Early BMW Z4... bought unseen... from Copart
Discussion
OK, so today I did something potentially very foolish, and won this in a Copart auction for the princely sum of £775. With delivery and fees, I paid £1,300.
It's a Cat N 2003 BMW Z4 in Sterling Grey. But what actually really attracted me to it was not just the fact it's a 3.0, but that it's a manual as well, and despite its age, still the right side of 100,000 miles.
What I don't know about this car is pretty much everything at the moment, but here's what I do know:
It runs and drives, which is Copart parlance for "it starts and moves under its own steam". It doesn't mean it runs on all six or that it has any gears other than 1st and 4th, but that's all part of the fun, right? To be fair to Copart, any unusual engine noises or rough running are normally documented. But it's not guaranteed. It's not my first Copart rodeo, so I'm happy to take the chance.
It needs the front bumper repairing or (more realistically) replacing, but the rest of it looks pretty clean to be honest. The rear bumper needs a little attention on the offside corner, but it's neither here nor there on a car of this age, really.
The power hood appears to work, as the photos clearly show it both up and down.
It has 2 keys.
The MOT has just expired, but it had a clean sheet on the last one. But something is definitely up here that will need sorting before it goes in for test:
Now I'm sure this is just something cheap and easy like an ABS sensor gone down, or a battery issue, and not an expensive ECU failure, right?
Mileage is low for the year at 96k, and there's nothing scary in the MOT history. A few failures dotted here and there for things like tyres, screen washers not being effective, and a broken rear spring back in 2014. Last year's pass was advisory free and the car has only done 3,000 miles since then.
Chucking the VIN into a BMW decoder, it looks like a nicely specced car. Not sure what was standard and what was optional, but it has this veritable smorgasbord of goodies. Or had when it left the factory, anyway:
S704 M Sports suspension
S423 Floor mats velours
S428 Warning triangle and first aid kit
S431 Interior mirror with automatic-dip
S441 Smoker package
S459 Seat adjustment, electric, with memory
S493 Storage compartment package
S494 Seat heating driver/passenger
S662 Radio BMW Business CD
S672 CD changer for 6 CDs
S502 Headlight cleaning system
S520 Fog lights
S521 Rain sensor
S522 Xenon Light
S534 Automatic air conditioning
S550 On-board computer
S224 Driving dynamic control
S230 EU-specific additional contents
S255 Sports leather steering wheel
S302 Alarm system
S324 Light alloy wheels ellipsoid-spoke 107 with mixed tyres
S345 Chrome Line Interieur
S380 Hardtop-preparation
It will be delivered to me in the next few days where the plan is to go over it properly, see what other stuff I can find, and start putting a list together. I've found an in-colour bumper, complete with grille locally for £150 so that's getting bought. It's not perfect, but it's a big improvement on what's on the car today and will make it presentable again. Then get rid of the Christmas tree on the dash (he says, manifesting the task being simple and cheap), and chuck it in for test and see what the MOT man says.
Plans beyond that are unclear. We also have an MX5 which I bought from Copart about a year ago and which Mrs Limpet has put 10,000 utterly reliable miles on over the past year. The little thing has been a trooper, but she is finding it underpowered, so it might be that the extra 105 bhp of this tempts her into it, but we'll see what pans out. I might use it as a runabout for a bit, or might just flip it. I'm quite open minded at the moment.
All of this of course hinges on it not being a total basket case when it turns up.
I'll keep the thread updated.
Thanks for reading.
It's a Cat N 2003 BMW Z4 in Sterling Grey. But what actually really attracted me to it was not just the fact it's a 3.0, but that it's a manual as well, and despite its age, still the right side of 100,000 miles.
What I don't know about this car is pretty much everything at the moment, but here's what I do know:
It runs and drives, which is Copart parlance for "it starts and moves under its own steam". It doesn't mean it runs on all six or that it has any gears other than 1st and 4th, but that's all part of the fun, right? To be fair to Copart, any unusual engine noises or rough running are normally documented. But it's not guaranteed. It's not my first Copart rodeo, so I'm happy to take the chance.
It needs the front bumper repairing or (more realistically) replacing, but the rest of it looks pretty clean to be honest. The rear bumper needs a little attention on the offside corner, but it's neither here nor there on a car of this age, really.
