Nice but pricey E85 2.5 Automatic - Advice

[enuff_zed]

Any idea how much a full suspension refresh would cost? Also if the suspension is ok, how much would it costs to only replace the parts required to improve the stiffness from the M sport package.

I answered this on page 1 :headbang:

 

[aki]

That is a rather steep price, it also has an oil leak, automatics aren't the most popular and tend to sell for less than a manual. The key to buying is patience so just keep looking.

Hmm I don't think that's true. For sure autos are not the most popular on the e85, but they're definitely more expensive as they're rarer.

Yep I'm not going to rush buy anything but it would help massively as I'm currently car sharing.

Also where did you get the information about the oil leak?

 

[aki]

Any idea how much a full suspension refresh would cost? Also if the suspension is ok, how much would it costs to only replace the parts required to improve the stiffness from the M sport package.

I answered this on page 1 :headbang:

Whoops. No need to bang your head.

£700 wow. At this rate I might end up getting put off buying an E85 haha.

 

[Z450]

Maybe worth speaking to the dealer and go from there. There are always cheaper cars, but condition at this age can vary massively, and this makes a difference.

 

[Z450]

There's a much cheaper one in Bury St Edmunds on fb.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/830790595334344/?

Depends exactly what you want but for half the price you would have cash to fettle it with.

Cheap car, looks like it may need a few pennies spending looking at the MOT history

 

[Zedebee]

Unless you’re a very enthusiastic driver, or taking the car onto a track (which you are not), you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between Sport and non-sport suspension unless you had two in front of you which had both had their suspension refreshed. If you are looking for comfort above all else, you should not be looking at a E85 Z4.

 

[raymond.harper]

That is a rather steep price, it also has an oil leak, automatics aren't the most popular and tend to sell for less than a manual. The key to buying is patience so just keep looking.

Hmm I don't think that's true. For sure autos are not the most popular on the e85, but they're definitely more expensive as they're rarer.

Yep I'm not going to rush buy anything but it would help massively as I'm currently car sharing.

Also where did you get the information about the oil leak?

The first check you do on a car is check the MOT history on the government website. I rule out many cars just by looking at the information, for example, advisory items that are never fixed. I would suggest you take along a model specific code reader, it can pick up many faults that are not apparent. Consider an SLK V6 171, most of them are automatics. Here is a good buyer's guide. https://classicsworld.co.uk/guides/bmw-z4-e84-buyers-guide/

 

[enuff_zed]

Any idea how much a full suspension refresh would cost? Also if the suspension is ok, how much would it costs to only replace the parts required to improve the stiffness from the M sport package.

I answered this on page 1 :headbang:

Whoops. No need to bang your head.

£700 wow. At this rate I might end up getting put off buying an E85 haha.

Really? That’s shocks, top mounts, bump stops, springs, drop links and arb bushes. Plus new front knuckle bolts. If you think that is too pricey well ……………..

Even if you buy a 2.5 you may need to sort the suspension, without springs about £450.

 

[Zedebee]

. . . Or post a WANTED ad on this forum and buy one from an enthusiast who has sorted out all the issues.

 

[enuff_zed]

There's a much cheaper one in Bury St Edmunds on fb.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/830790595334344/?

Depends exactly what you want but for half the price you would have cash to fettle it with.

Cheap car, looks like it may need a few pennies spending looking at the MOT history

Yes I saw that and I suppose it depends if you do the work yourself or not. I was just thinking that for some people it would work out cheaper even when returned to the condition of the £5k one.

 

[Z450]

There's a much cheaper one in Bury St Edmunds on fb.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/830790595334344/?

Depends exactly what you want but for half the price you would have cash to fettle it with.

Cheap car, looks like it may need a few pennies spending looking at the MOT history

Yes I saw that and I suppose it depends if you do the work yourself or not. I was just thinking that for some people it would work out cheaper even when returned to the condition of the £5k one.

Yeah it’s one of them, could be a cheap car to turn around if you can do the work yourself or expensive if you take it to a garage!

 

[enuff_zed]

Cheap car, looks like it may need a few pennies spending looking at the MOT history

Yes I saw that and I suppose it depends if you do the work yourself or not. I was just thinking that for some people it would work out cheaper even when returned to the condition of the £5k one.

Yeah it’s one of them, could be a cheap car to turn around if you can do the work yourself or expensive if you take it to a garage!

Not far from me. Been watching the price come down.

 

[Argyll Andy]

£700 wow. At this rate I might end up getting put off buying an E85 haha

That’s anything but expensive to get everything sorted out.

Looking at this ‘type‘ of car and the ages quoted it’s very likely going to need this sort of spend on something, unless it’s all been done already then the price will be higher, swings and roundabouts

 

[True-Blue]

Unless you’re a very enthusiastic driver, or taking the car onto a track (which you are not), you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between Sport and non-sport suspension unless you had two in front of you which had both had their suspension refreshed. If you are looking for comfort above all else, you should not be looking at a E85 Z4.

