Feedback on high mileage Z4M roadsters please...
- Thread starter Theivz
- Start date
Yorkie Z said:How come your changing your E89 for an M, looks fantastic from the picture
thanks mate. i am part exing my 2 cars for a family car - will post up when i get it.
im just toying with the idea of an older 3.0 z4 manual 03 04 etc or a high mileage z4m roadster mechanically been sorted ... i am hoping to continue my bucket list of tracks including spa and other uk circuits ... not to hoon but just say ive driven on them if you get what i mean so im wondering if i can stretch to m ownership with tax being 500+ and more expensive consumables or whether to strip an older z4 and add LSD etc...
Liverpool
Mileage isn’t the killer...it’s the lack of maintenance that is.
If the previous owner hasn’t bothered replacing stuff until it physically breaks, then you could end up with a car where everything ‘works’ but is all 100k mile old.
Or you could get one, like mine, where it’s got more miles on it, but has had everything changed within the last 10,000 miles.
For the former, you’d negotiate to pay less as you know there’s stuff you’d want to change immediately. For the latter it usually means you’ll not need to spend anything in the short term, and the seller may not be receptive to a low ball offer if they’ve recently spent £6k on clutch, flywheel, diff & brakes - hence why mine will probably never go back on the market
If the previous owner hasn’t bothered replacing stuff until it physically breaks, then you could end up with a car where everything ‘works’ but is all 100k mile old.
Or you could get one, like mine, where it’s got more miles on it, but has had everything changed within the last 10,000 miles.
For the former, you’d negotiate to pay less as you know there’s stuff you’d want to change immediately. For the latter it usually means you’ll not need to spend anything in the short term, and the seller may not be receptive to a low ball offer if they’ve recently spent £6k on clutch, flywheel, diff & brakes - hence why mine will probably never go back on the market
Theivz said:Yorkie Z said:How come your changing your E89 for an M, looks fantastic from the picture
thanks mate. i am part exing my 2 cars for a family car - will post up when i get it.
im just toying with the idea of an older 3.0 z4 manual 03 04 etc or a high mileage z4m roadster mechanically been sorted ... i am hoping to continue my bucket list of tracks including spa and other uk circuits ... not to hoon but just say ive driven on them if you get what i mean so im wondering if i can stretch to m ownership with tax being 500+ and more expensive consumables or whether to strip an older z4 and add LSD etc...
M/// ownership is always a gamble no matter what you do. My old E46 M3 never gave me any problems with 95k on the clock. I know others with way more miles and no problems, then you get a 50k and the engine eats itself. Think it comes down to how they were treated from new. If you keep one long term it's probably wise to factor in a bottom end bearing change for peace of mind. Yearly oil changes are a good idea and always wait till it's properly warm before you have any fun. The rev lights on the dash are pointless, it's the oil temp you need to go by.
A 3.0si fitted with an LSD is a great combo with a lot less worry.
mmm-five said:Mileage isn’t the killer...it’s the lack of maintenance that is.
If the previous owner hasn’t bothered replacing stuff until it physically breaks, then you could end up with a car where everything ‘works’ but is all 100k mile old.
Or you could get one, like mine, where it’s got more miles on it, but has had everything changed within the last 10,000 miles.
For the former, you’d negotiate to pay less as you know there’s stuff you’d want to change immediately. For the latter it usually means you’ll not need to spend anything in the short term, and the seller may not be receptive to a low ball offer if they’ve recently spent £6k on clutch, flywheel, diff & brakes - hence why mine will probably never go back on the market
lol
I see. Great advice - thanks
yes drivetrain components are my main worries - brakes etc are okish
good maintenance important - got it!
Yorkie Z said:Theivz said:Yorkie Z said:How come your changing your E89 for an M, looks fantastic from the picture
thanks mate. i am part exing my 2 cars for a family car - will post up when i get it.
im just toying with the idea of an older 3.0 z4 manual 03 04 etc or a high mileage z4m roadster mechanically been sorted ... i am hoping to continue my bucket list of tracks including spa and other uk circuits ... not to hoon but just say ive driven on them if you get what i mean so im wondering if i can stretch to m ownership with tax being 500+ and more expensive consumables or whether to strip an older z4 and add LSD etc...
M/// ownership is always a gamble no matter what you do. My old E46 M3 never gave me any problems with 95k on the clock. I know others with way more miles and no problems, then you get a 50k and the engine eats itself. Think it comes down to how they were treated from new. If you keep one long term it's probably wise to factor in a bottom end bearing change for peace of mind. Yearly oil changes are a good idea and always wait till it's properly warm before you have any fun. The rev lights on the dash are pointless, it's the oil temp you need to go by.
A 3.0si fitted with an LSD is a great combo with a lot less worry.
hmmm .... your last sentence is the issue lol. my heart says Z4M .. my wallet says 3.0 with lsd lol. Brakes/discs servicing etc will be cheaper...
there is something special about an m car esp the z4m ...
Thanks Theivr, and everyone.
For a most informative and enlightening thread for Z4M's purchasing.
Yorkie Z you mention a bottom end bearing change, care to elaborate on this?
