165k mile BMW Z4 2.5 - 3 Careful PH Owners
Discussion
It has been over a year since I purchased a car, so despite having old mercs in various states, I was feeling the need to buy something.
I was looking at Peugeot 205 convertibles, and had chased down a couple to work on this week, trying to fit viewings hundreds of miles away into my 'working from home' conference call schedule.
Then last night, I started thinking about Z3s. Manual ones. There was a nice individual one listed on Facebook marketplace in a dodgy purple, but when I contacted the seller a massive 50 minutes after the ad went live, he had already had 4 enquires and two viewings booked.
Returning disheartened to Facebook, a Z4 popped up 7 miles away. No engine was listed, but from the pictures it was a manual, and from the underbonnet pictures a 6 cylinder.
I messaged the seller and he was clearly a solid chap. Pleasant, helpful and polite - makes such a difference and always gives me confidence.
I headed over first thing today, pretty sure I would be coming away with the car.
It's imperfect, having covered 155k miles, and needs a poor rust repair blow over done on the rear on the driver's side. But it drives really well. I was very surprised that it feels really tight, and rides well. Better than my Dad's SLK from the same generation.
The straight 6 engine feels very strong and sounds fantastic. I have always been a fan of BMW's old straight 6s, and this is the punchiest and nicest sounding '25 I have experienced (I think they get better with miles). I am told I need to do some valve thing to help the gear change - it's okay, but not great.
There are a few other bits and bobs - the headlights are cloudy, the driver's seatbelt retracts slowly, the BMW badge on the front requires renewal (ordered), it needs floormats that don't have an ///////M type logo on them.
But the alloys have been refurbed, the roof and roof motor replaced recently, and the interior is in great condition. And I rather like it. A nice car to zip about in over the summer. Hopefully.
It was a tank of fuel and some mats under half the budget of my favourite thread's £1-5k limit.
I was looking at Peugeot 205 convertibles, and had chased down a couple to work on this week, trying to fit viewings hundreds of miles away into my 'working from home' conference call schedule.
Then last night, I started thinking about Z3s. Manual ones. There was a nice individual one listed on Facebook marketplace in a dodgy purple, but when I contacted the seller a massive 50 minutes after the ad went live, he had already had 4 enquires and two viewings booked.
Returning disheartened to Facebook, a Z4 popped up 7 miles away. No engine was listed, but from the pictures it was a manual, and from the underbonnet pictures a 6 cylinder.
I messaged the seller and he was clearly a solid chap. Pleasant, helpful and polite - makes such a difference and always gives me confidence.
I headed over first thing today, pretty sure I would be coming away with the car.
It's imperfect, having covered 155k miles, and needs a poor rust repair blow over done on the rear on the driver's side. But it drives really well. I was very surprised that it feels really tight, and rides well. Better than my Dad's SLK from the same generation.
The straight 6 engine feels very strong and sounds fantastic. I have always been a fan of BMW's old straight 6s, and this is the punchiest and nicest sounding '25 I have experienced (I think they get better with miles). I am told I need to do some valve thing to help the gear change - it's okay, but not great.
There are a few other bits and bobs - the headlights are cloudy, the driver's seatbelt retracts slowly, the BMW badge on the front requires renewal (ordered), it needs floormats that don't have an ///////M type logo on them.
But the alloys have been refurbed, the roof and roof motor replaced recently, and the interior is in great condition. And I rather like it. A nice car to zip about in over the summer. Hopefully.
It was a tank of fuel and some mats under half the budget of my favourite thread's £1-5k limit.
0a said:
That angle and shade really shows off the styling. I'm a sucker for some of the features like the roundel side repeater and rear lights. It's possibly Bangle's second best design. A colleague has a 6 cylinder Z3. I've told them it's the best sounding car in the car park though a V8 Merc. made an appearance a few weeks ago. I think inline sixes sound nicer than V8s.
I really don't need another soft-top in my life right now, but the prices of these are very attractive at the moment. They look better with every passing year too - not something I ever thought I would have said when they came out!
I thought they were all 6 pots in the Z4 of this generation?
Do I recall something about having the roof motor relocated for reliability? Has yours been moved op?
I thought they were all 6 pots in the Z4 of this generation?
Do I recall something about having the roof motor relocated for reliability? Has yours been moved op?
Nice to see these cars being used and people not being scared off by mileages. The CDV is the the thing that will need removing. I did mine earlier in the year and makes it less jumpy, lighter action and no real downsides. 20 mins under the car and its done.
Look forward to this thread growing with a running report.
Look forward to this thread growing with a running report.
I've also got a 2003 2.5i in the same colour:
If it's anything like mine then you'll never tire of the noise. As other people have said, check if the roof motor has been moved as in the stock location it can sit in water and rust (it can be placed in a cubbyhole in the boot), and get the clutch delay valve removed if you find it annoying. Also there are a few aftermarket bluetooth kit options that plug into the CD changer socket if you want that.
Enjoy it, at that price it sounds like a great buy.
If it's anything like mine then you'll never tire of the noise. As other people have said, check if the roof motor has been moved as in the stock location it can sit in water and rust (it can be placed in a cubbyhole in the boot), and get the clutch delay valve removed if you find it annoying. Also there are a few aftermarket bluetooth kit options that plug into the CD changer socket if you want that.
Enjoy it, at that price it sounds like a great buy.
Great cars! I bought mine 4 years ago for £4k on 100k miles, it's now on 150k miles and still going strong.
I've had the vanos done, the DISA valve replaced (definitely check yours as if it breaks it will cause big damage but is a 5 minute part to swap), plus new shocks and springs, and the usual cosmetic stuff, like Z4M wheels and Euro-spec rear lights.
