For someone mechanically minded with the right tools and time most of those jobs are perfectly doable and they'd have a great summer convertible. Not really profit in it and offering dealership services could make it costly. Wise decision Matt, onto the next.
Given the cheap price, fags and mould, its probably an executor sale from a winter death to an older gent, and the beneficiaries just want it gone. Probably sat 6m with a water leak while probate obtained.
I agree. Thought that whilst I was watching the video. I just couldn't do it to any car let alone a nice convertible BMW. Think Matt has made the right decision to get rid.
in Australia that car would sell for 15,000 to 20,000 AUD easy due to the price of our cars when bought new ,due to our import duty , luxury car tax and GST
Bought my Z4 for £1,700 last spring. 2.0 4 cyl in black like this one and 126k miles with fresh MOT and service. Other than replacing a stretched boden cable on drivers door it’s been faultless. 👍
@@Sam-kj4kq just enjoyed it! Needed to replace the worn out rear shocks and just recently, the notorious hood motor failed, so replaced with a used motor for £60 and relocated to the boot to prevent getting wet again, and that’s it. Cheap fun transport 👍
Liked before watching! I do love Z4’s, I’ve had 4! Two 2.2i’s, a 2.5i and a 3.0i. Go with the straight 6 engines they’re reliable, quick and sound great!
Did the 2.2 have enough power? Because in my country the tax for something over 2.2 is murderous, so it's the only reasonable option. But I'm worried about it feeling kinda slow or not enough torque to throw around
@@HighPeakAutos it had the SMG gearbox - same one as was in the E46 M3 I believe. Loads of people slagged them off but personally I found it alright once you wrap your head around it not being an automatic. A grand for this heap though….cheap but about £900 more than I’d have paid for it 😆
I had the 3.0si coupe, I missed it so much I bought a z4m coupe. I don't really remember the 3.0si feeling that much slower to be honest. It was really responsive and free revving. Just such a good looking car I don't know what id replace it with for similar money. I know the newer turbo models are quicker, but they just don't seem as special somehow.
@@mikeb9820 Agreed. I have a 3.0si coupe and at a car show recently I was discussing how much I bought it for with a few people, and they agreed there probably isn't a better looking car for the money.
I also had a 3.0si in black on a 56 plate. Had it from 7200 miles and it was mint but watching this video brought it all back - the reason for selling it. My roof motors went and I took it to BMW who kindly relieved me of £700, it was tiny, nowhere to put anything inside, hard, uncomfortable and the stereo was crap. However, it did go like the proverbial off a shovel but I don't actually miss it, funnily enough. Give me my old E39 all day long.
Oh Matt. Gutted for you. I get why you wanted to move it on, but would loved to have seen you work your magic on this. An E46 M3 it isn't, but still a beautiful car..... When in good condition 😁
I’ve got a 56 plate Z4M roadster with 10K on the clock from new , 1 owner from new… like you I’ve stored all my cars over the winter in a heated environment, can’t wait to get it back out along with the others in spring!👌
I think I'd refit the front grille, have the interior valeted, give it a wash and send it through an auction. Car prices are still high and it's the perfect time of year to sell a roadster. Your bound to make a few bob on this one.
Work colleague had one of these a couple of years back, I think it was his mid life crisis car! Turned into an absolute money pit with electrical issues, cooling issues, gearbox issues and in the end the hood packed up too. Cost him a fortune over a short period and it wasn't like he bought a cheapy in the first place! Definitely well rid of it, looks like a weekend project car for someone.
I used to watch this channel for its objectivity and professional presentation. Now there’s the additional level of what it teaches us about people. Really interesting.
I really like the cheap car episodes, that's firmly in my end of the world! You didn't sound enamoured with the Z4 all the way through so I think you are right to move it on. I've had a few cars that have needed a fair bit of work but I'm just not that into it and have moved them on. I totally get the convertible thing by the way, chucking away a few inhibitions took me a while but I think that's all part of the fun. I have now got 3 of these types of car somehow!
Not a horrific list at all , in fact curing the leek into cabin and getting rid of the mould is a bitch, especially off the seat belts! However once done , since the engine is now running on all four cylinders, clean inside and out , machine polish it and put it through an auction.
Thank you. A fun excursion! Maybe a raffle candidate, just in time for Summer? As an idea, how about a partnership with a BMW parts specialist for the revival of this car? At least worth two videos and a lot of fun to bring her back to life :)
I think this Z4 is a perfect candidate for being parted out. Sport seats are a wanted retrofit-product and from what I see on the video, the car has lots of great parts on it. Restoring this could end up being a bottomless pit, given that bmw 4-bangers from this era aren’t reliable.