I’d agree with most of that, however, one of the 3.0Si’s I owned had had the suspension refreshed before I bought it with Sachs shocks and Eibach Pro springs.

It was by far the most comfortable E85 I’ve owned, but it was running on Style 200 17’’ wheels with a square tire set up. If the OP isn’t adverse to smaller alloys the E85 is vastly better to drive on bad roads on 17’s.

Tire replacement costs are also much cheaper with a square 17’’ set up.

Having said all that O.P. - I’d still be looking for a 3.0 and I’d still be budgeting for a suspension refresh if it hasn’t been done already.

Oh, and as pointed out by others, Auto’s are less desirable and sell for less- they’re rarer because more people want a manual sports car.

I’ve also owned a 3.0Si auto (I’ve had a few Z4’s :rofl: ) and it’s a cracking combination.

 

[Zedebee]

Unless you’re a very enthusiastic driver, or taking the car onto a track (which you are not), you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between Sport and non-sport suspension unless you had two in front of you which had both had their suspension refreshed. If you are looking for comfort above all else, you should not be looking at a E85 Z4.

I’d agree with most of that, however, one of the 3.0Si’s I owned had had the suspension refreshed before I bought it with Sachs shocks and Eibach Pro springs.

It was by far the most comfortable E85 I’ve owned, but it was running on Style 200 17’’ wheels with a square tire set up. If the OP isn’t adverse to smaller alloys the E85 is vastly better to drive on bad roads on 17’s.

Tire replacement costs are also much cheaper with a square 17’’ set up.

Having said all that O.P. - I’d still be looking for a 3.0 and I’d still be budgeting for a suspension refresh if it hasn’t been done already.

Oh, and as pointed out by others, Auto’s are less desirable and sell for less- they’re rarer because more people want a manual sports car.

I’ve also owned a 3.0Si auto (I’ve had a few Z4’s :rofl: ) and it’s a cracking combination.

Agree with that too, I forgot to mention the tyres. I’ve not had as many Z4s as True-Blue, but my current 3.0i auto on a 17” square set up suits me best. Having just completed a full suspension refresh, I’m looking forward to un-SORNing her and putting some miles on.

 

[aki]

[/quote]

I’d agree with most of that, however, one of the 3.0Si’s I owned had had the suspension refreshed before I bought it with Sachs shocks and Eibach Pro springs.

It was by far the most comfortable E85 I’ve owned, but it was running on Style 200 17’’ wheels with a square tire set up. If the OP isn’t adverse to smaller alloys the E85 is vastly better to drive on bad roads on 17’s.

Tire replacement costs are also much cheaper with a square 17’’ set up.

Having said all that O.P. - I’d still be looking for a 3.0 and I’d still be budgeting for a suspension refresh if it hasn’t been done already.

Oh, and as pointed out by others, Auto’s are less desirable and sell for less- they’re rarer because more people want a manual sports car.

I’ve also owned a 3.0Si auto (I’ve had a few Z4’s :rofl: ) and it’s a cracking combination.
[/quote]

Hey thanks. I'd say you guys have convinced me to go for a 3.0, or at least consider it along with the 2.5.

Good to hear you've had the 3.0 auto, I'm sure it's a great combination

 

[enuff_zed]

Hey thanks. I'd say you guys have convinced me to go for a 3.0, or at least consider it along with the 2.5.

Yes at least consider it, but now at least you know one big question is whether the suspension has ever been refreshed.
Check the front top mounts for cracking of the rubber. If they need changing then you may as well do the whole front end while it's apart.

 

[Milo]

I used to own that car. Part exchanged it for a 3.0 manual about a month ago. The dealer specialises in Z4 & knows his stuff. Really nice guy to deal with.
I owned the car for 10 years but always wanted a 3.0 manual & finally decided to go for it - no regrets.
I had powerflex suspension bushes fitted which improved the handling.
A few years ago the roof motor went so had a reconditioned unit fitted - no problems since. Motor wasn't relocated but the shop that fitted it drilled holes in the housing so any water can escape.
Also had a Parrot kit fitted so you can stream music & get voice activated hands free.

Hope this helps.

Question: My 3.0 manual in a 2006 model. The stereo sounds much better - is it my imagination or did BMW improve that with the facelift? Probably going to fit a Parrot kit so I can stream music - the single disc CD player is a bit limiting (glad I didn't bin my CDs like my wife wanted me to do!).

 

[enuff_zed]

Out of interest, I relocated a motor that had the holes drilled. Far from letting water out, they had the opposite effect. Water can now soak up from the bottom instead of having to spill over into the top.
The insulation still soaks it all in and corrodes the motor.
A great marketing strategy but no more than a placebo effect.

 

[enuff_zed]

There's a much cheaper one in Bury St Edmunds on fb.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/830790595334344/?

Depends exactly what you want but for half the price you would have cash to fettle it with.

In the process of taking my own advice on this one. Owner is moving house and was open to a very good offer.
So anyone looking for a 2.5 auto with refreshed suspension and brakes, roof motor relocated and any other bits sorted, keep your eyes open in the spring :wink: