Buying a Z4 Looking for Advice

SgtFaceplant · 04-14-2016, 07:33 PM

I am possibly buying an '07 Coupe this weekend. It is from a dealership and appears to be a good deal. I am bringing one of my buddies who is far more automotively knowledgeable with me. Are there any specific things we should look for? I have run the vin and a carfax and the vin shows it is fully loaded and the carfax is clean. The milage is right below 100k. Thanks!

Steeler · 04-14-2016, 07:44 PM

Welcome sarge,

M or nonM, makes a difference what to look for?

SgtFaceplant · 04-14-2016, 08:05 PM

Thanks, I have lurked around for a while. It's a non-M.

Punisher3.0si · 04-14-2016, 08:46 PM

Check for oil leaks and engine noise. Some N52s are known for valve train noise. Also make sure no warning lights are on. It's usually expensive to fix warning lights on a BMW.

SgtFaceplant · 04-14-2016, 09:45 PM

My buddy is bringing his OBD2 scanner. I saw this advice on another thread:

Quote:

With the 3.0si you're getting the N52 engine which has been fairly reliable however there are a few things to look out for: oil filter housing, valve cover gasket, water pump and thermostat (for vehicles with higher mileage), lifter tick, and of course various wear and tear items like bushings and such.

Any electrical issues that I can look for? The car I'm looking at has nav, heated m-sport seats, bluetooth. Basically all the options. We are also going to be driving it almost 400 miles back home after purchase.

Punisher3.0si · 04-15-2016, 07:45 AM

I always bring a generic scan tool for car purchases. Make sure you guys check that all the monitors are set . If they aren't then they might be trying to hide some codes.

Also these cars have an auxiliary port on the right side of the dash down below. It's impossible to see without bending down. So if you want some of your own music for the long ride bring a cable for your phone.

chickdr · 04-15-2016, 09:16 AM

You mentioned it is at a dealership. Is it a BMW dealer? If not I would suggest you have it inspected at a BMW shop(dealer or indie) before purchase. A lot can be going on at 100k. Make sure they have all the paperwork from its service history.

SgtFaceplant · 04-15-2016, 05:35 PM

Thanks for the advice! My buddy is bringing his scanner. The dealership is a Mercedes, I spoke with my mechanic and he gave me a list of things to look for. As an aside when or comes to navigation what is the news map update? Thanks for the heads up on the aux port. I knew it had one just didn't know the location.

SgtFaceplant · 04-16-2016, 05:49 PM

Got the car. Drives like a dream

inTgr8r · 04-16-2016, 06:32 PM

CongratZ on the new ride.
Glad it worked out for you.

....luv the new owner grin

Punisher3.0si · 04-16-2016, 07:03 PM

Awesome! Congrats she looks great!

Finnegan · 04-16-2016, 08:52 PM

Woo hoo!

Welcome aboard!

Let the mods begin.

SgtFaceplant · 04-16-2016, 09:25 PM

My buddy and I stopped by it's birth place on our way back to Atlanta. Then he had schnitzel and bratwurst at a local German place, Hanz and Franz Biergarten. Great food.

SaltyNC · 04-17-2016, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SgtFaceplant

My buddy and I stopped by it's birth place on our way back to Atlanta. Then he had schnitzel and bratwurst at a local German place, Hanz and Franz Biergarten. Great food.

I know that place. Greenville is a great little town. Did you check out the waterfall park? Congrats on your new Z!

Salty

gas-can · 04-17-2016, 12:25 PM

You bought the wrong roof!!

Congrats! Now make sure to take it to a track or autcross to see what she can do!
-gc

SgtFaceplant · 04-17-2016, 04:02 PM

No we didn't go to the park. Just stopped for the photo op and dinner. Of the mods what do you suggest I start with?

deemo319 · 04-17-2016, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SgtFaceplant

Got the car. Drives like a dream

Congrats on the new-to-you ride!

