Varixto
Member
Hi,
I am new to the forum and am considering buying a Mk1 2006 2.5 si Sport. It has 104k miles on it and has full service history, 2 keys... Price is slightly sub £4k. I am also budgeting for an extra £2k for any potential preventative work/repairs. Does this sound like a sensible approach? (ie: buying a relatively high mileage example but having a large(ish) buffer in my budget for potential issues)... or would you try to buy a lower mileage example (obviously more expensive) with less budget for potential repairs?
Personally, I am not that obssessed with high mileage and I think it is more important to have a full service history + repair receipts.
However, I used to own a 225 MK1 TT which I got at the time with 80k miles on it...the worst car I have ever had! Everything that could possibly go wrong, went. Some time later I found a post in the TT forum I was a member of saying that Mk1 TT's were cars to get rid of once they reached 80/90k miles... It looks like mine was one of those! My biggest fear is that an old Z4 could be a similar story...
I have been doing as much research as possible about the Z4 and decided to go for a 06+ facelift model. I believe that I am aware of most of the common issues (ie: issues with roof motor--relocating it to the boot, broken rear springs, etc.).
After researching the car's MOT history, I can see that the latest one (ie: august 2024) is a clean PASS but 2 MOT's ago (sept. '23), it was a FAIL:
Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects):
-Nearside Rear Road wheel fractured (5.2.2 (a))
-Offside Rear Road wheel fractured (5.2.2 (a))
Repair immediately (major defects):
-Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))
---PLUS these advisories:
-Oil leak, but not excessive rocker gasket (8.4.1 (a) (i))
-Nearside Rear Fluid leak, but not excessive driveshaft seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))
-Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn n/s+o/s trailing arm bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))
-Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated n/s+o/s (1.1.12 (b) (ii))
Previous MOT to that (aug. '22): PASS with these advisories:
-Front Exhaust mounting defective downpipes link bracket damaged and fixings missing (6.1.2 (a))
-Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))
-Offside Rear Oil leak, but not excessive engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))
-Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material radius arm (1.1.11 (c))
-Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material radius arm (1.1.11 (c))
-Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both front to rear pipes corroded (1.1.11 (c))
-Nearside Rear Oil leak, but not excessive diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))
-Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material greased (1.1.11 (c))
-Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material greased (1.1.11 (c))
As mentioned earlier, the latest MOT is a clean one (ie: no advisories at all). My main concerns are the corrosion of the brake pipes and the leaks being "camouflaged", etc... and/or cheap, budget parts being used by the trader/previous owner (ie: cheap shock absorbers, etc...) to fix the issues, affecting the longevity of the repairs.
Most of the obvious checks I can do myself but I was wondering if anyone could please provide any advice on what to look for / discuss with the trader when doing the viewing this particular model.
Thank you very much in advance for any advice given.
I am new to the forum and am considering buying a Mk1 2006 2.5 si Sport. It has 104k miles on it and has full service history, 2 keys... Price is slightly sub £4k. I am also budgeting for an extra £2k for any potential preventative work/repairs. Does this sound like a sensible approach? (ie: buying a relatively high mileage example but having a large(ish) buffer in my budget for potential issues)... or would you try to buy a lower mileage example (obviously more expensive) with less budget for potential repairs?
Personally, I am not that obssessed with high mileage and I think it is more important to have a full service history + repair receipts.
However, I used to own a 225 MK1 TT which I got at the time with 80k miles on it...the worst car I have ever had! Everything that could possibly go wrong, went. Some time later I found a post in the TT forum I was a member of saying that Mk1 TT's were cars to get rid of once they reached 80/90k miles... It looks like mine was one of those! My biggest fear is that an old Z4 could be a similar story...
I have been doing as much research as possible about the Z4 and decided to go for a 06+ facelift model. I believe that I am aware of most of the common issues (ie: issues with roof motor--relocating it to the boot, broken rear springs, etc.).
After researching the car's MOT history, I can see that the latest one (ie: august 2024) is a clean PASS but 2 MOT's ago (sept. '23), it was a FAIL:
Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects):
-Nearside Rear Road wheel fractured (5.2.2 (a))
-Offside Rear Road wheel fractured (5.2.2 (a))
Repair immediately (major defects):
-Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))
---PLUS these advisories:
-Oil leak, but not excessive rocker gasket (8.4.1 (a) (i))
-Nearside Rear Fluid leak, but not excessive driveshaft seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))
-Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn n/s+o/s trailing arm bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))
-Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated n/s+o/s (1.1.12 (b) (ii))
Previous MOT to that (aug. '22): PASS with these advisories:
-Front Exhaust mounting defective downpipes link bracket damaged and fixings missing (6.1.2 (a))
-Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))
-Offside Rear Oil leak, but not excessive engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))
-Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material radius arm (1.1.11 (c))
-Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material radius arm (1.1.11 (c))
-Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both front to rear pipes corroded (1.1.11 (c))
-Nearside Rear Oil leak, but not excessive diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))
-Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material greased (1.1.11 (c))
-Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material greased (1.1.11 (c))
As mentioned earlier, the latest MOT is a clean one (ie: no advisories at all). My main concerns are the corrosion of the brake pipes and the leaks being "camouflaged", etc... and/or cheap, budget parts being used by the trader/previous owner (ie: cheap shock absorbers, etc...) to fix the issues, affecting the longevity of the repairs.
Most of the obvious checks I can do myself but I was wondering if anyone could please provide any advice on what to look for / discuss with the trader when doing the viewing this particular model.
Thank you very much in advance for any advice given.
Attleborough, Norfolk
North West Surrey
south yorkshire
