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2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
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MT94
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Post by MT94 » Tue May 16, 2017 9:38 am

Hi there I am new to this forum and I am currently looking to buy my first Z4, I looked at one last night that I am interested in the only slight issue is that as I pulled away for the test drive my dad mentioned that he saw some greyish looking smoke as I pulled away in first and that the smoke smelled faintly of oil has anyone had an experience of this before, just trying to find out some info about it before I spend out my money and end up with a money pit.
The car is a 2005 BMW Z4 SE 2.0i
Many thanks.
Matt.
2004 E85 Z4 2.2i Titan Silver

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Post by SonnyA85 » Tue May 16, 2017 10:38 am

could be something, could be nothing. i know my car gives off a smell. i had a oil leak from the rocker cover gasket which i didn't get fixed for 3 months since it was such a small leak both garages i took it to said it wasn't worth fixing. however the oil was leaking onto a part of the exhaust then burning. it meant i couldn't use the blowers (heating) as the fumes were being sucked in. it's fixed now but it still gives off a bit of a smell as some oil will still be caked onto the exhaust.

the 2.0 engine isn't the one to go for the 3.0 is. it's a much more reliable engine. why are you looking at a 2.0?

these are old cars and expect to pay around £500-£1500 on yearly maintenance / repairs. basically you should have £2-£3K sitting in a spare bank account just in case.

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Post by Marlon » Tue May 16, 2017 10:47 am

If it hadn't been started for a while then could be a little smoky on first start up - what was it like after the test drive? Once its 'cleared its pipes' so to speak start it up again and the exhaust fumes should be as clean as a whistle.
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Post by MT94 » Tue May 16, 2017 11:02 am

Hi there thanks for your replies the reason why I'm going for the 2.0 as the insurance for me on anthing over a 2.0 is just too much and it had been driven so the car was warm when I started it again and as I pull away from the curb that's when the smoke kicked out the back.
As for maintenance other than yearly servicing what else does frequently go wrong with these.
As you can probably tell I'm completely new to all of this as I'm coming out of a 1.4 clio :rofl:
Cheers
Matt
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Post by Marlon » Tue May 16, 2017 11:11 am

Here is a comprehensive buying guide listing most of the common faults and things to look out for:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21281

If the exhaust is smoking once its warmed up I'd walk away - plenty more 2.0 Zeds out there :wink:
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Post by kis » Tue May 16, 2017 11:39 am

When you say smoke do you mean just normal exhaust type fumes (so white clean smoke?) or do you mean more dirty (like you might see on a diesel type car/van) type of smoke?

Mine almost constantly has smoke in a white/clean type coming from the exhaust. If it's smoke from the bonnet (engine area) obviously it might be as SonnyA85 mentioned, your rocker cover gasket. Otherwise it wants looking into!

Maintenance is basically everything perishable. Make sure service history is good. Tyres are good, coolant and oil top ups as required. Plus many of the bushes start to wear out after around 60k miles ... Then there are your springs/suspension components too. Differential and gearbox oil another one. Roof motor relocation, if it's not already been done. I think those are like the major ones.

Nothing to put you off, but all things to keep in mind! Also a potential haggling point if the seller hasn't been on top of replacing/servicing.
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Post by kis » Tue May 16, 2017 11:42 am

Marlon wrote: Tue May 16, 2017 11:11 am Here is a comprehensive buying guide listing most of the common faults and things to look out for:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21281

If the exhaust is smoking once its warmed up I'd walk away - plenty more 2.0 Zeds out there :wink:
Nice link 8)
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BMW Family History (past and present):
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7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71

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Post by MT94 » Tue May 16, 2017 11:54 am

Thank you to all of you have replied I won't be buying one without service history I do like a bit of history with my cars, I think I will leave the car as could be nothing but also could be something expensive. Thank you for the link to the buyers guide I shall be looking through that when I get home hopefully I have avoided a potential problem car.
Back on the search.
Cheers.
Matt.
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Post by mr.tourette » Tue May 16, 2017 12:17 pm

There a plenty of 2.0l about...personally i think you do right to walk away from anything you are not 100% happy with
if its got tits or tyres..its trouble :D

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Post by RyanB88 » Tue May 16, 2017 12:28 pm

I personally wouldn't bother with the 2.0 zeds in the e85 shape - even if in good condition it'll still be under powered and prone to a lot of issues !
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Post by toolmanchris » Tue May 16, 2017 12:35 pm

Hi Matt
The 2.0 is a four cylinder engine. Why not try the 2.2 which is a straight six and much smoother. I tried both and the 6 was the one I chose.
OK the performance is not as good as the 2.5 or 3.0 but you still get a great sound and the insurance would be lower 8)
Where are you based BTW?

Good luck with the search

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Post by coupedan » Tue May 16, 2017 12:39 pm

Regarding insurance.. have you tried looking at bigger engines such as the 3.0si?

I got mine when I was 19 and only paid about £800 for the year which was amazing as I was looking at E46 330ci's and they were coming out at £1500+
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Post by ESP » Tue May 16, 2017 12:57 pm

SonnyA85 wrote: Tue May 16, 2017 10:38 am the 2.0 engine isn't the one to go for the 3.0 is. it's a much more reliable engine. why are you looking at a 2.0?
RyanB88 wrote: Tue May 16, 2017 12:28 pm I personally wouldn't bother with the 2.0 zeds in the e85 shape - even if in good condition it'll still be under powered and prone to a lot of issues !
:o Absolute Rubbish! Do you guys just make this stuff up randomly lol :thumbsdown:
Your suggesting the 3.0 is reliable while the the 2.0 unreliable? There BOTH solid engines and both renowned for being reliable, if anything the 2.0lt engine is one of the most reliable engines in circulation and has LESS issues than the 3.0lt.

Ultimately the 3.0lt Z4 the better one to go for in the sense that its more powerful, more tuneable, but dont make up nonsense about reliability.
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Post by MT94 » Tue May 16, 2017 2:44 pm

toolmanchris wrote: Tue May 16, 2017 12:35 pm Hi Matt
The 2.0 is a four cylinder engine. Why not try the 2.2 which is a straight six and much smoother. I tried both and the 6 was the one I chose.
OK the performance is not as good as the 2.5 or 3.0 but you still get a great sound and the insurance would be lower 8)
Where are you based BTW?

Good luck with the search

Chris
Hi Chris I am based in south London Kent borders not to far from dartford with regard to the insurance I could pay £700 ish for the 2.0 but anything over that goes up to over £1000 and at the moment is a little more than I want to pay shame because the sound is much better than the standard 4 cylinder maybe next year.
Matt.
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Post by toolmanchris » Tue May 16, 2017 2:49 pm

MT94 wrote: Tue May 16, 2017 2:44 pm
toolmanchris wrote: Tue May 16, 2017 12:35 pm Hi Matt
The 2.0 is a four cylinder engine. Why not try the 2.2 which is a straight six and much smoother. I tried both and the 6 was the one I chose.
OK the performance is not as good as the 2.5 or 3.0 but you still get a great sound and the insurance would be lower 8)
Where are you based BTW?

Good luck with the search

Chris
Hi Chris I am based in south London Kent borders not to far from dartford with regard to the insurance I could pay £700 ish for the 2.0 but anything over that goes up to over £1000 and at the moment is a little more than I want to pay shame because the sound is much better than the standard 4 cylinder maybe next year.
Matt.
That's a shame they are cracking cars hope you get sorted :wink:
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