Considering a first Z4 purchase

unluky · 08-30-2013, 10:27 PM

Been looking at a few z4's and was targeting 2005 plus for the newer features. But I found a 2004 3.0 manual with the sport package, heated seats, HID's and hands free. Build date was march though and I see some features (like remote top down) were not added till April.

Anything else I would be missing out on if I buy a march built 2004? It is the color I want and has most options I want, so I may be willing to pass up some.

Anything on the 2004 I need to be sure and check when I go see it?

Any advice would be appreciated.

StickMon · 08-30-2013, 11:58 PM

The only feature you really need from a car like that is chuckability, and that comes standard.
Oh, and that manual trans. The rest is just fluff, or things to have fun upgrading.

I would sweat the condition more than the features.
There may have been a slight issue with the lifters, but I'm not up on it. Do a forum search.

m3griff · 08-31-2013, 08:32 AM

Check the steering after it sits in hot sun for a while. All Z4's up until around 2007 can have a "notchy" steering problem on really hot days (search and you will see). Some of us had it taken care of in warranty, but there was never a recall. The original fix was to replace the steering column and electric motor ($3200+), but there may be other solutions now. Just something to look for. It is not a failure mode just annoying.

Also check top operation and condition of the top. If the car sits outside, it can collect debris around the top motor way down in the top well behind the seats and this can corrode the motor causing it to need replacement. Worth asking about that piece of the history.

unluky · 08-31-2013, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3griff

Check the steering after it sits in hot sun for a while. All Z4's up until around 2007 can have a "notchy" steering problem on really hot days (search and you will see). Some of us had it taken care of in warranty, but there was never a recall. The original fix was to replace the steering column and electric motor ($3200+), but there may be other solutions now. Just something to look for. It is not a failure mode just annoying.

Also check top operation and condition of the top. If the car sits outside, it can collect debris around the top motor way down in the top well behind the seats and this can corrode the motor causing it to need replacement. Worth asking about that piece of the history.

Thanks for the info!!!

WAMz4 · 08-31-2013, 01:50 PM

I have owned both a 2004 Z4 Roady and a 2006 Roady. Three things to look at for a 2004 - Sticky steering as mentioned above. (lots of forum info on it). And the roof motor as mentioned was not water sealed and if the roof drain holes got clogged, water would corrode the roof motor.. Also on the 2004 and earlier listen for rattling or clicking in the engine bay. The DISA valve had a bad design where the butterfly valve would literally come of its hinges and fall loose in the casing. It only activates at high RPM so you have to rev up to hear it. Its a forty dollar fix that was redesigned after 2005. Only other thing worth mentioning, if its a good car buy it, and as always switch out the run flats, but chances are, any Z4 that's been around that long has already had that done.

Global Autosports · 08-31-2013, 06:17 PM

We got this private seller listing recently:

http://www.globalautosports.com/car/...le-105777.html

It's a 2003 but the color combo is very nice and the car was well taken care of.

imz4n · 08-31-2013, 06:26 PM

passenger window express up not until 04/04 build, same build for mp3 player, 04 had all the yellow plastic , 05 had clear with yellow bulbs, 03-04 did not have the side reflectors on the bumper either

08-30-2013, 10:27 PM	#1
unluky Major 7528 Rep 1,247 Posts Drives: 04 z4 3.0 Sport & 15 X5 35i XD Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Sedalia, MO iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 XDrive 35i [0.50] 2004 BMW Z4 3.0 Spo ... [0.00]	Considering a first Z4 purchase Been looking at a few z4's and was targeting 2005 plus for the newer features. But I found a 2004 3.0 manual with the sport package, heated seats, HID's and hands free. Build date was march though and I see some features (like remote top down) were not added till April. Anything else I would be missing out on if I buy a march built 2004? It is the color I want and has most options I want, so I may be willing to pass up some. Anything on the 2004 I need to be sure and check when I go see it? Any advice would be appreciated.
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08-30-2013, 11:58 PM	#2
StickMon My other car is on Mars 636 Rep 3,124 Posts Drives: 2006 MR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lo-Cal iTrader: (1)	The only feature you really need from a car like that is chuckability, and that comes standard. Oh, and that manual trans. The rest is just fluff, or things to have fun upgrading. I would sweat the condition more than the features. There may have been a slight issue with the lifters, but I'm not up on it. Do a forum search. __________________ Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
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08-31-2013, 08:32 AM	#3
m3griff Private First Class 3 Rep 106 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0Si Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	Check the steering after it sits in hot sun for a while. All Z4's up until around 2007 can have a "notchy" steering problem on really hot days (search and you will see). Some of us had it taken care of in warranty, but there was never a recall. The original fix was to replace the steering column and electric motor ($3200+), but there may be other solutions now. Just something to look for. It is not a failure mode just annoying. Also check top operation and condition of the top. If the car sits outside, it can collect debris around the top motor way down in the top well behind the seats and this can corrode the motor causing it to need replacement. Worth asking about that piece of the history.
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08-31-2013, 01:50 PM	#5
WAMz4 First Lieutenant 45 Rep 384 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 3.0si Roady Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Denver CO iTrader: (0)	I have owned both a 2004 Z4 Roady and a 2006 Roady. Three things to look at for a 2004 - Sticky steering as mentioned above. (lots of forum info on it). And the roof motor as mentioned was not water sealed and if the roof drain holes got clogged, water would corrode the roof motor.. Also on the 2004 and earlier listen for rattling or clicking in the engine bay. The DISA valve had a bad design where the butterfly valve would literally come of its hinges and fall loose in the casing. It only activates at high RPM so you have to rev up to hear it. Its a forty dollar fix that was redesigned after 2005. Only other thing worth mentioning, if its a good car buy it, and as always switch out the run flats, but chances are, any Z4 that's been around that long has already had that done. __________________ The Internet said it. I believe it. That settles it!
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08-31-2013, 06:17 PM	#6
Global Autosports Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 246 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 335i F30 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: www.globalautosports.com iTrader: (0)	We got this private seller listing recently: http://www.globalautosports.com/car/...le-105777.html It's a 2003 but the color combo is very nice and the car was well taken care of.
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08-31-2013, 06:26 PM	#7
imz4n Captain 57 Rep 822 Posts Drives: 2006 3,0 si TITANIUM SIlVER Join Date: May 2007 Location: Orange County Ca. iTrader: (0)	passenger window express up not until 04/04 build, same build for mp3 player, 04 had all the yellow plastic , 05 had clear with yellow bulbs, 03-04 did not have the side reflectors on the bumper either __________________ SoCal Z Enthusiast contact me to get on the list. Events for like minded people and when you talk about your Z, we will know what you are saying. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ZSCCACalifornia/
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