Thoughts on this E86 for sale please...PART DEUX

[Watson1911]

Evening all, so I posted a car earlier this week that I was going to view and I asked you guys for some thoughts/opinions etc on it which were really helpful and appreciated. Anyway, that fell through as it didn't feel quite right.

So i'm back again with another car I intend to go view but wanted opinions on it please - thoughts on spec, condition, MOT history, preventative maintenance it may need imminently based on its mileage etc.... (its not had the water pump replaced)

It comes up as Night Blue which seems a bit unusual
Also seats listed as Estoriol/black but looks a darker blue to me - but still nice and a bit different (albeit not for everyone)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... al&fromsra

Thanks again in advance!!!!

[raymond.harper]

Looking at the MOT history, I would not even bother to look at it. A mixture of tyres, alloys are corroded, driver's seat is also worn

[Mr Tidy]

Well if it's NachtBlau with Individual New England Bi-Colour Estoril Blue seats it is the only one that came to the UK according to this database a forum member compiled:- http://perso.numericable.fr/tonyz4c/index30si.html

And as the one on his list also had "Individual Strips, Leather Covered" for the interior trim I reckon it is that one so you can find the VIN and OE spec.

While it doesn't look cheap what price do you put on unique? Just don't tell the seller!

I love the colour/trim combination and it has a few useful options, especially the Bi-Xenons, upgraded stereo and heated seats so I'd say the spec is pretty good. Condition looks good too based on the photos, but you'd really need to see it to be sure.

If it hasn't had a new water pump it will need one sometime, but it may have had one the seller didn't know about. My first E86 needed one at 60K miles, my second had done 91K on the original when I sold it so it's a bit of a lucky dip. My 2006 325i with the same N52 engine needed a new one at 135K, but it may not have been its first! I replaced it with a 330i that is approaching 125K and it still performs brilliantly, although I'm playing Russian Roulette on the water pump front.

I haven't looked at MOT history because you can find that yourself. But I'd look for oil leaks from the cam-cover or oil filter housing gaskets and any signs of rust on the edges of the tailgate when it is open. Rear brake pipes can suffer from corrosion so if it has had an advisory for them expect to need to replace them.

It's probably worth a look, unless the MOT History is terrible, so good luck anyway.

Just saw the previous post about MOT History. The advisories from 2020 didn't re-appear in 2021 so I'm not sure why that would put anyone off.

Tyres can be changed, wheels replaced or refurbed and seats can often be improved no end with fairly cheap products. Just factor in the potential costs.

[Zedebee]

I can’t agree with Raymond here, there’s nothing serious on the MoT, the alloys are not bad and the seat is an hour’s work with a £15 furniture clinic kit. It’s unique and (if I may say so) one of the best colour combinations available. It’s a tad expensive for the mileage and may need a bit of TLC, but there is probably a deal to be had.

[BTZ461]

Night blue yum. Option list to die for

[Watson1911]

Morning all and thanks for feedback.

What are people’s thoughts on the 2020 MOT advisory ‘front and rear sub frame corroded’ that doesn’t appear again?

Thanks for the heads up on the tailgate!

[raymond.harper]

I can only assume that either the rust was treated in some way, probably painted not undersealed, or else the next MOT testers did not bother to note it on successive visits. I have never seen front subframe rust mentioned on a Z4 except for an E89.

nessie.jpeg (133.16 KiB) Viewed 374 times

[enuff_zed]

Also factor in your ability to do work yourself as labour charges inflate costs a hell of a lot.
You can get a new Pierburg water pump and Mahle thermostat, with new mounting bolts for a little over £315 from an eBay seller from Germany. Add in the cost of coolant of course. But having never done one before I managed to swap it myself in around an hour.
If you read my Project Spa thread you’ll see I also found a pair of filters that feed the vanos system. They would now be on my list of things to sort given the state they were in.
But of course any car that age is going to need things done. Given its rarity and spec I’d say go for it.
Speak to ‘Usel’ if you need any seat work done.

[Zedebee]

Morning all and thanks for feedback.

What are people’s thoughts on the 2020 MOT advisory ‘front and rear sub frame corroded’ that doesn’t appear again?

Thanks for the heads up on the tailgate!

All E85/E86 subframes will be rusty to a degree unless they’ve been treated, the front less so. They are very substantial pieces of metal and most testers would regard it as surface rust and not an issue. Some Scottish/seaside cars can be quite barnacle-y. Have a peep under the back, you should be able to see how rusty it is (and the diff). Best way to do this without a jack is lie down on your back, stretch out an arm and take some pics with your phone; or alternatively get one of those mirrors on a telescopic stick.

[mr wilks]

Evening all, so I posted a car earlier this week that I was going to view and I asked you guys for some thoughts/opinions etc on it which were really helpful and appreciated. Anyway, that fell through as it didn't feel quite right.

So i'm back again with another car I intend to go view but wanted opinions on it please - thoughts on spec, condition, MOT history, preventative maintenance it may need imminently based on its mileage etc.... (its not had the water pump replaced)

It comes up as Night Blue which seems a bit unusual
Also seats listed as Estoriol/black but looks a darker blue to me - but still nice and a bit different (albeit not for everyone)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... al&fromsra

Thanks again in advance!!!!

"Night blue " = Midnight blue , lovely colour , really suits the E86 , the bi colour seats are Syrah blue / black .
Car itself ? Davani tyres love it when a seller crows about future classics , kept garaged etc then throws cheap rubber on .
You can only really appraise a car stood before it , looking around it , listen to it starting cold , listen to it ticking over warm , get a feel for how the owner has or hasn't looked after it .
Price V mile + spec ? using only the info from ad its j m o but £8500 - £9k is where its at for me .

[Neil CR]

Just seen this for sale
https://www.cargurus.co.uk/Cars/invento ... NE/DEFAULT

[raymond.harper]

Just seen this for sale
https://www.cargurus.co.uk/Cars/invento ... NE/DEFAULT

. That one is an automatic

[Watson1911]

Ok here we go - photo of the underside of that helps give an indication to those who k is what they are looking for…

[Watson1911]

Also here’s a few of the inside of the tailgate. Looks like there could be some rusting coming through but it’s not terrible. I would imagine it will be very difficult to find one for sensible money without a some rusting at this stage!?

[Pondrew]

Also here’s a few of the inside of the tailgate. Looks like there could be some rusting coming through but it’s not terrible. I would imagine it will be very difficult to find one for sensible money without a some rusting at this stage!?

I can't see anything wrong in those pictures TBH. It is a sixteen year old car that has 88k miles after all.

I agree with others that it is expensive for the mileage.