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Advice
- MT94
- Member
- Posts: 174
- Joined: Sun May 14, 2017 4:01 pm
- Location: London
Advice
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.
The car is a 2005 BMW Z4 SE 2.0i
Many thanks.
Matt.
2004 E85 Z4 2.2i Titan Silver
-
- Senior Member
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- Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2016 7:42 pm
Advice
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.
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.
- Marlon
- Lifer
- Posts: 10899
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:13 am
- Location: Lancs.
- Contact:
Advice
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.
Gone: 3.0si 2008 E85
911 997 Carrera S
- MT94
- Member
- Posts: 174
- Joined: Sun May 14, 2017 4:01 pm
- Location: London
Advice
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
Cheers
Matt
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
Cheers
Matt
2004 E85 Z4 2.2i Titan Silver
- Marlon
- Lifer
- Posts: 10899
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:13 am
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Advice
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
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
Gone: 3.0si 2008 E85
911 997 Carrera S
- kis
- Lifer
- Posts: 4546
- Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2016 2:33 pm
- Location: Surrey / West Sussex Boarder
Advice
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.
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.
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG
BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71
BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71
- kis
- Lifer
- Posts: 4546
- Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2016 2:33 pm
- Location: Surrey / West Sussex Boarder
Advice
Nice linkMarlon 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
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG
BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71
BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71
- MT94
- Member
- Posts: 174
- Joined: Sun May 14, 2017 4:01 pm
- Location: London
Advice
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.
Back on the search.
Cheers.
Matt.
2004 E85 Z4 2.2i Titan Silver
- mr.tourette
- Lifer
- Posts: 4294
- Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 9:16 am
- Location: north wales
Advice
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
- toolmanchris
- Member
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- Joined: Wed Jun 11, 2014 9:22 am
- Location: Doncaster
Advice
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
Where are you based BTW?
Good luck with the search
Chris
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
Where are you based BTW?
Good luck with the search
Chris
Reliant Scimitar GTE in Bold yellow (under restoration) http://www.toolmanweb.com
- coupedan
- Member
- Posts: 437
- Joined: Sun Jan 26, 2014 3:37 pm
- Location: West Berkshire
Advice
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+
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+
- ESP
- Senior Member
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- Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 12:36 pm
- Location: Braintree
- Contact:
Advice
Absolute Rubbish! Do you guys just make this stuff up randomly lol
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.
07 Sapphire Black Roadster.
- MT94
- Member
- Posts: 174
- Joined: Sun May 14, 2017 4:01 pm
- Location: London
Advice
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.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
Where are you based BTW?
Good luck with the search
Chris
Matt.
2004 E85 Z4 2.2i Titan Silver
- toolmanchris
- Member
- Posts: 281
- Joined: Wed Jun 11, 2014 9:22 am
- Location: Doncaster
Advice
That's a shame they are cracking cars hope you get sortedMT94 wrote: ↑Tue May 16, 2017 2:44 pmHi 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.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
Where are you based BTW?
Good luck with the search
Chris
Matt.
Reliant Scimitar GTE in Bold yellow (under restoration) http://www.toolmanweb.com