Pointers needed on buying 2006 3L. Open for ideas.

[Theog]

Morning all,

Hope your having a great Saturday.

I'm looking to by a Z4 for around £6-7k however willing to go up to ~£9k if its really outstanding. Just looking for additional advice on buying as I know there are so many variants of this car out there.... I just want to make a good investment you see.

List of stats/ reasons for buying:
- 3L or above = I understand 2L variants are great, but 3L is best... correct?
- Perhaps 2006 or newer = I understand engine is newer and a bit more powerful. I think its SI editions... correct?
- Convertible = I want open air experience.
- Ideally grey, red seats and black (dark) alloys if possible = just because, however let me know if hassle/ hard to find/ more wear and tear etc
- Based in Kent = self explanatory

Any additional pointers for buying would be very handy.

Best

Theo

 

[nb67]

My only tip would be to buy sooner rather than later because days like today, sun shining with the improving weather will mean what's worth 7k now will be worth 7.5k+ in a months time.

3.0si with low miles is well within your grasp with a 9k budget.
Having a 2005 3.0i SE and loving it, the must have's from me, if I had my time again (bought mine in Oct at a good price so not complaining) would be to have Xenons, a better stereo than my business CD and wind deflector already fitted incl fittings.

The stereo is ok but could be better. I have elec heated leather, again, this is a must, but they are only basic seats and not 'M' seats with better bolster support.

I don't know if 108'are fitted to Si's but I see that they are prone to needing refurbing more often than other styles.

The knowledgable ones on here will point you in the right direction for sure but 9k is a great budget.

 

[Theog]

Thanks @nb67 very helpful. On the lines of heated seats, can you have the top down in cold weather and rely on the heating to keep you warm? I'm generally hot blooded so can handle the cold, but just wondering as my father has a TT and its great for that. However my brother has a s2000 and it doesn't quite hold up.

Is this possible?

Sorry one other thing. I had a look around a SE version a while back. My god it looked good. It had a pop up screen. Is this just for satnav? Or does it have any additional info e.g. mpg, average miles driven etc?

 

[Marlon]

I will echo whats been said - you want to look for a 3.0si 2006 or newer (the face lift came in in 2006 with some subtle styling differences) The 3.0si N52 engine is the same in the SE and the Sport. The Sport has lower sports suspension (too hard for some) and M Sport seats. Whether you get the SE or the Sport I would make sue that it has headed M sport seats as these are much comfier - and yes, they will keep you warm even with the roof down on all but the coldest windiest days.

 

[nb67]

Thanks @nb67 very helpful. On the lines of heated seats, can you have the top down in cold weather and rely on the heating to keep you warm? I'm generally hot blooded so can handle the cold, but just wondering as my father has a TT and its great for that. However my brother has a s2000 and it doesn't quite hold up.

Is this possible?

Sorry one other thing. I had a look around a SE version a while back. My god it looked good. It had a pop up screen. Is this just for satnav? Or does it have any additional info e.g. mpg, average miles driven etc?

I'm not genned up on the 'pop up' screen I'm afraid buddy but the heated seats will keep you warmer for sure.

We were out in ours yesterday, glorious sunshine but quite cold. No wind deflector fitted which meant the cab was pretty cold with the cold air blowing around the cab. We are out tomorrow in it up to Pickering but I'll have the Perspex wind deflector fitted this time to see how better the cab is with it fitted.

 

[markplant]

The perspex screen will likely make the air more turbulent as it has no where to go, the mesh deflector slows the air down,

The screen is for navigation but also all radio an cd information as well as more trip computer info
The single slot has no screen if navigation fitted

If an iPhone ipod user an you have navigation you can then buy an intravee to connect the 2, thus will but ipod track information an artwork on the screen, but also allows some programmable options on the car, an graphics for rear parking sensors

 

[nb67]

The perspex screen will likely make the air more turbulent as it has no where to go, the mesh deflector slows the air down,

Oh great!

