustness. There’s a few members with longer ownership and bigger miles but they don’t have a great following on here. If insurance is the main issue have you looked at a 2.2, doubt there’s a huge difference between the 2.0 and 2.2. Good luck with your search

Thank you for your reply, im only 21 so its quite a bug jump for me which is a shame because i would love to have the I6

 

[enuff_zed]

Had mine 6 months and covered 3000 miles. Bought cheap with issues.
Only engine problem was the EML. I fitted a new VVT servo and eccentric cam sensor which cured that.
Now on 116k and no issues.
There is a forum member ‘Colb’ in South Wales who I’m sure would help out. Maybe check any codes before you buy it

 

[inkey$]

Welcome to the forum. Interested to know what the jump is from 2 to 2.2 or 2.5 litre in terms of insurance premium. If you can stretch to it, they really are worth the extra.

Lots of 2l around for sale so you’ll have your pick. On top of finding a cherished one, make sure you try and find one with heated sports seats and MSport steering wheel.

This late model one looks pretty good…
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303085027693
MOT history suggests it may need a new exhaust bracket.

 

[Zedebee]

Have you actually checked the insurance cost for a 2.5i, say? My son had one aged 20 and it was significantly cheaper for him to insure (with Admiral) than any of his mates in their regular young persons’ cars.

 

[True-Blue]

Google ‘N43 problems’ - what you save in insurance premiums may well be significantly exceeded in repair costs, or, you might get lucky :?

 

[Dezzy123]

Have you actually checked the insurance cost for a 2.5i, say? My son had one aged 20 and it was significantly cheaper for him to insure (with Admiral) than any of his mates in their regular young persons’ cars.

I havent actually checked the 2.5 the 2.2 was just under 250 extra a year so i just wrote it off completely ill do a check on the 2.5 now, thank you

 

[Dezzy123]

Had mine 6 months and covered 3000 miles. Bought cheap with issues.
Only engine problem was the EML. I fitted a new VVT servo and eccentric cam sensor which cured that.
Now on 116k and no issues.
There is a forum member ‘Colb’ in South Wales who I’m sure would help out. Maybe check any codes before you buy it

Ill see if i can find him and shoot him a message thank you

 

[Dezzy123]

Welcome to the forum. Interested to know what the jump is from 2 to 2.2 or 2.5 litre in terms of insurance premium. If you can stretch to it, they really are worth the extra.

Lots of 2l around for sale so you’ll have your pick. On top of finding a cherished one, make sure you try and find one with heated sports seats and MSport steering wheel

Thank you its been probably one of the nicest ive joined so far. The 2.2 was just under 250 a year extra, controversial option but i actually hate heated seats they make me feel like ive soiled myself

 

[inkey$]

Welcome to the forum. Interested to know what the jump is from 2 to 2.2 or 2.5 litre in terms of insurance premium. If you can stretch to it, they really are worth the extra.

Lots of 2l around for sale so you’ll have your pick. On top of finding a cherished one, make sure you try and find one with heated sports seats and MSport steering wheel

Thank you its been probably one of the nicest ive joined so far. The 2.2 was just under 250 a year extra, controversial option but i actually hate heated seats they make me feel like ive soiled myself

:lol: You can always leave them off. Good for resale value though. £250 extra a year will likely be saved in maintenance costs per True-Blue’s comment, above. And after all, that only £4.80 a week extra insurance for 6 cylinders and a lot of fun

 

[paddy wright]

Welcome to the forum- as you can see we like to encourage people to spend money In all seriousness I would recommend a i6 if you can. I’ve had my 2.2 since 2007 and had very little issues. (Touch wood)

 

[enuff_zed]

£250 extra a year will likely be saved in maintenance costs

I was going to say the same, but that all depends on the condition of the car and how much work you can do yourself.
I am fortunate in knowing one end of a spanner from the other, and I buy my Zeds as a hobby. I'm miserable if there's nothing to fix on them. Therefore I am never too concerned about history as a practiced eye can pick up a lot anyway.
Also, a lot of forum members are looking at spec, mileage and general provenance with an eye to selling on later. At the cheaper end of the market the potential losses on a resale are much less and I reckon you should pick the car you like that has what you need.

As someone just starting out, needing a reliable daily car, the issues are different.
I definitely think it is worth linking up with someone who can advise and is also able to help out if something goes wrong.
I'll add this x-ref to [ref]colb[/ref], so he should now get notified.
Someone like him will be invaluable for help and advice and I suspect he won't be charging dealer rates. :wink:

 

[Argyll Andy]

controversial option but i actually hate heated seats they make me feel like ive soiled myself

Serious question, have you owned a soft top before? I know what you’re saying about how they make you feel but in a soft top imo they’re a must. I wouldn’t buy one without as I use mine at any time of the year. Nothing better than the roof down, seats and blowers in full on a dry winter day

 

[enuff_zed]

controversial option but i actually hate heated seats they make me feel like ive soiled myself

Serious question, have you owned a soft top before? I know what you’re saying about how they make you feel but in a soft top imo they’re a must. I wouldn’t buy one without as I use mine at any time of the year. Nothing better than the roof down, seats and blowers in full on a dry winter day

He's in Wales Andy. When is he going to get the roof down.

 

[Dezzy123]

Thanks to everyone and there help i have found a 2.2 6cyl thank you all for making me spend more money you definitely will be hearing from me again and i cant wait to show off my new car to you all

 

[enuff_zed]

Thanks to everyone and there help i have found a 2.2 6cyl thank you all for making me spend more money you definitely will be hearing from me again and i cant wait to show off my new car to you all

Brilliant!
They are great engines and have quite a close ratio box, making the driving experience very involving. I suspect the extra cost of insurance will soon be negated by the 'smiles per mile'.
I hope you really enjoy it and keep involved with the forum. There is very little left that someone on here can't help with.

 

[Pondy]

There’s a few members with longer ownership and bigger miles but they don’t have a great following on here.

That's not very nice! I have always thought Tug was a decent bloke...