What to check on a 50k mile '06 2.5si?

Hi, this is my first post on the Z4-forum.

I'm looking to buy a second hand Z4 2.5si sport (manual) on an '06 plate with 50K miles on the clock.

I'm going for a test drive this Wednesday and wondered what I should check on the car given it's age?

Thanks for your help!
John
 
The only thing I would mention is that there is an issue with HVA's (Hydraulic valve adjusters) on the N52 engine, and would ask the seller if they have had noisey HVA's on startup and if so has BMW rectified. If the car is used everyday it may not have become apparent.

Other than that the usual rear springs, condensation in front fog lights etc..
 
srhutch said:
The only thing I would mention is that there is an issue with HVA's (Hydraulic valve adjusters) on the N52 engine, and would ask the seller if they have had noisey HVA's on startup and if so has BMW rectified. If the car is used everyday it may not have become apparent.

Other than that the usual rear springs, condensation in front fog lights etc..

Thanks very much for your advice. Was the HVA problem a recall?
 
johnbmwboy said:
Thanks for your help!
John

The other thing to check is the roof motor, make sure it works and doesn't "struggle" too much. They can be 600quid+ to fix apparently, so it's a fairly sizable chunk of cash if it goes. I found it difficult to know what "struggling" sounded like though, especially if you've not seen a couple of cars first... Would therefore suggest finding one in a dealer before-hand and going and having a poke about it, give yourself a better feel for the car.

I also struggled to know the spec's to get an idea of price, ie: are those leather seats the expensive sport ones or just the normal ones, are they heated, are they the more expensive leather option etc. Parkers is a good source for the original spec list. Gives you an idea of the value of certain options and would maybe give you a bartering chip to haggle the price down.
 
2006 should not struggle, that is really a 2005 and earlier problem.
 
Siftah said:
johnbmwboy said:
Thanks for your help!
John

The other thing to check is the roof motor, make sure it works and doesn't "struggle" too much. They can be 600quid+ to fix apparently, so it's a fairly sizable chunk of cash if it goes. I found it difficult to know what "struggling" sounded like though, especially if you've not seen a couple of cars first... Would therefore suggest finding one in a dealer before-hand and going and having a poke about it, give yourself a better feel for the car.

I also struggled to know the spec's to get an idea of price, ie: are those leather seats the expensive sport ones or just the normal ones, are they heated, are they the more expensive leather option etc. Parkers is a good source for the original spec list. Gives you an idea of the value of certain options and would maybe give you a bartering chip to haggle the price down.

Thanks for the tips. I'll check the hood operation to be sure it's ok.
John
 
johnbmwboy said:
srhutch said:
The only thing I would mention is that there is an issue with HVA's (Hydraulic valve adjusters) on the N52 engine, and would ask the seller if they have had noisey HVA's on startup and if so has BMW rectified. If the car is used everyday it may not have become apparent.

Other than that the usual rear springs, condensation in front fog lights etc..

Thanks very much for your advice. Was the HVA problem a recall?

No recall, and some dealers will say "That's normal sir, and it will not damage the engine".

I had a complete new head assembly fitted which has a redesigned head, although from what I have read recently BMW now only replace the HVA's which seems to have mixed results.
 
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