 

[Theog]

Wow all very helpful guys. Feeling very excited about getting one now! For years I have been wanting a two seater and hopefully it's just around the corner.

Couple more questions:
- Given that I want grey alloys, is it easy to change the standard ones with other BMW Z4 grey alloys? If so, does that effect insurance? Also, any ideas of where to buy legit BMW Z4 alloys in grey/ black?
- If I have this car till it dies, how many miles do you think I would be able to get out of it? 100k-180k miles?

 

[Marlon]

Wow all very helpful guys. Feeling very excited about getting one now! For years I have been wanting a two seater and hopefully it's just around the corner.

Couple more questions:
- Given that I want grey alloys, is it easy to change the standard ones with other BMW Z4 grey alloys? If so, does that effect insurance? Also, any ideas of where to buy legit BMW Z4 alloys in grey/ black?
- If I have this car till it dies, how many miles do you think I would be able to get out of it? 100k-180k miles?

Hopefully our resident alloys guru 'mr wilks' will be along to answer all your wheels questions, as for mileage I've heard Zeds on the U.S. forums reaching 250k. Here there are many members with Zeds at 100k plus, its all down to how well they've been treated. You will be wanting one with a sound history - if buying from a garage, as I did, I would contact the previous owner. These cars are often well looked after and cherished. With your budget you should be able to get a low mileage example which should give you years of enjoyment

 

[Theog]

Just what I want to hear @marlon!

I have had my current car for getting on 7 years. I hope to do the same at least with this one.

Next stupid question, when you say sound history would this include -- yearly services, checks for major MOT failure issues, regular oil changes. Or is there anything else specific with Z4s that you have to look out for?

 

[Marlon]

Just what I want to hear @marlon!

I have had my current car for getting on 7 years. I hope to do the same at least with this one.

Next stupid question, when you say sound history would this include -- yearly services, checks for major MOT failure issues, regular oil changes. Or is there anything else specific with Z4s that you have to look out for?

Yeah, just the usual service history check. If it's had the roof motor replaced then thats a bonus (some members have relocated the roof motors to the boot - do a search to find out more). Rear springs go quickly - mine was on 36k when I bought it and had already had them replaced. Basically you are looking for a good service history with no breaks, these cars can have lots of owners so don't let that put you off if the service schedule is complete.

There's some useful information here: http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15177

Nothing can prepare you for the thrill of driving these cars, particularly roof down on a sunny day

 

[jamesbond]

Hello .. check the following

1. Sticky steering (hard to check currently as not that warm) worse case would need a new rack/column .. but search this forum for the more cheaper fixes .. I think in 2006 the steering column was redesigned with bigger clearances ?

2. roof motor (sometimes they are submerged in water due to blocked drain holes)

3. foggy front light fog lights (easy fix)

4. rear broken springs (cheap easy fix)

5. some of these had head rattle on start up (easy check when cold start)

and just all the other options that your car has works .. air con / satnav screen brightness etc

good luck with your search

 

[Theog]

Thanks @jamesbond and @Marlon... I'm really impressed with the amount of resources and response of this forum. It really feels alive. I'm sure I will be coming back here quite a bit!

 

[GedS]

If you can go to 9k, this looks like the perfect motor for the money. Not much for under 9k with decent miles, and if you can put up with the after market alloys, It is a cracking contrasting colour combo! Unless you get near the 100k miles (which mine is and its still great) you are gonna be using all that 9k budget!

-Xenons
-Cruise Control
-No sat nav, but not everyone wants it in these.

Money well spent though! Good luck & Enjoy!!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201602080846320?aggregatedTrim=si&model=z4&body-type=coupe&postcode=SK14%205JD&sort=default&search-target=usedcars&radius=1500&price-to=10000&make=bmw&minimum-badge-engine-size=3.0&searchcontext=default&page=1&maximum-mileage=up_to_80000_miles&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&logcode=p

 

[Marlon]

If you can go to 9k, this looks like the perfect motor for the money. Not much for under 9k with decent miles, and if you can put up with the after market alloys, It is a cracking contrasting colour combo! Unless you get near the 100k miles (which mine is and its still great) you are gonna be using all that 9k budget!

