Considering a Purchase - Need Consultation

[atreidy]

Going to purchase my first ever BMW and convertible roadster ever in my life! Very excited but also have some questions and concerns - really need your valuable and respected inputs!

Looking at a used silver/black 2004 BMW Z4 3.0i 6M with 72k miles with extended maintenance warranty through July 2010 100k miles (almost 1 year). Has what appears to be most of the available features, including navigation, dual power heated seats with memory, sports package with 18" alloys, power top, premium sound, ipod adapter, xenon headlamps.

Need your inputs on:

1) 72k miles - seems kind of high for a 5 year old car, but it's been regularly serviced and has extended maintenance warranty for almost 1 more year. No major repairs have been done on the car, last manufacturer's recommended service performed at 70k miles. Rotors replaced and ABS fluid flushed/changed one year ago.
-Is it normal to need to flush/change ABS fluid at approx 4 years / 50-60k miles?
-What major maintenance needs to be done after 70k on out and estimated costs? Just whatever's in the manual is fine.. I don't have access to one unfortunately yet .

2) Dent - there's a dent on the driver's side fender, right along the ridge of the wheel well. It's definitely dented along the crease, but the dent is a clean one with no paint defect. I know there's no way of knowing without an inspection or pictures, but would a paintless dent removal be possible?
-If probably not, how much would it cost to repair a dented fender?

3) This is my first BMW and I've heard a lot of horror stories about ownership costs and I would like to know your experiences of maintenances and repairs from 70k+.

4) Wheel locks - I noticed on the 18" premium wheels the fifth lug has a different pattern (not sure if it's a lock). I asked the owner and he said he doesn't have or know of any special key for the wheels.

5) When the run flats need replacement (and I'm out of warranty), I plan on purchasing non- run flats. Any recommendations on quiet tires with reasonable performance and low cost? (I will commute so it would be nice to have less road noise)

6) I'll be honest - I'm apprehensive about buying a BMW, and a convertible at that. I'm turning 27 this year so I expect I'll enjoy the car for at least 2-3 years before getting married and having kids. At that time, the wifey should have a 5-seater, right? BUT, anything I should be thinking about?

Overall, any gotchas I should look out for? I have several more days before we close the transaction, so would love your feedback.

Thanks,
Shone

 

[SonnyZ4]

I bought an 03 3.0i with almost 60K on the clock.

3) I recently replaced the intake boot to fix the whistling problem. Part at the dealer was $58.38, got it for $26.38 by having Cooper BMW (Edmond, OK) price match the other dealer. If you know where to look you can get pretty good prices.

 

[gannet]

1) 72k miles - seems kind of high for a 5 year old car, but it's been regularly serviced and has extended maintenance warranty for almost 1 more year. No major repairs have been done on the car, last manufacturer's recommended service performed at 70k miles. Rotors replaced and ABS fluid flushed/changed one year ago.
-Is it normal to need to flush/change ABS fluid at approx 4 years / 50-60k miles?
-What major maintenance needs to be done after 70k on out and estimated costs? Just whatever's in the manual is fine.. I don't have access to one unfortunately yet .

Brake fluid requires a change every 2 years regardless of mileage - at least it does on this side of the pond.

2) Dent - there's a dent on the driver's side fender, right along the ridge of the wheel well. It's definitely dented along the crease, but the dent is a clean one with no paint defect. I know there's no way of knowing without an inspection or pictures, but would a paintless dent removal be possible?
-If probably not, how much would it cost to repair a dented fender?

I no expert so there really is no way of telling without pics or expert advise here...

3) This is my first BMW and I've heard a lot of horror stories about ownership costs and I would like to know your experiences of maintenances and repairs from 70k+.

For the performance on offer it really isn't that much to run. What mileage are you intending to put on it? I average about 30 mpg -less in town but thats to be expected. Insurance isnt too bad either but that can depend on so many factors... Im only on 46k miles at the moment though!

4) Wheel locks - I noticed on the 18" premium wheels the fifth lug has a different pattern (not sure if it's a lock). I asked the owner and he said he doesn't have or know of any special key for the wheels.

If there is a special key it should be in the utility pack located (on mine at least) under the boot floor next to the battery with the towing hook etc. Not sure whether locking nuts were standard in the US or not though.

5) When the run flats need replacement (and I'm out of warranty), I plan on purchasing non- run flats. Any recommendations on quiet tires with reasonable performance and low cost? (I will commute so it would be nice to have less road noise)

Ive replace with Michelin Run-flats and haven't looked back. Several on here have switched to falken fk452s with rave reviews...

6) I'll be honest - I'm apprehensive about buying a BMW, and a convertible at that. I'm turning 27 this year so I expect I'll enjoy the car for at least 2-3 years before getting married and having kids. At that time, the wifey should have a 5-seater, right? BUT, anything I should be thinking about?

pick a good one and enjoy the ride

Overall, any gotchas I should look out for? I have several more days before we close the transaction, so would love your feedback.

Springs tend to snap (lots on here about that). The drain holes for the roof can get blocked and burn the motor out - again lots here on that...

Good luck with the purchase

 

[AlanJ]

If the previous owner has no idea about the wheel locks on the vehicle then I would start to be suspicous of his general knowledge and care of the vehicle. At least check in the toolkit to see if the 'lock nut' is there. Don't rush into a purchase better to walk away and wait until another one comes up. It's a buyers market out there (on both sides of the pond) and there will no doubt be some immaculate well maintained vehicles to choose from - you just have to look. Best of luck!

 

[atreidy]

Brake fluid requires change every 2 years - is this a manufacturer recommended maintenance? I guess I need to learn how to change brake fluid

The springs snapping sounds very scary. What is the cause, and how can I prevent? How do you know if it's snapped?

I'll look into Michelin run-flats... do you have a model number?

I'll probably be putting on about 8-10k miles a year. I will still retain my old car and only commute 8 miles each way to work so I expect I won't be pushing the car *too* much.

Is the whistling problem a common one for Z4's?

Anyone know the maintenance schedule after 70k miles? What are all the regular and major recommended maintenances?

Thanks guys, your answers are so helpful.

 

[SonnyZ4]

Mine had a whistling problem. Turned out to be the intake boot. Quick 20 min job. Hardest part was my hands were too big to fit in some areas.

I'll post some pics of it.

Good luck on it!

 

[gannet]

fluid change interval is manufacturer recommended.

I couldnt even tell my spring had snapped - just heard the loose bit rattling around. There is a very long thread about this here

Tyres are Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP it is the ZP for Zero Pressure that indicates Run flat...

 

[Mr Whippy]

DISA is probably ready to be replaced, so $150 for a new one of those!?

Check it has two big keys and a little key.

Brake vacuum pipe from manifold to the plastic bulkhead pipe (which then runs to the brake master cylinder) can collapse too, so that is another $20 maybe.


Generally no major worries really imho. Mine is on 67,000 miles now and seems to be going fine. My only worries in the next few years really are a clutch job and maybe exhaust (but both seem pretty tough)

Dave