Wanted - Z4 2.5 / 3.0 convertable

M

Mike123

Member
Hi all,

Just joined- looking for a Z4 (convertable) 2.5 or 3lt

Up to 4k re funds (understand the 3lt maybe a stretch)

Manual

Mileage and year not an issue, but hopefully members on here can provide some steer and things to avoid, etc.

Based in Norfolk, looking to buy ASAP for the right one.

Mike
 
Hi Mike
I have a 2.5i for sale, not advertised or yet as just agreed to but another zed from a forum member.
Sterling grey ( the best zed colour IMO) automatic, 129500 miles, l have had it for over 9 years and done most of these miles 39000 when I bought it. FSH mainly BMW and specialist . Spent over £1300 in last 6 weeks before I decided to buy another one. Looking for around £2500. PM if you are interested and I will let you have full details and pics.
Mark
 
Zed hunting - a fun summertime activity! :D

The 3.0 is certainly the one to go for if you like your driving. There is a buyer's guide somewhere on the forum, which is well worth a read. Some starters for you:

1. Rear springs snap on Z4s. Under £200 to buy replacement springs, but have a look and make sure they're in good order.

2. Roof motors fail. Check that the roof goes up and down okay, and plan on relocating your roof motor to the boot area to prevent failure in the future. Some members of this forum can do this for you for a modest fee.

3. Sticky steering. Pay close attention to the feel of the steering. Sticky steering is caused by the steering column and is most apparent in hot weather if your car suffers from it. Look out for a sensation as though someone is holding on to the steering track rods and trying to fight you from turning the wheel from the dead-ahead position. These cars are quite sensitive souls and can pick up on cambers and tramlines (particularly if fitted with nasty run-flat tyres, which most people replace immediately with non-run-flats), so try to differentiate between tramlining and sticky steering. Sticky steering can be adjusted out by a competent spanner twiddler in an hour or two.

4. Go for heated seats. They transform drop-top motoring in the cooler months.

5. Gearboxes are notchy in these cars, so don't run a mile when you perform your first gear change from first to second. It's probably fine.

I will have forgotten some things, like front end suspension bushes etc, but you would do well to roam this forum and get a feeling for common issues. They're really easy cars to work on if you need to, and parts aren't necessarily as dear as you might fear. You're already a member of the best Z4 forum going (no joke), so you're off to a good start!

I'm a long way from you (Somerset) but if you get desperate give me a shout and you might be able to tempt me out of my manual 111,000 mile 3.0i Roadster :)
 
Some useful pointers there. :thumbsup:

Here's a link to the buyer's guide:- https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21281&hilit=Buyers+guide

If you can it's also worth checking the rear brake pipes. They pass under the floor on the passenger side and have a cover until just before the rear axle. The end of the cover collects road debris, which tends to hold water and often corrodes the pipes - which is probably why mine needed replacing at 10 years old! :roll:

Good luck finding the right one - it's probably worth holding out for a 3.0 litre so you don't keep wondering "what if". :lol:

Saying that you just missed out on a nice 2.5Si Sport facelift complete with the very sought after M-Sport seats that was up for £4,000. This one:- https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=116232

So you never know what might pop up if you aren't in a rush!
 
Mr Tidy said:
Here's a link to the buyer's guide:- https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21281&hilit=Buyers+guide
Click to expand...

Thanks for digging that out. I checked the Guides forum for our buyer's guide, checked for a sticky in the Discussions forum but came up with nothing. Spending quarter of an hour typing the stuff above probably wasn't my wisest use of time :rofl:
 
wonkydonkey said:
Spending quarter of an hour typing the stuff above probably wasn't my wisest use of time :rofl:
Click to expand...

Well maybe not but I'm sure the OP will appreciate it, and that's what makes this forum so good! :thumbsup:
 
If you can stretch your budget slightly for a 3.0 with a great spec and FSH, our car has just come on to the market.

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=116413
 
Mike123 said:
Thanks for the details - though going to stick to my 4k budget.

Mike
Click to expand...

Hey Mike,

Good luck with your search. For what it's worth I had I think what are very similar criteria to you and a budget of around £4K. I was looking for a relatively low mileage (sub 90K) car with good history. I found (on Autotrader) and bought a facelift 2.5i SE in black with 78K, FSH and some important replacements in the past couple of years, notably the roof motor and water pump. I paid £3600. I've changed the runflats to conventional tyres (cost £100 including wheels from a forum member, thanks OldgitDave :thumbsup:) and I need to change a broken rear spring (not as drastic as it sounds, again replacement bought from a forum member, cost £30!). Apart from that I plan to just drive it and enjoy.

Most forum members will tell you the facelift (post 2006) 2.5 is weedy, slow, not exciting...basically not worth having. Yes it has less power than the 2.5 Si or the earlier 2.5 but it's fast enough to be fun, makes a nice noise and is a lovely smooth engine. It was important that I had a well looked after car with sensible miles and a few quid left to sort any issues. If I had bought a 3 litre I think I would have really stretched my budget for a decent car and had nothing in the kitty for any work needed. Yes they are of course quicker, but if you use the extra performance that much you should really be on a track or prepared for some points.

Just my own personal view of course, but I am very happy with what I've got. :driving:
 
I get the budget cap but you may easily blow that on unexpected repair, replace, MOT bills etc. In your position I’d snap Zoomer’s 3.0lt up like a rat up a drain, brilliant spec, good miles, and having met him I’d trust his car to be as it says on the tin. Just imo, obviously it’s easy to spend other people’s money.... :oops: but even so, he’s selling a cracker.

No offence to anyone else selling on here, I’m not suggesting theirs are anything less than spot on. :thumbsup:
 
Mike - I dropped you a couple of messages with info about my car in case it appealed.

Car in question (pic taken weekend before last):

20190730_124250.jpg
 
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