Looking to buy my first Z4 and could do with some help..

[WE88Y]

Hi All,

Often lurk here dreaming of a Z4 but first time posting!

Currently I have a 2013 Astra and as my partner has gone and bought a nice sensible car I can look at selling the Astra and getting behind the wheel of a Z4. I have seen a car which is a 56reg 2.5i which has all the power I would need really (5 miles to work and back).

Issue is, I'm essentially buying a car that is 6 years older.. with more mileage - Am I crazy? Secondly the car that I have found according the the MOT records state the car was MOT'd a nearly year ago on the same mileage meaning the car has stood for that long, And the previous MOT shows the car has only done 4000 miles since Jan 2015. Also on the MOT a records there are a few fails in the past and these following advisories were shown in 2014.. but I would imagine they are sorted now as they don't show on newer MOT's

• Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
  Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
  Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)
  Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)
  Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
  Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
  Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
  Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

The car is being sold with a new 12 month MOT, 12 months warranty (not covering consumables) and a new service. The car comes with Full service history has done 74k. Bodywork of the car and interior is in absolutely perfect condition.

Should I go for it? Is the fact its been locked up inside for a year actually a good thing? Or should I run away?!

Please let me know your thoughts!!

 

[Marlon]

Welcome along.
I don't like the sound of standing still for 12 months :?
Plus that's a lot of advisories in the MOT history, I'd keep looking - plenty more fish in the sea

 

[WE88Y]

[post]1375988[/post] sound of standing still for 12 month Plus that's a lot of advisories, I'd keep looking - plenty more fish

Thanks for the welcome!
Its not a bad price for the condition though, And the latest MOT shows no advisories so I would imagine the suspension arms have been fixed up - I know it has had 4 new tyres too.

 

[Marlon]

Lets see what others have to say

 

[Chris_D]

Hi We88y, and welcome along!
I'm sure Marlon will chuckle at me for this, but I can't advise strongly enough how important it is to also 'scan' any potential purchase with a good OBD scanner.
Any seller shouldn't object to this if the car is fine but the fact is that your car can hide a multitude of other problems/potential problems all hidden within the car's brain!
I scanned my own before buying and indeed some fault codes were thrown up - nothing too serious but it indicated work to be done and also acted as a good bargaining tool- I got a further 300 quid off an already good haggled price!
But more importantly, it will give clarity as well as a deeper insight into the cars' condition.
There are many scanners out there but I would suggest a bmw-specific scanner and they can be found on amazon/ebay.
the mot advisories all look pretty run of the mill and common occurrences on the zed.
front suspension issues and corroded brake lines issues should be backed up with a receipt in the history if theyve been addressed.

Concurring with Marlon, I'd be looking further and longer as there is a huge choice for zed's out there. I spent about 4-5 months look for mine and even though I had to do a few fixup jobs it's been perfect ever since!

I'd also suggest looking at a 3.0i as it has a 6th gear (good for economy on long runs), more torque and it also benefits from the 'noise generator' which pipes the wonderful on-cam engine noise into the cabin!

good luck!

 

[Chris_D]

ALSO! and this is really important - you need to vigorously check for oil leaks - 4 places usually;
1. oil filter housing gasket. Not the receptacle for the oil filter but the larger unit which sits at the front of the head. you'll have to shine a torch between the airbox to see any oil resisdue which would have seeped down over the 'waffle' structure of the head.
2. sump pan gasket. get underneath for a poke around the sump. any oil there will indicate a bad sump gasket.
3. and this is the most costly if its there - the main seal gasket. any oil residue at the back of the engine where it mates up to the gearbox means a bad gasket. walk away it will cost you an arm and a leg to put right.
4. cam cover gasket - have a feel around the back of the head for any oil residue. if present and if you can smell burning oil when the engine is ticking over, you have a leak here. it will be dripping slowly down onto the exhaust manifold at the back/bottom of the head.

have a look through my first posts as i've documented some of my own issues when i first bought mine.

presuming you know all the other things to look out for?

i'm sure i read a 'buyers guide' post here somewhere too. maybee in the how-to's section. go have a look.....

 

[Marlon]

I won't chuckle regarding Chris's scanner advice, I've seen a few 'saves' on here recently using them
I will second the suggesting of considering a 3.0 ltr too.

Here's a link to the buying guide:
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21281

 

[Chris_D]

I won't chuckle regarding Chris's scanner advice, I've seen a few 'saves' on here recently using them
I will second the suggesting of considering a 3.0 ltr too.

Here's a link to the buying guide:
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21281

i bet you did chuckle Colin? just a wee bit
I tell everyone who's looking for any car with an obd port tbh we88y! i think it's sage advice.

 

[WE88Y]

Thanks for this, My partners uncle has owned 3-4 Z4's and quite liked the look of this but I didn't realise it had been sat inside for a year so hadn't mentioned that to him - He does have a scanner so I'm sure I can borrow that!

The garage promises to MOT it again and fix any advisories straight away. Full service history appeals to me along with the warranty, Something most garages aren't offering. I've been looking (dreaming) for a few months so I've got a decent rundown of what's around at the moment and this seems pretty good.. Only the standing part puts me off - But part of me thinks its been an easy year of the cars life, tucked up in a water-free environment.. But you guys know more than me!

And thanks for the list of what to look for, I'm starting to consider taking my partners uncle to the see the car with me as he is far better at mechanical work.. I know the basic things to look out for

Also RE: the 3.0i - This would have been my preferred choice but for the kind of money I'm looking I'd have to go older... Maybe in the future though!

