Advice for an aspiring Z4 owner

[Macfolk]

Hi all,

I am looking at a 2005 Z4 2.5i, 5 spd. with 127K. They are asking $6,500, and it drives and handles well and is relatively clean-- a little curb rash on a rim and a door ding, some leather scuff, but hey-- 127K.

I am serious about the ride and had it checked out by the local BMW and specialty car shop, a $220 cost for me, and they came back with the following:

-oil leak at the valve cover gasket, active (but no white smoke as of yet)
-front shock leaking on one side (shock still operational)-- both would be needed to replace at one time
-transmission output flange assembly leak, active
-rear brakes, new pads and rotors
-recommended: differential service

The shop has exorbitant rates. The valve cover gasket would be $1,919.95 alone. Shocks $1,708.38. Output flange $1,634.54. Brakes $915.45. Diff $392.37.

I can wrench a bit, but my back can only handle so much, and I do not have a garage on my property. The Z would live covered on the side of my house in front of my boat.

As you all have a lot more experience with this ride and costs associated, what are your thoughts on what to offer and such?

Many thanks all,

Jason

[grannyknot]

Hi Jason, welcome to the forum.
All of those faults are pretty simple to repair, even for a DIYer. Try and find an independent shop that you can trust to do the work that you can't handle.
A regular mechanic would charge you $150 - 200 to change a valve cover gasket to give you an idea.
The price for the car sounds ok to me but I don't know the Florida market.
They are a great fun car to drive, you won't regret it.
GL

[Macfolk]

Originally Posted by grannyknot

Hi Jason, welcome to the forum.
All of those faults are pretty simple to repair, even for a DIYer. Try and find an independent shop that you can trust to do the work that you can't handle.
A regular mechanic would charge you $150 - 200 to change a valve cover gasket to give you an idea.
The price for the car sounds ok to me but I don't know the Florida market.
They are a great fun car to drive, you won't regret it.
GL

Thank you. I agree. They are a tremendous ride for the $. That definitely helps me. Many thanks.

Could I simply do the brakes and then piece by piece do the others, as they seem to be in working order for now and not dangerous?

Thanks again,

Jason

[grannyknot]

Originally Posted by Macfolk

Thank you. I agree. They are a tremendous ride for the $. That definitely helps me. Many thanks.

Could I simply do the brakes and then piece by piece do the others, as they seem to be in working order for now and not dangerous?

Thanks again,

Jason

Yes you could, but after the brakes you would want to get to the shocks asap, if one completely failed the handling would be unpredictable and could be dangerous. If I were you I would be replacing all four shocks.
The rest can be done as time allows.