Thinking of getting a 2003 z4...as a summer driver.

[Mysecondwife]

Hi, all...I'm looking to put an offer on a 2003 Z4 3.0 5MT. 63k miles in very nice condition. What should I be looking out for before I make an offer??

I know about the notorious water damage to the power top motors and the power steering issues in very warm weather. Any nagging issues with this model year?

Any tidbits would be helpful. BTW, he's asking $16900 and I was thinking $12k.

[RevsPlease]

Originally Posted by Mysecondwife

Hi, all...I'm looking to put an offer on a 2003 Z4 3.0 5MT. 63k miles in very nice condition. What should I be looking out for before I make an offer??

I know about the notorious water damage to the power top motors and the power steering issues in very warm weather. Any nagging issues with this model year?

Any tidbits would be helpful. BTW, he's asking $16900 and I was thinking $12k.

It's a 5 speed? Are you sure? As far as I'm aware the 5 speed only came in the 2.5. Also 17k is a little dear for that car. I got my 03' 3.0i in 6MT non-sport with 30,000mi for 15k. You are pretty much bang on for 12k. Sounds like this car isn't a good deal.

[Jmanscotch]

^ +1 Confirm it's either a 6 MT or else it'll be the 2.5 with a 5 speed.

If it is the 3.0, then I think the $12K mark would be a fair enough price, but with it being winter you might could work down some. I picked up my '03 3.0 6MT with 63,050 miles on it recently and I paid a bit more than $12K, but it too is in near pristine condition (stealership was asking $16.9 as well...so similar it seems, if you say it's silver then I'm going to say you're crazy).

The car itself just needs the normal look over. The M54 engine is shared with the E46 ('99-'06 3 series) platform and they have a decent section in the Wiki for what to look out for, powerplant wise: http://www.bimmerfest.com/wiki/index...ying_an_E46.3F

Good to see another Ohio enthusiast (Ohiobimmers.com?)

[aftercorbu]

Originally Posted by RevsPlease

It's a 5 speed? Are you sure? As far as I'm aware the 5 speed only came in the 2.5. Also 17k is a little dear for that car. I got my 03' 3.0i in 6MT non-sport with 30,000mi for 15k. You are pretty much bang on for 12k. Sounds like this car isn't a good deal.

if a manual transmission the '03 3.0i is a 6 speed.

for price reference i paid 12k recently for my '03 3.0i with extras (both power seats, heated seats, bi-xenon, power top, red leather, carver hi-fi, etc.) with 74k miles on it. pretty near pristine condition esp. the interior.

[Mysecondwife]

Thanks all...I miss typed. It's a 6MT. I havent seen it live, just pics...oh, it's red. Here's the link:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...aptcha=success

Thanks for the info...will see how this shakes out! BTW, you'd think he'd wipe down the engine compartment before the pic.

[Hogndos]

There is one other factor you may want to consider than just bottom line price. If this car has the options you want, the color combo you need, and emotionally raises your pulse rate... then the price is of little consequence except for maybe bragging rights. If not, then negotiate hard and be ruthless...though you could end up with $12,000 worth of Zed envy when that "sucker" who paid more than you drives by in the car you wish you really had...at any given time in my region there are only a handful of Z4's for sale in all model years...some are trashed, many have AT's, and quite a few have color combos that makes my face hurt...

Find the car that you REALLY want and pay what you need to get it...this mission is, after all, a little different than searching for a Toyota Corolla (no offense intended)....this is a quest for passion!

[Stromtech]

Suggest you check the service records to see what has been done so far. If nothing but oil changes then you will be due for brakes and belts soon. I just had the differential flange clink noise fixed at about the same miles. Not big items but together they will cost you another Grand. If there are run flat tires on the car then there make sure they are all in good shape...check carefully tread wear, repair plugs or damage. Replacing one tire will get you thinking about a whole new set of non RFTs for another Grand. Spend a hundred and get the vehicle checked over by a good Indy as part of your purchase agreement.

[Mysecondwife]

Thanks, gents! I did the car I wanted in my 335, this will be my summer, weekend car, so I'm not as emotionally engaged. The seller may not take my offer, which won't be much of an issue. I guess I'm not waiting to inherit a headache.

[MinneapolisJeff]

Is that the 3.0 w/o sport package? Didn't recognize those wheels...

I click on the AutoTrader link and...that is my fav color combo, I'd sell mine tomorrow for the red w/ black top *sigh*

$12k seems like a decent offer. My 03 is a summer only car as well, very little has gone wrong on it in the 3 yrs of ownership with mine. Only things I've fixed were rear coil springs and a bad belt tensioner. No sticky steering on mine. No top motor issues either. Since its garaged I suspect I'll be less likely to see those major issues often discussed in here.

[Mysecondwife]

I emailed the owner and waiting for response...we will see if he's motivated!!

[Jmanscotch]

Good luck!

[Jmanscotch]

Any update?

[dreamingat30fps]

Is it just me or does that engine bay look like its covered in saw dust?

[Mysecondwife]

Originally Posted by Jmanscotch

Any update?

He is very slow to respond to my emails. Older guy, used the vehicle to travel to wrk and back. Claims the asking price was 'autotrader' certified as in between hi-lo ads. Which means absolutely nothing to me!! I said I use private sale numbers with multiple pricing sites. Told him that my offer will be around $12k, which is more than reasonable. Sadly, that vehicle would go for about $8k at auction, but $12 is reasonable in my book. He claims he has time to see if it sells in spring or summer. I told him to remove the 'motivated seller' from his ad if he can 'wait' to sell it. Doubt I will get a reply. I'll keep looking!! Cheers!

[Mysecondwife]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

Is it just me or does that engine bay look like its covered in saw dust?

It's very dusty...he should've cleaned it off. Obviously lacks attention to detail. I haven't driven it yet. But tod him $12k will be my offer!

[zzzzz]

I paid $11,800 for an '03 2.5i with 56k miles, Sport pkg, Carver sys, xenon lights, etc

[partlowr]

Originally Posted by RevsPlease

It's a 5 speed? Are you sure? As far as I'm aware the 5 speed only came in the 2.5. Also 17k is a little dear for that car. I got my 03' 3.0i in 6MT non-sport with 30,000mi for 15k. You are pretty much bang on for 12k. Sounds like this car isn't a good deal.

I was thinking the same thing on the price, In August I purchased a 2005 3.0i pretty much fully loaded(except Nav) and a clean Carfax with only 40k miles on it for $18k plus tax. In addition the dealer throws in a 1yr bumper to bumper warranty with all used car purcahses. Also being that this is not convertible weather for 2/3's of the country this time of year I would expect to see even further discounts. I have seen CPO 05's & 06's for under 20k with half the miles as the one the OP is considering. I would keep shopping if I was the OP.

Happy Hunting