Oh and I had the backbox modded to give a bit more noise, totally worth it
https://youtu.be/wa5OpuhMh8k
I've had the vanos done, the DISA valve replaced (definitely check yours as if it breaks it will cause big damage but is a 5 minute part to swap), plus new shocks and springs, and the usual cosmetic stuff, like Z4M wheels and Euro-spec rear lights.
Oh and I had the backbox modded to give a bit more noise, totally worth it
https://youtu.be/wa5OpuhMh8k
0a said:
I am told I need to do some valve thing to help the gear change - it's okay, but not great.
They do seem like a bit of a bargain just now for a straight 6 petrol engined 2 seater! But as I like a roof I've only had Z4 Coupes for the last 6 years!
The valve thing will be removing the CDV (Clutch Delay Valve) which is definitely an improvement.
Mr Tidy said:
They do seem like a bit of a bargain just now for a straight 6 petrol engined 2 seater!
But as I like a roof I've only had Z4 Coupes for the last 6 years!
The valve thing will be removing the CDV (Clutch Delay Valve) which is definitely an improvement.
If everyone prefers it without the CDV, excuse my ignorance, but why is it there in the first place?But as I like a roof I've only had Z4 Coupes for the last 6 years!
The valve thing will be removing the CDV (Clutch Delay Valve) which is definitely an improvement.
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
If everyone prefers it without the CDV, excuse my ignorance, but why is it there in the first place?
BMW do it to all their manuals to protect against bad gear changes apparently. It is basically a nozzle that reduces the amount of fluid that can pass through so I presume limits the force going through the clutch if someone dumps it (someone technical can explain I'm sure!). As for why they feel they need it, who knows! That said, mine's on its original clutch at 150k still I believe so it must do something right, though I did have the CDV removed about 20k ago.Good choice OP, nice change from all those dreary Mercs
I recently sold my low mileage Z4 2.5 and it was a great car to own for 2 years. DIY servicing is easy as there's plenty of room under that long bonnet. No problems using it as a winter car - it has a good A/C system and a proper glass rear screen. Ride height is low - watch out for the front bumper on speed bumps and steep driveways. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Obligatory picture of mine:
I recently sold my low mileage Z4 2.5 and it was a great car to own for 2 years. DIY servicing is easy as there's plenty of room under that long bonnet. No problems using it as a winter car - it has a good A/C system and a proper glass rear screen. Ride height is low - watch out for the front bumper on speed bumps and steep driveways. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Following this with interest. Might it be a bit too similar to the SL for long-term use?
I haven't driven an SL, but I think the Z4 will be quite different. It's a relatively small and low-slung sports car. More like an MX5 with more power and a nicer engine noise (which is no bad thing)TimmyMallett said:
2.5k? Is that how cheap those are? Or is my maths broken?
Yes. Rough ones are even cheaper. The earliest cars are 17 years old now - we've had two newer generations of Z4 since this. Demand is highest for the 3.0 Sport and the coupes, but if you can settle for a 2.5, they're a cheap entry point into the "good old days" of six cylinder manual BMW sports cars. I think they're better value and less rust prone than an E46, so long as you don't need the rear seats. Obligatory picture of mine:
Edited by spreadsheet monkey on Friday 1st January 15:53
Congrats OP.
I see you've got heated seats. Great feature as well, perfect for roof down winter driving.
M54 engine in this is pretty solid. The 2.5 is reported to use a lot less oil than the 3.0.
Early Z4s are a bargain. Styling still looks fresh. Enjoy!
Some great info and advice here: https://z4-forum.com/forum/
Edit to add (seemingly) obligatory pic!
(3.0Si, Montego blue, manual of course...needs a wash).
I see you've got heated seats. Great feature as well, perfect for roof down winter driving.
M54 engine in this is pretty solid. The 2.5 is reported to use a lot less oil than the 3.0.
Early Z4s are a bargain. Styling still looks fresh. Enjoy!
Some great info and advice here: https://z4-forum.com/forum/
Edit to add (seemingly) obligatory pic!
(3.0Si, Montego blue, manual of course...needs a wash).
Edited by g3org3y on Wednesday 1st July 13:50
These are great if wanting a cheap 6 cyl manual convertible.
I paid £4k for a 3 litre 2004 with 60k miles. Heated electric M-Sport seats too which weren't cheap when new. Had no issues with it in 18 months now. Really can't complain when you factor in how much they cost.
As someone above mentioned, do check the DISA valve. It takes 5 minutes to get it off. The BMW design was crap and relied on a little metal rivet pushed into the end to secure the flap. Over time it works loose and can end up pinging it's way into your engine. Mine fell out with the slightest pull. Most people, as I did, just buy a rebuild kit online for £50 or so. Contains metal flap which is secured by a long threaded bolt, so it's not going anywhere.
Obligatory pic:
I paid £4k for a 3 litre 2004 with 60k miles. Heated electric M-Sport seats too which weren't cheap when new. Had no issues with it in 18 months now. Really can't complain when you factor in how much they cost.
As someone above mentioned, do check the DISA valve. It takes 5 minutes to get it off. The BMW design was crap and relied on a little metal rivet pushed into the end to secure the flap. Over time it works loose and can end up pinging it's way into your engine. Mine fell out with the slightest pull. Most people, as I did, just buy a rebuild kit online for £50 or so. Contains metal flap which is secured by a long threaded bolt, so it's not going anywhere.
Obligatory pic:
Edited by Sycamore on Wednesday 1st July 13:24
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