Advice please :) - MILEAGE/AGE/COMMON ISSUES

[nickmoss92]

Hello everyone,

Very interested in getting a Z4, however I'm not that clued up on the potential costs/common problems associated with buying an old Z4.
I have a 3-5k GBP budget.

I've heard horror stories that these can just become a money pit with expensive repairs that could come thick and fast on older Z4s.

I would be hugely appreciative if i could get some advice on Ages/Mileage considerations as well as potential common things to go wrong and associated approximate costs of repairs.

I appreciate getting an older Z4 for under 5k GBP is never going to be completely risk free.

Any advice or input would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[mr.tourette]

most common i would say are

roof motor failure around £200 to revive and move it
rocker cover gasket £250 at an indi.. 75 ish diy?
oil filter housing gasket easy job, 40 quid diy
ignition switch.. easy, 25 quid diy
water pump.. not sure these are as much an issue on early cars.. £300
rear springs.. easy diy, not sure on cost maybe 120 a pair?

Hang around for a forum car though and you are more likely to find a well sorted one, you can end up throwing cash at these cars but you're unlikely to find better top down 2 seater fun sub 5k, waiting for a loved car is key to keeping ongoing spend low

I'm sure there are a few bits missing here but folk will add more, dont be scared off by all the potential faults, if you wait for a good un chances are lots of these bits will have already been sorted

 

[oldgitdave]

Hi there & welcome . You won't regret buying a Z4 & you should be able to find a good example within your budget. Look at the ads on here as most of those have been owned by enthusiasts & so have been looked after. If you find one from elsewhere then put up a link to it on here & you'll get plenty of advice from the forum. There's also a good buying guide here: https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21281
Good luck with your search & make sure you put some photos up when you get one .

 

[nickmoss92]

Very helpful both, thanks for your comments.

So this one is 5miles from me so very tempting, but it has a roof motor fault. Apart from that it seems to tick boxes in terms of mileage/age and having been well cared for. Any red flags that I'm missing on this one? Also any idea on a rough price for fixing the roof if it is the standard roof motor failure?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202006210357891?radius=10&advertising-location=at_cars&model=Z4&sort=price-asc&postcode=sw148ae&make=BMW&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&page=1

 

[Smartbear]

Very helpful both, thanks for your comments.

So this one is 5miles from me so very tempting, but it has a roof motor fault. Apart from that it seems to tick boxes in terms of mileage/age and having been well cared for. Any red flags that I'm missing on this one? Also any idea on a rough price for fixing the roof if it is the standard roof motor failure?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202006210357891?radius=10&advertising-location=at_cars&model=Z4&sort=price-asc&postcode=sw148ae&make=BMW&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&page=1

The 2litre e85 isn’t as highly rated as the 2.5/3.0 versions, the engines aren’t generally considered to be as durable as well as missing the liveliness of the 6pot models.
Rob

 

[nickmoss92]

Ok interesting thanks

 

[groovy_hippy]

There seem to be quite a few good looking 6 pot zeds around for that price point, definitely hold out for one of those!
My only regret with mine is that it’s not an SI (more power) or Sport model so doesn’t have the nicer seats and other toys - but that said, it’s excellent fun and I can’t find something else that ticks the same boxes (apart from another zed ha!)
While repairs can seem costly, a zed at that price point isn’t going to depreciate much so factor that in to your calculations.

We have a Boxster S in the family and while it is absolutely brilliant and sublime at what it does, the in the real world the zed really isn’t bad in comparison when you look at the price difference, depreciation and maintenance costs.

Good luck car hunting!

 

[nickmoss92]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202006220383508?radius=10&advertising-location=at_cars&model=Z4&sort=price-asc&postcode=sw148ae&make=BMW&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&page=1

Here is a 3.0ltr one. this has had the roof motor replaced/relocated amongst some other work. Seems like a good spec and v nice colour. Would peopel have reservations over 130k+ miles?

Thanks again all (im learning a lot!)

 

[oldgitdave]

Very helpful both, thanks for your comments.

So this one is 5miles from me so very tempting, but it has a roof motor fault. Apart from that it seems to tick boxes in terms of mileage/age and having been well cared for. Any red flags that I'm missing on this one? Also any idea on a rough price for fixing the roof if it is the standard roof motor failure?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202006210357891?radius=10&advertising-location=at_cars&model=Z4&sort=price-asc&postcode=sw148ae&make=BMW&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&page=1

It's definitely cheap for the year & mileage. The main problem I can see is that the roof mechanism has failed & has damaged the fabric & that will be expensive to put right imho. Even if the mechanism could be repaired I couldn't live with a patch on the roof. The motor failure isn't a huge issue & there are folk on here that can repair them & relocate the motor to the boot. Wheels will need a refurb & 108's are quite difficult to do properly as they are a 2 part rim & need to be split. No heated seats which are so useful in a roadster!
2.5 or a 3.0 six pot is a better choice too as Smartbear has stated.