The power hood appears to work, as the photos clearly show it both up and down.
It has 2 keys.
The MOT has just expired, but it had a clean sheet on the last one. But something is definitely up here that will need sorting before it goes in for test:
Now I'm sure this is just something cheap and easy like an ABS sensor gone down, or a battery issue, and not an expensive ECU failure, right?
Mileage is low for the year at 96k, and there's nothing scary in the MOT history. A few failures dotted here and there for things like tyres, screen washers not being effective, and a broken rear spring back in 2014. Last year's pass was advisory free and the car has only done 3,000 miles since then.
Chucking the VIN into a BMW decoder, it looks like a nicely specced car. Not sure what was standard and what was optional, but it has this veritable smorgasbord of goodies. Or had when it left the factory, anyway:
S704 M Sports suspension
S423 Floor mats velours
S428 Warning triangle and first aid kit
S431 Interior mirror with automatic-dip
S441 Smoker package
S459 Seat adjustment, electric, with memory
S493 Storage compartment package
S494 Seat heating driver/passenger
S662 Radio BMW Business CD
S672 CD changer for 6 CDs
S502 Headlight cleaning system
S520 Fog lights
S521 Rain sensor
S522 Xenon Light
S534 Automatic air conditioning
S550 On-board computer
S224 Driving dynamic control
S230 EU-specific additional contents
S255 Sports leather steering wheel
S302 Alarm system
S324 Light alloy wheels ellipsoid-spoke 107 with mixed tyres
S345 Chrome Line Interieur
S380 Hardtop-preparation
It will be delivered to me in the next few days where the plan is to go over it properly, see what other stuff I can find, and start putting a list together. I've found an in-colour bumper, complete with grille locally for £150 so that's getting bought. It's not perfect, but it's a big improvement on what's on the car today and will make it presentable again. Then get rid of the Christmas tree on the dash (he says, manifesting the task being simple and cheap), and chuck it in for test and see what the MOT man says.
Plans beyond that are unclear. We also have an MX5 which I bought from Copart about a year ago and which Mrs Limpet has put 10,000 utterly reliable miles on over the past year. The little thing has been a trooper, but she is finding it underpowered, so it might be that the extra 105 bhp of this tempts her into it, but we'll see what pans out. I might use it as a runabout for a bit, or might just flip it. I'm quite open minded at the moment.
All of this of course hinges on it not being a total basket case when it turns up.
I'll keep the thread updated.
Thanks for reading.
These are the bargain of the century at the moment, that's a good combination too. 3.0 and manual.
I've bought 3 since January!! Currently on the look out for a 3.0 manual!!
The M54 engines are really strong, but do suffer from poor cooling systems and infrequent oil changes, so get those two things done before anything else, and relocate the roof motor if it hasn't already been done.
Then get a copy of ISTA+ with the right lead, so you can 'interrogate' the car with OE BMW software.
Good luck!
I've bought 3 since January!! Currently on the look out for a 3.0 manual!!
The M54 engines are really strong, but do suffer from poor cooling systems and infrequent oil changes, so get those two things done before anything else, and relocate the roof motor if it hasn't already been done.
Then get a copy of ISTA+ with the right lead, so you can 'interrogate' the car with OE BMW software.
Good luck!
The warning lights might be the "ABS trifecta" (affects the E39 5 series as well).
Or it could be something as simple as a low battery.
More on the ABS triefecta issue
Or it could be something as simple as a low battery.
More on the ABS triefecta issue
Good purchase, hope all goes well getting it ready for the road.
Reluctantly sold my 2.5 manual in April after two enjoyable years. It was going strong with over 170,000 miles on the clock and only went due to practicality reasons. They are a real bargain at the moment and a little bit underrated I think.
Reluctantly sold my 2.5 manual in April after two enjoyable years. It was going strong with over 170,000 miles on the clock and only went due to practicality reasons. They are a real bargain at the moment and a little bit underrated I think.
Just in time for the summer, alloys look like they could do with a refurb though.
As you say, right side of 100k on a strong engine, and it has the hallmarks of an unbarried trade in all day long.
Full detail and a bit of sprucing up, that's a bargain, should be a chunk of profit in that.
