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Thread: Anyone have a check list or what to watch out for on a used Z4?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Miamisburg, Ohio
    Posts
    819
    My Cars
    1997 328iC, 2003 Z4

    Anyone have a check list or what to watch out for on a used Z4?

    I am looking to replace my E36 vert with another car. I have found a 2005 Z4 with 67k miles. Looks good but have no idea of problem areas of this car. What are the strong points and weak ones. I remember how much I did to my E36 with common wear items.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Sacramento
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    BMW Z4 3.0si
    All engine gaskets (oil filter, oil cooler, valve cover, oil pan), water pump (if N52’s engine), convertible top operation, and under panel body parts (add up in price)


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    119
    My Cars
    2008 Z4
    Rear springs that are broken
    Top that doesn't work
    Front shock towers can mushroom up. Open hood and check
    Sticky steering under warm weather
    Ticking noise on cold start

    I think those are main ones

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Miamisburg, Ohio
    Posts
    819
    My Cars
    1997 328iC, 2003 Z4
    Thanks. Possibly looking at a 2005 with 66k miles. I remember how much I have done to my E36 328iC.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    FL
    Posts
    287
    My Cars
    2007 BMW Z4 E85 3.0 SI
    Water pump
    Premarurely deteriorating and cracking interior and exterior plastic trim
    Heater for crankhouse ventilation valve
    Oil filter housing, valve cover and oil pan gaskets
    Xenon headlight wire harness deteriorating insulation causing shorts
    Overpriced local dealers
    Blocked rain drains
    Soft top hydraulic motor failure (twice in past 5 years)
    Tram lining (with run flats)
    Last edited by tekoo; 10-10-2018 at 05:11 PM.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southwest, Ohio
    Posts
    213
    My Cars
    2007 Z4 3.0Si
    Miamisburg, Ohio!?!?!?!! Shit, we go to Chumps like twice a month?!

    What everybody else says above and PM if you need some local help or advice as I have done a crapload to mine.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Miamisburg, Ohio
    Posts
    819
    My Cars
    1997 328iC, 2003 Z4
    Thanks I'll keep that in mind. Not too far from Chumps.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Lodi, NJ
    Posts
    11
    My Cars
    2012 BMW 5 Series
    Check for oil leaks of the convertible top cylinders. Also the valve cover but that's an easy DIY. Maybe take a look at these common BMW problems as well.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Ca
    Posts
    6,981
    My Cars
    2001 525it
    Pre purchase inspection

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Miamisburg, Ohio
    Posts
    819
    My Cars
    1997 328iC, 2003 Z4
    Is there a big difference between the 2.5 & 3.0 engines?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Posts
    6
    My Cars
    LCI F10 535i & E85 Z4M
    Quote Originally Posted by B328iC View Post
    Is there a big difference between the 2.5 & 3.0 engines?
    What year are you considering? I see you mentioned 2 cars and both were 2005's. BMW introduced a new engine for the 2006 model year. 2003 to 2005 used the M54 engine. The 2006 to 2008 used the N52 engine. The M54's had higher output - HP and torque. See the table in this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Z4_(E85)

    Keep in mind a 2.5 and 3.0 had variants - the 'i' vs. 'si' which was designated after the 2.5 or 3.0. If I were in the market, I'd go with a 3.0si as it had the highest engine output for the non-///M Z4's. Also, has great seats which are sporty and different wheels.

    I'd definitely get a prepurchase inspection. If you have a BMW specific scanner like the Schwaben (ECS house brand) or Foxwell (makes the Schwaben brand), definitely scan for codes up front. I found several modules in both my ///M Z4 and my parts Z4 (2007 3.0i) had a few codes that were BMW specific and not found in my generic scanner.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Miamisburg, Ohio
    Posts
    819
    My Cars
    1997 328iC, 2003 Z4
    I have heard that the 3.0 engine has a shudder/vibration around 2000 RPM. You have to maintain the correct RPM but it will show up. Is this common? Car in question is a 2003 3.0 Z4

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    165
    My Cars
    2003 Z4 2.5
    Check the plastic windshield wiper cowling. They tend to crack, get brittle with age, not cheap. Any warning lights that come up, ABS and brake warning lights.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Chicagoland area
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    4,372
    My Cars
    EXOTICS

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