Just went to view a Z4 and....

R

reeksi

Member
 Hemel Hempstead
So I just went to go view a z4 as it was very local to me.
Its an 03 plate 2.5 17000 miles and 3 bmw stamps in the book
1. oil service
2. inspection 1
3 oil service @ 12 000 miles
up for £7990

I do however have a few questions

when the guy at the dealers started it up, it had a ticking sound that went away when the engine settled at idle (about 3 seconds) is this the sign of anything?

Whats the next big service due? want to know when im going to have to fork out for a inspection 2!

Many thanks in advance for your replies, anything else i should look at would be useful :-)
 
That ticking sound can be a number of problems from oil pump to valves or even low oil. Rather than worry about inspection II I think I would fork out the money to have it gone over by a professional now. The price sounds pretty good for a low mileage Z4. If the paint, body and rag top are in good shape it might just be a good buy; but definitely have it checked out.
 
Agree sounds like its missed an oil service (every 2 years from registration or mileage based whichever comes first and certainly time based for this mileage).

There's a check list link in my signature worth going through prior to purchase.
 
£8k seems too much for an '03, even though low mileage.

It would have to be a very special example and highly specced to command that price.
Doubt my pristine '03 3ltr would make £7k
 
traveler218 said:
That ticking sound can be a number of problems from oil pump to valves or even low oil. Rather than worry about inspection II I think I would fork out the money to have it gone over by a professional now. The price sounds pretty good for a low mileage Z4. If the paint, body and rag top are in good shape it might just be a good buy; but definitely have it checked out.
Click to expand...

Any in particular you would recommend? just one like the RAC?
 
I would also say that £8k give or take seems a lot for an '03 2.5, even with such low mileage... I paid nearer £6k for my '03 3.0. Higher mileage, granted, but a significant chunk less money...
 
reeksi said:
traveler218 said:
That ticking sound can be a number of problems from oil pump to valves or even low oil. Rather than worry about inspection II I think I would fork out the money to have it gone over by a professional now. The price sounds pretty good for a low mileage Z4. If the paint, body and rag top are in good shape it might just be a good buy; but definitely have it checked out.
Click to expand...

Any in particular you would recommend? just one like the RAC?
Click to expand...


I used Dekra Expert for mine, and was very impressed. I think the inspection was more extensive than RAC and IIRC cheaper than RAC (even after applying my RAC member discount!)

Dekra were £248 for me.

You get to know the engineers name and contact details ahead of the inspection so that you can discuss any pre-inspection concerns you may have to focus attention.

A full report, which will help to negotiate the price if necessary, and also a follow up telco with the engineer to discuss the report etc.

I felt it very worthwhile...

Good luck!
 
It's definitely missing the insp 2 and possibly another oil service but with such low milage and the age of the zed IMO it's a moot point.

As for the price it may be bit high but if you like the price and the car ticks all the right boxes for you then happy :driving:
 
Fluids degrade over time though don't they? Even if not due it's insp 2 by mileage it should have had its oil changed in 2011. Is there evidence of brake fluid change every two years as well?
 
Few routine services have been missed by the looks of things. However, I you could get the price down to £7k - you've got a car that's done very few miles, and you could change fluids etc after you've bought it.

What's the condition like?


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Is it possible the car was in storage for some time. It would be ok if it was serviced after storage. But the price seems high even with that low milage.

I paid 6k with 70k miles in "good" condition with a mostly complete service history of 04 model 3.0, as well as new tyres all round.
 
Not sure why the milage is so low, im going to try get the previous owner contact details from the dealer and give him a call.

Looking around it looks a very good condition car, slightly scuffed lumbar support on the seat, and slight bubbling corrosion on some of the alloys, the tyres will need changing soon ish, so i wouldnt look to pay any more than £7200 for it, heres the link to it:
http://www.mondialcars.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-z4-2-5i-2dr-northwood-201225476221045
 
At your price point, I'd buy on condition. If the bodywork and mechanicals are immaculate, I'd try and do a deal factoring in the incomplete history as a bargaining tool. I went to view several cars 'newer' than my 03 when I bought it back in 2009 and was appalled at the condition of some of them, perfect service history or not. Mine was the only 03 I viewed and yet the best condition by far.
 
its been said before. modern oil doesn't degrade anything like the old stuff and with such low mileage i cant see any problems.
 
I bought my '53 back in 2010, it had 19,000 on the clock and also had missed two brake fluid changes

20,000 miles later and I don't regret the purchase




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Go for it.
I bought my 04/04 3.0 Z 18 months ago, with only 2K on it. It was immaculate. It was only ever driven to the golf course. No service history but I immediately got the brake fluid changed and I did the engine oil and filter. 2 MOTs later with no precautionarys, It runs and drives as sweet as anything.
Go on, go for it
 
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