Looking at a Z4 tomorrow - advice please!

L

Lotus1

Member
 Cheshire
Hi folks,

My quest to acquire a Z4 is progressing. I sold My Elise yesterday and amazingly have found a 3.0i SE advertised privately about a mile away from home! The spec looks spot on with electric heated seats, satnav, split-rim alloys etc - it has full BMWSH and is even in my favourite colour (Sterling Gray)...almost too good to be true :thumbsup:

...but there is a downside...it's done more miles than I would have liked at 46K - not a massive amount but more than I was aiming for. So my question is, should I be looking for any specific problems with a car of this mileage and age (approx 4 years) when I go to view tomorrow?

Cheers,

Steve
 
Hi Lotus, you haven't mentioned the year? :idunno: In any case at that mileage, provided it was well taken care of, it's just getting broke in :thumbsup:
 
fire-n-ice said:
Hi Lotus, you haven't mentioned the year? :idunno: In any case at that mileage, provided it was well taken care of, it's just getting broke in :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Hi Fire,

I did say it was 4 years old.... :thumbsup:

Steve
 
Go to Parkers (http://www.parkers.co.uk) or a similar website and key in all the spec of the vehicle, adjust the mileage input the extras. For a few £'s or free in some instances you will get back an instant valuation of the car, Trade in, retail and price. I guarantee it will be lower than advertised for and give enormous leverage in the sale process.

Also do a HPI check - you know it's worth it for a private purchase

This is exactly what I did in my private purchase a few months ago to great effect

BTW - Sterling Silver - way to go - no better colour

What to look for. Panel fit, paint condition and any evidence of being tracked, crashed or repaired. Condition of seats, comesurate with mileage. Damage/mould to hood. Stone chips on front end and rear quarters

Target perfection and if not walk away - that market is awash with 2003/4 3.0i in perfect condition

Good luck
 
cj10jeeper said:
Go to Parkers (http://www.parkers.co.uk) or a similar website and key in all the spec of the vehicle, adjust the mileage input the extras. For a few £'s or free in some instances you will get back an instant valuation of the car, Trade in, retail and price. I guarantee it will be lower than advertised for and give enormous leverage in the sale process.

Also do a HPI check - you know it's with it for a private purchase

This is exactly what I did in my private purchase a few months ago to great effect

BTW - Sterling Silver - way to go - no better colour

Good luck
Click to expand...

Thanks for that - just tried Parkers and, in good condition, it should be over £1K more than it's advertised for...no leverage factor but shows it's a good price to start with :P (or it's a rubbish car!)

Steve
 
Lotus1 said:
Hi Fire,

I did say it was 4 years old.... :thumbsup:

Steve
Click to expand...
indeed you did :oops: , sorry...missed it. Just make sure you go over it with a fine tooth comb. My first priority would be if it's still under warranty and if so, how long? I just had $3200.00 worth of work done on my 2003. I would never own a higher-end vehicle without a warranty, unless you're OK with paying cash for stuff like that. Had to have my entire steering column, radio and gas cap replaced. I couldn't imagine what having the top replaced would cost (unless it's a coupe). Good luck and please let us know what happens :)
 
Hi
I'm in the same boat really, will be looking for a Z4 in a couple of months.
Can anybody tell me what the SE has to offer over the standard?
Were there any other trim levels?
Thanks
 
I looked at a 2003 3.0 in mint condition from what I could see/checked. Test drive was good, shifted ok, front end tight, no shimmy, temp in the center, very clean car. 16,000mls. It has pre. sport, packages heated seats, with auto top, and a 6speed.
Question:
Is there an option for a insulated top? I was told it has one while others don't.....
In the trunk there were two knobs. I was told if you don't plan to bring top down, turn these and it will reduce noise. Is that correct? These knobs are on both sides rear of trunk top, real close to where the top would be when down. Anything else I should check on?
 
God I love newbies!!! Here's a link to a description of some "trims" for ya.

The nobs in the trunk control the basket or bucket or compartment or whatever you call it that the top folds into when lowered. With the top up you can raise that compartment so you can have more trunk space. Has nothing to do with noise. I'll bet $500 that it was a dealer or salesman who told you that. You can ask around in here.... dealers know nothing about these cars - it kinda sucks - but your here now and anything you want to know there is someone in here that has the answer and is eager to share it with you. WELCOME to the greatest Z4 resource in the world!!! There is an awesome search function here... most questions have probably already been addressed in older threads - but if you don't find what you are looking for, ask away!!!!! We love questions cause we love our cars!!! :driving:
 
flyboyaj said:
God I love newbies!!! Here's a link to a description of some "trims" for ya. :driving:
Click to expand...

So are the US models the same as the UK? (apart from the steering wheel being on the wrong side in the US).
I can't see what you get with the SE, is it the Premium Package or the Convenience Package?
I also was under the impression that all the 3ltr cars have the "Sport Button", is it worth having?
I have not driven one yet as I'm stuck in Rio for a month but want to get all the info before I start test driving.
Thanks
:thumbsup:
 
Thanks Carl,

I don't see much different really between the models.
I am looking for an (03) model really
Still have a few questions however if somebody can help..

- do all the cars have the Sport button? What does this do and is it worth getting?
- What is MSR?
- Which cars have a LSD?
- Did all the models have Run flats? I see that there is a spare wheel on the options list.

Does anybody recommend any options that they think are a necessary?

Thanks again and sorry Lotus 1 for hijacking your thread..
:)
 
I believe that all non-Ms have runflats fitted as standard. Whether the previous owner has fitted non-runflats is a different matter. Sport button sharpens throttle response, adds more weight to the electric power steering and (I believe) makes the DSC a little less zealous. Only Ms have LSD.
 
I think you have the answers except for MSR which I is an acronym have never heard of?

Sport button appears to be identical to moving the auto box to sport/manual, but just seems more fun to press it....

Options - this depends if you are looking for what you want, or to maintain the value of the Z at resale time
For the UK I would look to have sat nav, Leather memory and heated seats, Xenon headlights, the 3.0 engine and a hardtop
 
Ben. said:
- do all the cars have the Sport button? What does this do and is it worth getting?
- What is MSR?
- Which cars have a LSD?
- Did all the models have Run flats? I see that there is a spare wheel on the options list.

Does anybody recommend any options that they think are a necessary?

Thanks again and sorry Lotus 1 for hijacking your thread..
:)
Click to expand...

:hijacked: Hijacking Threads is encouraged and fun :D . Come near my plane with that word and I'll shoot ya, though. :evil: :P

Not all cars have sport button. The button comes with the Sport Package. I have it and it is AWESOME!!!
Don't know what MSR is.
Don't know what LSD is.
All models prior to somewhere around mid 2006 (back me up on this guys) came with Runflats - abbreviated as RFTs (run flat tires). The most common aftermarket non-RFTs for the Z4 that I have seen are the 1. Michelin PS2, and 2. Goodyear Eagle F1. It's up to you if you wanna use trunk space for a spare or not. Some folks who have ditched the RFTs carry a spare, but I think most folks don't carry a spare, just towing insurance and/or a bottle of fix-a-flat.

Must have options - Seat Heat (better known to most of us as "bum warmers") and a hot chick for the passenger seat - don't worry if you don't already have one you will easily get one driving this car around town. :wink:
 
If the vehicle is still under it's original warranty (<4 yrs./50k miles), I think you can go to the dealer and purchase an additional 2 years warranty (6yrs total or 100k miles). I think it'll run about $1500-2K, but it's worth it...even if it's just for peace of mind. So having to buy the warranty can be used as leverage to get a better deal as BMW certified used vehicles come with this warranty.
 
Thanks...

I have been searching trying to find out about the window sealing system. When I opened the door, the window didn't drop nor go up when closing the door. Can this be disabled?
 
Just put MSR in Google and apparently it is - engine drag torque Regulation..? Nice...

Thanks for the advice, looks like I will have fun in February when I go looking for one.
:driving:
 
mattholecko said:
If the vehicle is still under it's original warranty (<4 yrs./50k miles), I think you can go to the dealer and purchase an additional 2 years warranty (6yrs total or 100k miles). I think it'll run about $1500-2K, but it's worth it...even if it's just for peace of mind.
Click to expand...

Can't be done. Only original owners can buy the extended warranty or extended maintenance warranty.
 
GP20 said:
mattholecko said:
If the vehicle is still under it's original warranty (<4 yrs./50k miles), I think you can go to the dealer and purchase an additional 2 years warranty (6yrs total or 100k miles). I think it'll run about $1500-2K, but it's worth it...even if it's just for peace of mind.
Click to expand...

Can't be done. Only original owners can buy the extended warranty or extended maintenance warranty.
Click to expand...

Maybe it's different here in the U.S as I bought the extended warranty from the dealer. So I know first hand that you most certainly can purchase the extended warranty if you're not the original owner (at least in the USA). And I know it's not dealer specific as I received several mailings from BMW telling me my warranty was about to expire and asking if I'd like to extend.
 
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