-Xenons
-Cruise Control
-No sat nav, but not everyone wants it in these.

Money well spent though! Good luck & Enjoy!!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201602080846320?aggregatedTrim=si&model=z4&body-type=coupe&postcode=SK14%205JD&sort=default&search-target=usedcars&radius=1500&price-to=10000&make=bmw&minimum-badge-engine-size=3.0&searchcontext=default&page=1&maximum-mileage=up_to_80000_miles&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&logcode=p

he's after a roadster :wink:

 

[GedS]

If you can go to 9k, this looks like the perfect motor for the money. Not much for under 9k with decent miles, and if you can put up with the after market alloys, It is a cracking contrasting colour combo! Unless you get near the 100k miles (which mine is and its still great) you are gonna be using all that 9k budget!

-Xenons
-Cruise Control
-No sat nav, but not everyone wants it in these.

Money well spent though! Good luck & Enjoy!!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201602080846320?aggregatedTrim=si&model=z4&body-type=coupe&postcode=SK14%205JD&sort=default&search-target=usedcars&radius=1500&price-to=10000&make=bmw&minimum-badge-engine-size=3.0&searchcontext=default&page=1&maximum-mileage=up_to_80000_miles&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&logcode=p

he's after a roadster :wink:

Also has a roof! oops! Never was one for reading!

 

[GreyZed]

Pre facelift Zeds with the 3.0i M54 engine are quoted as 231bhp and the later N52 engined 3.0si as 265bhp. I have a Zed with the M54 engine and an X3 with the N52 engine. I find the M54 to be easier to live with. It sounds better seems smoother and has been a lot less bother. It seems some geeky BMW engineers went berserk and the N52 had some silly complex stuff chucked onto it to squeeze out the extra few bhp. It has an electric water pump for a start which in conjunction with an internally heated mapped thermostat tries to variably control the cylinder head temperature on the fly as it senses your current driving style. Great theory but the pumps can be prone to failure from around 10 years old as the onboard electronics deteriorate faster than simple mechnical pump internals. You should know that if you are unlucky enough to experience this there is typically no warning as there would be with a mechanical pump (noise/leaking/running slightly hot etc.) oh no it's immediate shut down time! You can't even drive a further few hundred yards to a safe parking place! Then the punchline when you ring BMW and get quoted over £400 supply only for the part! You can of course get non BMW originals but even they are around £250. The thermostat is the most complex one I've seen on a petrol car and is another £100 (do NOT even consider a non BMW supplied one of these it will not react correctly under the map control).

The N52 engine does not have a dipstick (I like to see the colour of my oil as well as the level) and it had a design flaw in the cylinder head oil galleries that causes a horrible ticking noise unless you always go on long runs and/or rev it high from start up.

I'm sure there are many who will say they love their N52 lumps but having lived with both at the same time, personally I wish I had bought a slightly older X3 with the well proven M54 engine.

Drive a few first and don't be too quick to rule out the M54 engine for the sake of 35bhp.

The pop up screen is really useful in conjunction with an Intravee and will let you see and do loads of stuff (set auto lock/unlock and other stuff; view iPod catalogue; see digital speed/coolant temp etc.). You can also add digital TV if it does not alreadt have it.

 

[Marlon]

Have to confess I do miss a dipstick, can't understand the design mentality of doing away with it :?

 

[mr wilks]

Don't avoid the 2.5 Si if one comes along that you like , if price reflects by comparison to a 3.0si they are more than capable

 

[Theog]

hey @Geds that does look like a very nice car indeed, however as said by @Marlon, I'm looking for a roadster.

Originally I wanted a motorbike, however parenthood is around the corner, so I have to be a little more safe now. So the compromise is a 2 seater roaster... In some way I'm liking it this way, as it makes commute much nicer