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Chris_D]

i wouldnt let the fact that its been standing for a year put you off.
maybe the oil and other fluids should be replaced as a matter of caution as they will have started to separate out over that time, if not started/exercised during that period.
definitely take your uncle as he may know what things according to his own experience to look out for.
re. the warranty, you'll be paying for that in the asking price.
i wouldnt put the value of this above 4k if it's in good shape. what's the garage asking?

edit: oh its a 2006, facelift model, maybe 4500-5000 then, but only if it has toys - lekky heated seats, cruise, satnav etc...

 

[WE88Y]

Doesn't have any major toys but does look spotless from photos, garage are asking for £5950. Looking for under £5k online I'd be looking at like a 04(ish) with 90k miles (ish).

That's why it looked like a decent deal to me..

 

[Chris_D]

Doesn't have any major toys but does look spotless from photos, garage are asking for £5950. Looking for under £5k online I'd be looking at like a 04(ish) with 90k miles (ish).

That's why it looked like a decent deal to me..

With the warranty and garage's own profit margin 6k is still probably the top end you should be looking at especially if it's flimper-spec.
You'll find better for much less if you look further and longer.
my '03 3.0i 100k miles, with all the toys; satnav, top hifi, cruise, heated memory seats was had for gbp3800.
haggled down to 4.1k from original asking 4.6k then a further 300 off for issues to sort post-scan.
i spent about gbp500 on parts to address afew issues and also had the roof motor relocated to the boot ( a good preventive maintenance move)
only my comparison but i really would advise you to look further afield and really put some thought into considering a 3.0i too.
you'll miss those toys if you buy a car without them. queue Colin and his cruise retrofit.... :wink:

 

[WE88Y]

Its not completely bottom spec. Its the sport model so its got the M seats in red (I'm a sucker for red seats), 18 inch 103 wheels, Multifunction Steering wheel, comfort pack etc. I don't mind that I'm paying for a bit of warranty and I really don't want to go older than what this car is. I have already checked regarding the motor and its already been moved to the boot.

In terms of looking further, This is 200+ miles away from me! Ive scoured Autotrader, Ebay & Pistonheads.. Any other recommendations?

Unfortunately close by is never going to happen for me.. I live in Aberystwyth (great driving roads) but very very few Z4's hanging around.. Just sheep!

Again thank you all so much for your help

 

[Chris_D]

Its not completely bottom spec. Its the sport model so its got the M seats in red (I'm a sucker for red seats), 18 inch 103 wheels, Multifunction Steering wheel, comfort pack etc. I don't mind that I'm paying for a bit of warranty and I really don't want to go older than what this car is. I have already checked regarding the motor and its already been moved to the boot.

In terms of looking further, This is 200+ miles away from me! Ive scoured Autotrader, Ebay & Pistonheads.. Any other recommendations?

Unfortunately close by is never going to happen for me.. I live in Aberystwyth (great driving roads) but very very few Z4's hanging around.. Just sheep!

Again thank you all so much for your help

Well, I travelled from Holland to Coventry for mine after looking for a while. Distance really shouldnt put you off for the right car, but it sounds like you're already sold on this one. sports seats are a definite plus and should make up some way for the lack of other toys.
Any pics of said motor?
Have you also looked on Gumtree. Many there and it's where I sourced mine from.

 

[WE88Y]

Its not completely bottom spec. Its the sport model so its got the M seats in red (I'm a sucker for red seats), 18 inch 103 wheels, Multifunction Steering wheel, comfort pack etc. I don't mind that I'm paying for a bit of warranty and I really don't want to go older than what this car is. I have already checked regarding the motor and its already been moved to the boot.

In terms of looking further, This is 200+ miles away from me! Ive scoured Autotrader, Ebay & Pistonheads.. Any other recommendations?

Unfortunately close by is never going to happen for me.. I live in Aberystwyth (great driving roads) but very very few Z4's hanging around.. Just sheep!

Again thank you all so much for your help

Well, I travelled from Holland to Coventry for mine after looking for a while. Distance really shouldnt put you off for the right car, but it sounds like you're already sold on this one. sports seats are a definite plus and should make up some way for the lack of other toys.
Any pics of said motor?
Have you also looked on Gumtree. Many there and it's where I sourced mine from.

I imagine you enjoyed the drive back to Holland!!

I'm not completely sold, I just know it looks cleaner than a lot of others and I'm a real sucker for getting a warranty even if it costs a bit more!

I will send you the link for the car..

Let me know your honest thoughts!

 

[Chris_D]

It DOES look lovely and clean and very-well presented. excellent colour combo.
dunno about those mesh grills tho. bit marmite.
def consider a 3.0i in similar spec if you can.....
good luck

 

[mr wilks]

Nice looking car at reasonable money but worth noting it has a lower BHP than the previous 2.5 N54 engine had :| ( 177 bhp as opposed to 190bhp although the facelift 2.5 does have a 6th gear

 

[WE88Y]

Just checked with the dealership to clear up some of the MOT question marks.. Front ball joints have been replaced, Brakes were done 3000 miles ago and new tyres at the same time. Been sent the service history, Serviced every 10k miles first 50k all BMW service history final 2 are independent. Car would also get a full service before sale.

Car was previously for sale for £7k until very recently so probably explains why it didn't fly off the forecourt.

 

[Chris_D]

the facelift 2.5 does have a 6th gear

oh, i didn't know that. apologies OP for the mis-advice.
I presumed it was a pre-facelift til i noticed the reg date.
Andy, do the oil-leak issues also affect the facelift 2.5 engine?

 

[Marlon]

A picture tells a thousand words as they say - what a lovely looking Zed, I love the red seats (M Sport seats are a must - although I'd personally hold out for heated M Sports Seats in a roadster :wink: ) and the black and red colour combo is a winner for me. The mesh grilles look ok, not a deal breaker anyway - bugger to keep clean though.
The only thing (and its a big thing for me) would be the lowly 177bhp, but I guess that all depends on what you want from the car and what you are used to driving.