Need advice on a 2007 Z4 3.0SI

[bennzwel]

Hi all,

Planning to get a 2007 z4 3.0si with around 89,000KM on it. The car is Japanese import.

VIN : WBABU52040LP7438

Just wanted to see what are your thoughts on a car like that? What to watch out for these specific cars? I will take it through proper inspection but wanted to be able to evaluate it partially myself.

Does anyone know where can I find the service schedule for this car so I know what major service is ahead?

Any help and advice is appreciated

[kdphan]

Originally Posted by bennzwel

Hi all,

Planning to get a 2007 z4 3.0si with around 89,000KM on it. The car is Japanese import.

VIN : WBABU52040LP7438

Just wanted to see what are your thoughts on a car like that? What to watch out for these specific cars? I will take it through proper inspection but wanted to be able to evaluate it partially myself.

Does anyone know where can I find the service schedule for this car so I know what major service is ahead?

Any help and advice is appreciated

i loved the 3.0si coupe when I had it.

i did not run into any issues for the year I owned it.

[WAMz4]

Some previous model bugs were "fixed" with the 3.0si i.e. DISA valve was completely remodeled to fix valve coming off the hinges, Acceleration jump at 3k was eliminated by higher torque at lower RPM's... I'm sure there is more but as far as problems for the 3.0si specifically, I'm not aware of any.
I love mine.

[bennzwel]

Thanks guys

Is there anything to be aware of as part of owning the car? Any issues with automatic box?

What type of oil you use in the car? Have you done any mods to improve anything ?

Any tendency of common failure in various parts ( not just engine )?

Thanks again!

[E89_77]

I bought the twin sister of this car 2 months ago (2007 Z4 3.0si black/black/tan manual with sport package and M seats) with 10,150 miles. Dealer showed me the service records,
No mods so far and did not experience any problems. Love my car

[m3griff]

Originally Posted by bennzwel

Thanks guys

Is there anything to be aware of as part of owning the car? Any issues with automatic box?

What type of oil you use in the car? Have you done any mods to improve anything ?

Any tendency of common failure in various parts ( not just engine )?

Thanks again!

I've had a 3.0si roadster for 75000 miles and 5 years. Love it. That said:

*. Look for sticky steering (does not move smoothly). Seems to happen in hot weather. 2007 should be ok, but just see it feels ok when you drive it.

*. Valve ticking (look it up). Annoying but does not seem to be fatal. Best thing to do is drive the car hard and use the correct oil (BMW recommends their 5W-30 synthetic).

*. If the car still has run flats, you will be amazed at how much better it will ride and handle with good nonrunflats.

*. Check the top operation through the full cycle. No particular issues, but if something is wrong it can get expensive.

Really great cars with few issues.

Good luck.

Jeff

[bennzwel]

Thanks Jeff

What's the cute for the sticky steering ? I saw the topic some where before and few lubricated even the steering column but doesn't seem to have common cause .

Could the ticking be resolving with high octane fuel ? 98

Do you recommend the use of engine flush and fuel injection cleaners ? If from reputable brand like Wurth ( used by Toyota)


What's a good non-run flat ? Wouldn't they confuse the sensors and any alerts popping up ?

[gas-can]

Hi Bennz,

I don't believe the sticky steering should affect you on a 2007 model. I do believe that was mainly a problem on the pre-facelift cars (prior to second half of 2006?).

High octane fuel won't do anything for the lifter noise. I wouldn't let lifter noise deter you from the car if everything else seems to be in order. It usually only manifests if the car is left parked for a long time (the earlier versions of this engine didn't have a head check valve for the oil, so the oil drained. The lifters are pressurized by this oil so if the oil's drained, the valve lash is a bit off till this oil is regained). It's just noisy and goes away once the engine warms up and the oil is recirculated.

Re tires: I recommend a nice summer tire vs an all season. The all seasons should work but for a car like this, a good summer tire can't be beat.

I've had my 2006 for about 2 years now as my main daily and it has been a gem. Only tires, brakes and oil + preventive replacement fluids in about 30,000 miles (long commute). Only thing that appears to be the weakness with these cars (along with most bmws) is the cooling system. The electric water pump seems to be a danger point past about 75k miles so I'm planning to do that once I get to around 65 (+ radiator + hoses).

These are truly lovely cars. Is the one you are looking at a roadster or coupe? The roadsters are better .

If you get it post some pics!

-gc

[Karacticus]

The N52 engine on the 3.0si also likes belt tensioners around 60-70,000 miles. One that's going bad gives you a little more engine rev related ticking, and you can look for some belt fraying at the edges and alignment.

It's not a tough DIY job to do yourself, providing you have a big enough torx driver

[bennzwel]

Thanks gc and caracticus

Belt tensioner ? Isn't the engine chain driven ? What's the approximate cost to sort it out at a shop ?

[Karacticus]

It's the belt for the alternator and AC (water pump is electric, as is power steering). IIRC you'll probably spend about $500 at a dealer, slightly less at indy.

The part it self is around $120, depending on where you source it-- looks like the MSRP is around $130.

[Karacticus]

oh-- and the belt's around $40 more, no reason not to replace it while you're in there.

[bennzwel]

So the engine is belt driven ?

[m3griff]

Originally Posted by bennzwel

So the engine is belt driven ?

No. The engine has belts that turn the alternator and a/c. - as do all cars. The belt tensioner can go at higher mileage.

Regarding some of the other items- as others said, the 2007 should not have sticky steering. For the older cars that exhibit it, various fixes have been tidied and some may work. My steering column and electric motte were replaced under warranty.

The cooling system on all BMWs seem to benefit from preventive replacement at 75-90k miles. I replaced the thermost, hoses, water pump and belts on mine at 75k miles. No problems - just prevention.

[3002 tii]

67,000 hard driven miles here and no major issues but I have been on top of preventive maintenance, specifically water pump, thermostat, belts, and oil filter housing gasket (which were all done around 60k). I also flush fluids regularly (trans every 40k, coolant and diff every 30k, brakes once per year, oil every 7500).

The only failed part I had to replace we're coil packs. And every 20k or so I'll have to clean or the Vanos solenoid.