2003 2.5L Z4 Purchase SMG Good Bad?

japali00 · 07-29-2008, 07:16 AM

Should I buy this? The owner looks like he is desperate to sell due having to move out of the country, he is the 2nd owner bought from dealership a year ago. No dents, 1-3 scratches less than a cm hardly noticible.

2003 BMW Z4 2.5 SMG
Looks like it's fully loaded without Nav.

Clean Tittle
42,000miles

The seller is willing to go 16k

But I'm afraid of SMG issues in the earlier production of Z4 that I've been reading. Also will maintenance cost be high now that warranty is up? How much issues can i expect keeping this car for 3years? in terms of repair/maintenance?

How much would it cost to replace, the power top motor? (no warranty)

Also how much would it cost for oil change? this car is due for one 3500 miles..??

Thanks

Hawkeye · 07-29-2008, 08:05 AM

I am not all up on the SMG stuff so I'll let someone else answer that. As for an oil change (depending on where you live) it can go from $100 for just the oil change to ~$220 for the 'full' oil change including them checking all fluids and such.

The power motor top costs a bit to replace, I have seen a few numbers thrown around. I am sure someone will chime in, or it should be easily searchable as well.

DerekSelmanRacing · 07-29-2008, 10:23 AM

My experience has been that if you don't do much of the repair work yourself, it's almost as expensive to own a used import as a new one. Parts and service are usually pretty dear. The only reason I would consider this car is the smg...if you really want it, you have to buy used or wait for the next generation.

I've owned 2 smg cars...a 2003 and currently a 2005, both 3.0 sport, and both tracked and street driven. Love(d) them both. I'm not really aware of many smg problems on the earlier car OTHER THAN software upgrades. My '03 was a little quirky but never bothered me enough to take it in for the mods. The '05 shifts a little better.

Have you considered leasing. The BMW site shows $3300 down and about $400/mo for a new one. That would be my personal choice, no repair or maintenance costs other than tires.

pbdm4k · 07-29-2008, 12:43 PM

Oil change runs me $80 and I do it myself. 6L of Castrol Syntec 5W30 = $40, Lucas Synthetic Oil Stabilizer = $20, BMW Oil Filter = $20.

Roof motor generally should be fine if the car is stored indoors and not rained on much if at all. Check the drain ducts to make sure they are draining properly. It should give you a slight indication that the roof motor isn't being dunked in water and rusting out.

Generally my car has been rock solid outside some warranty repairs and it's been going just great for me. Mine is an 04 3.0i, but 6spd and not SMG.

Dunno much about the SMG tranny so can't help you there.

veryhuman · 07-29-2008, 10:48 PM

Replacing the soft top motor is expensive, easily $3,000+ at the dealer. Majority of the cost being labour.

I talked to a used BMW sales before, he didnt recommend the SMG (at least, on the Z4), mentioned if the electronics of the SMG goes, not only its a costly repair, the car will not function without it (obviously). Definitely alot less 'what ifs' with other types of transmission.

07-29-2008, 07:16 AM	#1
japali00 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: z4 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	2003 2.5L Z4 Purchase SMG Good Bad? Should I buy this? The owner looks like he is desperate to sell due having to move out of the country, he is the 2nd owner bought from dealership a year ago. No dents, 1-3 scratches less than a cm hardly noticible. 2003 BMW Z4 2.5 SMG Looks like it's fully loaded without Nav. Clean Tittle 42,000miles The seller is willing to go 16k But I'm afraid of SMG issues in the earlier production of Z4 that I've been reading. Also will maintenance cost be high now that warranty is up? How much issues can i expect keeping this car for 3years? in terms of repair/maintenance? How much would it cost to replace, the power top motor? (no warranty) Also how much would it cost for oil change? this car is due for one 3500 miles..?? Thanks
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07-29-2008, 08:05 AM	#2
Hawkeye Brigadier General 2070 Rep 4,365 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 GMC Sierra SLT [10.00] 2008 Yamaha R6 [9.00]	I am not all up on the SMG stuff so I'll let someone else answer that. As for an oil change (depending on where you live) it can go from $100 for just the oil change to ~$220 for the 'full' oil change including them checking all fluids and such. The power motor top costs a bit to replace, I have seen a few numbers thrown around. I am sure someone will chime in, or it should be easily searchable as well. __________________ 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP 2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4 2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune 2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded
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07-29-2008, 10:23 AM	#3
DerekSelmanRacing Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 222 Posts Drives: 05 Z4 3.0 SMG, 01 530 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ. iTrader: (0)	My experience has been that if you don't do much of the repair work yourself, it's almost as expensive to own a used import as a new one. Parts and service are usually pretty dear. The only reason I would consider this car is the smg...if you really want it, you have to buy used or wait for the next generation. I've owned 2 smg cars...a 2003 and currently a 2005, both 3.0 sport, and both tracked and street driven. Love(d) them both. I'm not really aware of many smg problems on the earlier car OTHER THAN software upgrades. My '03 was a little quirky but never bothered me enough to take it in for the mods. The '05 shifts a little better. Have you considered leasing. The BMW site shows $3300 down and about $400/mo for a new one. That would be my personal choice, no repair or maintenance costs other than tires.
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07-29-2008, 12:43 PM	#4
pbdm4k Lieutenant Colonel 74 Rep 1,689 Posts Drives: 2010 335d Join Date: May 2007 Location: North of the Border iTrader: (3)	Oil change runs me $80 and I do it myself. 6L of Castrol Syntec 5W30 = $40, Lucas Synthetic Oil Stabilizer = $20, BMW Oil Filter = $20. Roof motor generally should be fine if the car is stored indoors and not rained on much if at all. Check the drain ducts to make sure they are draining properly. It should give you a slight indication that the roof motor isn't being dunked in water and rusting out. Generally my car has been rock solid outside some warranty repairs and it's been going just great for me. Mine is an 04 3.0i, but 6spd and not SMG. Dunno much about the SMG tranny so can't help you there. __________________ 2010 BMW 335d "Ha! She wants the D." 2006 VW Jetta 2.5 Once upon a time... '03 VW GTI, '99 Audi A4 1.8TQ, '00 VW Jetta 1.85T, '09 BMW 335i xDrive, '04 BMW Z4 3.0i, '01 Audi TT 1.8T, '04 Volvo S80 2.5T
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07-29-2008, 10:48 PM	#5
veryhuman Private First Class 4 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 2005 Z4 2.5I Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Replacing the soft top motor is expensive, easily $3,000+ at the dealer. Majority of the cost being labour. I talked to a used BMW sales before, he didnt recommend the SMG (at least, on the Z4), mentioned if the electronics of the SMG goes, not only its a costly repair, the car will not function without it (obviously). Definitely alot less 'what ifs' with other types of transmission.
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