For me ,that was game over due to the mold ,that was probably in the roof already let alone seat belts and carpets . Nice video Matt thanks for making it
A good thing about mold is that many people pass on cars because of it. But unless it’s black mold , it’s actually quite easy to remove and disinfect .
Not surprised. This car is one of the best designed cars in automotive history. Absolute beauty. But it is also the most underrated, underappreciated and disregarded car. It is truly the step child of BMW.
I think it would have been worth saving if it had a 6 cylinder engine but it's a lot of money to put into a less desirable version. Yea, good decision - that list didn't include the bodywork and wheel refurbishments required either.
I was working at the local BMW dealer back in 2008 and the Z4's were moving slow so BMW offered us employees a sweet lease deal. $150 a month. I leased a 2008 3.0 automatic sport package, silver with red interior, for 2 years. My wife liked the convertible more than I did as I joked it rode so hard you could run over a dime and tell which side was up. Only issue we had with it was the steering angle sensor went out on it (electric steering) on a trip and had to drive it back home with it pulling hard right. All in all a nice car but I was ready to give it back after a year. Would have been interesting to drive the four cylinder as we didn't get them over here.
Semi relieved about all engine/gearbox oil leaks else I’d be DM’ing you to buy this. Sounds like an ideal driveway project otherwise! Might still be for the right person I guess
Best Abba song is "S.O.S"...... Z4's are a classic looking motor but as you said a convertible gets stuck in traffic like any other car.....buy a motorbike. Also, a week of sunny weather up north? I live in Kendal and pretty much all we get here is fifty shades of grey. No, not a nonce room, the clouds. Everyone knows man-flu is semi fatal.....for me it's from the neck up. Get well soon.
The main problem with cars like bmw and Mercedes’ is most of the people who own them carnt afford to own them. They just want to have a status symbol, they want premiership lifestyles on Tesco wages. The cars are then neglected and not maintained properly, because they carnt afford to. Be very careful when you buy a second hand bmw or Mercedes’, you may end up with a money pit.
When I was in Leeds last November with my old V70, it misfired (on a Saturday night, the day before driving back to Dover). I called Andy's mobile car mechanic who came over to check, managed to buy a coil pack somewhere, and replaced it. Good to go!
I always put the roof down on sunny days & put the heater on, it’s a very freeing experience so keep fighting the good fight Matt. Yes they are strangers & 30 seconds after seeing the convertible they will have forgotten you & will be moaning about something else.
I enjoyed the chat about the AMG. What you said about multiple car ownership is interesting, I’m sure you watch Hary’s Garage, I have occasionally, he seems to have so many cars, he’d need ax P.A. to arrange a roster. in case he drove one twice in six months. When I saw the Ze, I thought I was watching Chops garage - ‘’this will pop out, I’m sure I have a couple of rattle-cans with that black, a bit of T&c a wash, MOT, and a quick flip - these don’t hang about long’, etc. I used to like BMWs before I retired, but your AMG Merc really does look good. Perhaps better not to drive it around’Derry, or even Belfast with seats that colour though.
2.0 Z4 with the N46 engine. Oil leaks, timing chain and rails, Vanos faults, oil leaks, Valvetronic motor and sensor, oil leaks, piston rings. And oil leaks. Apart from that they are fine.
Have you considered carrying a scan tool with you in those situations when you know that there might be something wrong with the engine and you can have a quick look up while you are checking out the car? I think it might be useful in showing you what kind of issues you might expect. :D Regarding driving with the roof down and the music playing, I know exactly what you mean, you are right however that after some time it just rubs off and you don't need to worry what other people think. At one point in time I didn't want to be seen as the "guy with the convertible playing his music loud" but you shouldn't care, just go with the moment :) Great videos, can't wait for the next one!
It's so strane to see that in UK cars are so cheap to buy ( of course you have big taxes on cars/ecology ). For 1000€ in Lithuania you could buy a e46 which will be dead after few months or anything that will run until MOT will end...
I was in England on vacation from America once upon a time, and rented a Z4. It was a pleasant little car. Took a spin on a little back road called the M25.
It is disappointing that she failed her audition, I always love it when the tired and neglected, get their, "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr DeMille!", moment. I guess you can't win them all.
