Ready to pull the trigger on an E86 3.0Si Sport...
- Thread starter DMCK16
- Start date
good luck..popular car at the moment it seems 
My parents had several BMW's when I was growing up (all 3-series: 1st was an E36 compact, then an E36 coupe, then a lovely sporty E46 saloon), so I've always had a soft spot for BMW's.
Then with the flame surfacing Bangle era cars :wub: , I knew I had to get one some day. It has always been about the Z4 or E63 6-series for me.
Then with the flame surfacing Bangle era cars :wub: , I knew I had to get one some day. It has always been about the Z4 or E63 6-series for me.
Now with the prospect of starting a family in the next few years, I think now is the time to scratch that itch for a Z4 - else I'll likely regret it for years to come!
Thanks in advance for any help/info. Having a snoop round the forum, it seems like a great place for all owners alike
Thanks in advance for any help/info. Having a snoop round the forum, it seems like a great place for all owners alike
North West Surrey
Hi and welcome.
I've had a couple and loved them both. Given the lowish numbers we got in the UK and the mean spec BMW fitted if there are any options that are "must haves", desirable or just good to have you need to take that into account in your search. Some like cruise and cup-holders aren't difficult to retro-fit, but others like Bi-Xenons or heated seats are!
There is so much detail on here but IMHO these seem to be recurring themes.
The N52 is a great engine but can suffer from oil leaks from the cam-cover and oil filter housing. And at some point the electric water pump will die, usually suddenly, so recovery cover is good to have! New Pierburg (OE) pumps tend to cost £250+ so long as you don't buy from BMW as they charge £500+.
If you can check the rear brake pipes behind the passenger side rear wheel as they often corrode where road dirt accumulates at the end of the plastic cover.
Hope I've covered the main issues, and good luck finding the right one.
I've had a couple and loved them both. Given the lowish numbers we got in the UK and the mean spec BMW fitted if there are any options that are "must haves", desirable or just good to have you need to take that into account in your search. Some like cruise and cup-holders aren't difficult to retro-fit, but others like Bi-Xenons or heated seats are!
There is so much detail on here but IMHO these seem to be recurring themes.
The N52 is a great engine but can suffer from oil leaks from the cam-cover and oil filter housing. And at some point the electric water pump will die, usually suddenly, so recovery cover is good to have! New Pierburg (OE) pumps tend to cost £250+ so long as you don't buy from BMW as they charge £500+.
If you can check the rear brake pipes behind the passenger side rear wheel as they often corrode where road dirt accumulates at the end of the plastic cover.
Hope I've covered the main issues, and good luck finding the right one.