Viewing Z4's

W

wabbitkilla

Member
Hello, from a noob

I'm currently an MR2 Roadster driver of a modified car.
I am being tempted for looking at a 'grown up' car and the Z4 fits nicely with my ideas of what I like.
I've narrowed the thoughts down to a 2.5si and have be to see a couple today.

The first was a grey 2.5si with 74000 miles covered.
A very nice car albeit with some kerbing of the alloys.
The battery was pretty flat and it had to be started using a booster.
Tick over stumbled a couple of times, maybe cause the battery was so low.
Pretty much standard with a full service history, but the engine 'ticked' a lot, I've attached a video ... does this sound normal? http://s493.beta.photobucket.com/user/wabbitkilla/media/MOV_0257.mp4.html

The second car was a 2006 2.5i, 29000 miles covered.
It is in my preferred red colour and in very nice condition and has a Remus exhaust fitted.
Lovely exhaust tone, I thought the first one was nice but the Remus is lovely.
When running it had a loud 'rat tat tat' of a tappet not self adjusting ... not pleasant and the seller just said the car needs running. Maybe it just needs a good flush and fresh oil, but again is this a known problem?
No wheels were merged but all needed refurbishing.
Full service history was present.

Opinions?
 
Anything engine related on a private sale car will be expensive. If the owner is convinced of the health and you like the car, challenge them to get it inspected. If it passes you buy it, if it fails, they either put it right, or you negotiate more, or you walk away. There is a buyers guide on here that's worth looking at
 
I've viewed many cars for friends, though not BMW's.
I'm very much in the camp of not falling in love with a car and ignoring any worrying noises ... that normally ends up an expensive experience :wink:

Both cars were at independent dealers and came with 3 month warranties, but I am also paranoid enough to doubt the worth of such 'warranties'. There are and will be plenty of other cars out there, I just need to be patient and she what turns up.
 
Any engine that has hydraulic cam followers can "rattle" if left standing for weeks at a time ....such as on a dealers forcourt......the oil in the follower bleeds out and on start up air is forced into the follower (which compresses) . A few miles after the engines warmed up with revs in the middle of the rev range should silence them.( untill its left standing for weeks again)
A run for a few miles should either confirm all goes quiet or its something more sinister
 
slick said:
Any engine that has hydraulic cam followers can "rattle" if left standing for weeks at a time ....such as on a dealers forcourt......the oil in the follower bleeds out and on start up air is forced into the follower (which compresses) . A few miles after the engines warmed up with revs in the middle of the rev range should silence them.( untill its left standing for weeks again)
A run for a few miles should either confirm all goes quiet or its something more sinister
Click to expand...

Could also be the HVA issue, all depends how long it took to clear. A few seconds of tapping is fine, but it should only be a few seconds.
 
When mine hasnt been driven for a few weeks it rattles too... Good old italian tune up and it goes away!
 
srhutch said:
slick said:
Any engine that has hydraulic cam followers can "rattle" if left standing for weeks at a time ....such as on a dealers forcourt......the oil in the follower bleeds out and on start up air is forced into the follower (which compresses) . A few miles after the engines warmed up with revs in the middle of the rev range should silence them.( untill its left standing for weeks again)
A run for a few miles should either confirm all goes quiet or its something more sinister
Click to expand...

Could also be the HVA issue, all depends how long it took to clear. A few seconds of tapping is fine, but it should only be a few seconds.
Click to expand...

Wont be the HVA issue as they are both M54 engines
 
2.5si is N52. I'm driving mine about once a week at the moment (not ideal!) and the noise is noticeable when it's first started. It takes about 20 minutes of reasonably vigorous driving to clear it. Just make sure you get a good length test drive and then check for the issue afterwards.
 
Both cars sound like 'walk-aways' to me. Checklist in my signature which may be of use when looking at pre owned.
 
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