Wanted E85 2.5 / 3.0 AUTO

M

Milz4y

Member
 Leicester
First post as a new member! :) Been reading a lot of threads for new buyers guides, so thanks all!

Been in the lookout for an e85 3.0 auto for a few months, but struggling to find what I want..

Must haves:
- <70k miles
- Post facelift
- Good service history. Regular intervals. Ideally BMW/independents + invoices.
- Mechanicals all sound including roof

Nice to haves:
- flappy paddle shifters
- roof motor relocated
- split rims
- 10 speaker sounds system
- black or blue exterior
- clean condition interior - no scuff marks on the leather and dash etc
- non smokers car

As an example spec of what I'm after ..
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105313303874?atmobcid=soc3

I was very close to buying the above after a good test drive but had concerns after noticing yellow gunk in the oil cap indicating potential head gasket issues as per this thread
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8981
Didn't want to risk it so walked away. Probably explains why it's been unsold for 6+ months :roll:
 
I imagine the asking price is why that car has remained unsold, rather than head gasket failure which is pretty unlikely.

All post facelift E85 3.0’s are Si’s and there were only 268 automatic 3.0si Roadsters sold in the Uk.

Generally Auto’s are less desirable than manuals and demand/speed of sale reflect this.
 
True-blue, those sale numbers makes a lot of sense about the scarcity of the 3.0 post facelift autos! Thank you.

Just curious to know, what would you price that ad at?

For £11k, 1 previous owner, and 49k miles on the clock, I didn't feel the price was that unreasonable. It had an ok service history (some gap between '11 and '16), and latest work invoice of £1k on lower arms, disks, 1 rear spring.
 
It is true that in many engines, mayo under the filler cap can be a sign of head gasket failure. In the M54 and N52 engines it is much more likely due to recycled water vapour condensing in the oil and emulsifying. It is very common when they do predominantly short journeys, particularly in the cold, when the CCV (which essentially separates water vapour from hot oil) is not able to operate efficiently. In extreme cases, the whole CCV gets clogged up and you are rewarded by rapid oil consumption, which can be cured by changing the CCV . . . and your driving habits. If the mayo is confined to the filler cap only, it can often be resolved with a good long drive.
 
Zedebee said:
It is true that in many engines, mayo under the filler cap can be a sign of head gasket failure. In the M54 and N52 engines it is much more likely due to recycled water vapour condensing in the oil and emulsifying. It is very common when they do predominantly short journeys, particularly in the cold, when the CCV (which essentially separates water vapour from hot oil) is not able to operate efficiently. In extreme cases, the whole CCV gets clogged up and you are rewarded by rapid oil consumption, which can be cured by changing the CCV . . . and your driving habits. If the mayo is confined to the filler cap only, it can often be resolved with a good long drive.

The advert has gone now, but a 3.0Si on 49k would have to near perfect (FSH, Sport spec, options) and well looked after to justify that price; and autos generally seem to be worth a bit less. Anyway, good luck looking.
Click to expand...
 
This one just popped up - seems very good value.
(Nothing to do with me!)
https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1432132
 
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