Z4 that's done 200,000 km (124,000 miles)

Z

z4aussie

New member
Hi guys,

I read Alan J's checklist (http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21281), however is there anything in particular I should be concerned about in buying a 2003 z4 that's done 200,000 km? It has no service history.

The engine sounded fine, idled very smoothly, and felt fine when I took it for a test drive. I didn't start it from cold though.

What's the worst case scenario? Engine recondition? How much will it cost?

Thanks very much

z4aussie
 
Trouble is, Zs are quite rare in Oz I think... Though I agree, no history isn't ace. Can you have the chassis checked over by an expert to make sure it's not been previously written off ?

Check the suspension components - have they been replaced recently (at all), so bushes, drop links, wishbones etc. They usually need replaced at about 100k (miles), if not before, so if they haven't been I'd be amazed if they're not shot... Not only should you be able to see any wear, you should be able to feel vibration through the steering wheel, particularly under braking. If you feel juddering through the brakes under use then the pads and discs could be damaged too.
 
As an owner of a zed with almost that exact mileage, here's things I'd check for:

check for moisture around the front shocks.
check the rear springs for breaks
check for leaks around the propshaft
check wishbone bushes are fine (drive in a straight line on a flat road, try accelerating and braking in various degrees of pressure to see if car judders, "drifts" or if you are needing to apply minor correction
check for oil leakage under and behind the oil filter housing (where it bolts onto the block - have to remove top of air filter housing to see it).
check coolant level
check for signs of leakage around the expansion tank - particularly down the side that mates with the rad fan.
check for air noise around the rear part of the driver and passenger windows at speeds above 50mph.
check for notchy movement in steering (wait for car to be cold, turn on and immediately turn full lock both directions)
check for water in the battery well
check the roof release button works (the large button between the two headrests in the rear center console)
check for good roof operation (12 seconds open and close)
check for wet carpets under the passenger seat
check window wiper operation (ensure they "stop" in the correct position after cleaning the screen. correct position is horizontal about level with the black line on the windscreen)
check the airbag light does illumnate when turning on the ignition, and that it extinguishes a few seconds afterwards.
check the mpg is around 37-42mpg when driving steady at 50mph (can indicate vanos issues, but not conclusive in any respect)
check that the bonnet sensor for the alarm is plugged in, and if it is, check it actually works.

think that's my list :thumbsup:
 
Thanks guys. I'll look into those when I inspect it again.

I noticed that the rubber above the windshield is cracking - not sure if this is significant or not:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofk2S5-QD9o&feature=em-upload_owner

Here's some footage I took of the engine - there were some interesting scratches at the inside top of the hood (not sure if they are indicative of anything significant - maybe someone just closed the hood while having something under there....)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek8F5djBd7E&feature=em-upload_owner
 
Some very sound advice from sk93 and if the engine sounds OK and no deposits as Bing suggested and its a 6 pot, its quite likely the engine is fine.
Mine (2.2L) at a similar mileage is running fine but money has been spent on air bag warning, brake discs/pads , expansion tank leaks etc.
From some of the pics it looks to be in a worse state than mine and in UK the value would be somewhere around the £3k mark. Hard to tell for sure, but if you do go ahead get the windscreen and seal replaced (under your insurance preferably).
 
Check the engine to see if there's any oil leaks, my stealer ship had noticed a green sticker under my hood, he said the hood could have been from a yard. Look for slightly different colors on parts of the car, it took me nearly 2 years to notice the front end was a slightly darker gray compared to the rest of the body. :headbang:
 
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