Buying a Z4

J

Jonnop

Member
Hi All,
I am new to the forum.
Whats the best things to look for when buying a used Z4 E85? My budget is under £4000.
What would you rate as the most important things to look for, age...mileage...condition.. features....engine size...service history.
Is there any models in particular to avoid?
I read about models from 2005 upwards have a newer improved stearing column, is this correct? Or not really an issue.
Sorry about all the questions.
Cheers,
Jonno
 
IMO, the 6 cyl 3.0 is the one to go for, but at your budget, finding a tidy one is going to be a squeeze. Are you after an auto or a manual, as the former rules the 2.0 out?

Buy on condition, as these engines shrug off big mileages if they've been looked after properly, the 2.0 4 pot whilst cheaper to insure/run just doesn't sound anything like the 6 cyl cars, and is therefore not to everyone's taste.

There may have been minor changes to the steering, but in my experience, it's the later cars that suffer with problems in that area!

Have you seen these cars for sale on the forum?

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=104284 £3,500 for a tidy 3.0 manual..

or

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=103857 £3,250 for an auto..



Mike
 
Hi Mike,

Thanks for quick reply, I am looking ideally for a manual. I was aiming for 2.5L to 3.0L though need to persuade the wife!
I will have a look at the cars that you linked to.
Are seated heats a must have?
Regards,

Jon
 
Welcome along, here's a buyers guide: https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21281
You will get lots of advice here, the many knowledgeable members will hopefully save you time and money.
 
Jonnop said:
Hi Mike,

Thanks for quick reply, I am looking ideally for a manual. I was aiming for 2.5L to 3.0L though need to persuade the wife!
I will have a look at the cars that you linked to.
Are seated heats a must have?
Regards,

Jon
Click to expand...

I wouldn't buy a ragtop without heated seats for 2 reasons.
They keep my other half happy and it will be easier to sell.
 
Thing is op you can buy the cleanest most low mileage one around and it'll snap a week later. So many stories on here like that.
Best advice I can give is buy a reasonable example of what you want and keep money aside. The engines are pretty robust. Mines on 130k and about to be supercharged. The rest of the car underneath is rusted to hell and all about to be changed out. Body work is solid, roof is solid.

Worry about things like the roof and body. Parts may be cheap to obtain but labour is expensive.

I'd rather buy a solid bodied motor that doesn't require any panels or painting with a mint roof with a leaking or tapping engine over the opposite.

Steering motor is £200 for a full lifetime warranted repair... vs £150 for a raw wing plus painting and fitting at £200 minimum
 
Jonnop said:
Hi All,
I am new to the forum.
Whats the best things to look for when buying a used Z4 E85? My budget is under £4000.
What would you rate as the most important things to look for, age...mileage...condition.. features....engine size...service history.
Is there any models in particular to avoid?
I read about models from 2005 upwards have a newer improved stearing column, is this correct? Or not really an issue.
Sorry about all the questions.
Cheers,
Jonno
Click to expand...

You are correct it was the early cars affected with sticky steering issues I know mine had it replaced column under warranty with a brand new 2008 version.

Big bills are roof motor and steering rack as you have mentioned make sure the heated rear screen works ok as its part of the roof not cheap and agree heated seats are a must in our climate there are some nice roadsters out there that have been well looked after its just taking your time to find one and as said your budget may make it a bit harder I would never let mine go for 4k its just to clean.

All the best in your search :thumbsup:
 
Welcome to the forum Jon. :thumbsup:

I'd agree with your plan to look for a 2.5 or a 3.0 litre - there's no real difference in running costs for any of the 6 cylinder ones (except possibly insurance) so you might as well go for one of the larger ones! :)

I wouldn't worry too much about roof motors - there are 4 or 5 members on here who can revive them and relocate them into the boot for not much cash. Although it's probably best to move it while it still works!

Mike who answered your first post is one of them by the way! (He also does much more to keep your Z4 in good health). :)
 
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