Matt you are definitely your biggest critic…you knew exactly when to stop and move this car on. I for one think it’s great that you get these little projects and inject some life into them. I also think it’s great for the channel. It’s always a case of….’how much is Matt going to spend on this one’ haha. Good decision and as always great to watch 👍🏻😊
Bit late now but those M Sport heated leather seats are worth £1k on their own. The 2litre engine is one of the worst that BMW ever made, misfires are very common and its not usually just coil packs. Non working roofs can be sorted for under £200 if you know a specialist.
This guy is a diamond geezer! Knows what to buy and what to look for. Unlike some of the 4 wheeled piles of rubbish I got ripped off with. Be nice to have someone like him to buy me a bargain. Won't happen at my age and to me. Never see the class of car, and classic car's he comes across at the prices he does. Too old and too immobile to do that now! Keep up the good work geezer!
When I was a teenager I use to go camping at Edale...I grew up in Stretford and we use to ride our Grifters all the way up there for a weeks camping . I can't remember the name of the pub right beside the campsite. I use to love it up there coz we all got served in the pubs there and over in Castleton we must of been only about 14 or 15 years old.
How appropriate, I just picked up a 2003 2.5L with 55k miles on it in Vancouver BC, at C$10k it was a pretty good deal, as they tend to go for over C$15k around here. Will keep it for a month and move on, hopefully with a bit of profit, but so far its been fun to drive.
I have been looking at these lately. I thought they were pretty hideous when they came out but they have grown on me after 15 years. I still prefer the Z3
I was excited too see a cheap Z4 as I wanted the shell and chassis and a few parts for my racing car program as I’m building a Z4 GT3 replica to add to my race car fleet but sadly I need a coupe but apart from that I won’t care about the mold because I would strip it and I don’t care about the paint because it would have a new body panels and wrapping it anyway. It would be perfect as a cheap summer car for some too sell or fix in the winter.
I do agree about the blacked out grill, i keep hoping the blacked craze is done but not so much. The more i see blacked out on higher end cars it seems to cheapen the car
When I first saw an ‘I bought a cheap…’ video from you, I got quite excited. 😂 About 5 of these videos watched so far, I’ve learned 2 things. One, there are no easy profits. Two, and this is positive, if these are part exchanges, you are giving a fair price, for both the customer, and your business.😀
I live in N Yorkshire - never got those who buy a convertible and then when the weather turns better they don't take down the hood. Max kudos to the guys for who it only has to stop snowing and the take the hood down and drive in a coat scarf and beanie hat ........just whack the heater on !!
You should buy a early 2000s Lexus is200, they are quickly becoming future classics. My dad brought a 2001 one in 2004 and we had it for many years, it was a great car.
Another great video your channel just keeps getting better. Think you've done the right thing for you. Such a shame someone has let it get into that terrible state in the first place. Think it can still be a great project car for someone to rescue. I've got an E85 04 plate 3.0 and needed to do some fettling but not too much thankfully. I absolutely adore it and can't really think of anything that matches it for price and performance and fun factor with roof down thrills! Doesn't look or feel 18 years old!
What a coincidence, just yesterday I saw that model on the street but the latest one with M package 40i (I guess 2019 year model) and started to check what the prices are. Well, for now I put it on my wish list, you know when kids grow up and I lost interest into SUV.... But yes, what a coincidence that you put out review of Z4. Thanks.
The difficulty with this car is that even with all the right parts to get it sorted, it’s still a 4 pot. Having had a 6 cylinder Z3 2.8 (£1450) and now a Z4 3.0 (£2600) both of which needed no more than £200-£300 worth of parts (I’m no mechanic but I’m handy with basic tools) the 4 pot becomes too expensive. You’re then trying to justify having a 2 litre Z4 over a better spec and probably better handling MX5 MK1. People would just pay for the BMW badge. A shame as it’s a nice car in its own right.
buying this car for a project car will be good , I mean add a body kit, new seats ,wheels, and interior modernisation and boom you have a nice roadster
I took offence to this video............as I have started to look at cheap convertibles and this video scared me lol. Used car prices are finally starting to come back down around me (north Florida), so a cheap project convertible may be back on the table soon. Appreciate you sharing the highs and the lows in your business, not many share the negative experiences publicly.
Have you considered a 2002 VW Golf cabrio? They are a super practical car. If I take my woods out I can even get my golf bag in the boot. The woods can go in separately in the boot also. They are a good 'project' car.
@@perro0076 when the time and money is right, I would be tempted in Merc SLK or BMW Z3/Z4. Always wanted one when they first came out and now that I am older, they would make a great weekend toy to mess around with.