Love it.
As you say, right side of 100k on a strong engine, and it has the hallmarks of an unbarried trade in all day long.
Full detail and a bit of sprucing up, that's a bargain, should be a chunk of profit in that.
Love it.
A friend had one of these a few years ago - it sounded awesome:
BMW Z4 by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Another friend has a lowlier model tucked away in his garage, that I really ought to help him revive. Sadly it will probably cost more to get back on the road than it is now worth.
BMW Z4 by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Another friend has a lowlier model tucked away in his garage, that I really ought to help him revive. Sadly it will probably cost more to get back on the road than it is now worth.
They are pretty cheap for what you get.
Random warning lights are a common issue on BMWs of this era if the battery gets tired from lack of use, but can usually be sorted by getting fault codes cleared or reset.
The roof can be operated manually if the motor is dead, but there are a few people on z4forum who can often revive the motors and relocate them to the boot away from the roof drains!
IIRC the Storage Package, heated seats, Xenons, CD Changer and 107 wheels were all options. Mixed tyres seems to be a reference to 107s being staggered, like all the OE 18" wheel options.
Good luck with your project!
Random warning lights are a common issue on BMWs of this era if the battery gets tired from lack of use, but can usually be sorted by getting fault codes cleared or reset.
The roof can be operated manually if the motor is dead, but there are a few people on z4forum who can often revive the motors and relocate them to the boot away from the roof drains!
IIRC the Storage Package, heated seats, Xenons, CD Changer and 107 wheels were all options. Mixed tyres seems to be a reference to 107s being staggered, like all the OE 18" wheel options.
Good luck with your project!
Thanks everyone for all the positive comments and help.
So, it arrived first thing this morning. Battery dead as a dodo but it fired up instantly off a jump pack and sounds absolutely lovely. Drove it about 100 yds from the truck to the driveway and the clutch feels good, no funny noises or other signs of doom.
In the glovebox was the original book pack and wallet. There’s a service book stamped up to last year with no gaps. BMW dealer initially, then specialist and other indie later.
In the boot was a bottle of oil, a bottle of coolant, a car cover, the original BMW head unit (there’s an aftermarket Sony in the car), two side repeater roundels still in the BMW packaging, and some rubbish.
The roof motor is in the boot (good) but not secured to anything (bad). I’ll get that sorted.
Four matching Dunlops on it which have loads of tread.
The car is remarkably straight. It’s filthy and it’s raining so I can’t see the paint in any detail but it all looks the same colour. It’s missing the indicator roundels but there are new ones to fit. Front bumper is toast but I have a replacement coming today.
It does have the 3 warning lights on the dash, but the handbrake / braking system one goes amber when you release the handbrake which suggests it’s not the trifecta issue (this light seems to be red when this happens). I’ll get the scanner on it in the next day or two to suss it.
First thing I did was take the battery off and stick it on my CTEK on the recon programme, and we’re a couple of hours in and it hasn’t given up so hopefully that’s promising.
Plan today is to get the bumper swapped over, then deal with the warning lights (hopefully). A quick check over of the rest of it, and get it booked in for test.
The matching premium tyres, the presence of all of the handbook and the service history, both keys, and the other bits that were in the boot point to a car that has been loved at least for most of its life. The engine sounds absolutely superb, and I can’t wait to get it out on the road.
I’ll post some more pics pre-and post repair, and also hopefully if the rain stops at some point today, after giving it a proper clean inside and out.
Mrs. Limpet absolutely loves it, and I can’t imagine she will be disappointed after driving it so I have a feeling it’s not going anywhere.
Thanks again for all the comments. Will update later once I’ve got a few few bits done.
So, it arrived first thing this morning. Battery dead as a dodo but it fired up instantly off a jump pack and sounds absolutely lovely. Drove it about 100 yds from the truck to the driveway and the clutch feels good, no funny noises or other signs of doom.
In the glovebox was the original book pack and wallet. There’s a service book stamped up to last year with no gaps. BMW dealer initially, then specialist and other indie later.
In the boot was a bottle of oil, a bottle of coolant, a car cover, the original BMW head unit (there’s an aftermarket Sony in the car), two side repeater roundels still in the BMW packaging, and some rubbish.
