looking to adopt a E85 3.0si manual (Preferred at the moment)

[cn123_123]

Hi

New to forums but hope to be here a while when (Fingers crossed) I find what I am looking for. I am in it for the long haul I am no mechanic and cannot tackle a few things - Rust, Rod Bearings or Body work - so looking for a nice example around £7000 without any of these issues but happy to spend a few years picking up most other things to get her back to former glory to tackle some long European trips. Colour not important as I have not seen a brown one yet

I am lazy so first thought about an auto but the wife wants a manual, I have a ZF 8 speed in my 5 series which is a dream but there is small hesitancy when starting off which is ok in a 5 but imagine it would drive me mad in a sporty convertible...... I suppose I can go test drive a few but if anyone has any experience with the auto .......

If I do adopt yours I promise to take very very good care of her

Thanks in advance

 

[Zulu4]

Good luck with your search.

FWIW, My Z4 auto box is superbly smooth with virtually no lag, especially in sport mode, unlike my two other cars with ZF auto boxes which both have a frustrating lag when you want to pull away quickly at a junction (VW and Land Rover).

 

[Ole gits rule]

Hi

New to forums but hope to be here a while when (Fingers crossed) I find what I am looking for. I am in it for the long haul I am no mechanic and cannot tackle a few things - Rust, Rod Bearings or Body work - so looking for a nice example around £7000 without any of these issues but happy to spend a few years picking up most other things to get her back to former glory to tackle some long European trips. Colour not important as I have not seen a brown one yet

I am lazy so first thought about an auto but the wife wants a manual, I have a ZF 8 speed in my 5 series which is a dream but there is small hesitancy when starting off which is ok in a 5 but imagine it would drive me mad in a sporty convertible...... I suppose I can go test drive a few but if anyone has any experience with the auto .......

If I do adopt yours I promise to take very very good care of her

Thanks in advance

Hello and welcome - adopting is Zed is not to be taken lightly.

Take a look at this stunner for your exact budget, may not be exact spec you want but great mileage - https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=129348 assuming it is an e85 that you want

 

[Mr Tidy]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

The 3.0Si N52 engine is teriffic, and isn't known for having Rod Bearing issues - they only seem to afflict the M models.

Bear in mind the UK got less than 1,000 3.0Si Roadsters so you might need to be patient and/or willing to travel.

Might this one be any good? https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=130003

 

[Ole gits rule]

Heres one with your spec and auto box with low mileage - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284347219100?hash=item42346a3c9c:g:tSEAAOSwj0Jg1hUv

 

[cn123_123]

Thanks Zulu4

My Z4 auto box is superbly smooth with virtually no lag

This is really helpful and will certainly take one for a test drive, in fact one has come up near me so possibly as early as Wed and may have a new signature by Thurs

Thanks again

 

[cn123_123]

Thanks Mr Tidy

The 3.0Si N52 engine is terrific, and isn't known for having Rod Bearing issues - they only seem to afflict the M models.

Bear in mind the UK got less than 1,000 3.0Si Roadsters so you might need to be patient and/or willing to travel.

I have started to realise it might be a long journey

Great to hear about the rod bearings, appreciate the link it is certainly a contender. Would the 100000 miles and being a daily driver be a great concern do you think I know the engines are capable if looked after (This one does seem to be looked after). Or should I expect to up my budget for a lower mileage

Appreciate the advice and so glad I joined the forum

 

[Argyll Andy]

The 100k in these engines isn’t an issue if maintained and looked after, I’ve an N52 with 110k in my daily 325i, but…… in the U.K. 100K miles is a mental barrier when it comes to resale so in a Z4 with a 100k which you’re going to daily resale may not be very easy or the price will reflect the higher miles.

Going for a lower mileage is probably a sensible thing but not too low a mileage. Buying an ultra low mileage you’ll pay a premium and wipe that out immediately when you start putting the miles on it.

Maybe a 50-60k car giving you a fair bit of leeway before coming to the possible 100k resale issues.

On the forum here it doesn’t bother so much about the mileage, it’s more conditions and maintenance but elsewhere it matters.

All IMO obviously, good luck with the search

 

[cn123_123]

Appreciate the link Ole Gits Rule

This is on my watch list, unfortunately it is 4 hours away (Bristol) and I would like to drive before I buy, it does look great but the reserve is £7000 (Perfect) I have contacted him but he just refers me to the advert no additional info.

