Expecting owner - later this year

C

Cannon1891

Member
Hi all, New member, not yet new owner.

The Z's have always been a dream car for me, in honesty, I think it started when James Bond drove a Z3 :)

I'm on the look out out for a budget Z4 project circa 4k, ideally looking for 3.0 but possibly 2.5si. I've been reading through lots of the common issues and ready to get my spanners out. So I think it will be a pre facelift car I'm looking at.

I'm not quite ready to take the plunge yet as I'm clearing out my garage (&building a house), I hope to make a purchase in the Autumn.

Look forward to hearing from many of you and appreciate all advice, especially on the minefield of different engine models

Cheers

Phil
 
Cheers pal, I've already become quite obsessed searching ebay, autotrader etc

Hopefully not too long till I'm able to pull the trigger!
 
Cheers pal, I've already become quite obsessed searching ebay, autotrader etc

Hopefully not too long till I'm able to pull the trigger!
 
When you do come to look at a possible purchase, post the details on this forum, and you will get some good opinions on the car. In the meantime read this........https://classicsworld.co.uk/guides/bmw-z4-e84-buyers-guide/
 
Welcome to the forum Phil. :thumbsup:

Autumn might be a good time to be buying a convertible, if you can wait!

Hope you find a good one anyway. :thumbsup:
 
Hi Phil,
I'm a newbie as well and just bought a 03 z4 and loving it. Just want to pass on my little experience of my reason journey of finding and purchasing a z4. Firstly you are in the right place for any advice, been on here less than a week and found it very helpful and responsivie, wish I had known about the forum when I was at your stage.
So my advice, if your buying a Z with full service history ( which will add to value) make sure you check through it well with dates and signitures with the dealer stamp and as much paper work of work done as possible. Check all the door locks work with the key and preferable one that has had the roof motor mod done ( replace to the boot). Check little things like the door mirrors working. I think, because ( if your getting a soft top) of the soft top the doors will not seal quite as well as a coupe and if the car has not spent all its life in a garage there will be a little water ingress which think may not help the locks etc.
Maybe the autumn will be a better time, when you find one give it a good road test if you can, don't like me, be dazzled by the beauty of the car and the pure excitement of finding the right car and let your guard down.
Ps and ask lots of questions on here and if you know someone who has a Z take them with you to look at the car :thumbsup:
 
Thanks for the advice Redgum, I'm happy to announce I now have a 04 3.0L, bit of a project though due to budget.

I bought with a damaged wing, took a gamble! Bought blind, at auction! Hadn't even seen the car! What swayed me was the fact the engine bay was spotless, only car people clean the engine bay!
Turned out good though. I'm wondering if it's someone's from this forum.
 
Right, sorry been having problems with uploading photos, try again - the good angles.

Car was a bit dirty at this point after being unable to stop driving it :) 64K miles on it, all metalic parts underneath have been painted, so someone's been looking after it.
Couple of marks on the paint work, but luckily on the same side, so will probably get the side sprayed in when I replace the wing.
one of the xenon headlights is letting in moisture. Will likely refurb the light for now, but may well look to get updated lights/clear indicator/possibly halo etc.
 

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And now for the bad bits :(
Say no more, new wing required. Will post tomorrow on here in case anyone has a Titan silver drivers wing.

Very happy though! Best vehicle I have owned by a long way. I have a 17 plate 320GT 2.0L, so boring in comparison.
 

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congratulations, looks good and low mileage, a good panel beater would put that right so maybe no need for new wing, think they are bolt on anyhow though I may be wrong. They are real fun to drive. Any problems your in the right place.
 
She is a Cat N write-off, the wing damage was probably enough to cause it. Five previous owners. Regarding the wing, just be patient and trawl the marketplace and Ebay for the second-hand wing in the same colour. Trying to match silver is almost impossible, panel beaters say they will "blend it in" which usually means they paint half the door but it sticks out like a sore thumb. If you cannot get a silver one paint the whole side, door and rear wing and it should not be so obvious. Good luck with the search. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/105999746097602/search?query=breaking%20Z4
 
The front wing damage would be enough right it off,the insurance companies don’t give them much value apparently. Because of that you have probably gone down the best route.
 
brillomaster said:
go on... how much was it? an unrepaired CAT N bought at auction, gotta be cheap. £1500?
Click to expand...

With the auction fees it was just over double that! You're super optimistic, maybe in winter.

I was well aware it was Cat N, but really the world has gone mad! Seriously, we're scrapping cars like this with 64K miles on. Insane! I tell myself I'm doing my bit for the environment and stopping classic cars from getting scrapped :)

The auction date was brought forward by a week ( so was the Fri morning, only noticed on Thurs night, this caught me very much off guard and I was very busy the next morning not really ready, didn't really have much time to be looking at a computer screen
I hadn't factored the fees correctly, I'd seen suggested fees, but hadn't picked up they were on a sliding scale, so yes it caught me out a bit.

I understand that I could pick one up in half decent shape with some history for a little bit more, but in good shape with 64K miles I reckon it would be closer to 6K.

I'm not planning on selling and am happy with purchase overall. 100% it was a risky strategy and could of gone t*ts up.

But I have a Z and it makes me smile, and in a few short days, I must have taken about 6 people out in it :thumbsup:
I hadn't told my boys (11&14) I was getting it, they are loving it too.

Cheers

Phil
 
Sounds good to me, there are some nails out there n you should have a low milage car for under five grand. Have you discovered any little niggles yet? Now had mine a week and when the rain stops will clean n re waterproof the lid. I must say the help from the members on here is brilliant, owning a Z4 is not only having a great car but also becoming part of a very big family.
 
Sounds good to me, there are some nails out there n you should have a low milage car for under five grand. Have you discovered any little niggles yet? Now had mine a week and when the rain stops will clean n re waterproof the lid. I must say the help from the members on here is brilliant, owning a Z4 is not only having a great car but also becoming part of a very big family.
 
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