High Mileage Z4 3.0SI

T

tuscan63

Member
Apologies if covered elsewhere i did some googling and searching the thread and couldn't seem much that covered this.

I am looking at getting a Z4 3.0SI in the coming months and have noticed they are creeping up in mileage now not surprising for a 10 year old car, but wondered what potential issue they may have if over 100k miles.

Seems like the N52B30 is a cracker of a engine, potential vanos issues but can be easily rectified.

So mainly just the z4 itself, it seems springs can be a weak point so worth checking them out anything else that I should be worried about particularly on a high miler.

I prefer to bu on condition rather than mileage but thought I would just ask about any potential big bills that could be on there way.

Cheers
 
As you said rear Springs can be a problem but is an easy and cheap fix , roof Motor are also a weak spot as they get water in congress could be a potential big bill
 
The good news with a car with >100k on the clock is that a previous owner will have changed the broken springs!

I currently have a 330i loan car on a Y plate with 220k on the clock and that still pulls like a train!
 
RickRob said:
The good news with a car with >100k on the clock is that a previous owner will have changed the broken springs!

I currently have a 330i loan car on a Y plate with 220k on the clock and that still pulls like a train!
Click to expand...

The walkers auto tech one?

If so I thought it was great, only issue being the accelerator and the huge delay/slack.
 
Usual stuff then. FSH a must, The lower the previous owners, the better. I personally would prefer a higher mileage car in good condition than one that sits there week after week and only does short journeys and 3k miles a year. These cars WANT to be driven. :driving:
 
Mark555 said:
Usual stuff then. FSH a must, The lower the previous owners, the better. I personally would prefer a higher mileage car in good condition than one that sits there week after week and only does short journeys and 3k miles a year. These cars WANT to be driven. :driving:
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If the car seemed like it had been well looked after I'd be happy with a folder of receipts/details of work done-a competent owner will often lavish more care on a car than a franchised garage, maybe earlier on in a cars life it would be more contentious but after ten years much less so. I base my car buying decisions as much on the owner as the car :thumbsup:
Regards
 
tuscan63 said:
Apologies if covered elsewhere i did some googling and searching the thread and couldn't seem much that covered this.

I am looking at getting a Z4 3.0SI in the coming months and have noticed they are creeping up in mileage now not surprising for a 10 year old car, but wondered what potential issue they may have if over 100k miles.

Seems like the N52B30 is a cracker of a engine, potential vanos issues but can be easily rectified.

So mainly just the z4 itself, it seems springs can be a weak point so worth checking them out anything else that I should be worried about particularly on a high miler.

I prefer to bu on condition rather than mileage but thought I would just ask about any potential big bills that could be on there way.

Cheers
Click to expand...

Super reliable cars but the electric water pumps do fail anywhere between 70/100k often with not much warning.
Just replaced mine (89k) part was £280 & took 20mins to swap.
I've read of the n52 cars covering 300k still going strong on the American forums :driving:
Regards
 
I brought mine with 20K on it and sold it with over 100K and never had to replace any thing regarding the engine. I did have to do a full suspension overhall and just the usual servicing requirements. Water pumps seems to be a week point with the N52 as mentioned earlier.
 
srhutch said:
RickRob said:
The good news with a car with >100k on the clock is that a previous owner will have changed the broken springs!

I currently have a 330i loan car on a Y plate with 220k on the clock and that still pulls like a train!
Click to expand...

The walkers auto tech one?

If so I thought it was great, only issue being the accelerator and the huge delay/slack.
Click to expand...

Yes, the one from Walkers Autotech. I think that it was slack rather than delay. Hope my Zed is that strong if/when it has that many miles on the clock.

I'm now nearly £700 worse off but have got the Inspection 2 behind me now. Andy was very complimentary about mine, saying that it looks as good from inside the engine than it does from outside. Very pleased given that it's coming up 100k miles.
 
Someone mentioned the water pumps failing, is this the same with an e85 2003 3.0?

With my one being at 97k I should maybe be getting ready to have to buy one should I?
 
Jimmer said:
Someone mentioned the water pumps failing, is this the same with an e85 2003 3.0?

With my one being at 97k I should maybe be getting ready to have to buy one should I?
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Pre-facelift cars had a totally different engine (m54) which has a traditional water pump, they still wear out but are cheap to buy.
Regards
 
Water pump will go between 70k-100k and does cost a fair bit if replaced with a genuine new part. Besides form that, mines about to hit 100k and nothing else out of the ordinary has been an issue.
 
RickRob said:
I currently have a 330i loan car on a Y plate with 220k on the clock and that still pulls like a train!
Click to expand...

On a Y-Reg that'll be the M54 motor. Not the same engine that's in the 3.0si.
 
nfbr said:
RickRob said:
I currently have a 330i loan car on a Y plate with 220k on the clock and that still pulls like a train!
Click to expand...

On a Y-Reg that'll be the M54 motor. Not the same engine that's in the 3.0si.
Click to expand...

So which is the better - the M54 or the one in the 3.0si?
 
RickRob said:
nfbr said:
RickRob said:
I currently have a 330i loan car on a Y plate with 220k on the clock and that still pulls like a train!
Click to expand...

On a Y-Reg that'll be the M54 motor. Not the same engine that's in the 3.0si.
Click to expand...

So which is the better - the M54 or the one in the 3.0si?
Click to expand...

Depends on how you quantify "better" Bmw's own figures say the n52 engine has 12% more power along with 8% more economy which is a significant improvement.
On the other hand the m54 is known to be stronger & more able to cope with forced induction without grenading :cry:
For normal road use i think they are both a pleasure to drive :thumbsup:
regards
 
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