100K miles like the Timing Chain + Vanos or at higher millage?
Theivz your head says 3.0 LSD, your heart says Z4M. But if you get the 3.0, you'll always long for some M power in your life.
- Well that's my 2 pence, take with a pinch of salt.
For a most informative and enlightening thread for Z4M's purchasing.
Yorkie Z you mention a bottom end bearing change, care to elaborate on this?
100K miles like the Timing Chain + Vanos or at higher millage?
Theivz your head says 3.0 LSD, your heart says Z4M. But if you get the 3.0, you'll always long for some M power in your life.
- Well that's my 2 pence, take with a pinch of salt.
Head over to M3cutters where you'll find much more information on high mileage e46 M3s using the same engine and drive train.
My e46 was pushing 90k miles when I sold it and pulled like a steam train, with the only issues in my three years of ownership being worn front control arms ball joints and a dodgy coil pack.
My e46 was pushing 90k miles when I sold it and pulled like a steam train, with the only issues in my three years of ownership being worn front control arms ball joints and a dodgy coil pack.
Mine is on 117k miles. Owned it since it had 83k and fresh brakes.
34.000 miles in 3 years daily use
6 oil changes + Inspection I
2 brake fluid changes
2 sets of Brake pads
2 sets of tyres
Just replaced all 4 brake discs + a new set of pads and refurbished calipers
Currently replacing suspension front and rear too (it was tired)
Cosmetically new M muiltifunction steering wheel and new M5 F10 gear stick to freshen up the interior.
Never gave me a problem and runs perfectly.
But it’s not cheap to run and maintain, if that concerns you get the 3.0si and add an LSD
34.000 miles in 3 years daily use
6 oil changes + Inspection I
2 brake fluid changes
2 sets of Brake pads
2 sets of tyres
Just replaced all 4 brake discs + a new set of pads and refurbished calipers
Currently replacing suspension front and rear too (it was tired)
Cosmetically new M muiltifunction steering wheel and new M5 F10 gear stick to freshen up the interior.
Never gave me a problem and runs perfectly.
But it’s not cheap to run and maintain, if that concerns you get the 3.0si and add an LSD
Mine's still feels pretty epic. As echoed above it's the type of car that thrives on good regular maintenance. I'm 93K in and took a fellow petrol head for a spin on Friday and he was "I've got to get one!"
If you're going to track it I'd imagine you'll have to look at the consumables. 1st thing you need to do is look at the brakes even if it's hoses and EBC pads (someone will pipe in with the correct ones in a bit. Yellow?) Stock brakes are frankly, pants.
Mines is now on a 6 months oil change cycle and she purrs and roars as she should
T1b
If you're going to track it I'd imagine you'll have to look at the consumables. 1st thing you need to do is look at the brakes even if it's hoses and EBC pads (someone will pipe in with the correct ones in a bit. Yellow?) Stock brakes are frankly, pants.
Mines is now on a 6 months oil change cycle and she purrs and roars as she should
T1b
Not a roadster, but I bought mine on 107k with FSH, got all the big jobs and preventative maintenance out of the way immediately, and have driven it daily ever since. It still feels special, it's now about to hit 120k, I get it serviced 3 times a year, and its been completely faultless so far, although I'm often on my way to a Shell to top up on V-Power, it does like to drink!
I'm using oem brake discs and Blue Stuff NDX race pads, on the recommendation of Fishy Dave who uses them on track in his AP calipers, fantastic pad for the money and take so much abuse, can't recommend them enough for a budget performance pad.
I'm using oem brake discs and Blue Stuff NDX race pads, on the recommendation of Fishy Dave who uses them on track in his AP calipers, fantastic pad for the money and take so much abuse, can't recommend them enough for a budget performance pad.
great advice
thanks all for posts and input
I am slightly put off the M by running costs and my desire to take it on the track once in a while
Anyway I can think of more troublesome predicaments to find yourself in ... lol ... I will continue to search AT/pistonheads and ponder some more...
thanks again all
thanks all for posts and input
I am slightly put off the M by running costs and my desire to take it on the track once in a while
Anyway I can think of more troublesome predicaments to find yourself in ... lol ... I will continue to search AT/pistonheads and ponder some more...
thanks again all
It depends on your perspective. Apart from the tax and all round discs and pads which need doing every 35-40k I thought the running costs were pretty reasonable for the type of car you get for the money.
Inspections can be expensive but with the age of the car even BMW do the old car program. Had my inspection 2 done for around £690ish at grange BMW I seem to remember and that was a good 3-4 years ago.
They are great cars. Just do the things it needs at the age. Engine mounts are rubber so will be ready for new, engine bolts makes sense and get the bearings swapped about £1500 in all and really as long as vanos behaves it should be decent £ motoring.
Inspections can be expensive but with the age of the car even BMW do the old car program. Had my inspection 2 done for around £690ish at grange BMW I seem to remember and that was a good 3-4 years ago.
They are great cars. Just do the things it needs at the age. Engine mounts are rubber so will be ready for new, engine bolts makes sense and get the bearings swapped about £1500 in all and really as long as vanos behaves it should be decent £ motoring.