Considering buying a Z4 3.0

[dva99999]

As the title suggests, I’m considering buying a 2004 model in the near future.

I owned a Z3 for a few years and did a lot of work on it during my ownership.

What should I be looking for particularly on the Z4? Are there any problem areas, weak spots, known issues at all?

it’s quite difficult to do a full check on the whole car given time constraints.

I can’t imagine the seller being happy if I plugged a module into the ECU to check historic error codes!!

Thanks

 

[Z Victor 1]

The only obvious different potential problems are the roof motor and steering on the E85. The rest is not really different to other cars of the era. History and condition!

 

[GazHyde]

With the age of Z4 you'll need to check everything that you would for a Z3. Everything rubber, suspension components (springs if they haven't already been replaced) and the engine will be very familiar to you although slightly newer. Just give a solid look over.

Roof motors, electric steering tend to play up. I'm sure it will have some service history to peruse and don't be worried to ask to plug in a scanner - just remember to clear any codes and scan again so it doesn't look like your being sneeaky.

 

[dva99999]

With the age of Z4 you'll need to check everything that you would for a Z3. Everything rubber, suspension components (springs if they haven't already been replaced) and the engine will be very familiar to you although slightly newer. Just give a solid look over.

Roof motors, electric steering tend to play up. I'm sure it will have some service history to peruse and don't be worried to ask to plug in a scanner - just remember to clear any codes and scan again so it doesn't look like your being sneeaky.

Just been reading about the sticky steering. Seems like an easy fix if there is a problem. It doesn’t look like there’s a lot of documented history, just a few stamps in the book with 2 stamps being 7 years apart. It’s done almost 140k. Its not something I’ll walk away from unless there’s something obvious but I was reading that the lambda sensors would need changing if they haven’t been done.
Having never done this before is this a job for a proper mechanic?

 

[GazHyde]

Just been reading about the sticky steering. Seems like an easy fix if there is a problem.

Assuming you've read the correct way, the "drilling a hole and spraying silicon grease" is not the cure.. Lee has documented the correct procedure, assuming the steering isn't beyond that.

 

[dva99999]

Assuming you've read the correct way, the "drilling a hole and spraying silicon grease" is not the cure.. Lee has documented the correct procedure, assuming the steering isn't beyond that.

I should read more ……thank you

 

[GazHyde]

I should read more ……thank you

It's way easier, there is an adjustment on the column itself. Unless the motor is failed you should be good with a small tweak IF it needs it.

 

[dva99999]

It's way easier, there is an adjustment on the column itself. Unless the motor is failed you should be good with a small tweak IF it needs it.

Thank you

 

[t-tony]

Never be scared to ask if you can plug in a scanner to read any stored fault codes. If you read and note any, clear them and run the motor agin and read again, any that come back are current and not “historic”. If the owner has MOT emission print outs they will show how well the O2 sensors are working, they’re not something you would routinely replace just because it has reached 140,000.

Tony.

 

[Olliebeak]

The handbrake ratchet failed on my car so obviously would fail an mot, the part is not available new from bmw and is a pain to fit from below if you can find a used one. I believe it is a known issue.

 

[Paul Rice]

Should have had a clutch by now, water pump normally around 90k. All the rest pretty standard plus not that difficult to work on as said before similar to the Z3

 

[Z Victor 1]

As you say there is not much service history, checking the mot history can tell you a lot. If a car has regular fails and advisories it suggests the owners haven't maintained the car very well and also some of the work that has been done to pass the mot.

 

[t-tony]

It's likely the water pump will have been changed at 140,000 if not the Z4 E85 with M54 3.0 water pump no as easy to change as this engine in a Z3.
The thermostat gasket failed on my E85 3.0 at around 35,000 ish.

Tony.

 

[dva99999]

Well I’ve had a look and will buy it. The only issue I could see was a small leak around the area where the oil filter housing gasket was. It seems to have some up on the MOT. There were no codes and only 3 stored in memory one of which was for a MAF Sensor. However on start up and idle there were no hunting issues and when driving the power was (most definitely) there. There was no overheating, the roof went up and down in good time and no tappety sounds heard. I did the usual check of the brakes, the handbrake wasn’t unusually high but it was pointing towards the lower part of the windscreen.
Once it’s home I’ll have a chance to go over it properly but it looked pretty good. Cosmetically a few scratches and the wheels could do with a refurb.
Didn‘t think I’d be getting another Zed, the choice was between an SLK350 and a Boxster, but I know where I am with a Zed having had the Z3 for 6 years. The 3.0 M54 was therefore a no-brainer.
Thanks all.