Did I just buy a money pit??

K

Knn04Z4

Member
 Virginia
Hello

Recently purchased my 2004 E85 Z4 3.0i from a private seller (US Market). snagged it for $3200 in pretty decent condition! I knew there were some dash lights on it that needed looking into like the airbag. last owner got a quote for that and knew he needed to replace. After my trip to a mechanic today I am quite stunned. feeling the burden of owning a bmw before I can even enjoy it lol...

I found some of the parts listed used online, which would save me some money, but I understand they'll have to be programmed to my car's VIN.
34 52 6 764 018
34 51 2 460 488

I can't seem to find the ABS part 34 52 2 460 456.

part 65 77 6 962 888 seems to be replaceable with 65 77 6 931 288 (is this true?)

So my questions:
Am I being scammed? do I need to do some of these replacements?
Will programming these cheaper used parts be expensive? has to be cheaper than buying new right?
Any clue where I could find that ABS part? every time I google it, it only pops up for facelift model years.

Any help would be appreciated! thanks
 

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The previous owner probably found out the same as you and wanted to get rid if it.

These cars are at an age/value where a single part can make it uneconomical to repair.
 
Definitely get a second opinion. However, I've put in about $13k into my 2005 2.5i including having the tranny rebuilt, all oil and fuel leaks fixed, replacing fuel pump, water pump, alternator, headlight assemblies (used on Ebay), new top, etc. The car runs like a dream, though.

I could have bought a new car or late model used... would've cost me at least $15-20k for late model used, plus whatever problems it would come with. Or, I could have bought a new car for $35k-50k.... nope, not doin' that. Plus, my insurance is low and my driving enjoyment is high.

Definitely get a second or even third opinion and then decide if you love the car or not. If not, get rid of it and find a better Z4, but be sure to have it thoroughly inspected before, OR just buy a new or late-model used.
 
Yeah... I actually in contact with the previous owner. it passed inspection on 9/11/2025. he planned on selling it before then and they made him fix something with the hazard lights, so he did and then they passed it. something in between then and 10/2/2025 must have happened. cosmetically its very clean and interior is great for a 21yr old car! if I can fix it for less than 5k, still cheaper than any Z4 listed in my area!
 
Welcome to the forum, and good luck getting it fixed up. :thumbsup:

And feel free to post a photo or two!
 
All of those faults can be sorted relatively cheaply - if you were in the UK! The Z4 market was much bigger how so a great aftermarket network of people who can repair unavailable stuff has built up.
 
I'm finding some of these items used on eBay for less than 400 bucks total, so I would say hope isn't all lost. Getting a second opinion and talking to some people I trust to make sure I get too over my head. Other than that it drives very well!
 
You can source the parts here in the UK Yaw sensor for that year is around £30-£45 second hand abs pump £40-£60 and airbag module is a different story.
@Umfaan
 
The service center I went to said if I buy used parts they "might not be programmable to the cars vin" how true is that?
 
Used SRS (Airbag) modules will need to be programmed with your VIN that is correct - only a select few can do that.
 
thanks! I have determined the root cause as well... kept reading online that the cause may be water coming down the b pillar (would explain airbag module failure) and down to the right passenger floor board (which would explain the yaw sensor) need to see if I could jack it up and maybe just delete the drain plugs to let water and debris flow out. I garage park it so I think i could get away with not putting the plugs back in.

appreciate this community so far! wouldn't have made my purchase without it, even if it wasn't the best decision 😅
 
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