About to buy this Z4 off a friend; is it worth it?

I'm about to buy my friends Z4 and want to know if it is a good price and if there is anything I should be aware of.

I currently own a 523i Touring (1999 model), in past had a 7 series from 1997.

This sort of roadster is new for me so need a bit of advice/tips from Z4 owner/drivers.

The car is a mint/pristine Titanium Silver 2003 model Z4. It is the 3 litre automatic model, but it has had an M-Conversion done (whatever that is?); has an M-Power badge on back and M-Power on steering wheel.

It was top of range model in 2003 with every possible option box checked i.e. heated front seats, upgraded hi-fi, DVD TV, sat nav, rear spoiler, titanium split alloys, teletext etc.

It has only done 36,000 miles with full BMW service history.

The owner is a friend of mine and he is really fussy about his cars, he keeps them pristine and keeps them immaculately.

I'd like to know what you guys think this car is worth before letting you know how much I am going to be buying it for.

Here is a link to a page I've put up so you can see the pictures of it.

http://www.xdcamex.co.uk/z4.php

In the US that car would probably go for around $20k, but I have no idea what the UK marketplace is like.

"M Package"?? You mean he stuck a badge on it? The differences between the M and the others, aside from the ENGINE, of course, is that the M has a Limited Slip differential, The M has Hydraulic steering, the DSC is different on the M, and the Suspension is, of course, far different, with a wider track on both front and rear wheels too. --and that's just the major differences. So, which of these "packages" did he do...? Or is it just cosmetic?

"M Package"?? You mean he stuck a badge on it?

In Europe you can get the M sports package which consists of uprated suspension, M seats, and M Steering wheel (I think).

The uprated M suspension is suppose to be the equivalent of our sports package in the U.S. if I'm not mistaken.

About to buy this Z4 off a friend; is it worth it?

Do you really want one? Do you enjoy convertibles? Do you care if the most you can haul in your car aside from two sets of buttcheeks is a pack of cigarettes and a small suitcase? Not having a spare tire bother you? If none of that sets you off then yep, I'd recommend one. I absolutely love mine.

I'm about to buy my friends Z4 and want to know if it is a good price and if there is anything I should be aware of.

Yep. Aside from what I mentioned above there are many things you should know. Different BMW models have their own little quirks which I'm sure you know about having owned a few so far. There are specific issues with the early models that don't exist with the later models and vise versa. Drainage issues with the convertible top compartment can cause the top motor to malfunction, no MP3 playback (not sure on yours since it is an upgraded model compared to mine), rattling inside the car...to name a few. However, don't let this sound like a list of reasons to avoid this car. I've had more trouble with a Honda than I've had with either of my BMWs. My advice? Research, research, research. Between Google and these message boards you could almost become a certified BMW mechanic.

I currently own a 523i Touring (1999 model), in past had a 7 series from 1997.

This sort of roadster is new for me so need a bit of advice/tips from Z4 owner/drivers.

Again, aside from what I mentioned earlier there are differences to owning a roadster. If you've never owned a convertible before you're in for a new world in driving. Some people who ride in my car decide immediately that they will own a convertible one day, others can't complain enough about wind, outside noise, exhaust smell, hot seats, etc. I've owned seven convertibles over the years and can't get enough of it. People complain about a lack of security...you want a secure form of transportation? Drive an armored tank. If someone want's to break into or steal your car they will regardless of whether your top is hard or soft. Also, even with all the options that come on this car it's still not the 7 series you may have become used to. It's noisy (wind), it can be a bit harder to maintain a comfortable temperature inside and it rides like a roadster...a bit rough. But then I'm comparing this to a high end BMW. My Z4 rides better than my fiancee's Mercury.

The car is a mint/pristine Titanium Silver 2003 model Z4. It is the 3 litre automatic model, but it has had an M-Conversion done (whatever that is?); has an M-Power badge on back and M-Power on steering wheel.

It was top of range model in 2003 with every possible option box checked i.e. heated front seats, upgraded hi-fi, DVD TV, sat nav, rear spoiler, titanium split alloys, teletext etc.

Great color and you'll find the 3.0 liter to be a spirited powerplant especially if the "M conversion" you mentioned is a complete conversion. This basically means (again if complete and assuming there are similarities between US and UK M models) that the engine has received some performance upgrades, better suspension, different rims, steering wheel, etc. Either way, converted or not, it will be an enjoyable car.

It has only done 36,000 miles with full BMW service history.

The owner is a friend of mine and he is really fussy about his cars, he keeps them pristine and keeps them immaculately.

