Help!! Buying a used Z4

N

newEnthusiast

New member
Hello!

I’m a first time car buyer (in the US), longer time enthusiast.

I’m going to take a look at a 2008 z4 tomorrow, 3.0si (auto, if that helps. Also I know that’s blasphemy but I live in a very very hilly place)

Any top tips on what to check arduously or what to look out for apart fron basics (Oil, leaking, etc.). If I like it I’m probably taking it to a mechanic but don’t want to waste money for no reason.

Thank you in advance!!!!!
 
Welcome to the club. A hello from San Francisco, home of very steep Seven Hills.

Captain Obvious here: You're getting a car that is 17-18 years old. What few will tell you: BMW stands for Bring More Wallet.

The best thing you can do is to take it to an independent for a buyer's check. That may run $200-$300. The Indy will point out flagrant problems that require immediate attention; brakes, tyres, cracked wheels, belts, leaks, corrosions, bent steering parts, misalignment, weak aircon, etc. That will tell you right off the bat the cost to bring your new ride to full safety and functionality standards. (If you don't already know a local Indy, ask on the US BMW site.)

But that's just the beginning. You ought to budget a few thousand dollars per annum for repairs alone. Plus ongoing maintenance. My 2003 3.0i was averaging monthly repair bills near a new car note. Because, you know, BMW. I work on my motorbikes at home, but don't have tools and space to work on the car. I think I sent my Indy's kid to college.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

Marc
 
Marcoose said:
Welcome to the club. A hello from San Francisco, home of very steep Seven Hills.

Captain Obvious here: You're getting a car that is 17-18 years old. What few will tell you: BMW stands for Bring More Wallet.

The best thing you can do is to take it to an independent for a buyer's check. That may run $200-$300. The Indy will point out flagrant problems that require immediate attention; brakes, tyres, cracked wheels, belts, leaks, corrosions, bent steering parts, misalignment, weak aircon, etc. That will tell you right off the bat the cost to bring your new ride to full safety and functionality standards. (If you don't already know a local Indy, ask on the US BMW site.)

But that's just the beginning. You ought to budget a few thousand dollars per annum for repairs alone. Plus ongoing maintenance. My 2003 3.0i was averaging monthly repair bills near a new car note. Because, you know, BMW. I work on my motorbikes at home, but don't have tools and space to work on the car. I think I sent my Indy's kid to college.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

Marc
Click to expand...

Marc, thank you! I’ve absolutely heard that before. I’ve been trying to really get into cars and told myself if I’m going to get one of these I want to work on it myself.

I’ll definitely keep this thread posted. I’ve been looking into spare parts for things that commonly go wrong with them, and they don’t look too bad but again, I don’t have a lot of experience.

I’m giddy right now atbthe thought of owning one, but i’m sure an inspection will put things into perspective. Hope cali’s got good weather!!
 
Hi newEnthusiast,
Maybe just check out the condition of the oil pan (sump).
They are made out of pressed steel - at least mine is on my 2007 2.5si.
I had to buy a new one as the original had corroded to such an extent that it was leaking oil.
I think maybe my car had spent too much time in a damp garage and was under used in it's early life.
It came off the Spartanburg production line in 2007 but had only 32,000 miles on the clock when I bought it in 2016.
If all goes well the clock will read 132,000 miles in October or maybe Novemer.
All the best,
Robert.
 
1. Frequent Condensation inside the headlights
2. Xenon (HID) bulbs are the devil (expensive and burn out repeatedly, due to number 1). Igniters also fail, by which the bulb is lit. If the control module fails, they cost $500 each (parts, not labor) the last time I bought one and that was the price 10 years ago. I’ve burned through 2 or 3.
3. Convertible top hydraulic motor will fail repeatedly due to a tiny water drain and difficult to access clean out panels. Move it to the trunk, if it works.
4. The bmw alarm is garbage. It stops working properly within a few years and then will randomly give false alerts. Your neighbors will love it. Aftermarket alarm installers will give up, due to bmw’s wiring oddities.
5. Expect to replace the rubber around the windshield every 8 years or so. It absolutely crumbles.
6. You already know about the frequent oil leaks. Stock up on kitty litter for your garage floor.

I still love my ‘07. Just make sure you know what you are buying. And absolutely, without fail, have it inspected before you buy it, inside, out, electrically, signs of wreckage, etc. It’s $200 well spent to avoid a lemon.
 
The electric water pump may need replacing, and a model-specific code reader is a must-have item. The electronics are complicated, and a good reader will find any faults that can be expensive to fix. Check that the steering is not stiff or unstable. No physical dipstick, so remove the oil cap to see the condition of the oil
 
Roberltd2 said:
Maybe just check out the condition of the oil pan (sump).
They are made out of pressed steel - at least mine is on my 2007 2.5si.
I had to buy a new one as the original had corroded to such an extent that it was leaking oil.
I think maybe my car had spent too much time in a damp garage and was under used in it's early life.
Click to expand...
That's well worth checking as I know one member had to replace a leaking sump on his 3.0Si. He admitted he hadn't had the under-tray in place for a while which may not have helped, so maybe check the under-tray is fitted.

The electric water pump will die at some point, so if the car has had a new one that's a bonus. Anyway I hope it goes well. :thumbsup:
 
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