Purchasing my first BMW & Z4 3.0

K

KevsZ4

New member
Hey everyone! Really excited over here! :driving: Tomorrow I' think I'll be throwing down a little over 6Gs for a 2003 Z4 3.0 with the SMG.

I wanted to get your feedback about what I'm gonna need to do to get this thing in tip top shape. And if its worth the money. Here is an OLD link to the dealership that owned it previously. It also has a working carfax link in the listing.

http://www.2040-cars.com/bmw/z4/gray-leather-black-top-z4-smg-1133485/

Here's what I know. 82K miles. Engine is running well, quiet. No Leaks. SMG "was" stuck in drive when starting the car, but its been fixed.(I believe thats why the dealer sold it at auction) So the seller replaced the relay and actuator, but not the pump. Seems to be working fine now.

So I'm very happy with the drivetrain, but its got three other problems that I need some guidance on.

1 - AC doesnt work. Seller is telling me he is SURE that it is the compressor, and that the other ac parts dont fail often. He will replace with a used unit for $150.
2. The top has the similar problems that the others do. It doesnt go up or down. :headbang: I hear and feel the motor working, so I am guessing the hydraulic line is pinched/broken. But the bigger problem is that even if I manually lower the top, I cannot Latch it in the down position. The top stays "up" about 4-6 inches. I am concerned that this may be a safety issue. It looks as though the latch is broken, but I havent seen a working one so I dont know. If anyone can send me pics of the latching mechanism on the top and the body it would be greatly appreciated.
3. The interior plastics are in bad shape. lost color, broken in places- the storage console, the top latch cover,etc. Any advice on restoring the interior?

I welcome ANY and ALL info, criticism, help, pictures, etc

Thanks,
Kevin
 
Strikes me as more hassle than it's worth as it's not cheap and it's got lots of problems. Must be plenty more fish in the sea.
 
If you haven't committed money to it I'd be walking away - that's a lot of problems for 6k :thumbsdown:
 
Dont forget guys this is $$$$$$$ Seems a bit price even then with the issue hear in the UK. I have no idea what the market is lik in the Gud Old US of A. Interior plastics tend to be a bit like that on these cars. Mine are/where most can be removed and painted/warped so no big problem.

The roof motor is a common problem. And reasonably easy to fix apparently. I still haven't done mine though so cant comment from personal experience.

A/C new compressor and a re-gas should be fine. I would think.
Give the car a good going over change engine oil filters that sort of thing. Check wear in the front bushes. Get the wheels in the air and check for excessive movement. These cars are prone to wear out front bushes. And possible rear trailing arm bushes.

The big thing is check and double check that SMG box..... Very costly if its not good.
 
I initially thought it was bonkers, then reassessed in $ and still thought it didn't sound like a good deal.

As you say though, if they go for more there then you have to pay more. Usually, it's the other way around though.
 
The KBB book on it with "some" repairs needed is somewhere around $5500 USD. The roof if you have the dealer do it would be between $1000 and $1500. You really don't know what is wrong with the AC. If the compressor came apart it requires replacing a lot more than just a compressor and could end up costing big $$$. The plastic pieces may be easy to fix but parts could be $$$$. The book on the car with everything fixed would only be $6500 USD. I think you might get underwater with it pretty quick.
 
Thanks for the info guys. This would be a weekend car only, and I do have a bit of a "fixer upper" gene in me, so I dont mind the interior pieces and top work. It will just come with time.

The seller is replacing the AC condenser too.

Maybe its because its convertible season, but the price is much more reasonable than the other 4's out there. Here in the southeast, Ive been seeing them for 10,000.

I still am wondering though, why wont the top latch down? has anyone else had this issue?
 
centuryboats said:
The KBB book on it with "some" repairs needed is somewhere around $5500 USD. The roof if you have the dealer do it would be between $1000 and $1500. You really don't know what is wrong with the AC. If the compressor came apart it requires replacing a lot more than just a compressor and could end up costing big $$$. The plastic pieces may be easy to fix but parts could be $$$$. The book on the car with everything fixed would only be $6500 USD. I think you might get underwater with it pretty quick.
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Based on the above, I would say walk away, you can do better for your money. Surely there is a reasonable supply of Zeds in southern Texas?! Or am I wrong on this. If the car (especially if SMG is a must for you) is like hens teeth then it might just be worth a shot, but if not there will be better ones out there surely.
 
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