Advice - strongly considering my first E85

T

TWFY

Member
Hi everyone, looking for some advice from the experts as to whether I have a good deal...

I am long time owner of various BMWs. I currently own a G22 but looking to sell it and buy a used Z4.

Based in the UK, it's available for just over £2300 - 2.0i Sport Euro 4 2dr with 89,000 miles on the clock, built and registered in 2008.

The MOT history looks fine. All tyres replaced at 31k miles.

Nearside and offside lower suspension arms replaced at 41k miles.

Rear brake pads replaced at 66k miles.

Rear coils replaced at 72k miles.

What's bothering me is that it looks too good to be true. It's got a low mileage for the age and is one of the cheapest available. It only jumped at me because it's so local.

Any thoughts or opinions on what I should be considering before I purchase?

Thanks

TWFY
 
Link to advert?

The 2.0 is not seen as a good engine when compared to the 6 pot cars. I do t have that view- I’m just saying that’s a collective view

The 2.0 drives differently due to having less weight up front. But the engine has a lot of weak areas that mean anything close to 100k is either going to cost or be trouble
 
Nice colour and spec

If it floats your boat go for it- it’s a keen price but that’s reflective of the 2.0 market

Go drive it

Check for knocks, bangs, oil leaks, engine lights usual stuff

Check the roof motor has been moved and maybe get some money off if not

Check the service history
 
Would it be worth waiting for a 6 cylinder to come up?
The larger engines up front add to the experience, in a positive way.
 
For the price, the car is reasonable enough. The driver's seat is worn; strange how the sellers always try to hide it. MOT history not too bad. The alloys are a total pain to recondition, so check the heads on the bolts. The motor is usually relocated to the boot and the far end of the left side, usually a flap has been cut into the carpet. Buyer's market at the moment.
 
And if the motor hasn't been moved, what would it cost to get this done?

As I'm understanding this, the motor is likely to break due to sustained water ingress unless it's moved, which would mean that the roof simply won't work without extensive repair?
 
The MOT history is almost faultless for the last few years. If you really only intend to do 1000 miles a year and want a fun car rather than a racer, then this seems a good buy. I would suggest changing the oil every two years on that kind of mileage rather than wait to the usually suggested 5000 miles or so.
To me it looks a decent buy, though obviously you should be trying to push the price down a little.
Best course of action is to see if anyone on here is close to you and would come along with a code reader. Don't buy until you know what may be lurking.
Also bear in mind that a complete lack of codes on a car of this age strongly suggests the seller has reset them all. so give it at least a 20 mile test drive, get it nice and hot and test every conceivable switch, setting etc. Then check the codes again.

With reference to buying a 6-pot, yes they are better known for their longevity, but the 2.2i and 2.5i pre-facelifts only have a 5-speed box so can be a bit tiring on a motorway trip.
If you want a car to nip around country lanes, having fun at lower speeds, then the 4-pot is perfectly balanced. To me, it requires more finesse as you have to look further ahead and drive well to maintain momentum, whereas any numpty can drive a 3.0 fast, brake hard, creep round a corner then accelerate hard to the next one. They may get there a tad faster but across country you'll get far more satisfaction by getting a consistent flow from the better balanced 2.0.
 
TWFY said:
And if the motor hasn't been moved, what would it cost to get this done?

As I'm understanding this, the motor is likely to break due to sustained water ingress unless it's moved, which would mean that the roof simply won't work without extensive repair?
Click to expand...
Several of us around the country who can relocate the roof motor for a very reasonable price and quite probably with a great deal more consideration than your average garage.
 
Nice colour combination and spec but the wrong engine IMHO, any six pot is better if you can.
 
I think that sold Raymond

I have a hunch a serial buyer will soon reveal it’s his new car

🤣🤣🤣
 
enuff_zed said:
The MOT history is almost faultless for the last few years. If you really only intend to do 1000 miles a year and want a fun car rather than a racer, then this seems a good buy. I would suggest changing the oil every two years on that kind of mileage rather than wait to the usually suggested 5000 miles or so.
To me it looks a decent buy, though obviously you should be trying to push the price down a little.
Best course of action is to see if anyone on here is close to you and would come along with a code reader. Don't buy until you know what may be lurking.
Also bear in mind that a complete lack of codes on a car of this age strongly suggests the seller has reset them all. so give it at least a 20 mile test drive, get it nice and hot and test every conceivable switch, setting etc. Then check the codes again.

With reference to buying a 6-pot, yes they are better known for their longevity, but the 2.2i and 2.5i pre-facelifts only have a 5-speed box so can be a bit tiring on a motorway trip.
If you want a car to nip around country lanes, having fun at lower speeds, then the 4-pot is perfectly balanced. To me, it requires more finesse as you have to look further ahead and drive well to maintain momentum, whereas any numpty can drive a 3.0 fast, brake hard, creep round a corner then accelerate hard to the next one. They may get there a tad faster but across country you'll get far more satisfaction by getting a consistent flow from the better balanced 2.0.
Click to expand...

I appreciate this and all the feedback and suggestions. What a nice community.

I used to drive 30k a year for my job but I never go anywhere nowadays due to Covid and if I needed to take more than one person with me then I'd just use my X3.

For me this is a cheap, fun car and I've always wanted an e85. It'll pootle me around the country lanes of Yorkshire on a sunny day and take me to and from the shops during my rather lame mid-life crisis. I'll miss my 4 series but we want to use the money for other things and the insurance and maintenance on my 4 series just isn't worth it for the miles I'm doing.

If anyone is around West Yorkshire and is willing to take a look at it with me, please DM me.

Who is close/closest to West Yorkshire who will move the motor for me?
 
I’m in Lincoln and can move the motor for you

Other roof motor specialists are available too

🤣🤣
 
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