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Advice needed

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
DaveZ4richardson
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Advice needed

Post by DaveZ4richardson » Sun Mar 19, 2017 9:13 pm

I have just viewed a Z4 2.5 2003 with 92000 miles on the clock. It has a few things that I spotted and I am no mechanic. Both headlights were full of condensation, the air bag warning light stayed on the dash and more worrying it had an overheating smell coming from the engine bay after running it for 10 minutes it seemed to be weeping fluid from top of the engine near the heat shield on the left of engine bay. Would appreciate some feedback. Should I get an expert to look at it before making an offer it's being sold for £3650. The exhaust did sound good though, lol.
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3.0i 2003 E85 auto cruise control, smart top module.

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Chris_D
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Advice needed

Post by Chris_D » Sun Mar 19, 2017 9:20 pm

Welcome.
You realise everyone will be watchingtop gear now? Lol. Expect more replies in about an hour.
Re. The car- if you dont know what to look out for on these i'd suggest walking away.
The overheating smell you describe sounds like a leaky cam cover gasket and oil will be dripping down onto the hot exhaust manifold causing the smell. It's easily fixable and theres couple of threads going here atm re same.
However, there are other things you should be looking out for but i'd still suggest walking on to find a cherished well-looked after example. Airbag light could be as simple as a recode to fix but could be as complex as a module replacement, big bucks.
Get an obd scanner on it to find fault codes on any potential purchase.
Looks nice tho with twin exhausts, like an m roadie.
Does it have any history.
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Sgr74
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Post by Sgr74 » Sun Mar 19, 2017 9:30 pm

I just bought almost the exact same car you described, apart from my roof didn't work and both bumpers need painted.
I paid £2000.
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Black 2.5 Roadie.

Scooba_Steve
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Post by Scooba_Steve » Sun Mar 19, 2017 9:38 pm

If it's being sold in that condition, esp. airbag warning on, then I'd walk. Even if they say it will be fixed it I'd not trust someone who presented it like that. Plenty more Zeds in the (figurative) sea.
3.0si Sport: F10 Illuminated ZHP, Retrofit Cruise, OE Stubby, Gaptech RCH+, Kenwood BT73DAB + Handsfree, HIDs, LED Sidelights, OE LED Number Plate Lights, Custom LED strip bootlight.

DaveZ4richardson
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Post by DaveZ4richardson » Mon Mar 20, 2017 2:51 pm

Cheers for the advice folks much appreciated got my eyes on a couple of other options. I did like the note of the twin exhausts though.
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3.0i 2003 E85 auto cruise control, smart top module.

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mac27040
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Post by mac27040 » Mon Mar 20, 2017 3:48 pm

condensation in headlights is easy fix, new rear covers or try greasing the seal on the rear cover or turn it over.

Airbag light is normally passenger seat occupancy, easy fix buy an emulator of ebay for £10-15

Over heating check radiator / fan plug is connected, burning smell is rocker cover gasket needs replacing, not a difficult job.
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DaveZ4richardson
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Post by DaveZ4richardson » Mon Mar 20, 2017 4:01 pm

Cheers Mac. You make it sound so easy. :? Am only learning now through watching wheeler dealers lol
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3.0i 2003 E85 auto cruise control, smart top module.

DaveZ4richardson
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Post by DaveZ4richardson » Sat Mar 25, 2017 2:54 pm

Purchase made. Bring on the summer now a proud owner of Z4 3.0 Auto :driving:
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Smartbear
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Post by Smartbear » Sat Mar 25, 2017 6:40 pm

DaveZ4richardson wrote:Purchase made. Bring on the summer now a proud owner of Z4 3.0 Auto :driving:
Good news, now show us some pics :)
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e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

DaveZ4richardson
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Post by DaveZ4richardson » Sat Mar 25, 2017 9:15 pm

Roll on 1st April when I pick this baby up, then sadly I have to drive it 80 miles home through the lakes, oh well someone gotta do it :driving:
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3.0i 2003 E85 auto cruise control, smart top module.

firebobby
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Post by firebobby » Sat Mar 25, 2017 10:43 pm

Very nice, what spec
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
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DaveZ4richardson
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Post by DaveZ4richardson » Sun Mar 26, 2017 9:48 am

3.0i with a few extras :driving:
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3.0i 2003 E85 auto cruise control, smart top module.

DaveZ4richardson
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Post by DaveZ4richardson » Thu Mar 30, 2017 8:22 pm

Well Saturday is nearly here and then I will be off to collect my Z4. First time owner and can't wait after only test driving it for 20 minutes last week :driving:
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Post by scooobydont » Thu Mar 30, 2017 8:47 pm

Looks nice, 3.0 shift by the way!

DaveZ4richardson
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Post by DaveZ4richardson » Thu Mar 30, 2017 10:52 pm

Thanks Scooby. I did notice when I put the box into manual and used the sport button it too off, so to speak. Going to spend a while getting to grips with rear wheel drive handling around the Lakes this summer. :driving:
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3.0i 2003 E85 auto cruise control, smart top module.

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