Knackered door membrane is a very common Z4 issue - leads to a soggy footwell and mould issues. Fab cars, in 3.0 form anyway. Those sports seats routinely fetch £500 fyi.
Thing is with BMW'S it's best to get one new on a lease then get rid of it. I learnt the hard way about Z3, BMW Mini Cooper, E46 320d touring. All major faults. 😬
Proper heap, good choice to move it on, I have a 20k mile 35Is Z4 and that's pricey to keep it sweet and it was good to start with. They are lovely with the roof down and music on the three days a year the sun actually comes out in the UK. Wheels corrode for fun as do the BMW badges but i love mine.
You absolutely stole that Matt, and you know it, regardless of it's faults I would LOVE to give that for it, as you say the 4 cyl are not a patch on the 6 cyl, providing it's coil packs and not valves, vanos faults, head gasket/ head etc: ...... good luck, when they're good they're very good, but when they're bad they're ...... well, you know the rest.If you were nearer we'd be dealing, I love a project, but I'm all the way down here in Poole, AND I'm project managing a huge refurb on my apartment ( that's still as it was when built in 1971, quaint but ohh so dated ) and that's not me being all "Charlie big bananas" behind my keyboard, hopefully we will get a deal together some time in the future, all the best to you as usual Sir👍
Hi , just remember that space is yours for that moment in time . No matter what music you play . The BMW IS POOR , at that mileage , thanks for putting me off the Z4 . Nice video , wats and all , informative .🙃🙄
As already mentioned - someone who is mechanically adept with some free time can sort almost everything wrong with that car and have a great runner for not much money. When it's a business decision, taking into account parts, labour, time wasted on it - not worth the hassle. Good shout I reckon.
I never understand some peoples logic with cars. Spend £1000’s on them and then just use and abuse them and never clean or maintain them .Yet people say spend £100 on a a pair of trainers get them out of the lovely box they’ve carefully stored them in and then moan when they get a mark on them after the first wear and then spend time cleaning it off before storing them away carefully again.
Thanks for yet more great content Matt. Salutary warning to all! I suppose it would be 'doable' for a one man band, good on the spanners on his driveway or garage, but pointless as a commercial venture.
I had a Z3, best thing going for it was the 6 cylinder engine, but it had almost all the faults yours had including the broken springs. Ended up selling it cheap.
I was looking at Z3 and Z4s a few years back, as well as early Boxsters and MX5s. Ended up in a decent 944 which was then traded up to a Gen 1 Cayman S.
I think you did the right thing. I don't get how anyone lets their car get in their state and then expects someone to buy it. Its a shame but someone will be able to do something with it. The Winner Takes It All is the best ABBA song for me too
Yes I find having four cars is one too many for a comfortable life. I have my daily, my weekender and my nice car for shows which is plenty for one life to keep on top of.
In addition to your "list" there are all thebodywork issues too so a potential money pit and can see why the head won over the heart this time. Good little project for someone handy with the spanners and some time on their hands!
The water leak will be the passenger door membrane Power steering rack is leaking? These are EPS systems, not hydraulic Carbon black is an awesome colour
Hey Matt, great video as per usual on occasions it would be good to have car on ramp and have a look to see it from a different angle(pardon the pun!!). Keep up the good work 😀
Pity about the Z4, not exactly a one careful owner car! Will never understand how people can leave a car get to that state. Good to see the SL55 back on the road, its a nice collection of former F1 safety car models you are gathering with the SL55 and the AMG GTS. Whatever happened to the electric FIAT you bought last year, apologies if you covered this in another video. An add for the new model made me think of your Californian one.
This much mold is actually a health hazard - especially for me, who is highly allergic to it. I'm roughly halfway through the video, curious how it'll end. But that passenger seatbelt isn't reason for optimisim, I suppose.
For someone mechanically minded with the right tools and time most of those jobs are perfectly doable and they'd have a great summer convertible. Not really profit in it and offering dealership services could make it costly. Wise decision Matt, onto the next.
He needs to bring a scan tool when buying cars
Are parts relatively cheap?
I’m not a BMW fan, but it is beyond me how someone can buy and then drive around in a bacterial soup with it falling apart from lack of maintenance.
Given the cheap price, fags and mould, its probably an executor sale from a winter death to an older gent, and the beneficiaries just want it gone. Probably sat 6m with a water leak while probate obtained.
It’s probably been sat for a very long time.
