Newbie considering a Z4M

[Z4C_er]

Hello all,

I've been a BMW owner for the last 6 years or so and am currently considering a Z4M. Partly as an investment, partly because I'd like a new plaything/something to pamper/cherish/be OCD about. I just want to know if there are any particular things I should look out for before choosing a car? Links or stories of woe will be as much appreciated as stories of joy.

Thank you.

 

[buzyg]

The're ace. Go get one. Buy on condition, as always. Very few horror stories. mines been the most reliable car I have ever owned. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Z4C_er]

Thanks! Getting excited at the thought...

 

[srhutch]

Just don't by the ones that rust. (Hatchback version) :lol:

 

[AldridgeZ4]

Beware of the potential running/maintenance costs, which can be quite high. I've had mine for 6 months and love it.

 

[chrisgreen]

welcome. I have the s54 engine in my e46 - check for usual VANOS/HG issues - also check all recalls have been done.

If properly looked after these engines are brilliant and will last

 

[Darren Slone]

Get one you won’t be disappointed

When you see what you fancy pop up some details, plenty of knowledge on here, some gobshites too :lol:

 

[Havard]

Tried to sell mine recently after getting a 981 Cayman S. Could not let it go in the end. Sooo much fun and character...!!

H.

 

[RickRob]

Get one - I did!

Yeah the servicing is a bit high (find a good indie - I did!). Yeah you will become best friends with petrol station attendants, but the MPG is an irrelevance if your mileage is going to be low.

In 3 1/2 years of owning mine the only money I have spent is on tyres, servicing and getting a refurbished roof motor reallocated to the boot. I suspect I may have even made a small profiit in terms of its value - it certainly hasn't depreciated.

Looking froward to the news of you becoming a new ///M owner!

Good luck

 

[Z4C_er]

Wow, thanks all for your replies.

I'm considering a Z4M coupe (E86). Apparently the car was kept in a controlled environment garage for most of it's life and the new owner has only had it for a year and like the last, babied it. So it sounds good so far. Anyway, only one thing surprised me, and that was the mention of brake lines being replaced with copper tube and some corrosion at the ends of the other lines, which he considered 'normal'. Is it normal? Or is it something that should ring alarm bells?

 

[Havard]

Wow, thanks all for your replies.

I'm considering a Z4M coupe (E86). Apparently the car was kept in a controlled environment garage for most of it's life and the new owner has only had it for a year and like the last, babied it. So it sounds good so far. Anyway, only one thing surprised me, and that was the mention of brake lines being replaced with copper tube and some corrosion at the ends of the other lines, which he considered 'normal'. Is it normal? Or is it something that should ring alarm bells?

How many miles are on the car and where is it located?

I have just replaced part of the brake lines on my 330 Ci track car, that is an 05, 98k miles. My Z4M is immaculate from a corrosion point of view underneath but that is on 57k and garaged most of the time.

Not unusual at this age I would expect, depending on usage and where is has been living.

H.

 

[Z4C_er]

Thanks again. It's done 70odd thousand miles, and is in Wales, but not near the sea.

 

[Havard]

Thanks again. It's done 70odd thousand miles, and is in Wales, but not near the sea.

If it has lived in a garage most of its life then I am surprised. If it has been used regularly in wet conditions and then stored, it isn't out of the realms of possibility.

Any photos of the underneath of the car?

H.

 

[Z4C_er]

Hi, no, no pictures. I'll go and see the car and check it out.

 

[Fishy Dave]

welcome. I have the s54 engine in my e46 - check for usual VANOS/HG issues - also check all recalls have been done.

Thankfully neither seem to be a problem in the Z4M like they were in the M3, maybe both were sorted by the time they were released in 2006?

 

[AlfaScozzesi]

I had to replace mine last year at the rear.

That was after 90k miles. The rest of the underside was very clean.

 

[dgm]

Brake lines being replaced isn’t a concern, I had mine all replaced with copper ones earlier this year due to a bit of corrosion on the rear pipes. The rear pipes are susceptible to rust I’m told, I replaced all pipes as ongoing general maintenance. My car is 11 years old with 62k miles.