Future Owner Z4 3.0SI - buy Warranty?

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boony97

Member
Hi all,
I am new to the forum as I am looking to pick up my first Z4 ever... BMW for that matter! Super excited!
After much research and endless hours online, I finally came upon a used 2006 Z4 Convertible 3.0si Auto (I know! But I never owned a manual, and this had paddle shifters. Although I did consider otherwise, I found this one that checks off all the boxes) Please don't give me grief! lol

Contrary to my desire, it is being purchased from a dealership. So they have reconditioned it beautifully, including the engine bay. Car has 111K miles (avg 7,400 miles/yr). They don't have any service records, and according to them, they only had to recharge the AC. Considering the mileage, would you recommend buying an aftermarket warranty to cover any issues should they arise - at least for the short term? Note that the warranty is cancellable any time.

Also, any guidance to owning my very first Z4 is appreciated!
 
Not really, they generally dont come in with huge bills that require warranty cover, put the warranty cost (50ish per month) in a separate bank account and use it if a bill comes in is the usual advice. Without service history or records at that mileage its worth looking into replacing the electric water pump and stat as if that goes it can be quite catastrophic if you dont notice it very quickly and get pulled over and recovered straight away, parts are around 300 quid and an hours labour at an indi to replace
 
Thank you. That is definitely good advise.

Is there any signs I can see that might hint to replace the electric water pump?
 
A very exciting time, buying your first Z4. The 3.0Si is highly desirable as there are not many around. Don’t worry about having an auto, the ‘box is highly regarded and plenty of forum members seek out and run autos. The N52 is a very strong engine although can be prone to oil leaks and brittle plastics failing. 111k is no problem if the car has been serviced correctly and the less reliable peripherals (e.g. water pump, starter motor) have been replaced.

You should be looking to the dealer to provide you with a warranty, and know your rights under the Sale of Goods Act, rather than buying an after market warranty. I have no opinion on after market warranties other than it’s extra money and their quite restrictive. Like all insurance products, they are better for the insurer than for you!

With regard to not having any service records, one assumes that it has been serviced, otherwise it wouldn’t have got this far, but the lack of records won’t give you any confidence and it will hurt you at resale time. You can try contacting BMW and former owners to build up a picture. If this doesn’t bother you, then make sure the service history (or lack of) is reflected in the price.

If you post a link to your intended purchase, many more members will be happy to offer an opinion.
 
Congratulations. Definitely no grief from me.
I love my 3.0si Auto. With the flappy paddles, I reckon it is the best of both worlds. It changes gear really quickly, probably faster and more efficiently than I could in a manual.

If sold from a dealer, the car should come with a 3 month warranty as standard anyway.

I have always been skeptical about these warranties, but as I've been having a few issues with mine (1 month after purchase) I took it to a BMW specialist, at the insistence of the warranty company, who said that the VANOS solenoids probably need replacing, and to my astonishment the warranty company are happy to pay. I just had to pay £30 for the garage diagnostics to tell me what I already knew as I have INPA software.
 
You would probably find it very difficult obtaining an aftermarket warranty with the car being 15 years old and having 111k on the clock.
I looked in to purchasing a warranty for mine when I purchased it (17 years old and 75k) Warranty Direct and Warranty Wise wouldn't touch it. I would also be a bit apprehensive buying a car with no service history. Just my opinion. :thumbsup:
 
Good points @blunderthumbs. Warranty company is only sold through dealership. I will find out what my (future) car warranty package it qualifies for and at what cost.

@Zulu4 - Thank you for not giving me grief on the auto box. I agree, seems like I can get best of both worlds, although I would imagine manual enthusiasts will argue against it! lol.

I am not sure if a dealership will give any warranty, as the vehicle is being sold "as is"
 
Good points @blunderthumbs. Warranty company is only sold through dealership. I will find out what my (future) car warranty package it qualifies for and at what cost.

@Zulu4 - Thank you for not giving me grief on the auto box. I agree, seems like I can get best of both worlds, although I would imagine manual enthusiasts will argue against it! lol.

I am not sure if a dealership will give any warranty, as the vehicle is being sold "as is"
 
@zedebee - thank you too for not giving me grief. Navigating this new forum, I see more and more owners of the auto transmission (box). I am going to review the Sales of Goods Act just so I am a bit versed on the subject matter.
 
Warranty will be worthless without service history, and as said with age and mileage the cost will be great. Put the money aside each month and find a good indy if not handy with spanners.
 
Very rare indeed to get any big repair bills on the N52 so a warranty definitely not good value for money imho.

Change the water pump and stat then drive it and enjoy it :driving:
 
ph001 said:
Very rare indeed to get any big repair bills on the N52 so a warranty definitely not good value for money imho.

Change the water pump and stat then drive it and enjoy it :driving:
Click to expand...

Thank you @ph001. You mentioned the same water pump. I will definitely look into that as one of my first fixes. Are there any visual queues that will hint a bad water pump?
Also, did you mean Starter as well?
 
boony97 said:
ph001 said:
Very rare indeed to get any big repair bills on the N52 so a warranty definitely not good value for money imho.

Change the water pump and stat then drive it and enjoy it :driving:
Click to expand...

Thank you @ph001. You mentioned the same water pump. I will definitely look into that as one of my first fixes. Are there any visual queues that will hint a bad water pump?
Also, did you mean Starter as well?
Click to expand...
No he means thermostat, usually changed when doing electric water pump
 
mr.tourette said:
boony97 said:
ph001 said:
Very rare indeed to get any big repair bills on the N52 so a warranty definitely not good value for money imho.

Change the water pump and stat then drive it and enjoy it :driving:
Click to expand...

Thank you @ph001. You mentioned the same water pump. I will definitely look into that as one of my first fixes. Are there any visual queues that will hint a bad water pump?
Also, did you mean Starter as well?
Click to expand...
No he means thermostat, usually changed when doing electric water pump
Click to expand...

:thumbsup: Got it! Thank you for the clarification! I should have known :lol:
 
. . . And to answer your question, are there any signs of a bad water pump? No, they just give up and you’ll have to stop driving with very little notice. There seems to be a consensus that it’s sensible to replace at about 60k as a preventative measure. This one’s probably been replaced at least once, check whether it’s nice and shiny and it might not need doing. It’s a job that many members have done themselves and the parts are about £250.
 
Like Zedebee said you get no notice at all when they die because being electric they just stop working without any of the leaks or whining noises you often get with a mechanical pump.

The pump on my first Coupe died right on 60K and the temperature gauge went from normal to Red in about a mile! Same thing happened to my E91 325i with the N52 engine, but that was on 135K so it might have been it's second! But they can last longer - my 2nd Coupe seemed to still have the original fitted when I sold it on 90K.

The OE pumps are made by Pierburg - just don't buy from BMW as they charge over £500 for them. :headbang:

I've never bothered with a warranty on a car of this age, like others I just keep a bit of a bork fund going! It's also worth finding a decent independant BMW specialist.

Anyway welcome to the forum and good luck with your Z4 purchase. :thumbsup:
 
All,
First thank you for all the feedback!
I want to give an update and solicit fee again.

The cafax report says the “Cooling system serviced” and “thermostat replaced”! Super excited about that! This service was 9k miles ago at approx 102k miles!! However, this happened 6 years ago in 2015!

So, should I be concerned about the length in time?
 
I would be careful and still check out the water pump. "Cooling system serviced" could just mean they flushed the system and added new coolant. Pump may still not have been replaced. The carfax states "thermostat replaced" I would think it also would say water pump replaced if it was.
 
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