High Milage Query

[Papa Proctor]

I have sourced a z4 204k miles interior and exterior are pristine, minus your general wear and tear as expected all Mot reports look good however currently does not have one after inspecting it tomorrow i will be taking it to the garage where i work for a mot and i have basic knowledge if it does need basic mechanical work doing. its just under 1000, and i was wondering is this going to be a worthwhile purchase? i know the engines on these are pretty robust and i have seen a few other posts of these cars with milage pushing the 200k mark but it seems far cheaper than any others on the market but i just suspect this is because of the milage any adviceq would be appreciated thanks.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

If it's a 6 cylinder model 204K shouldn't be a problem, although ancillaries like alternators, starter motors, water pumps, etc. don't last as long.

It may just be cheap because UK buyers get scared at 100K miles, so double that will always struggle to sell!

Just check everything works, especially the roof motor (I'm assuming it's an E85). If you can get it off the ground look at the rear brake pipes in front of the passenger side rear wheel as they often corrode.

 

[Papa Proctor]

Thanks for that yes it's a e85 I have seen a few things about the motors is it true that you cannot manually open the roof without it?

 

[Mr Tidy]

I'm probably not the right person to ask as I've only had E86 Coupes!

But I believe E85 roofs can be opened manually if the motor is defunct. And there are a few experts on here who can often revive them and relocate them into the boot to prevent them getting drowned for sensible money.

 

[NaweedMustafa]

it true that you cannot manually open the roof without it?

You can still operate the roof without a functioning motor. There is a hydraulic bypass pin which can be engaged with the bypass wire in the boot

 

[Mike6]

Walk away. It could end up costing you far more than a well maintained lower mileage car . Just not worth the risk .

 

[colb]

Could well be a money pit, far better out there

 

[elfer]

If you work at a garage and don't have to pay labour, and it's a second car you can take your time over sorting, it sounds a fun project.

If you'd have to pay someone to work on it, buy something already sorted.

200k is nothing for a properly-maintained M54. There's an American on the E46 forums who has 800k on his 323i (admittedly an M52 but they're very closely related). He discovered the odometer stops incrementing at 621,370 miles, because that's 999,999km which maxes out the store, so he's kept manual records since then using the trip. The floorplan is so rusty it'd never pass a UK MOT but the engine's still going strong, last I heard.

 

[Papa Proctor]

well thanks for all the advice yes i will be doing the work on it myself and i bought it scored a whopping 90 on my diagnostics kit just needs a good service and of course a mot had one today which obviously failed as i knew it would over small bits i can do over the coming week however something that im not too sure on is it also failed on the headlamp levelling device anyone know anything about these? such as any small fixes or workarounds

 

[Mr Tidy]

Good to see you bought it, but working at a garage you should be able to fix it yourself and only need to pay for parts.

Don't forget we like to see photos!

 

[elfer]

... it also failed on the headlamp levelling device anyone know anything about these? such as any small fixes or workarounds

Mine did when I got it too. It has xenon and a quick diagnostic scan revealed a faulty axle height sensor. Swapping that out with a cheap Chinese replacement sorted that.

Or if you have Halogen then just re-adjust them using a hex key