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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
Can I afford a high-mileage Z4?
- Thread starter eben007
- Start date
Happy hunting and Good luck :thumbs:
Having owned both e46 3 series and e86 z4 I can advise as follows:
M54 engine (3.0l)
-Make sure the VANOS seals have been replaced with Beisan ones.
-Check the entire cooling system (including expansion bottle, pipes, radiator, waterpump and thermostat housing)
-Check Power Steering pump
-Im sure these came with electric fans, but if not, check the wear on the cooling fan.
-Crank and Cam Sensors
-MAF
N52 engine (3.0l)
-Check the waterpump and thermostat housing. This waterpump is electronic (as opposed to mechanical in the M54) and if it fails the car WILL overheat.
-VANOS Solenoids
Both these engines are bulletproof. My M52 engine in the e46 has done well over 350 000km and the N52 engine over 160 000km without any major problems.
Good luck with finding your dream car
M54 engine (3.0l)
-Make sure the VANOS seals have been replaced with Beisan ones.
-Check the entire cooling system (including expansion bottle, pipes, radiator, waterpump and thermostat housing)
-Check Power Steering pump
-Im sure these came with electric fans, but if not, check the wear on the cooling fan.
-Crank and Cam Sensors
-MAF
N52 engine (3.0l)
-Check the waterpump and thermostat housing. This waterpump is electronic (as opposed to mechanical in the M54) and if it fails the car WILL overheat.
-VANOS Solenoids
Both these engines are bulletproof. My M52 engine in the e46 has done well over 350 000km and the N52 engine over 160 000km without any major problems.
Good luck with finding your dream car
Anybody have any experience with these okes? This is probably the best looking one I can find at the moment barring the possible purchase from solo
https://www.cars.co.za/viewVehicle.php?VID=2728778
I may be imagining it, but the paint looks very orange-peely, what do you guys think?
https://www.cars.co.za/viewVehicle.php?VID=2728778
I may be imagining it, but the paint looks very orange-peely, what do you guys think?
ashley
///Member
Here is my 2 cents
I had a 2004 E85 3.0i – 6speed Man for 18 months. Was a nice car, but I just found the ride to be a little too hard, esp. on the not so lovely roads in the Eastern Cape! Could not manage more than 350km’s before I needed a break, for my back.
And going from an E39 to E85, it always felt like it was a bit cheaply made, tinny is the word.
Services are reasonably priced; cost me about 5k with brake pads.
Buy a second set of rims, the 18 inch run flats are pricey, I destroyed the rears in one track session (9K). The 18inch are good for handling, but not for your back on a long trip!
My Z4, had been in a bash before I bought, which was not declared to dealer, who sold it to me. They did replace it once they found out!
It always had a problem filling up with petrol, some air lock that could never be fixed. The steering started to lock up on me, esp. in warmer weather, had to switch the car off, wait a few minutes and restart.
Otherwise it is a lovely little car, do miss it. Go for a 3.0i Manual – best of the pack.
Before I crossed over to the “other camp” I did test drive a 2007 3.0Si Manual – full house spec. nice car but something bugged me.
Shortly after that test drive, I test drove a Merc SLK R171, and sadly the R171 makes the E85 feel more second class!
Just a personal view.
I took 20 seconds to decide on the Merc
Test- drive, them and decide for you but get an extended warranty, if through dealers
When you do decide, as I was advised by someone on forum, drop the roof before leave the car lot, and enjoy it!!! I drop the roof as much as possible esp. living at the coast help with the weather!
I had a 2004 E85 3.0i – 6speed Man for 18 months. Was a nice car, but I just found the ride to be a little too hard, esp. on the not so lovely roads in the Eastern Cape! Could not manage more than 350km’s before I needed a break, for my back.
And going from an E39 to E85, it always felt like it was a bit cheaply made, tinny is the word.
Services are reasonably priced; cost me about 5k with brake pads.
Buy a second set of rims, the 18 inch run flats are pricey, I destroyed the rears in one track session (9K). The 18inch are good for handling, but not for your back on a long trip!
My Z4, had been in a bash before I bought, which was not declared to dealer, who sold it to me. They did replace it once they found out!
It always had a problem filling up with petrol, some air lock that could never be fixed. The steering started to lock up on me, esp. in warmer weather, had to switch the car off, wait a few minutes and restart.
Otherwise it is a lovely little car, do miss it. Go for a 3.0i Manual – best of the pack.
Before I crossed over to the “other camp” I did test drive a 2007 3.0Si Manual – full house spec. nice car but something bugged me.
Shortly after that test drive, I test drove a Merc SLK R171, and sadly the R171 makes the E85 feel more second class!
Just a personal view.
