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Looking for advice!
- Thread starter Paul345
- Start date
Two members that I know of Bigwinn ((Stuart) and enuff zed (Martin) are really knowledgeable about these cars and know what to look out for. I am sure there are lots of others too who will pitch in. Stuart gave me a huge amount of help when I bought an E85 Z. You could try sending them private messages.
Welcome to the forum Paul. 
Apart from all the usual things you'd look for on a car that age it's worth checking for possible oil leaks from the cam-cover, oil filter housing and sump gaskets. Rear brake pipes can suffer from corrosion but may be tricky to check. Make sure the roof motor works properly, and if it has been relocated to the boot that's a bonus as they tend to get drowned where BMW put them.
The electric water pumps do fail at some point (generally 60K+) so if it has already had one that's another plus as they're about £300 (or £500+ from BMW).
Mileage isn't a problem with these N52 engines. I had an E91 325i with the same engine that had full BMWSH and it was still running fine when I sold it on 139K miles.
Apart from all the usual things you'd look for on a car that age it's worth checking for possible oil leaks from the cam-cover, oil filter housing and sump gaskets. Rear brake pipes can suffer from corrosion but may be tricky to check. Make sure the roof motor works properly, and if it has been relocated to the boot that's a bonus as they tend to get drowned where BMW put them.
The electric water pumps do fail at some point (generally 60K+) so if it has already had one that's another plus as they're about £300 (or £500+ from BMW).
Mileage isn't a problem with these N52 engines. I had an E91 325i with the same engine that had full BMWSH and it was still running fine when I sold it on 139K miles.
There are a few people on here who will relocate roof motors for sensible money. I'm note sure who is nearest to you in Scotland though. There used to be a guy called Durham Dave who did them but I'm not sure if he still does. Someone probably knows though!
My 2nd 2006 Z4 had advisories for rear brake pipes in 2016 and 2017. They were corroded in front of the passenger side rear wheel where the plastic cover ends, road dirt builds up and it soaks up moisture.
So later that year I got them replaced in Kunifer as the steel pipes from BMW will rust again, and being pre-formed to get the driver's side one across the rear bulkhead involves dropping the fuel tank. Kunifer can be poked through the supports with the tank in place then shaped afterwards, so despite being a longer lasting solution it was also a cheaper option.
My 2nd 2006 Z4 had advisories for rear brake pipes in 2016 and 2017. They were corroded in front of the passenger side rear wheel where the plastic cover ends, road dirt builds up and it soaks up moisture.
So later that year I got them replaced in Kunifer as the steel pipes from BMW will rust again, and being pre-formed to get the driver's side one across the rear bulkhead involves dropping the fuel tank. Kunifer can be poked through the supports with the tank in place then shaped afterwards, so despite being a longer lasting solution it was also a cheaper option.
The N52 is rock solid. You can expect the DISA and VANOS solenoids to require a bit of attention, but there’s no reason normally for the timing chain to need replacing. You should find out why, as it might be a sign of other problems.
Also, get in behind the seats and feel through the gap in the carpet for any signs of wetness in the underlay/insulation. This causes failure of the yaw sensor under the drivers seat and general condensation issues; normally as a result of failed door membranes or poorly fitting roof to window interface.
Also, get in behind the seats and feel through the gap in the carpet for any signs of wetness in the underlay/insulation. This causes failure of the yaw sensor under the drivers seat and general condensation issues; normally as a result of failed door membranes or poorly fitting roof to window interface.
Paul345 said:
That sounds unusual for the N52 engine, although I have seen a couple of E9* 325is for sale as Spares or Repairs with cam-chain problems.
My personal experiences with four N52s haven't identified any cam-chain issues, but having had it replaced must surely be a good thing for that one?