rhapsodicboom
Member
I'm looking to buy a z4 coupe , does age matter ? Comparing 2006 first year batch to the later 2009 models ?
Age ?
- Thread starter rhapsodicboom
- Start date
mattwaltersz4m
Member
As always with cars buy to your budget and on condition/history not owners, plate and low miles.
rhapsodicboom
Member
So when inspecting a car and when you made the decision to purchase did you inspect it yourself. For those who aren't mechanics did you go through any external inspection just to make sure the vehicle is good to go. I know AA and RAC have a checking service are these any good and if not what do you recommend ?
thanks guys
thanks guys
You can usually tell a well loved example on generally the condition, how clean it is i.e. has it been given a quick going over with a grubby sponge or is the car generally well cared for - all spokes on the wheels cleaned, wheel arches clean, door sills etc. That's a good start in telling how it's been cared for and might give you some indication on its overall health.
Look at the service history, is it complete, check when the car was serviced and the gaps between the services. How is the service history presented? All in a tidy wallet or is it all just scrunched up and stuffed into an envelope. All small things but they add up..
Start the car from cold, is there any hesitation, is the idle rough and lumpy? When you drive it, does it make any strange noises, does the engine rev freely etc. When you look at the engine, is the engine bay generally clean? Are there splatters of anything under the hood that look suspicious? Common sense stuff really.
I'm afraid I have no experience with using RAC or AA checks. Do you know of anyone who is 'car minded' that might be able to come along with you?
I'm sure others may have used an independent check or mechanic and will be able to advise.
Look at the service history, is it complete, check when the car was serviced and the gaps between the services. How is the service history presented? All in a tidy wallet or is it all just scrunched up and stuffed into an envelope. All small things but they add up..
Start the car from cold, is there any hesitation, is the idle rough and lumpy? When you drive it, does it make any strange noises, does the engine rev freely etc. When you look at the engine, is the engine bay generally clean? Are there splatters of anything under the hood that look suspicious? Common sense stuff really.
I'm afraid I have no experience with using RAC or AA checks. Do you know of anyone who is 'car minded' that might be able to come along with you?
I'm sure others may have used an independent check or mechanic and will be able to advise.
rhapsodicboom
Member
Wyldie85 thanks for the response, that's great help!
Also check for a smoking sooty exhaust. That will give a very general clue as to condition of engine. Another simple check is to unscrew the oil filler cap and have a look firstly on the underside of the cap, if it has white froth (called mayo) then that indicates possible water getting into oil and then have a look through the hole - does it smell badly, if there smoke coming out. If any of the above walk away. Lastly look at condition of oil on dipstick if it has one. Is it up to the level and is it fairly clean.
rhapsodicboom
Member
Mike6 Great stuff thx
Take a look at AlanJ's check list it might be of help 
- http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21281
- http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21281rhapsodicboom
Member
I went to see one today with low milage, looked in good condition outside and inside but when i started it i could hear a ticking noise while the engine is idle. The guy said thats because it hasnt been started for a month or so and the engines cold. Is this common ? ive got a video if that would help.
2007 cars onwards come with aux input.
Wyldie's check list (6 posts back) says it all imo 
Particularly the clean engine bay. I bought mine from a dealer, the car had just arrived in that day (still had flies all over the front plate and nose), I asked to see under the bonnet and the engine bay was pristine - like it had just rolled off the production line. Silly I know, but that was a huge factor in my decision to buy it.
Particularly the clean engine bay. I bought mine from a dealer, the car had just arrived in that day (still had flies all over the front plate and nose), I asked to see under the bonnet and the engine bay was pristine - like it had just rolled off the production line. Silly I know, but that was a huge factor in my decision to buy it.
Some very good advice given, particularly liked Marlon's clean engine bay take.
I recently went with our son to look at a Zafira he was interested in, it was being sold by a bomb-site dealer , it was well presented and had pristine main dealer service history, lifted the bonnet and it was disgraceful, so the only conclusion was the service records were faked. No way would any dealer service a car and leave the engine bay in such condition. It was the same dealer who had sold and maintained and stamped the service book.
Lost a sale because the seller was too lazy to get the engine bay cleaned up.
I recently went with our son to look at a Zafira he was interested in, it was being sold by a bomb-site dealer , it was well presented and had pristine main dealer service history, lifted the bonnet and it was disgraceful, so the only conclusion was the service records were faked. No way would any dealer service a car and leave the engine bay in such condition. It was the same dealer who had sold and maintained and stamped the service book.
Lost a sale because the seller was too lazy to get the engine bay cleaned up.
Everythings been covered above but just to add that spec is also important..