I agree. Thought that whilst I was watching the video. I just couldn't do it to any car let alone a nice convertible BMW. Think Matt has made the right decision to get rid.
in Australia that car would sell for 15,000 to 20,000 AUD easy due to the price of our cars when bought new ,due to our import duty , luxury car tax and GST
BMW drivers...
Bought my Z4 for £1,700 last spring. 2.0 4 cyl in black like this one and 126k miles with fresh MOT and service. Other than replacing a stretched boden cable on drivers door it’s been faultless. 👍
@@Sam-kj4kq just enjoyed it! Needed to replace the worn out rear shocks and just recently, the notorious hood motor failed, so replaced with a used motor for £60 and relocated to the boot to prevent getting wet again, and that’s it.
Cheap fun transport 👍
Liked before watching! I do love Z4’s, I’ve had 4! Two 2.2i’s, a 2.5i and a 3.0i. Go with the straight 6 engines they’re reliable, quick and sound great!
Did the 2.2 have enough power? Because in my country the tax for something over 2.2 is murderous, so it's the only reasonable option. But I'm worried about it feeling kinda slow or not enough torque to throw around
For me the 2.2 was not enough. 2.5 is minimum
I just bought my 6th z4, love these cars
@@Krezo200 Ok thanks for the advice
That's had a hard life for 2008 car. My Z4 E89, made 2009 is like show room condition at 95k miles.
That car looks like it's been run over a curb.
I had a 3.0i back in 2013 or so. Cracking car and pretty rapid. Ran it for a couple of years and sold it to my dad. He still loves it. Beautiful cars.
The 3.0i is definitely the one to go for
@@HighPeakAutos it had the SMG gearbox - same one as was in the E46 M3 I believe. Loads of people slagged them off but personally I found it alright once you wrap your head around it not being an automatic. A grand for this heap though….cheap but about £900 more than I’d have paid for it 😆
I had the 3.0si coupe, I missed it so much I bought a z4m coupe. I don't really remember the 3.0si feeling that much slower to be honest. It was really responsive and free revving. Just such a good looking car I don't know what id replace it with for similar money. I know the newer turbo models are quicker, but they just don't seem as special somehow.
@@mikeb9820 Agreed. I have a 3.0si coupe and at a car show recently I was discussing how much I bought it for with a few people, and they agreed there probably isn't a better looking car for the money.
I also had a 3.0si in black on a 56 plate. Had it from 7200 miles and it was mint but watching this video brought it all back - the reason for selling it. My roof motors went and I took it to BMW who kindly relieved me of £700, it was tiny, nowhere to put anything inside, hard, uncomfortable and the stereo was crap. However, it did go like the proverbial off a shovel but I don't actually miss it, funnily enough. Give me my old E39 all day long.
What a nail. This needs serious work. Water leaks are rarely ‘cured’ and always haunt a car.
Oh Matt. Gutted for you. I get why you wanted to move it on, but would loved to have seen you work your magic on this. An E46 M3 it isn't, but still a beautiful car..... When in good condition 😁
Biggest car mistake was selling my z4, adored that car. Shame this one has been neglected, that mould 🤮
Mine was chucking £600 repair bill at me every couple of months so I was pretty happy to get rid actually! Should have gone for an MX-5...
@@Geshmaal sorry to hear 😩
I’ve got a 56 plate Z4M roadster with 10K on the clock from new , 1 owner from new… like you I’ve stored all my cars over the winter in a heated environment, can’t wait to get it back out along with the others in spring!👌
I think I'd refit the front grille, have the interior valeted, give it a wash and send it through an auction. Car prices are still high and it's the perfect time of year to sell a roadster. Your bound to make a few bob on this one.
Work colleague had one of these a couple of years back, I think it was his mid life crisis car! Turned into an absolute money pit with electrical issues, cooling issues, gearbox issues and in the end the hood packed up too. Cost him a fortune over a short period and it wasn't like he bought a cheapy in the first place! Definitely well rid of it, looks like a weekend project car for someone.
Good, honest business decision. Stress is a fact of life, never volunteer to invite it home.
I used to watch this channel for its objectivity and professional presentation. Now there’s the additional level of what it teaches us about people. Really interesting.
I really like the cheap car episodes, that's firmly in my end of the world! You didn't sound enamoured with the Z4 all the way through so I think you are right to move it on. I've had a few cars that have needed a fair bit of work but I'm just not that into it and have moved them on. I totally get the convertible thing by the way, chucking away a few inhibitions took me a while but I think that's all part of the fun. I have now got 3 of these types of car somehow!
