Newbie intro thread

[minesh patel]

Hi all

delighted to join the forum, this is my first post.

I'm about to buy a Z3M S54 (never having had a Z3 before but having driven friends 1.9 some years ago and recently. I'd welcome nay tips/advice as to what to watch out for.

The one i'm looking at seems in great condition cosmetically for 80,000 miles and 4 owners but the old paperwork and service book are missing due to a rogue dealer who lost the service records when they went into admin. Recent invoices from around 2016 from Sytner BMW all show good maintenance and they even issued a warranty in Jan 2017 and carried out warranty work in Oct 2017 to the tune of £2k, new pads and discs - i'm waiting for a copy of the invoice which lists all the work done/parts etc used.

It comes with a hard top which does rattle a bit. I guess I will need to spend a bit of time adjusting it to improve the fit.

I've checked what I can and spoken to 2 previous dealers who sold the car who back up the above history and say they'd spoken to a previous owner who they say confirmed it had a full service history before the rogue trader lost the book.

The car drives well but the gears feel a little notchy and the gear lever does "stick" around 5th but easily moves back with the slightest of nudges. Also, I found the acceleration a little muted (i have a 2016 535D which is superb and a bit unfair as a comparison but cant help it).

I don't know if my expectation is out/the car needs some servicing or if there are other things I can do to make the drive/gear changes smoother. Maybe a gearbox oil change? it hasn't put me off the idea of buying it - just want to go in with my eyes open and prepared to budget the cost of any possible work needed

Does anyone have experience of these kind of issues and advise please?

Much appreciated,

M

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Hi all

delighted to join the forum, this is my first post.

I'm about to buy a Z3M S54 (never having had a Z3 before but having driven friends 1.9 some years ago and recently. I'd welcome nay tips/advice as to what to watch out for.

The one i'm looking at seems in great condition cosmetically for 80,000 miles and 4 owners but the old paperwork and service book are missing due to a rogue dealer who lost the service records when they went into admin. Recent invoices from around 2016 from Sytner BMW all show good maintenance and they even issued a warranty in Jan 2017 and carried out warranty work in Oct 2017 to the tune of £2k, new pads and discs - i'm waiting for a copy of the invoice which lists all the work done/parts etc used.

It comes with a hard top which does rattle a bit. I guess I will need to spend a bit of time adjusting it to improve the fit.

I've checked what I can and spoken to 2 previous dealers who sold the car who back up the above history and say they'd spoken to a previous owner who they say confirmed it had a full service history before the rogue trader lost the book.

The car drives well but the gears feel a little notchy and the gear lever does "stick" around 5th but easily moves back with the slightest of nudges. Also, I found the acceleration a little muted (i have a 2016 535D which is superb and a bit unfair as a comparison but cant help it).

I don't know if my expectation is out/the car needs some servicing or if there are other things I can do to make the drive/gear changes smoother. Maybe a gearbox oil change? it hasn't put me off the idea of buying it - just want to go in with my eyes open and prepared to budget the cost of any possible work needed

Does anyone have experience of these kind of issues and advise please?

Much appreciated,

M

Price ? , Geoff

 

[minesh patel]

£16,995.....any thoughts`?!

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Em I am not an expert on M prices but would think with the S54 engine its v.good as I understand only about 70 made but I am sure that a member of the M group with same car should be able to tell you more

 

[minesh patel]

thanks Geoff, am getting it checked over properly and the history looks good. Paid the deposit, waiting for report and looking forward to posting some pics

best

 

[Geoff Crispin]

thanks Geoff, am getting it checked over properly and the history looks good. Paid the deposit, waiting for report and looking forward to posting some pics

best

I don’t know what members have one of this model with that engine but if you post up in the M roadster & Coupe some one will make contact

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Just remembered that there is a post in General banter under "I hate drunk drivers" by bp.ptxus who has same engine as you who may be able to advise on things Geoff

 

[Nodzed]

£16,995.....any thoughts`?!

Hi, you have actually hijacked another members intro post, so suggest starting for own, or admin can move this for you @GazHyde
£16,995 for an S54 with 80k on the clock seems a bit on the cheap side if its in tiptop condition I know M prices have settled somewhat I don't keep myself up to date with the S54s, and I'm no expert, BUT are you sure its an S54?

 

[GazHyde]

Hi, you have actually hijacked another members intro post, so suggest starting for own, or admin can move this for you @GazHyde

@minesh patel - I've moved your posts in to your own introduction thread to avoid confusion

Gaz

 

[Stevo7682]

Hi and welcome from me in Scotland

 

[Mint]

Hi @minesh patel, to the forum from me too in Staffordshire. Sounds a very good price for an S54 engined m. Hope it's as good as promised

 

[Shelly]

Hi and welcome to ZroadSter

 

[Keet]

Hello and welcome to the forum

 

[bp;ptxus]

Hi all

delighted to join the forum, this is my first post.

I'm about to buy a Z3M S54 (never having had a Z3 before but having driven friends 1.9 some years ago and recently. I'd welcome nay tips/advice as to what to watch out for.

The one i'm looking at seems in great condition cosmetically for 80,000 miles and 4 owners but the old paperwork and service book are missing due to a rogue dealer who lost the service records when they went into admin. Recent invoices from around 2016 from Sytner BMW all show good maintenance and they even issued a warranty in Jan 2017 and carried out warranty work in Oct 2017 to the tune of £2k, new pads and discs - i'm waiting for a copy of the invoice which lists all the work done/parts etc used.

It comes with a hard top which does rattle a bit. I guess I will need to spend a bit of time adjusting it to improve the fit.

I've checked what I can and spoken to 2 previous dealers who sold the car who back up the above history and say they'd spoken to a previous owner who they say confirmed it had a full service history before the rogue trader lost the book.

The car drives well but the gears feel a little notchy and the gear lever does "stick" around 5th but easily moves back with the slightest of nudges. Also, I found the acceleration a little muted (i have a 2016 535D which is superb and a bit unfair as a comparison but cant help it).

I don't know if my expectation is out/the car needs some servicing or if there are other things I can do to make the drive/gear changes smoother. Maybe a gearbox oil change? it hasn't put me off the idea of buying it - just want to go in with my eyes open and prepared to budget the cost of any possible work needed

Does anyone have experience of these kind of issues and advise please?

Much appreciated,

M

Hello. I only just picked up your post about an S54. If you are buying it purely for enjoyment, then that is a very reasonable price. If you are buying with a view to keeping and using frugally, then selling, then I would recommend you go for something else in the range, or look for a good S54. Mine is mint with a full service history, and the value is quite high. Sadly, some idiot smacked into it while it was parked, so luckily, it's not my Insurance paying. The parts are eye-wateringly expensive because it is an M, so be prepared to shell out some serious cash if you end up having to replace something big. That said, it's a wonderful car to drive, and I love it. I have kept the discipline of meticulous record-keeping because I will sell it one day ( my other "keep forever" Z3 is a 2.8)

 

[minesh patel]

thanks BP, sorry to hear yours got hit hope its all ok now?

i bought the S54 and will post some pics and info, i am very happy with it but haven't got out in it as much as i want. it drives fine but i have noticed some tappet noise when on the motorway and am worried it may be a Vanos problem from reading the blogs but i just don't know. Any tips as to the noise to expect from the S54 engine or any specialist in Surrey/Sussex/Gatwick who can check it out for me?

 

[minesh patel]

Hello and welcome to the forum

Many thanks, great site and helpful people!

 

[andyglym]

to the forum from West Cumbria.