Hello from Somerset.
- Thread starter FunkyDung
- Start date
hello and welcome, advice will depend on budget but try and get the 6 pot is a good start
Good luck with the search
Good luck with the search
A few for sale on here worth a look.
North West Surrey
Attleborough, Norfolk
Welcome aboard.FunkyDung said:
From experience I know the earlier M54 6-pot engine, in either 2.2, 2.5 or 3.0 guise, will run for ever if looked after.
Body panels are relatively easy to find and easy to swap.
I'd be looking for good mechanical history, no dodgy advisories on suspension and brakes etc.
So I'd think mechanicals first and possibly live with the odd tatty panel if you have to. Plenty of good ones crop up on here to swap as you go along.
I understand you want cheap, but really you could do with throwing a figure in here so we can help you better.
At the end of the market you'll be viewing I'd seriously suggest getting an experienced owner to look over any car you like the look of too.
If you read through the forum a bit you'll find there are a few of us who can help out with stuff. My speciality is mechanicals and engine stuff; others can do all the fancy electronic bits too.
So, for example, you find a car that needs new shocks, or a vanos overhaul, but apart from that ticks all your boxes. You use dealer quotes to haggle the price down, then find a friendly forum member who'll do the work for a lot less.
You've made the right first move by signing up here. Please use the infinite resources of this forum to the full and I'm sure you'll end up with a decent motor and still in budget.
Good luck with your search.
Something like this maybe?
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/5481056785346595/?hoisted=false&ref=category_feed&referral_code=undefined&referral_story_type=listing&tracking=%7B%22qid%22%3A%22-5444378125299256894%22%2C%22mf_story_key%22%3A%225616400795072579%22%2C%22commerce_rank_obj%22%3A%22%7B%5C%22target_id%5C%22%3A5616400795072579%2C%5C%22target_type%5C%22%3A0%2C%5C%22primary_position%5C%22%3A0%2C%5C%22ranking_signature%5C%22%3A8159531405257211904%2C%5C%22commerce_channel%5C%22%3A504%2C%5C%22value%5C%22%3A0.004163792335424%2C%5C%22candidate_retrieval_source_map%5C%22%3A%7B%5C%225616400795072579%5C%22%3A111%7D%7D%22%2C%22ftmd_400706%22%3A%22111112l%22%7D
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/5481056785346595/?hoisted=false&ref=category_feed&referral_code=undefined&referral_story_type=listing&tracking=%7B%22qid%22%3A%22-5444378125299256894%22%2C%22mf_story_key%22%3A%225616400795072579%22%2C%22commerce_rank_obj%22%3A%22%7B%5C%22target_id%5C%22%3A5616400795072579%2C%5C%22target_type%5C%22%3A0%2C%5C%22primary_position%5C%22%3A0%2C%5C%22ranking_signature%5C%22%3A8159531405257211904%2C%5C%22commerce_channel%5C%22%3A504%2C%5C%22value%5C%22%3A0.004163792335424%2C%5C%22candidate_retrieval_source_map%5C%22%3A%7B%5C%225616400795072579%5C%22%3A111%7D%7D%22%2C%22ftmd_400706%22%3A%22111112l%22%7D
The trouble with the cheap ones in Somerset is that they're all in Bristol and they look a complete state!!!
However, the only thing that can't sensibly be cured in a 20 year old BMW is rust. And Z4s seem pretty hardy. So, if you don't mind a project, you can probably buy one blind. I run a selection of (by forum standard) ancient, leggy BMWs on a maintenance budget of about 36p and they're fine. But I can wield spanners and use INPA which helps.
However, the only thing that can't sensibly be cured in a 20 year old BMW is rust. And Z4s seem pretty hardy. So, if you don't mind a project, you can probably buy one blind. I run a selection of (by forum standard) ancient, leggy BMWs on a maintenance budget of about 36p and they're fine. But I can wield spanners and use INPA which helps.
foddysavva
Member
Welcome fellow newbie. I've found this forum full of helpful people so don't be shy to ask obvious questions (I'll be posting a few I'm sure). I paid 4k for a 53 plate soft top 3.0. I was lucky buying mine as I have only a few small jobs to do (cosmetic stuff really expected for its age) The power steering went the other day but with everyone being so helpful on here, it should be done soon. Hopefully you'll pick one up soon and can enjoy some days out.