Noob looking to purchase

[Nifty]

Hi all

I recently sold my Tiger Supercat and thinking of replacing it with a Z4.

What are the common pitfalls or things I shoukd look for when purchasing say a 2007 or 2008 Z4?

I know it's maybe a vague sort of question but any knowledge you can impart would be gratefully received

Thanks for your time

 

[markplant]

Have a read of this thread

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

 

[mr wilks]

Pitfalls :roll:

though fortunately if bought wisely none of the 07/08 Z4s will ruin you , its this forum that fans the flames

 

[Mr Tidy]

Welcome OP - obviously on here we would all congratulate you on your impeccable taste! :lol:

There was a facelift in early 2006, so all cars built in the years you have specified will be facelift models.

So the first question is do you want a Roadster or a Coupe? Also bear in mind the Coupe only came with the 3 litre engine.

If it is a roadster, which engine do you want? There is a choice of 4 cylinder 2.0i, 6 cylinder 2.5i, 6 cylinder 2.5Si (fundamentally a 2.5i that isn't restricted by mapping) and lastly 3.0Si. (FWIW my local BMW independent recommends avoiding BMW 4 cylinder engines).

Both Roadster and Coupe were available as "M" models with a 3.2 litre engine that same as in the E46 M3, but as you didn't mention this what follows assumes you aren't considering one of those. :lol:

Then do you want manual or automatic?

Z4s came in SE and Sport spec - the latter have slightly lower, stiffer suspension but probably more important much more appropriate seats for this sort of car! But Sport seats were an option on SE models, so you may get lucky!

Bear in mind as well that your budget may limit your choices on the above! But if you narrow it down to a couple of options ideally you want to try each of them before you decide. If you specify where you are located you never know, someone on here may be able to help with that!

Then there is the question of options, as standard spec is rather basic! Do you need electric seats, heated seats, Xenon headlights (recommended), parking sensors, cruise control, multi-function steering wheel, CD changer or upgraded stereo? Some of these are an easier retro-fit than others so work out what would be a deal-breaker.

Finally, this may help you a bit:- http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21281&hilit=Buyers+guide

You could also have a look at the E85/E86 problems header on the forum, or try the search function.

I may have missed one or two things, but hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along with their advice soon!

Good luck finding the right one, and don't forget to post photos. :lol:

ETA Too much typing - markplant beat me to it!

 

[srhutch]

If it is a roadster, which engine do you want? There is a choice of 4 cylinder 2.0i, 6 cylinder 2.5i, 6 cylinder 2.5Si (fundamentally a 2.5i that isn't restricted by mapping) and lastly 3.0Si. (FWIW my local BMW independent recommends avoiding BMW 4 cylinder engines).

The 2.5si is mechanically different to the 2.5i. You cannot remap the 2.5i to 2.5si spec.

 

[Mr Tidy]

The 2.5si is mechanically different to the 2.5i. You cannot remap the 2.5i to 2.5si spec.

There you go OP - I was sure someone wold know! :lol:

Just out of curiosity srhutch what are the differences? They're both N52 engines in the facelift I assume?

 

[Nifty]

Thank you for your responses and Mr Tidy .... that answer was above and beyond the call ... thank you

I was thinking about a 2.5 roadster.

I read somewhere about sticky steering on older models meaning an expensive steering column replacement. Is this a common problem?
I also heard that the roof drains in the wheel arches block and make the roof leak?

Are there any other common problems to check for?

Thank you again

Very much appreciated

 

[philbo909]

Thank you for your responses and Mr Tidy .... that answer was above and beyond the call ... thank you

I was thinking about a 2.5 roadster.

I read somewhere about sticky steering on older models meaning an expensive steering column replacement. Is this a common problem?
I also heard that the roof drains in the wheel arches block and make the roof leak?

Are there any other common problems to check for?

Thank you again

Very much appreciated

Mark's link really explains all this, but problems with coils breaking and bushes wearing is common. Not too expensive a problem to have though

 

[Marlon]

. . .
I also heard that the roof drains in the wheel arches block and make the roof leak?