I am not the biggest risk taker but this is very tempting

 

[Argyll Andy]

Appreciate the link Ole Gits Rule

This is on my watch list, unfortunately it is 4 hours away (Bristol) and I would like to drive before I buy, it does look great but the reserve is £7000 (Perfect) I have contacted him but he just refers me to the advert no additional info.

I am not the biggest risk taker but this is very tempting

This seller has come up before in discussion a few times. He’s seemingly a good person to deal with, knows Zeds, gets preventive work done and has refunded a customer who wasn’t 100% happy. Iirc he’s bought a few forum cars. His only outlet appears to be eBay and he sets fixed reserves and if he doesn’t make that he just relists

 

[cn123_123]

The 100k in these engines isn’t an issue if maintained and looked after, I’ve an N52 with 110k in my daily 325i, but…… in the U.K. 100K miles is a mental barrier when it comes to resale so in a Z4 with a 100k which you’re going to daily resale may not be very easy or the price will reflect the higher miles.

Totally agree Andy

I have no intention of selling or driving daily so definitely advice to consider .......something else

 

[cn123_123]

Thanks Andy good to know

This seller has come up before in discussion a few times. He’s seemingly a good person to deal with, knows Zeds, gets preventive work done and has refunded a customer who wasn’t 100% happy. Iirc he’s bought a few forum cars. His only outlet appears to be eBay and he sets fixed reserves and if he doesn’t make that he just relists

 

[cn123_123]

Anyone any ideas why on the MOT it has advisory ....Under trays and engine covers installed.... is this just the tester covering their back or they suspect issues underneath. This is not on every MOT just the last one

 

[Ole gits rule]

Appreciate the link Ole Gits Rule

This is on my watch list, unfortunately it is 4 hours away (Bristol) and I would like to drive before I buy, it does look great but the reserve is £7000 (Perfect) I have contacted him but he just refers me to the advert no additional info.

I am not the biggest risk taker but this is very tempting

This seller has come up before in discussion a few times. He’s seemingly a good person to deal with, knows Zeds, gets preventive work done and has refunded a customer who wasn’t 100% happy. Iirc he’s bought a few forum cars. His only outlet appears to be eBay and he sets fixed reserves and if he doesn’t make that he just relists

Yes that's the guy - definitely trading in Z4 only and I see his pics brought up on here all the time, people asking should they buy form him or for thoughts on the cars.

 

[Ole gits rule]

Appreciate the link Ole Gits Rule

This is on my watch list, unfortunately it is 4 hours away (Bristol) and I would like to drive before I buy, it does look great but the reserve is £7000 (Perfect) I have contacted him but he just refers me to the advert no additional info.

I am not the biggest risk taker but this is very tempting

There is limited choice on these cars so you will have to travel to find exactly what you want or it could be a very long wait.

Get a video walk around and tell him if the car is as described you will pay up as the mileage is right at around 3k per year - defo a summer toy for people.

It does look very clean in the images which is why I linked it, maybe someone close by will go look for you - not unheard of on here.

 

[mr.tourette]

Anyone any ideas why on the MOT it has advisory ....Under trays and engine covers installed.... is this just the tester covering their back or they suspect issues underneath. This is not on every MOT just the last one

Its because they are installed..most testers ignore it, some will put it on so it looks like they are doing the job properly, nothing to be concerned about

 

[Probocop]

Anyone any ideas why on the MOT it has advisory ....Under trays and engine covers installed.... is this just the tester covering their back or they suspect issues underneath. This is not on every MOT just the last one

As far as I'm aware, the under trays installed note means the MOT tester was unable to inspect a part of the vehicle without removing said undertray (which they cannot do)

 

[cn123_123]

There is limited choice on these cars so you will have to travel to find exactly what you want or it could be a very long wait.

Agreed happy to travel but can only make weekends unfortunately, he does seem to be fair he said I could walk away if not as described

I will spend the next few days biting nails and stressing then see what I do on the day

 

[cn123_123]

Thanks Probocop and Mr Tourettes

I have seen a few more and it does look like some testers add it and some do not, maybe I am too cautious and should just roll the dice

 

[Ole gits rule]

There is limited choice on these cars so you will have to travel to find exactly what you want or it could be a very long wait.

Agreed happy to travel but can only make weekends unfortunately, he does seem to be fair he said I could walk away if not as described

I will spend the next few days biting nails and stressing then see what I do on the day

Put a post out asking people close by to go and have a look at it on your behalf - most of them on here will be pretty tough on any car, at least if someone volunteers at least you will have an idea if its worth travelling