Local Z4 with 96,000m advisory notices

[aki]

I have come across a Z4 locally and it has close to 96,000 miles. I just ran a vehicle history check on the Totalcarcheck app and was wondering if I should be concerned about any of the advisory notices. Any help is appreciated.

Do let me know if I'm not supposed to post these sort of questions. Thanks

 

[Mr Tidy]

I suspect that car is probably at least 15 years old, so I wouldn't be surprised if it had corrosion on the springs and shock casings! I wouldn't be too bothered about those so long as the shocks aren't leaking and the springs aren't snapped.

But corroded brake pipes seem to be a common issue on older Z4s and I'd want to get them replaced, preferably in Kunifer so they don't corrode again. Ideally try to get a quote for replacing them and see if you can get the car for a price that will reflect that.

 

[aki]

But corroded brake pipes seem to be a common issue on older Z4s and I'd want to get them replaced, preferably in Kunifer so they don't corrode again. Ideally try to get a quote for replacing them and see if you can get the car for a price that will reflect that.

Thank you I'll try get a quote before I go to have a look at the z4. Hopefully it's nothing too expensive

 

[Zedebee]

You won’t know until you look at it whether the advisories are the product of a zealous tester or just normal. As Mr Tidy says, it is quite normal to have quite rusty shock casings if they are original and patches of surface rust on the springs where the paint has flaked/rubbed off. Mind you, if on original suspension at 96k, I would be looking to replace the shocks anyway. Heavily corroded brake lines are more of a problem, although it is common to see these “greased up” to protect against the elements. Grease can be easily cleaned up and surface corrosion removed with a wire brush or fine sandpaper.
If you’re sufficiently confident, take a jack with you and have a good look under the car; and plug in a code reader for good measure.

 

[enuff_zed]

Takes about an hour to swap out both rear shocks. Mot testers use the greasy brake pipe excuse to cover their ass.
Nothing there that would worry me

 

[raymond.harper]

Not exactly a garage queen but nothing that cannot be sorted with a bit of money so it is a good bargaining chip to use to get perhaps a price reduction. https://classicsworld.co.uk/guides/bmw-z4-e84-buyers-guide/

 

[Mr Tidy]

I'd look up the full MOT history to see if the brake pipes had been an advisory before.

My 2nd E86 had advisories for the rear brake pipes 2 years running, and got another when I took it for a test so I got them replaced. Although there was no mention of "greased, covered in other material, etc." - just corroded!

 

[Emanresu]

Does anyone know the rough cost to replace the brake lines? I car I want to view has the same advisories and it’s noted on a previous service that the brake lines are corroded and need attention, so I don’t think it’s just an over zealous MOT tester!

 

[raymond.harper]

This is the rough cost to replace the rear pipes. You would be best contacting a local garage for a price.

 

[Emanresu]

Quick

Lovely, thank you for that. Yes if I’m seriously considering it I think I’ll call a local specialist and get a quote prior to.

 

[raymond.harper]

Any reputable garage should be able to give you a quote for brake pipes. Take a Z4-specific code reader with you and do a full scan.

 

[aki]

This is the rough cost to replace the rear pipes. You would be best contacting a local garage for a price.

Wow nearing £500 is very expensive. I did search on this site and I believe it can be done for around £300. I'll have to call some local garages and hopefully it's nearer to £300 than £500

 

[aki]

I'd look up the full MOT history to see if the brake pipes had been an advisory before.

I've had a look on the app and it's showing that the brake pipes were an advisory (slightly corroded) since 2011 at 59000 miles but it wasn't an advisory again for some time.

There's an advisory notice from 2016 that mentions the brake pipes being repaired but still an advisory.

 

[Sidewaze Samm]

This is the rough cost to replace the rear pipes. You would be best contacting a local garage for a price.

Wow nearing £500 is very expensive. I did search on this site and I believe it can be done for around £300. I'll have to call some local garages and hopefully it's nearer to £300 than £500

Firstly, you want the rear pipes replaced with Kunifer (copper) piping. This will not only give longer life than OEM replacement but as they can be bent they can be fitted without the time-consuming dropping of the fuel tank, as the new pipes can be bent over the top.
So best bet is to contact local BMW indie specialists and ask them if they can do that. £500 is deffo dear.
Where about are you located?

 

[colb]

All to be expected given the age and mileage, the mention of brake pipes covered in grease is a get out for the tester should things go wrong with them post test. Springs corroded is another get out should they snap, if they were seriously corroded and weakened then they are more at risk of snapping in use. Might be time for a complete suspension refurb with new springs and shockers and struts not forgetting the ball joints and ant roll bar rubber bushes. I cleaned my brake pipes up with emery cloth and painted them with smoothright paint especially where they emerg in the nearside rear wheel arch where they get blasted by the road wheel spray. Replaced the flex hoses with stainless braided hose kit front and rear, got no advisories at the next MOT.

 

[aki]

Might be time for a complete suspension refurb with new springs and shockers and struts not forgetting the ball joints and ant roll bar rubber bushes

Any idea how much all this could cost. If I do get this z4 or one similar, I'm not sure how much repairs I'd get done. Don't plan on keeping it for multiple years and I also don't travel much apart from work (15m daily) and local driving, so I'd rather not spend £500-1000 on a 4k car

 

[raymond.harper]

This one is very nice, passes all my tests https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2029603#p2029603

 

[Z4JAY]

This one is very nice, passes all my tests https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2029603#p2029603

This is now at £3995