looking to buy a Z4, advice needed

[GrandadJim]

Having sold my Z3 widebody to Sean D, I really miss having a fun car and I've already started looking at Z4s! I'm ideally looking for a 3 litre and I have a pretty limited budget of 5k. I went and looked at this one earlier but haven't yet driven it:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201909282725829

Any advice on things to look for? Bodywork looks good, couldn't see any signs of rust, I tested the roof and the motor seems solid, they say they just replaced the rear tyres, discs and pads and there is a decent amount of service history (first 4 years with BMW dealer). Any advice on what else I should look for/ask before i take the plunge?

My only concern so far is the number of MOT failures it's had in the past, not sure if that should be too concerning or not though?

Thanks

James

 

[Paul Rice]

Looks a nice one James just going by the pictures. Well specked with Cruise control. Colour looks like Stirling grey. Would be better closer to 4k but its a dealer so they will have their mark up. Rear springs can break without looking lop sided so check for breaks in the springs, headlights can let water in and require sealing. Usual six cylinder Vanos issues to look for tinny noise from the top of the engine the usual signs. other than accident damage, body panels very good with a mix of plastic, stainless and steel seem to hold up well with age. Different car to the Z3 still a great convertible.

 

[t-tony]

That looks like a nice car James, very similar to my own. Mine is an Auto as was my Z3. Roof motor is probably the most common issue out of the ordinary with a Z4. I see it has heated seats so make sure both seats heat up on the squab and backrest too. In general i would say treat it as you would any used car. Regarding previous MOT failures that can be down simply to where/how it was tested and often where too. But whatever it failed on must've been repaired so it really doesn't matter.

Tony.

 

[GrandadJim]

Thanks guys for your quick replies, I really appreciate it. I've managed to convince them to take 4.5k (if I go for it) which I reckon is reasonable for a dealer price. My main issue is I have zero understanding of car mechanics so I'm winging it a little, as always! I'll see if I can take a look at the springs and I'll definitely test the heated seats.

 

[t-tony]

If it has a recent or new MOT you can forget the springs really. Where are located mate?

Tony.

 

[GrandadJim]

Yeah it has had a recent MOT by the dealer, I'm in Newbury and the car is in Basingstoke

 

[t-tony]

Not far from the Zedshed then if you need any help. Was going to say about our group but we're based near Lincoln.

Tony.

 

[Jack Ratt]

Nice looking car James

 

[billz]

The engine is the same as the Z3 3.0 so that should be bullet proof. Main things that fail are the roof motor (get relocated to boot) and springs (cheap fix) so if the body work is good then i would not worry too much about the maintenance side of things.
;Looks a nice Z4

 

[GrandadJim]

thanks everyone for your comments, I sorted my finances out today, got the VIN from the dealer and did a full history check, all looks good. The only thing I wasn't expecting to see is that it came fitted with M sport suspension. I'm off to test drive it on Wednesday so I guess I'll see how firm the ride is!

 

[t-tony]

Mine had sport susp. from the factory. I then fitted Eibach Pro kit. Hardly altered the ride.

Tony.

 

[philiper]

Car looks okay, if it was me, I would up the budget a bit and go for facelift 3si though! Also, to add to Tony's point on seats, make sure the adjustments work in all directions (assume it is electrically adjusted)

 

[Redline]

The facelift 3.0si is a more potent car for sure. The 3.0i's I drove felt somewhat lacklustre by comparison.
That one though looks a nice car. Got heated seats which is useful.
Roof motor is always something to look at. Water in the boot - look around the battery compartment. The constant 3rd brake light not working on the MoT. That may need replacing if its failed - they often allow water in.
Have a good look around the roof itself looking for rips and tears that may leak.
Check the alignment when closed too.

The ride should be good tbh. mSport suspension is lowered 30mm over standard if I recall.

As far as MoT - It looks like it was owned by someone with little sensitivity for cars over recent years.
There's nothing major on there, but, it would be worth looking at a couple of the things - eg Altenator belt etc.
Worn/pitted discs can come about by lack of constant use.
Headlight alignment nothing much to worry about.

Good luck

 

[t-tony]

Sport suspension is 15mm lower than standard height. Hi level brake light not an MOT failure (unless it has changed recently) the tester has to know that it is connected? The alternator belt condition is a reason for rejection if it is in bad enough condition for it to fail (especially on a car with electronic steering).

Tony.

ps. If you want a Cruise control switch I will have one soon.

 

[Paul Rice]

thanks everyone for your comments, I sorted my finances out today, got the VIN from the dealer and did a full history check, all looks good. The only thing I wasn't expecting to see is that it came fitted with M sport suspension. I'm off to test drive it on Wednesday so I guess I'll see how firm the ride is!

All early 3.0 ltrs had M sport suspension

 

[GrandadJim]

Quick update, went to see the car today, had a bit of a "disagreement" with the dealer and walked away. I then went on to view a 56 plate 3.0si being sold privately which I think is a done deal, just waiting to hear back

 

[billz]

Best choice.
Just make sure water pump has been changed if not then get it done around the 70k mark. They are prone to going. I did mine as a precaution and purchased the parts off a German seller on Ebay for a fraction of the cost you would pay over here for the exact same parts think i got it for around £250

 

[GrandadJim]

Best choice.
Just make sure water pump has been changed if not then get it done around the 70k mark. They are prone to going. I did mine as a precaution and purchased the parts off a German seller on Ebay for a fraction of the cost you would pay over here for the exact same parts think i got it for around £250

Thanks, I didn't notice anything about that in the paperwork, it's done 106k so I guess I should budget to do that asap presuming it hasn't already been done. All being well I'll double check on Saturday when I pick it up

 

[Sean d]

Best choice.
Just make sure water pump has been changed if not then get it done around the 70k mark. They are prone to going. I did mine as a precaution and purchased the parts off a German seller on Ebay for a fraction of the cost you would pay over here for the exact same parts think i got it for around £250

Bloody hell, how much are they here

 

[t-tony]

Nearly double Sean, it's an electric pump not driven by the engine. One of the main ways they got some more HP out of the motor.

Tony.