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splashdown

New member
New member here from the Seattle area.
When I was married 13 years ago, we rented a Z4 convertible for the weekend.
I've never forgotten about that car and I can see myself getting to a point financially that I could buy one in the next couple of years. I would only consider buying the coupe with a manual transmission (E86). I am here to research the car to see if they are as great as I remember and to learn if there are any common problems I need to be aware of.

Thanks,
Larry
 
Hi and welcome to the forum OP. :thumbsup:

They really are great - I'm on my second one now!

The one you rented 13 years ago would have been a pre-facelift model with the M54 engine, but E86s all have the newer N52 engine so you get a bit more power.

Here is a buying guide; although it does include a few things specific to the UK (like MOT history) it should be helpful:-

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21281

The N52 engines seem to cope OK with high mileages, but don't have a dipstick - you check oil level with a button on the dash! They also have an electric water pump which has a tendency to fail at the sort of age they are all reaching now! (The part is £500 from BMW, but can be sourced cheaper from other places).

Coupes sometimes suffer from rust on the bottom of the tailgate, so check for that.

Z4s can be prone to tramlining - a refresh of suspension bushes and an alignment help no end, although many on here also recommend ditching the run-flat tyres as well.

Not sure about US models, but here in the UK the standard spec was pretty basic so if you must have Xenon headlights, rear parking sensors, heated seats, multi-function steering wheel and cruise control you may have to wait a while to find one with the options you want.

Oh, and look for a Sport model - the standard seats in an SE have no place in a sporting car!

Anyway, good luck with your search and let us have some photos when you find one. :)
 
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