Not a horrific list at all , in fact curing the leek into cabin and getting rid of the mould is a bitch, especially off the seat belts! However once done , since the engine is now running on all four cylinders, clean inside and out , machine polish it and put it through an auction.
Thank you. A fun excursion! Maybe a raffle candidate, just in time for Summer?
As an idea, how about a partnership with a BMW parts specialist for the revival
of this car? At least worth two videos and a lot of fun to bring her back to life :)
I think this Z4 is a perfect candidate for being parted out. Sport seats are a wanted retrofit-product and from what I see on the video, the car has lots of great parts on it.
Restoring this could end up being a bottomless pit, given that bmw 4-bangers from this era aren’t reliable.
For me ,that was game over due to the mold ,that was probably in the roof already let alone seat belts and carpets .
Nice video Matt thanks for making it
A good thing about mold is that many people pass on cars because of it. But unless it’s black mold , it’s actually quite easy to remove and disinfect .
Not surprised. This car is one of the best designed cars in automotive history. Absolute beauty. But it is also the most underrated, underappreciated and disregarded car. It is truly the step child of BMW.
You've got the Z4M seats in there - very desirable, and hard to come across. Worth the purchase price alone.
I think it would have been worth saving if it had a 6 cylinder engine but it's a lot of money to put into a less desirable version. Yea, good decision - that list didn't include the bodywork and wheel refurbishments required either.
I was working at the local BMW dealer back in 2008 and the Z4's were moving slow so BMW offered us employees a sweet lease deal. $150 a month. I leased a 2008 3.0 automatic sport package, silver with red interior, for 2 years. My wife liked the convertible more than I did as I joked it rode so hard you could run over a dime and tell which side was up. Only issue we had with it was the steering angle sensor went out on it (electric steering) on a trip and had to drive it back home with it pulling hard right. All in all a nice car but I was ready to give it back after a year. Would have been interesting to drive the four cylinder as we didn't get them over here.
I was yesterday planing of buying one, and here we are, thank you
Ask M539 Restorations in Germany wants to buy it, that would be a great project for him.
Semi relieved about all engine/gearbox oil leaks else I’d be DM’ing you to buy this. Sounds like an ideal driveway project otherwise! Might still be for the right person I guess
If it was a 3.0i I’d have definitely kept
It and done all the work
Hearing the list of faults my first thought was it's been driven off-road maybe for an illicit fumble down a rocky back lane, wise to get shot !!!
Best Abba song is "S.O.S"......
Z4's are a classic looking motor but as you said a convertible gets stuck in traffic like any other car.....buy a motorbike.
Also, a week of sunny weather up north? I live in Kendal and pretty much all we get here is fifty shades of grey. No, not a nonce room, the clouds.
Everyone knows man-flu is semi fatal.....for me it's from the neck up. Get well soon.
Matt you choose real motors that ordinary folk wonder about, which is why your channel is successful, an your personal style of course
Thanks
The main problem with cars like bmw and Mercedes’ is most of the people who own them carnt afford to own them. They just want to have a status symbol, they want premiership lifestyles on Tesco wages. The cars are then neglected and not maintained properly, because they carnt afford to. Be very careful when you buy a second hand bmw or Mercedes’, you may end up with a money pit.
When I was in Leeds last November with my old V70, it misfired (on a Saturday night, the day before driving back to Dover). I called Andy's mobile car mechanic who came over to check, managed to buy a coil pack somewhere, and replaced it. Good to go!
I always put the roof down on sunny days & put the heater on, it’s a very freeing experience so keep fighting the good fight Matt. Yes they are strangers & 30 seconds after seeing the convertible they will have forgotten you & will be moaning about something else.
I enjoyed the chat about the AMG. What you said about multiple car ownership is interesting, I’m sure you watch Hary’s Garage, I have occasionally, he seems to have so many cars, he’d need ax P.A. to arrange a roster. in case he drove one twice in six months. When I saw the Ze, I thought I was watching Chops garage - ‘’this will pop out, I’m sure I have a couple of rattle-cans with that black, a bit of T&c a wash, MOT, and a quick flip - these don’t hang about long’, etc. I used to like BMWs before I retired, but your AMG Merc really does look good. Perhaps better not to drive it around’Derry, or even Belfast with seats that colour though.
2.0 Z4 with the N46 engine. Oil leaks, timing chain and rails, Vanos faults, oil leaks, Valvetronic motor and sensor, oil leaks, piston rings. And oil leaks. Apart from that they are fine.