And that's how one pulls off a "how do you like me now" stance gentleman.

Roll hard!

SgtFaceplant · 04-17-2016, 04:15 PM

Thanks, Deemo! Day 2 and the love only grows stronger with the car.

BruceJ · 04-17-2016, 07:06 PM

hopefully there was some doppelbock with the food. Nice Ride. Have some Zventures...

Huz-Z · 04-17-2016, 07:10 PM

Welcome Sarge!!

Gotta say that I love the photos! Nice to see someone smiling like I did when I got my car.

As far as mods go, most folks here start with a stubby antenna. An M steering wheel is common. You clearly don't have the original run flats on the car but if the car has replacement run flats, most folk install a conventional tyre like a Hankook Ventus or a Michelin Pilot Sport. Your wheels look to be in great shape buy new rims are common mods. The Apex ARC 8 or the VMR 703 or 718 are popular. They are inspired by the rim style of the BMW M3 CSL. Lots of pics on the wheel forum here do you can see if you like them.

Punisher3.0si · 04-17-2016, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SgtFaceplant

No we didn't go to the park. Just stopped for the photo op and dinner. Of the mods what do you suggest I start with?

Definitely stubby antenna and a ZHP shifter knob. The different knob really enhances the shifting.

Does your car have the Z4 badge on the rear? I noticed the 3.0si insignias aren't on the sides.

SaltyNC · 04-17-2016, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SgtFaceplant

No we didn't go to the park. Just stopped for the photo op and dinner. Of the mods what do you suggest I start with?

I have to admit, the weighted shift knob made a much better shifting experience, and it totally surprised me. That's an easy one to start with, and as others have said, almost all of us go stubby on the antenna. If I had a coupe, I'd tint my windows, but most of the time my windows are down and my roof is gone.

Glad you're enjoying the car.

Salty

04-14-2016, 07:33 PM	#1
SgtFaceplant Enlisted Member 27 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 Coupe Join Date: May 2015 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Z4 Coupe [7.00]	Buying a Z4 Looking for Advice I am possibly buying an '07 Coupe this weekend. It is from a dealership and appears to be a good deal. I am bringing one of my buddies who is far more automotively knowledgeable with me. Are there any specific things we should look for? I have run the vin and a carfax and the vin shows it is fully loaded and the carfax is clean. The milage is right below 100k. Thanks!
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04-14-2016, 07:44 PM	#2
Steeler Colonel 2428 Rep 2,703 Posts Drives: Built not Bought 04 Z4 VF Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada iTrader: (2)	Welcome sarge, M or nonM, makes a difference what to look for? __________________ W2A Intercooled Vortech V3Si, custom ducting, Alpha N, 60# Bosch,2.62 pulley, multi port WMI, Severn Tuning(pokeybritches), Tial, magnaflow,SS race muffler, 42 design,3.91LSD, H&R, Hotchkis,ST coils,Konis, Megan camber arms, AKG SS, Nylon mounts, Poly bushings, Carbon interior, CF Aero.APEX
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04-14-2016, 08:05 PM	#3
SgtFaceplant Enlisted Member 27 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 Coupe Join Date: May 2015 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Z4 Coupe [7.00]	Thanks, I have lurked around for a while. It's a non-M.
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04-14-2016, 08:46 PM	#4
Punisher3.0si Second Lieutenant 28 Rep 204 Posts Drives: 2007 E86 manual Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	Check for oil leaks and engine noise. Some N52s are known for valve train noise. Also make sure no warning lights are on. It's usually expensive to fix warning lights on a BMW.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-15-2016, 07:45 AM	#6
Punisher3.0si Second Lieutenant 28 Rep 204 Posts Drives: 2007 E86 manual Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	I always bring a generic scan tool for car purchases. Make sure you guys check that all the monitors are set . If they aren't then they might be trying to hide some codes. Also these cars have an auxiliary port on the right side of the dash down below. It's impossible to see without bending down. So if you want some of your own music for the long ride bring a cable for your phone.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-15-2016, 09:16 AM	#7
chickdr Lieutenant Colonel 140 Rep 1,989 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buford, GA iTrader: (0)	You mentioned it is at a dealership. Is it a BMW dealer? If not I would suggest you have it inspected at a BMW shop(dealer or indie) before purchase. A lot can be going on at 100k. Make sure they have all the paperwork from its service history.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-15-2016, 05:35 PM	#8
SgtFaceplant Enlisted Member 27 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 Coupe Join Date: May 2015 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Z4 Coupe [7.00]	Thanks for the advice! My buddy is bringing his scanner. The dealership is a Mercedes, I spoke with my mechanic and he gave me a list of things to look for. As an aside when or comes to navigation what is the news map update? Thanks for the heads up on the aux port. I knew it had one just didn't know the location.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-16-2016, 05:49 PM	#9
SgtFaceplant Enlisted Member 27 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 Coupe Join Date: May 2015 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Z4 Coupe [7.00]	Got the car. Drives like a dream Attached Images
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04-16-2016, 06:32 PM	#10
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2426 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	CongratZ on the new ride. Glad it worked out for you. ....luv the new owner grin __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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04-16-2016, 07:03 PM	#11
Punisher3.0si Second Lieutenant 28 Rep 204 Posts Drives: 2007 E86 manual Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	Awesome! Congrats she looks great!
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04-16-2016, 08:52 PM	#12
Finnegan Dog Listener 701 Rep 7,850 Posts Drives: Z4M/. Z3M, E36/46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Teaching the dog to slalom iTrader: (22)	Woo hoo! Welcome aboard! Let the mods begin.
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04-16-2016, 09:25 PM	#13
SgtFaceplant Enlisted Member 27 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 Coupe Join Date: May 2015 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Z4 Coupe [7.00]	My buddy and I stopped by it's birth place on our way back to Atlanta. Then he had schnitzel and bratwurst at a local German place, Hanz and Franz Biergarten. Great food. Attached Images
	Appreciate 2 Quote

