Uk
Hi everyone, I'm a relatively new member to the forum and made a post a few weeks ago about how I was looking for a z4 and was seeking any advice. I've been wanting to make this post for a few days now and I can let you guys know that I've found and purchased one just over a week ago. Upon inspection the car seemed to be in good condition just like the photos all was well until I plugged in my obd2 scanner and it popped up a few codes for the failing electric water pump. I thought perhaps they are old codes and weren't cleared when the water pump was apparently replaced earlier this year. I had saw in the invoice that it was replaced but it was for £100 and I had been spending the last 2 weeks scouring the internet on common z4 faults and knew that there was no chance it could have been a new pier burg pump for that price. I ended up test driving the car after clearing the codes but the water pump code popped up again. Based off that I made an offer of 7.1k from his initial 7.9k which was accepted. (The next day after checking how expensive the parts were I probably should have offered a bit less but oh well I am happy with it). The 140 mile drive back with the roof down was really enjoyable until the car overheated and went into limp mode on the m40, which was quite a scare. After pulling over, and turning the engine off for a few minutes I turned it back on and it seemed to be alright as the temp gauge went back to normal and was holding steady. It seemed to me that it was working but it was being strained too much when I got higher up in the rev range.
After cautiously driving it back at 60 the whole way, I had a look online for what It'd cost to replace the thermostat and water pump and it didn't look cheap I was hoping that the pump would last for a few weeks at least before needing to replace it but now it had become quite urgent as I'd need the car to get to work later in the week. I figured the most cost effective way would be to order the parts myself to get the best prices and get a local mechanic to fit it for me. All in all the parts were about £350 for the pump, thermostat and coolant too and £200 for labour.
Now I've driven the car back to my place near work where I have my tools etc and gave the car a good 2 bucket wash which allowed me to inspect its paint and overall condition better as when I viewed the car it was parked in the shade and had been stored under a cover. I hadn't realised during the test drive but the windscreen washer and electric mirrors were not working. I diagnosed the washer to a rusty £13 pump and the electric mirrors randomly started working after I was mashing the buttons on the pad for it. I'm pretty sure everything is fixed as of now and thankfully haven't had any new issues come up.
I've been to Halfords in the last few days more times than I'd like to admit but at least the interior looks a lot better now. I did its first oil change in 2.5 years on it yesterday and that oil did not look good. On average the car has been driven only 3000 miles a year which was the sellers' reasoning for not getting it changed, he didn't even own the car it was his father's which was a bit annoying as he was not there, and the seller really didn't know much about the car or its history apart from pointing to the healthy amount of service history in the folder.
I believe the car is quite a good spec and I really do like the interior colour part of the reason why I still bought it even though it was throwing a failing water pump code at me as I didn't think I'd come across a similar spec and mileage example again for a while.
Specification
BMW Z4 3.0Si E85 Roadster
65,000 miles
2007 reg
SilberGrau Metallic
INDIV. TEILLEDER WALKNAPPA AMARONE
Courtesy to Tony's website and Tidy for sending the link to it.
I know that the Oil filter housing and Rocker cover gaskets have been replaced. These style 108 BBS manufactured wheels were fully refurbished for £950 back in 2024. The rear springs and lower control arms have been replaced a few years ago. Unfortunately I don't believe the roof motor has been relocated as I have not seen anything supporting that so I would like to get that done eventually as it doesn't look like it's going to rain any time soon. The MOT history is very clean too, it has no fails which I am planning on preserving.
The headlights need to be restored which I plan on doing today you can wish me luck as to not mess it up. Let me know what you guys think of the car, if you have any questions, and any advice on anything would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Casp
After cautiously driving it back at 60 the whole way, I had a look online for what It'd cost to replace the thermostat and water pump and it didn't look cheap I was hoping that the pump would last for a few weeks at least before needing to replace it but now it had become quite urgent as I'd need the car to get to work later in the week. I figured the most cost effective way would be to order the parts myself to get the best prices and get a local mechanic to fit it for me. All in all the parts were about £350 for the pump, thermostat and coolant too and £200 for labour.
Now I've driven the car back to my place near work where I have my tools etc and gave the car a good 2 bucket wash which allowed me to inspect its paint and overall condition better as when I viewed the car it was parked in the shade and had been stored under a cover. I hadn't realised during the test drive but the windscreen washer and electric mirrors were not working. I diagnosed the washer to a rusty £13 pump and the electric mirrors randomly started working after I was mashing the buttons on the pad for it. I'm pretty sure everything is fixed as of now and thankfully haven't had any new issues come up.
I've been to Halfords in the last few days more times than I'd like to admit but at least the interior looks a lot better now. I did its first oil change in 2.5 years on it yesterday and that oil did not look good. On average the car has been driven only 3000 miles a year which was the sellers' reasoning for not getting it changed, he didn't even own the car it was his father's which was a bit annoying as he was not there, and the seller really didn't know much about the car or its history apart from pointing to the healthy amount of service history in the folder.
I believe the car is quite a good spec and I really do like the interior colour part of the reason why I still bought it even though it was throwing a failing water pump code at me as I didn't think I'd come across a similar spec and mileage example again for a while.
Specification
BMW Z4 3.0Si E85 Roadster
65,000 miles
2007 reg
SilberGrau Metallic
INDIV. TEILLEDER WALKNAPPA AMARONE
Courtesy to Tony's website and Tidy for sending the link to it.
I know that the Oil filter housing and Rocker cover gaskets have been replaced. These style 108 BBS manufactured wheels were fully refurbished for £950 back in 2024. The rear springs and lower control arms have been replaced a few years ago. Unfortunately I don't believe the roof motor has been relocated as I have not seen anything supporting that so I would like to get that done eventually as it doesn't look like it's going to rain any time soon. The MOT history is very clean too, it has no fails which I am planning on preserving.
The headlights need to be restored which I plan on doing today you can wish me luck as to not mess it up. Let me know what you guys think of the car, if you have any questions, and any advice on anything would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Casp
Last edited:
Attleborough, Norfolk