Have you considered carrying a scan tool with you in those situations when you know that there might be something wrong with the engine and you can have a quick look up while you are checking out the car? I think it might be useful in showing you what kind of issues you might expect. :D
Regarding driving with the roof down and the music playing, I know exactly what you mean, you are right however that after some time it just rubs off and you don't need to worry what other people think. At one point in time I didn't want to be seen as the "guy with the convertible playing his music loud" but you shouldn't care, just go with the moment :)
Great videos, can't wait for the next one!
Scotty of >rev up your engines < always brings his laptop/engine diagnostic with him ,when checking out a car .
Scan tools don't tell you that much, its just starting point. The car could have major issues and no codes.
It's so strane to see that in UK cars are so cheap to buy ( of course you have big taxes on cars/ecology ). For 1000€ in Lithuania you could buy a e46 which will be dead after few months or anything that will run until MOT will end...
I was in England on vacation from America once upon a time, and rented a Z4. It was a pleasant little car. Took a spin on a little back road called the M25.
You mean you got stuck in traffic on the M25.
I actually subbed because your first 5 min rant on keeping cars! It’s nice to hear a honest opinion!
It is disappointing that she failed her audition, I always love it when the tired and neglected, get their, "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr DeMille!", moment. I guess you can't win them all.
Matt you are definitely your biggest critic…you knew exactly when to stop and move this car on. I for one think it’s great that you get these little projects and inject some life into them. I also think it’s great for the channel. It’s always a case of….’how much is Matt going to spend on this one’ haha. Good decision and as always great to watch 👍🏻😊
haha, I felt a bit disappointed not getting it fixed and selling it for more, but its a true story of what you do everyday.
thanks for the vid Matt!
Isn’t it so exciting seeing a car you’ve bought for the first time. I’m excited and I’m only watching the vid.
Then it turns out to be a shed 🙄
Bit late now but those M Sport heated leather seats are worth £1k on their own. The 2litre engine is one of the worst that BMW ever made, misfires are very common and its not usually just coil packs. Non working roofs can be sorted for under £200 if you know a specialist.
This guy is a diamond geezer! Knows what to buy and what to look for. Unlike some of the 4 wheeled piles of rubbish I got ripped off with. Be nice to have someone like him to buy me a bargain. Won't happen at my age and to me. Never see the class of car, and classic car's he comes across at the prices he does. Too old and too immobile to do that now! Keep up the good work geezer!
When I was a teenager I use to go camping at Edale...I grew up in Stretford and we use to ride our Grifters all the way up there for a weeks camping . I can't remember the name of the pub right beside the campsite. I use to love it up there coz we all got served in the pubs there and over in Castleton we must of been only about 14 or 15 years old.
How appropriate, I just picked up a 2003 2.5L with 55k miles on it in Vancouver BC, at C$10k it was a pretty good deal, as they tend to go for over C$15k around here. Will keep it for a month and move on, hopefully with a bit of profit, but so far its been fun to drive.
wow, never thought I'd see that, well done Matt!!!!! good decision, unless you're doing the work yourself, it's just not worth it.
I have been looking at these lately. I thought they were pretty hideous when they came out but they have grown on me after 15 years. I still prefer the Z3
Agree the Z3 is better.
Are parts relatively cheap?
I was excited too see a cheap Z4 as I wanted the shell and chassis and a few parts for my racing car program as I’m building a Z4 GT3 replica to add to my race car fleet but sadly I need a coupe but apart from that I won’t care about the mold because I would strip it and I don’t care about the paint because it would have a new body panels and wrapping it anyway. It would be perfect as a cheap summer car for some too sell or fix in the winter.
Love this please keeps us updated love to see how this all turns out....and it's dancing queen defo!!!
£1500 still a good price for someone who can fix it up and get it through an MOT. I think I would have made the same decision. Great video Matt.
I do agree about the blacked out grill, i keep hoping the blacked craze is done but not so much.
The more i see blacked out on higher end cars it seems to cheapen the car
Great video Matt and great sound quality too
Thanks!
I won't touch a motor with mould in it,no matter the price
When I first saw an ‘I bought a cheap…’ video from you, I got quite excited. 😂 About 5 of these videos watched so far, I’ve learned 2 things. One, there are no easy profits. Two, and this is positive, if these are part exchanges, you are giving a fair price, for both the customer, and your business.😀
I live in N Yorkshire - never got those who buy a convertible and then when the weather turns better they don't take down the hood. Max kudos to the guys for who it only has to stop snowing and the take the hood down and drive in a coat scarf and beanie hat ........just whack the heater on !!
