To buy or not to buy? Opinions please!

B

bola

Member
I am currently looking for a 3.0 roadster. I have found a 2003 private sale for £5750 67K miles, manual, 6months T&T, FSH (although the last service was 10/2010 the trip computer says 6500 miles left), xenons, 108's and the car is in Black so all what I am looking for really and at a good price.

The only thing putting me off is that when I went to look at it there was no coolant in the header tank at all and some brown sludge on the oil filler cap (although this may just be due to it being stood a few weeks).

Is this a common problem on the 3.0 or should I walk away?

Thoughts please! Cheers
 
£5,750 does seem very cheap. Perhaps there's a problem? Who knows.

If in doubt, there is no doubt. Walk away


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Yep srhutch i have seen that one 1k dearer and 23k more miles on it though! No nothing else wrong with it. What do people think about it having no coolant in it? Do 3.0 generally use it?
 
Both the 2,5 and 3,0 are great cars. Same strong and vocal straight six lumps. Why not go for a 2,5 with lots more kit, and lower mileage?

Check the engine, make the seller to up coolant and run it up to temperature, and then check for bad running, white smoke. It could be simply ignored by the seller, and she just needs a drink!

It does not mean it is a bad car at all. The gloopy oil caps are nothing to worry about, all do it this time of year, with fluctuant temperatures and condensation.
Check header tank for any oil contamination in the water, simply test.
Could lead to a bargain!...
 
I thought this one looked in excellent condition in the pics, looks and sounds like the owner has kept it well maintained.

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=35024
 
Does seem cheap on the miles, you would expect closer 80-90k at that price, but some good stuff said above already there are lots of good zeds about.

Coolant is a concern, less so on the filler caps as short journeys and condensation can cause this. Can you get it inspected by a local garage to test it? Could have had a small leak in the coolant tank resulting in none so many variables

Good Luck either way :thumbsup:
 
cmon guys ,the coolant thats not in the coolant tank is in the sump (sludge in the filler cap) sounds like head gasket to me --WALK AWAY!
 
I've never topped up my coolant in 12months.

The sludgy oil cap - I get it to, it's due to the short (1.5mile) journeys to work. I know I'm lazy, I could and did walk, but since I've had the zed I can't walk past it :)

Also temp/time of year causes the sludge as others have suggested.

Fill up the coolant, leave it running for a while and see what happens. Get the zed running hot by driving it hard. check for any leaks. Might be worth getting it on a lift to see underneath.

If its lost a couple of litres of coolant there must be traces.

Did you question the coolant with the seller? What did they say?

Does the computer show an error, due to coolant?

Plug in a obd cable and check historic error codes - will give an indication if it's been cared for.

I'm a great believer that you get what you pay for.


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You could always get a quote for the worst ie head gasket replacement etc add it onto the price and see if its still a bargin or try to get a reduction to have it done. Not saying it has gone, but these things shouldn't use water. The 3.0 in my e89 hasn't used a drop in 16 months.
 
I personally would let those two minor points put you off.
I get the mayo on the oil cap, short jounrys and cold weather.
as long as when you pull out the dipstick, the oil looks clean and at the right level.
It is unusual for the coolant to be gone, but any number of legit reasons for this.
As others have said, ask owner if he has any explanation, top it up and go for a long drive get engine right up to temperature, then check for leaks and make sure level hasn't dropped, let tick over until fan comes on, make sure it doesn't push the water out, if thermostat such this will happen and is a cheap fix.
At the end of the dayyou are getting the car at leat £1000 under priced.
I myself have recently brought a similar car on an 04, and i paid substantially more! :x
 
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