The roof motor is in the boot (good) but not secured to anything (bad). I’ll get that sorted.
Four matching Dunlops on it which have loads of tread.
The car is remarkably straight. It’s filthy and it’s raining so I can’t see the paint in any detail but it all looks the same colour. It’s missing the indicator roundels but there are new ones to fit. Front bumper is toast but I have a replacement coming today.
It does have the 3 warning lights on the dash, but the handbrake / braking system one goes amber when you release the handbrake which suggests it’s not the trifecta issue (this light seems to be red when this happens). I’ll get the scanner on it in the next day or two to suss it.
First thing I did was take the battery off and stick it on my CTEK on the recon programme, and we’re a couple of hours in and it hasn’t given up so hopefully that’s promising.
Plan today is to get the bumper swapped over, then deal with the warning lights (hopefully). A quick check over of the rest of it, and get it booked in for test.
The matching premium tyres, the presence of all of the handbook and the service history, both keys, and the other bits that were in the boot point to a car that has been loved at least for most of its life. The engine sounds absolutely superb, and I can’t wait to get it out on the road.
I’ll post some more pics pre-and post repair, and also hopefully if the rain stops at some point today, after giving it a proper clean inside and out.
Mrs. Limpet absolutely loves it, and I can’t imagine she will be disappointed after driving it so I have a feeling it’s not going anywhere.
Thanks again for all the comments. Will update later once I’ve got a few few bits done.
Bravo, OP. Sometimes it's worth the gamble.
In about 1997 I bought an E21 323i from auction. Paid £325 for it. Described as a non-runner with no service history. Trailered it home. The non-running was a loose battery lead, repositioning of which revealed a healthy engine, clutch and box but a noisy exhaust. Out of curiosity I opened the boot. There I discovered a brand new full (twin tailpipe) exhaust and a full handbook pack, complete with full stamped main dealer history to the end of the book, and a second book stamped up to date.
It turned out the car was bought new for the director of a small company and had been maintained regardless of cost. When he was talked into changing it for something newer to impress the clients, he simply entered it into the auction as a means of disposal.
In about 1997 I bought an E21 323i from auction. Paid £325 for it. Described as a non-runner with no service history. Trailered it home. The non-running was a loose battery lead, repositioning of which revealed a healthy engine, clutch and box but a noisy exhaust. Out of curiosity I opened the boot. There I discovered a brand new full (twin tailpipe) exhaust and a full handbook pack, complete with full stamped main dealer history to the end of the book, and a second book stamped up to date.
It turned out the car was bought new for the director of a small company and had been maintained regardless of cost. When he was talked into changing it for something newer to impress the clients, he simply entered it into the auction as a means of disposal.
TonyRPH said:
OverSteery said:
S324 Light alloy wheels ellipsoid-spoke 107 with mixed tyres
That's an unusual spec from the factory
That's the 'staggered' spec. Wider rims and tyres at the rear. Very common with BMW.That's an unusual spec from the factory
Please tell me I'm not due a 'whoosh!' parrot!
In my defence, my own BWM z4 has wider rims and tyres at the rear, but doesn't mention it on the build sheet (I just checked).
OverSteery said:
TonyRPH said:
OverSteery said:
S324 Light alloy wheels ellipsoid-spoke 107 with mixed tyres
That's an unusual spec from the factory
That's the 'staggered' spec. Wider rims and tyres at the rear. Very common with BMW.That's an unusual spec from the factory
Please tell me I'm not due a 'whoosh!' parrot!
In my defence, my own BWM z4 has wider rims and tyres at the rear, but doesn't mention it on the build sheet (I just checked).
Jhonno said:
OverSteery said:
TonyRPH said:
OverSteery said:
S324 Light alloy wheels ellipsoid-spoke 107 with mixed tyres
That's an unusual spec from the factory
That's the 'staggered' spec. Wider rims and tyres at the rear. Very common with BMW.That's an unusual spec from the factory
Please tell me I'm not due a 'whoosh!' parrot!
In my defence, my own BWM z4 has wider rims and tyres at the rear, but doesn't mention it on the build sheet (I just checked).
Ms have 8J fronts and 9J rears.
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