36,000 miles is of course very low. Assuming it has indeed been cared for as you mentioned, it's just been broken in. My last BMW had 140,000 miles on it when I purchased it and was over 14 years old. It didn't run perfectly, but then it wasn't new. But it never broke down, never left me stranded and got very good fuel economy.

I've read about BMW's online that are crossing into the 300,000 mile mark like it was nothing. So reliability isn't really an issue. BMW's do however insist that you maintain them religiously. Time for an oil change? do it. Time for service to the engine, drivetrain, etc? do it, don't wait. But then this is a good idea for any make of car.

Do BMW's require maintenance? Yep, sometimes more than other makes of cars. And sometimes it can be a pain in the ass to fix certain problems...but hardly impossible. From my research, the engine in the Z4 is one of the most reliable offered by BMW. But also I'm forgetting that you've already owned a few BMW's.

I'd like to know what you guys think this car is worth before letting you know how much I am going to be buying it for.

In excellent condition that Z4 (without the M conversion) would go for $26,000 (USD) / $13,316 (GBP) retail or $22,500 (USD) / $11,523 (GBP) private party in the states and that's in my area.

I'll end by saying I love this car. It has become my favorite of all the cars I've owned. Really my only complaints are that I got the 2.5 liter instead of the 3.0 L and that I don't have a spare tire, but I'm going to remedy that soon.

Good luck

It has M power steering wheel as well as the badge. How can I know if it has had full M power conversion, what is involved in this conversion?

There is no "conversion". There's just an M Sport package in Europe, similar to our sport package here. A little stiffer suspension, larger wheels perhaps.

You'd have to look under the hood for starters. I can't imagine he would have swapped the entire engine but then you never know. BMW didn't release the M Z4 until 2006 so he could have found a donor car or ordered parts new which would have been expensive. Unless you know alot about the stock make up of the Z4 you won't be able to tell yourself unless you do some homework. If he's a friend of yours why don't you ask him? If he's kept track of the maintenance as well as you say I can only assume he did the same for any modifications. Or you could go to a BMW lot and look at a new M, take some photos, make some notes then go compare it to his car. I'm sure the sales person could tell you precisely what's different if he thought you were looking to buy one. Maybe even bring the car to a dealership for a check up and ask the technician what has been modified before you buy it.

If he is describing it as a 3.0 L then it's pretty obvious he didn't change out the engine. My opinion is that he just changed a few parts...perhaps the intake and exhaust, throttlebody, etc. He may have even upgraded a few aspects of the suspension. But even with all of this it isn't really an M Z4. Again, I doubt he "fully" converted it due to the cost involved. But I've seen people mate a V8 engine to a sofa so money doesn't always restrict people to pratical behavior.

Here is a good reference for the Z4. Have a look.

http://wikicars.org/en/BMW_Z4

There is no "conversion". There's just an M Sport package in Europe, similar to our sport package here. A little stiffer suspension, larger wheels perhaps.

Well, there ya go xdcam.

Thanks Elefntkpr. He said it has badge, M steering wheel and it cost £800 or so to have engine tuned etc. He says since conversion the car pulls and has power even at higher speeds i.e. at 70mph if you floor it, you can almost get the car to go into a wheel-spin.

Does this make sense?

Oh, he says it has Xenon headlights and washers etc too.

I can get this car for £11,000

Thanks Elefntkpr. He said it has badge, M steering wheel and it cost £800
Looks like a stock wheel to me from the pics.

Thanks Elefntkpr. He said it has badge, M steering wheel and it cost £800 or so to have engine tuned etc. He says since conversion the car pulls and has power even at higher speeds i.e. at 70mph if you floor it, you can almost get the car to go into a wheel-spin.

Does this make sense?

Oh, he says it has Xenon headlights and washers etc too.

I can get this car for £11,000

I've never felt the acceleration of an M Z4 so I couldn't say. I've ridden in cars with enough HP and top end to manage some tire smoke at high speeds so it is possible, but I've no idea if it would be with this car.

Honestly, from what I've seen in the pictures without the benefit of driving it and considering the price and mileage and rigorous maintenance, it looks like a good deal. Drive that turd and put it through the usual checks. If it feels solid then it's up to whether or not you really want it. The values I listed earlier were for a 3.0i so even though it's not a full blown M you're still in the right price range. And from what I hear there is a big difference from the 2.5i that I have to the 3.0i with the sport package. If that's the case I'm sure you'll be satisfied with this one.

Let us know if you get it and post some more pictures. We appear to be a collection of BMW nerds so we can never get enough pictures of other Z's.

Good luck.

I'll keep you posted. I'll ask him on Monday exactly what his M power conversion consists of and if he has any paperwork.

If I buy (sure I will) I'll post some decent hi-res pics.

Thanks again.