04-17-2016, 12:25 PM	#15
gas-can Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 204 Posts Drives: 2006 3.0i Roadster Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	You bought the wrong roof!! Congrats! Now make sure to take it to a track or autcross to see what she can do! -gc
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04-17-2016, 04:02 PM	#16
SgtFaceplant Enlisted Member 27 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 Coupe Join Date: May 2015 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Z4 Coupe [7.00]	No we didn't go to the park. Just stopped for the photo op and dinner. Of the mods what do you suggest I start with?
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04-17-2016, 04:15 PM	#18
SgtFaceplant Enlisted Member 27 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 Coupe Join Date: May 2015 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Z4 Coupe [7.00]	Thanks, Deemo! Day 2 and the love only grows stronger with the car.
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04-17-2016, 07:06 PM	#19
BruceJ 6 of Diamonds (ret) 82 Rep 566 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 335is Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Georgia iTrader: (2)	hopefully there was some doppelbock with the food. Nice Ride. Have some Zventures... __________________ 2007 Z4Si(gone) Couple E30 Verts (DD) 2003 330i 2011 E93 335is - current fav
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04-17-2016, 07:10 PM	#20
Huz-Z Brigadier General 848 Rep 4,057 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0si, 328 XDrive, X5 35i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Welcome Sarge!! Gotta say that I love the photos! Nice to see someone smiling like I did when I got my car. As far as mods go, most folks here start with a stubby antenna. An M steering wheel is common. You clearly don't have the original run flats on the car but if the car has replacement run flats, most folk install a conventional tyre like a Hankook Ventus or a Michelin Pilot Sport. Your wheels look to be in great shape buy new rims are common mods. The Apex ARC 8 or the VMR 703 or 718 are popular. They are inspired by the rim style of the BMW M3 CSL. Lots of pics on the wheel forum here do you can see if you like them.
	Appreciate 0 Quote