 

[nickmoss92]

There seem to be quite a few good looking 6 pot zeds around for that price point, definitely hold out for one of those!
My only regret with mine is that it’s not an SI (more power) or Sport model so doesn’t have the nicer seats and other toys - but that said, it’s excellent fun and I can’t find something else that ticks the same boxes (apart from another zed ha!)
While repairs can seem costly, a zed at that price point isn’t going to depreciate much so factor that in to your calculations.

We have a Boxster S in the family and while it is absolutely brilliant and sublime at what it does, the in the real world the zed really isn’t bad in comparison when you look at the price difference, depreciation and maintenance costs.

Good luck car hunting!

Thanks very much for this! Have been driving a 1.2 litre Polo for 3 years so i think this will be a hell of an upgrade already so wouldn't need the SI or Sport models! :lol: :lol:

Yep your point on depreciation a big factor, i guess spending a bit on it will be offset if I can sell it in a few years for similar to what I pay for it. Besides i live in london so will only drive 3/4,000 miles a year at weekends.

 

[nickmoss92]

Very helpful both, thanks for your comments.

So this one is 5miles from me so very tempting, but it has a roof motor fault. Apart from that it seems to tick boxes in terms of mileage/age and having been well cared for. Any red flags that I'm missing on this one? Also any idea on a rough price for fixing the roof if it is the standard roof motor failure?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202006210357891?radius=10&advertising-location=at_cars&model=Z4&sort=price-asc&postcode=sw148ae&make=BMW&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&page=1

It's definitely cheap for the year & mileage. The main problem I can see is that the roof mechanism has failed & has damaged the fabric & that will be expensive to put right imho. Even if the mechanism could be repaired I couldn't live with a patch on the roof. The motor failure isn't a huge issue & there are folk on here that can repair them & relocate the motor to the boot. Wheels will need a refurb & 108's are quite difficult to do properly as they are a 2 part rim & need to be split. No heated seats which are so useful in a roadster!
2.5 or a 3.0 six pot is a better choice too as Smartbear has stated.

Thanks - definately a common theme over the 2.5 or 3.0 being the way to go! Yeah that patch on the roof would be annoying but i guess thats reflected in the price!

 

[nickmoss92]

Also, would anyone know a reasonable price to get the roof motor fixed and relocated? What do people typically pay and does anyone have any contacts on this forum that may be able to help? Thanks

 

[nickmoss92]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202006220383508?radius=10&advertising-location=at_cars&model=Z4&sort=price-asc&postcode=sw148ae&make=BMW&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&page=1

Here is a 3.0ltr one. this has had the roof motor replaced/relocated amongst some other work. Seems like a good spec and v nice colour. Would peopel have reservations over 130k+ miles?

Thanks again all (im learning a lot!)

any thoughts on this one ?

 

[Smartbear]

Also, would anyone know a reasonable price to get the roof motor fixed and relocated? What do people typically pay and does anyone have any contacts on this forum that may be able to help? Thanks

There’s a few that do this, number5 (alan) is Bristol based and Bowser134 is somewhere near Sussex. There’s also Durham Dave if you fancy a drive out
Rob

 

[blunderthumbs]

6 pot all day long. You'll get star ship mileage out of one that has seen regular services and been looked after. There are various guys up and down the UK who will relocate and service roof motors. Make sure Vanos and Disa valve have been seen to.

 

[nickmoss92]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202006250516976?radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&minimum-badge-engine-size=2.4&transmission=Manual&onesearchad=Used&model=Z4&sort=distance&postcode=tw91dh&price-from=500&price-to=6000&make=BMW&page=1&fbclid=IwAR2O8wtOa2_Pfmc4KllyHMJzhlmwhUOs_ghw-EaG_prIArLp9odIpdtjsLE

this could be the one! any red flags from anyone? appreciate your time in advance!

 

[Mr Tidy]

Firstly welcome to the forum Nick.

That looks like a decent example.

I looked at the MOT history and going by some of the fails and advisories for tyres and brakes in previous years it may not have been cherished in the past, but as the current owner has only had it a year and has used a BMW dealer looking at the work he has listed he seems to have looked after it properly.

The roof motor may have been replaced but it's still worth getting it moved into the boot to make sure it continues to work. BMW mounted them where they can get drowned by water from the roof drains!

Judging by the adverts you've linked to the nearest forum member who can do that for you will be Bowser134 in Hook, Hants. Ross runs RBM Hampshire:- https://www.rbmhampshire.co.uk/