The blocked drains don't make the roof leak - the water that collects damages the roof motor that BMW in their infinite wisdom placed there!
There are members on here that will clean and overhaul the motor and relocate it to the boot for very reasonable cost

 

[Silverzedtom]

Welcome to the forum

The roof motor problem is poor design. The gutter where the rear section of soft top meets the metal leads to two 'wells'. One well (n/s) houses the roof motor and has a small rubber bung with a very small opening that likes to get blocked with debris from the sky and trees. I check both sides of mine every couple of months and use a custom covers hood cover for mine as when it's on the rouge guttering isn't used
Getting the motor moved to the boot as they did on the e89 is a cheap and easy job that a fair few forum members do.

Only a small niggle really but the cup holders aren't built to last. I have replaced both of mine.

The coolant tank is a weak spot. I have seen a fair few posts about cracking.

There will always be bits that break / fall off or just wear out on an e85, a lot of the parts don't owe us much at ten years old.

Once you have done your research and found the car for you I'd forget about problems until they / if they arrive. This is such a big forum there's a vast list of problems that can create fear :lol: Very handy if sh1t does hit the fan though.

Hope your in a zed soon!

 

[Nifty]

Thank you.

AlanJ's check list post is great, thank you for directing me there.

A lot to think about.
I'm in Cumbria and there seems to be none for sale anywhere near me which I find odd.
Probably going to have to look towards the North East to purchase.

I'll keep researching while I search

Thanks for the warm welcome

 

[srhutch]

The 2.5si is mechanically different to the 2.5i. You cannot remap the 2.5i to 2.5si spec.

There you go OP - I was sure someone wold know! :lol:

Just out of curiosity srhutch what are the differences? They're both N52 engines in the facelift I assume?

Yes same engine. The intake manifold is different, but not sure what else. There is more info on here as some have looked into upgrading. Always been deemed not worth trying.

 

[Mr Tidy]

s same engine. The intake manifold is different, but not sure what else. There is more info on here as some have looked into upgrading. Always been deemed not worth trying.

You learn something every day - thanks!

 

[Wafoo]

What about the poor 2.2i, you can't ignore that!

 

[Mr Tidy]

What about the poor 2.2i, you can't ignore that!

Sorry but BMW ignored it, not me - they didn't do a 2.2 in the facelift! I think that is what the lower powered 2.5 was intended to replace.

BTW it was good to meet you this morning.

 

[Wafoo]

What about the poor 2.2i, you can't ignore that!

Sorry but BMW ignored it, not me - they didn't do a 2.2 in the facelift! I think that is what the lower powered 2.5 was intended to replace.

BTW it was good to meet you this morning.

I didn't read the facelift bit....doh

And I was late for work, the weather was to good to fritter away on trivialities like that, especially on those roads! :evil:

 

[paddy wright]

What about the poor 2.2i, you can't ignore that!

Sorry but BMW ignored it, not me - they didn't do a 2.2 in the facelift! I think that is what the lower powered 2.5 was intended to replace.

BTW it was good to meet you this morning.

As an engine a 2.2 is superior to a facelift non si 2.5 N52. Same power but way more reliable. BMW didn't forget it- there are millions of 3 and 520s out there running the 2.2 M54.

 

[Mr Tidy]

As an engine a 2.2 is superior to a facelift non si 2.5 N52. Same power but way more reliable. BMW didn't forget it- there are millions of 3 and 520s out there running the 2.2 M54.

Sorry, I should have said they ignored it so far as the facelift Z4 was concerned! Mind you they also dropped it in the 3 Series when the E46 ended in late 2004, so I'd be surprised if they were still putting it in anything by the time the facelift Z4 came out in 2006.

BTW I'd agree with you about the M54 engine (I've got one in my 325ti).

 

[Mr Tidy]

And I was late for work, the weather was to good to fritter away on trivialities like that, especially on those roads!

Never mind being late for work - you had more important things to do! :lol:

 

[Highlander]

Had a Tiger Super 6 myself OP......most impractical "car" I've ever owned and indeed am ever likely to own..........think on a wet day I was better off on my bike!!.....at least I could wear waterproofs without dehydrating and had better visibility on the bike.
My idea was to replace my KTM Superduke with this but after 1 trip to Ullapool the wife refused to ever go in it again(think the phrase "deathtrap" might have been mentioned)
Sold to another "enthusiast" from Skye
Good luck with your hunt for a Z4