What does the forum think of this Zed

D

DashBedrock

Member
 Leeds
Hi there,
My 74 year old father is wanting a cheap and cheerful sporty 2 seater and after looking at a few MX5's and MR2's has spotted this.
BMW Z4 2.0 i SE Roadster 2dr

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201702202508005?

He's not bothered that it's a 2 litre and he even likes the wood effect.
He's not seen the car in the flesh as it's 170 miles away but from my little knowledge of Z4's it seems to be a fair price with a decent spec.
I was wondering what forum members think?
I'm not sure how to post a link so I've only been able to copy and paste the details.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts
 
Hi, it's very leggy at 124,000! The 3 litres cars are proven to shrug that mileage off but I'm not sure about the 2litre being able to do the same :o
Rob
 
Full
Service history, looks great. At that price the it will
Dissappear from under your nose. Definetly worth a look. I can't see the mileage being an issue with that service history. Remove the oil filler cap to check for white cream in the oil which indicates head gasket issues. Listen under the bonnet to make sure the exhaust manifold is not cracked or leaking.

The 2.0 is a great inexpensive way to own a capable Z4. Looks like its got heated seats too, essential!
 
A lot of car for the price! Good service history and looks to be in good shape. bmw engines are strong and I'm sure it will have many more miles left to give. Will your father be piling the miles on? If not great if so then I'd look for a lower mileage example. Looks great from the pictures and advert.

Heated seats are a must in my opinion and cruise control is a great option that can be harder to find. If it sounds like the engines a smooth runner I'd go for it. :thumbsup:
 
Cruise can be retrofitted, so don't let it be a deal breaker. Budget for perished rubber components on the suspension at that sort of mileage if they've not been done before (service history doesn't guarantee it).
 
srhutch said:
raymond.harper said:
High spec car. Will need brake pads soon otherwise good price. Worth the price in parts alone !
Click to expand...

Where does it say about the pads?
Click to expand...
From the MOT history check. Also had broken springs in the past. Never buy a car without doing this check.
Test date 24 January 2017 Expiry date 23 January 2018 Test Result Pass Odometer reading 124,851 miles MOT test number 9744 2787 5005 Advisory notice item(s)
front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/
 
The 2.0 engine used in the E85/E9X was quite problematic as was the earlier version of it used in the E46. Certainly more problematic than any of the I6 engines used in the E85. Obviously this doesn't mean you will definitely have issues with this particular car, but its food for thought, especially on a high mileage car. A safer bet in this sense might be a high mileage 2.2 etc
 
MACK said:
The 2.0 engine used in the E85/E9X was quite problematic as was the earlier version of it used in the E46. Certainly more problematic than any of the I6 engines used in the E85. Obviously this doesn't mean you will definitely have issues with this particular car, but its food for thought, especially on a high mileage car. A safer bet in this sense might be a high mileage 2.2 etc
Click to expand...

What were the problems with this engine? So far so good with mine at 85k miles , would it have any factory mods being as its a 2008 car?
 
Geezah said:
MACK said:
The 2.0 engine used in the E85/E9X was quite problematic as was the earlier version of it used in the E46. Certainly more problematic than any of the I6 engines used in the E85. Obviously this doesn't mean you will definitely have issues with this particular car, but its food for thought, especially on a high mileage car. A safer bet in this sense might be a high mileage 2.2 etc
Click to expand...

What were the problems with this engine? So far so good with mine at 85k miles , would it have any factory mods being as its a 2008 car?
Click to expand...

The N46 used in the e85 e9x is a revised version of the N42 used in the E46 which has a reputation of being the worst engine BMW ever made. Well until the joint engine project with Peugeot for Mini engines at least!
The N46 seems to suffer many of the same faults as the N42, perhaps to a lesser extent. Issues include timing chain/tensioner, valvetronic issues, ccv, oil leaks to name but a few. they do seem to fair better with more regular servicing etc
 
Not surprised it's gone , on the face of it it looked a great deal!

I'll keep a close eye on my engine and always service it regularly, so hopefully I wont suffer any aggro! I use fully synthetic oil and it never burns a drop from change to change. It runs as smooth as melted chocolate sauce and just as sweet. Long may it continue.

As I understand it the 2.0 is a British built engine, made in Warwickshire.
 
No didn't get it. He was planning on going to look at it at the weekend due to the distance.
I think at that price, it would have been well worth taking a punt. But I think he's now settled on going for a Zed.
 
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