I took 20 seconds to decide on the Merc
Test- drive, them and decide for you but get an extended warranty, if through dealers
When you do decide, as I was advised by someone on forum, drop the roof before leave the car lot, and enjoy it!!! I drop the roof as much as possible esp. living at the coast help with the weather!
Thanks guys, apologies for the quiet, been running around a bit.
So it seems like due to financing and dealership woe's I won't be able to take Solo up on his offer, VERY sad... however the dealership I mentioned here is willing to do a good deal on the 2.5. I'll go look at it and take it for a spin and decide then. The 3.0's are actually proving really illusive, there are a few older ones (2003-2004) but they look kinda ratty (the ones in my budget at least)
This one is a 2006 2.5 M/T with 160 000 odd K's and looks good on the pics. So holding thumbs it works out!
Again, really appreciate all the input.
...And the common folk say BMW/KTM owners are A-holes... how wrong they were.
:lmoa:
Oh, before I go, does anybody know if those wheels are a BMW option, or are they aftermarket? I would want standard equipment on my car...
So it seems like due to financing and dealership woe's I won't be able to take Solo up on his offer, VERY sad... however the dealership I mentioned here is willing to do a good deal on the 2.5. I'll go look at it and take it for a spin and decide then. The 3.0's are actually proving really illusive, there are a few older ones (2003-2004) but they look kinda ratty (the ones in my budget at least)
This one is a 2006 2.5 M/T with 160 000 odd K's and looks good on the pics. So holding thumbs it works out!
Again, really appreciate all the input.
...And the common folk say BMW/KTM owners are A-holes... how wrong they were.
:lmoa:
Oh, before I go, does anybody know if those wheels are a BMW option, or are they aftermarket? I would want standard equipment on my car...
RAArmstrong
///Member
eben007 said:
The wheels look aftermarket and so do the seats. Or they've been recovered. IMHO
individj
Well-known member
i saw someone a forum member was offering the service of bank financing.. private to private deals.
Yesterday, 09:22 PM Post: #78
kingr Offline
My Garage
Think I got this...
*
Posts: 109
Likes Given: 11
Likes Received: 28 in 23 posts
Joined: Jun 2013
Reputation: 0
RE: 2008 e92 M3 Coupe
(Yesterday 08:01 PM)BeemerFanatic Wrote:
Maybe, I see you have it at Toyota Automark?
Can they assist with trading in my run around and finance?
Also we may have to negotiate the price a tiny bit to cater for my trade in shortfall.
Are you keen?
Thanks
I offer this exact type of service for a fee to the seller. Assist buyer with trade-in and finance. PM me if you guys would like to do this type of deal. Trade offers can be received on a car that's anywhere in SA.
Yesterday, 09:22 PM Post: #78
kingr Offline
My Garage
Think I got this...
*
Posts: 109
Likes Given: 11
Likes Received: 28 in 23 posts
Joined: Jun 2013
Reputation: 0
RE: 2008 e92 M3 Coupe
(Yesterday 08:01 PM)BeemerFanatic Wrote:
Maybe, I see you have it at Toyota Automark?
Can they assist with trading in my run around and finance?
Also we may have to negotiate the price a tiny bit to cater for my trade in shortfall.
Are you keen?
Thanks
I offer this exact type of service for a fee to the seller. Assist buyer with trade-in and finance. PM me if you guys would like to do this type of deal. Trade offers can be received on a car that's anywhere in SA.
RAArmstrong
///Member
I did Private - Private finance through Wesbank. You have to jump through their hoops, but it's doable 
PLV said:
The salesman is bringing the car to my office tomorrow morning so should have updates then, k@k excited and nervous, hoping it's not a lemon. They approved my "deal" whatever that means but I need to find out some things first, I don't even know what the repayment looks like yet.
Also I read on here about somebody checking the car's history, anybody got a name/link/info, what info do I need? just a VIN and a plate number?
Agreed on the wheels, will be the first thing I change if I decide on this one. Still talking to relevant okes regarding private finance on Solo's 3.0...
Deren
Member
eben007 said:
Hi Good luck on your search it can be quite daunting. Not too long ago I was also searching for a 3.0i Manual however settled for a 3.0si auto
you can check it out here https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=81730.
So far no major issues only thing at the moment is a transmission fluid leak which I am sorting out this weekend and in all honest I think it was my fault we tend to forget how low these cars sit and I hit something on the road which hit the gearbox sump (Plastic) which most likely caused the leak, Other than that it has been all smiles so far.
The one you test driving is most likely a 2005 registered in 2006 as i believe the 2006 was a facelift (different fogs, notice mines does not have the round fogs).
all the luck :thumbs:
