New Member and Prospective Z4 Owner.

[DRP67]

Hi.

New to this forum

My current passion is building / restoring and riding classic Lambretta, but time to move on, although i will keep one.

I am looking to take the plunge and purchase a Z4 E85; ideally 2.5 or 3.0 (at 54 insurance is cheap!)

Budget up to £7k. The car will be our won't be either of our main drives so mileage not really main focus.

Been looking on usual pages - Autotrader / Ebay - lot of choices and varied prices

What are the things I should look out for / avoid / common issues?

When do Cam-Belts / Timing chains need replacing

Thanks for any advice.

 

[buzyg]

Another youngster joining. :wink: welcome to the mad house.

 

[DRP67]

at 54 - not a real younger!!

 

[enuff_zed]

at 54 - not a real younger!!

Welcome and believe me, once you register all the grumps, groans, aches and pains that manifest themselves on this forum, you will realise you are a youngster.
I'd think you'd get a pretty decent E85 for your budget. Probably into facelift territory, of which I have no experience (never had an N52 engine..... yet :wink: )f
However, you should look at the design changes between the pre- and post-facelift cars as it may be you prefer one over the other. For me it's the earlier rear lights that sell it. Others disagree.
If you decided you wanted an earlier one then your budget should easily cope. (And if you went to that M54 engine I for one would be able to offer much more input).
You are right not too worry too much about mileage. Buy on condition and what toys it has fitted.
So much info on the forum that maybe just taking a week off and reading it all may help. :roll:

Don't forget there are a lot of helpful souls on here, so if you need opinions on a specific car that isn't that close to you, or would like to take a closer look at various models first, then shout out and there's quite likely to be someone who'll help out, or show you their car.

 

[DRP67]

N52? M54? what is the difference?

I've a lot to learn - any more then 265cc, carburetor and one cylinder and I'm confused

 

[enuff_zed]

N52? M54? what is the difference?

I've a lot to learn - any more then 265cc, carburetor and one cylinder and I'm confused

M54 was the straight 6 fitted to the pre-facelifts in 2.2, 2.5 and 3.0 guise.
The N52 straight 6 replaced this in the facelifted models, but only in 2.5 and 3.0 sizes.
The M54 has a dipstick and the N52 doesn't, that's the quickest reference point I see when I look at them.
There was also a 4-pot facelift 2.0 but hardly worth spending all that money and not having that straight 6 burble.

I can categorically state your knowledge of carburettors will be wasted.

 

[DRP67]

 

[patriot66]

Hi DRP. No cam belts and the timing chains are pretty bombproof. Never heard of an issue with chains on here