Need advice kinda fast please (2 pics, 2 diff cars)

N

Newff

Member
Was supposed to be buying a Z4 on Wednesday. The pictures supplied had one showing a scratch in the front bumper. As for the sratch itself I can easily get that fixed for low cost but I bought a CarProof and also a CarFax report for the car and it shows a record of a collision with another vehicle. I am guessing that that is where the scratch is from but I'm not sure how another vehicle would create scratch looking like this. If the only damage from the accident was this scratch would that be a hard enough hit to damage the frame of the veicle? Also when the vehicle gets inspected would they be able to easily tell if there has been frame damage? Here is the scratch.

I don't have a lot of this to find a Z4 for this summer and there are not a lot to get around whre I live...I guess I should just stay away from these and hope for the best in finding more.




Here is anoter question from another car. The brake discs look pretty rusted and not only on the edges but the whole thing so that means the car has been sitting for a while not used huh?..is that just some rust that an be easily taken off and will not do much further damage if taken care of or is that something you would stay away from? Also the 108's look to be corroded some, can that be taken off or is that there t stay unless refurbed and will just get worse?



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Newff,

I can only offer insight as to the rusting brake rotors. Mine look like that a few hours after I finish washing my roadster, everytime- the rust will disappear as soon as you drive the car and apply the brakes (even lightly) a few times. We all have to deal with that unsightly rotor rust.

As for the scratch and the rim issues, what year cars are these? I bought my 07 model eleven months ago (so, it was 3 years old). Most of the 07 models I looked at had minor scratches and a few minor rim dings, but were 98% perfect, with low mileage (under 12,000 miles/year) and offered at several thousand dollars under the NADA value. Other 07 models were not, and I passed on those. Don't settle- find what you really want in a condition you will be proud to drive, not just live with. A few small imperfections are fixable; lots of small imperfections mount up and, IMO, show how the car has not been cared for. I didn't want to immediately start fixing a lot of problems on my new car, while paying a monthly car note, so I bought one with only a few very minor paint scratches and 1 rim scratch. Go with your gut; there are lots of quality examples out there if you are willing to search and travel a bit. I traveled almost 500 miles one way to buy my car, and have been very happy with my purchase. The roadtrip home was the perfect chance to evaluate my Z, and my friend who drove me there to buy the car still regales others with fond memories from that trip.

If you are looking for a certified, pre-owned model, check out BMW's official website, which provides a nationwide search based on the criteria you specify. That's how I found mine.
 
Newff,

There's a check list link in my signature which might be of use when looking at this vehicle. Looks to me from the photograhs as if the rims have been painted without splitting. In my opinion you already have doubts so

WALK AWAY.......

and as Wiseguy says look at others and be prepared to travel. It will be worth it in the long run both for peace of mind and the quality of the Zed that you purchase. :thumbsup:
 
there's plenty of cars out there, if you have doubts forget it

wheels urghhhhhh, i treat my car very well but even so i have marks on my wheels, i swear i've never curbed it, but still i have a couple of marks urghhhhhhhh

and the brakes, yep they soon appear to look rust, no issue though as its only surface, as soon as you drive it they are gone
 
Thanks guys. Going to stay away from the one in the accident.

If I were to go with the blue one any ideas how I could touch up those spots on the rims or fix it completely? These cars are 2008 for the person that asked.
 
The wheels will need to be refurbed, and those calipers could do with a really good rub down and paint, same with the top hat on the brake discs.

Suppoose it depends on the price, but neither car looks great for a 2008 one. Is the deal good enough?
 
TBH it looks as if those wheels have had a cheap refurb already as they appear to be painted where as the lip should be polished.

They need splitting and doing properly, which you can do yourself or get a pro to do it.
 
108s... the Achilles heal of the Z4. Never again...

BMW - nice looking wheels but you royally messed your customers around with the quality of these suckers.
 
Walk away.

Be patient. There are plenty out there. U will know when you have found the one for you.

Buy in haste regret at leisure etc...
 
Well I'm definitely not getting the one that had the acident but the blue one looks good other than the wheels, and calipers considering you guys say that the rust will easily come off after ebing driven. Z4 prices in Canada are just crazy unless we bring them in from the US. So basically I have the only guy that imports in my province able to get me cars and if I don't use him it's going to cost me like an extra 15k for the same car so I don't want to let some wheel fixing stop me from saving 15k.

Are these calipers bad enough that I should replace them? If so how much do they usually cost and where is a good place to buy them?

If refurbing is too hard to do on my own I may just buy some new wheels right away, if not definitely next year anyway no matter what car I buy. I'm just looking for a way to make these wheels look good for this summer and then all new next next summer. I really appreciate te help, thanks.
 
I wouldn't worry too much about the rust on the calipers and the brake discs. If it makes you feel any better, mine were the same (although on a 2004 Approved BMW Used Car).

The alloys would probably be a priority over the brakes in terms of a refurb.
 
Newff said:
Z4 prices in Canada are just crazy unless we bring them in from the US. So basically I have the only guy that imports in my province able to get me cars and if I don't use him it's going to cost me like an extra 15k for the same car so I don't want to let some wheel fixing stop me from saving 15k.

Are these calipers bad enough that I should replace them? If so how much do they usually cost and where is a good place to buy them?
Click to expand...

Wow - thats rough!

Agree with the others about rust on the calipers/rotors etc - no big deal and from what I have seen here sorting the calipers is no big deal. If your gunna get new wheels anyway, I wouldn't bother with the re-furb. Just tough it out until you are ready to buy the new rims.
 
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