Z4 Coupe - am i asking too much?

M

MurrayZ4

Member
Hello all!
First post on here but i have being an avid follower of some of the fantastic threads on here!

A little about me, i’m currently (have being for a while) in the market for a Z4 Coupe, i have test drove 4 and they’ve all had their quirks! But i haven't drove one this year as the misses put me off one when i was head over heels last summer but now i’m having to change vehicle due to doing less mileage (away with the diesel!) and wanting something to enjoy driving again. I tamed the Z4 bug whilst i have been doing plenty of miles for work, however now thats stopped it keeps niggling me...Nothing i’ve drove feels the same! And i just love the shape of them :wink:
I am currently restoring in my spare time a Triumph GT6 and with my obsession of Z4Cs, my close friends and misses think i have a thing for “curves” of vehicles.... who am i to disagree!

So, here comes my issue.
I’ve read plenty on Corroded brake lines, Waterpumps, washer jet/pumps.
1)Is there anything else to keep my eyes on?
2) do i go Manual or Auto? I like both!


The spec i’m after is something like:
Blue/Black/Grey
Sub 100,000 miles
Waterpump done recently(can do myself for right car)
Brakes done recently(can do myself for right car)
The less failed MOTs the better, just want to know its been looked after!
Approx £7/8k.

This said, i can’t seem to find one that ticks these boxes!
I’ve seen a couple of silver ones, but i like something with a little more personality.

Any advice, comments, reality checks, help is appreciated!
Thanks for reading :driving:
 
They seem to appear when you either a/ buy one or b/ you have a break from looking for one.
They are out there though and all the foibles are easily resolveable. I was lucky mine had just had the water pump done, but as for MOT's, some testers can be a bit ott with failures or advisories, so dont look too deep into the usual tyres being low tread. But do always do an MOT check for any chassis issues ( rare) or anything out the ordinary.
Sometimes patience is what is needed , so sit with the money and be ready to jump :thumbsup:
 
Welcome to the forum an another GT6 owner :thumbsup:
My Zed is an auto and I love it, especially when you press the loony button (sports button) the response is instant.
Good luck with the hunt :thumbsup:
 
I don't really think a failed MOT is a problem - provided the car was sorted out to pass an MOT shortly after then that shows that the work has been done that needed to be done

At the end of the day these are old cars now and things will go wrong with them each year
 
Well welcome to the forum. :thumbsup:

It was also the shape that made me want one, and once I had driven one I knew I just had to get one. :lol:

You might struggle to find one with a recent water pump at that sort of mileage - my 1st one needed a new pump at 60K miles, although I think some have lasted longer.

As far as MOTs go, I'd be a little less concerned about Fails - more concerned about repeated issues. My current one had advisories for corroded rear brake pipes 2 years running, so before the next test I got them replaced with copper pipes.

But then this year it failed because the windscreen washer pump had died in the few weeks since I had last used them, but that is just one of those things really. I got a new pump, fitted it and took the car back later that day and got a Pass!

Anyway, good luck with your search. :thumbsup:

Just bear in mind that based on this database a forum member put together less than 2,200 Coupes were registered in the UK:- http://perso.numericable.fr/tonyz4c/index30si.html
 
i really don't get why so many join the forum looking for a Z get hung up on needing the waterpump being done , its no more than a routine fix like with many other cars & most likely less cost :( £300/£350 to get a fresh one its less than a set of decent tyres which to me would be more important .
Brakes on a Si are £250 / £300 so again not exactly ruinous & asking for 1 failed MOT & £7k-£8k budget :cry: c,mon , these cars are 12/13yrs old usually with 4-5-6 owners , view each one with open mind on current condition , how it drives & obviously factor in the service history & spec , you aren't buying a classic car :cry:
 
I’ve had a manual Coupe for a few weeks and tbh Auto would be fine with me if the rest of a potential purchase was up to scratch: the engine is wonderfully flexible and would suit either transmission. Brakes and water pumps unlikely to be changed just before a car gets sold and they’re not pricey or hard to do. Relax the criteria and buy the best you can find, then do whatever bits you find over time.
 
Thank you for all the replies!

I suppose i’m quite specific as i’ve always been one to over-do it on my vehicles.
The reasons for brakes and waterpump before i bought was simply to “save me a job” as i have the Gt6 on the ramp permanently at the moment!

So, probably more importantly, is there anything else to keep my eyes out for when viewing?
Who’s got a manual and who’s got an auto? Why did you go for that one?
Thanks again!!
:driving:
 
I understand the concern re water pump, what are you talking if done by an Independent, £500 including labour?
That’s why I considered it when looking, but only really in terms of I’d pay a bit more for a car where it had been done in recent history.

The MOT thing though, I don’t agree on this. The car I have bought has only been MOT’d and Serviced at BMW.

The Previous owners’ attitudes seemed to be ‘take it to BMW and let them resolve any issues’. As a result, there are a number of MOT fails, even for things like tyres, which are then rectified by the main dealer. But no repeated items!

Conversely, I’ve seen a few MOT histories with passes which the same advisories 3 years running!

The only ‘non-service’ repair bills that don’t coincide with MOT’s are for water pump replacement and the powdercoating of the alloys.

This tells me that the car has been reliable as the stack of BMW invoices are almost entirely MOT related. The only non mot issue was the water pump.

I’m not saying this is right, but I didn’t let the MOT history put me off the car I bought as previous owners have thrown money at BMW to maintain the car!
 
Thanks for the comments so far!
Be keen to see peoples thoughts on If there are anything to look out for in particular.

Last year we travelled 2+ hours to see an “immaculate” example. The guy (dealer) was reluctant but eventually gave in to sticking on a ramp. When we did down the front of the block there was loads of oil, and the brakes where shot.
He reckoned it was from “over pouring” and the MOT said no advisories (conveniently the business next door to his dealer) but it just was enough for me to lose confidence and over scrutinise.
Hope this explains my over-pickiness!!
 
I’d just want to know if the water pump had been done or not. It’s not a big issue, mine was £250 with a thermostat and took me a morning to fit, the only problem is when they go they go no warning and leave you stranded. If I was looking for one now I’d budget for the pump because no matter what the mileage if there’s no evidence of a recent pump change I’d replace it for piece of mind.
 
Pricing on them is very mileage sensitive for what ever reason. Entertain cars a fraction over 100k and your options open up a bit. I'd rather a well maintained 100k+ car than a badly maintained 90k car.

Autos are cheaper too - the demand isn't there for them.
 
MurrayZ4 said:
Who’s got a manual and who’s got an auto? Why did you go for that one?
Click to expand...

Both of mine have been manual because I prefer manual gearboxes. And also because they have only ever been use as a weekend/fun car!

If I was going to use one as a daily driver and had a busy stop/start commute I'd be much more tempted by an Auto.

Only you know how you will be using it and which sort of gearbox you would prefer.

As mr wilks says a water pump is just a consumable, so I wouldn't get too hung up about whether a car has had one or not. If there were 2 similar cars at the same price and 1 had had a replacement I'd probably buy that one, but if the other was £500 cheaper I'd probably take a chance on that one.

I'd be more concerned about colours, spec, condition and history.

Hopefully you'll find the right one soon. :thumbsup:
 
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