You should buy a early 2000s Lexus is200, they are quickly becoming future classics. My dad brought a 2001 one in 2004 and we had it for many years, it was a great car.
Another great video your channel just keeps getting better. Think you've done the right thing for you. Such a shame someone has let it get into that terrible state in the first place. Think it can still be a great project car for someone to rescue. I've got an E85 04 plate 3.0 and needed to do some fettling but not too much thankfully. I absolutely adore it and can't really think of anything that matches it for price and performance and fun factor with roof down thrills! Doesn't look or feel 18 years old!
Thanks! If it was the 3.0i I would’ve kept it
I have just found your vlogs. I think you are a breath of fresh air.
Nice man,
What a coincidence, just yesterday I saw that model on the street but the latest one with M package 40i (I guess 2019 year model) and started to check what the prices are. Well, for now I put it on my wish list, you know when kids grow up and I lost interest into SUV.... But yes, what a coincidence that you put out review of Z4. Thanks.
The difficulty with this car is that even with all the right parts to get it sorted, it’s still a 4 pot. Having had a 6 cylinder Z3 2.8 (£1450) and now a Z4 3.0 (£2600) both of which needed no more than £200-£300 worth of parts (I’m no mechanic but I’m handy with basic tools) the 4 pot becomes too expensive. You’re then trying to justify having a 2 litre Z4 over a better spec and probably better handling MX5 MK1. People would just pay for the BMW badge. A shame as it’s a nice car in its own right.
Great videos !! I wish you had a good z4 from that generation to test drive, your input is always 👌
You’re right there Matty-“winner takes it all” is a TOP tune !!!
Matt. As a local Stockers trader I literally do not believe the swappers that come your way. It’s the joy of the job. Sweet.
buying this car for a project car will be good , I mean add a body kit, new seats ,wheels, and interior modernisation and boom you have a nice roadster
Thank you - I hate blacked out grilles
Fair play for even getting in it...doubt even Louis Pasteur would of attempted that! 👍✨
I took offence to this video............as I have started to look at cheap convertibles and this video scared me lol. Used car prices are finally starting to come back down around me (north Florida), so a cheap project convertible may be back on the table soon. Appreciate you sharing the highs and the lows in your business, not many share the negative experiences publicly.
Have you considered a 2002 VW Golf cabrio? They are a super practical car. If I take my woods out I can even get my golf bag in the boot. The woods can go in separately in the boot also. They are a good 'project' car.
@@perro0076 when the time and money is right, I would be tempted in Merc SLK or BMW Z3/Z4. Always wanted one when they first came out and now that I am older, they would make a great weekend toy to mess around with.
Knackered door membrane is a very common Z4 issue - leads to a soggy footwell and mould issues. Fab cars, in 3.0 form anyway. Those sports seats routinely fetch £500 fyi.
Literally the definition of "a lot of LIFE in the car"!!
9% inflation and £8 a gallon might put a few people off. Is the z4 super unleaded only?
Thing is with BMW'S it's best to get one new on a lease then get rid of it. I learnt the hard way about Z3, BMW Mini Cooper, E46 320d touring. All major faults. 😬
Proper heap, good choice to move it on, I have a 20k mile 35Is Z4 and that's pricey to keep it sweet and it was good to start with. They are lovely with the roof down and music on the three days a year the sun actually comes out in the UK. Wheels corrode for fun as do the BMW badges but i love mine.
You absolutely stole that Matt, and you know it, regardless of it's faults I would LOVE to give that for it, as you say the 4 cyl are not a patch on the 6 cyl, providing it's coil packs and not valves, vanos faults, head gasket/ head etc: ...... good luck, when they're good they're very good, but when they're bad they're ...... well, you know the rest.If you were nearer we'd be dealing, I love a project, but I'm all the way down here in Poole, AND I'm project managing a huge refurb on my apartment ( that's still as it was when built in 1971, quaint but ohh so dated ) and that's not me being all "Charlie big bananas" behind my keyboard, hopefully we will get a deal together some time in the future, all the best to you as usual Sir👍
Hi , just remember that space is yours for that moment in time . No matter what music you play . The BMW IS POOR , at that mileage , thanks for putting me off the Z4 . Nice video , wats and all , informative .🙃🙄
As already mentioned - someone who is mechanically adept with some free time can sort almost everything wrong with that car and have a great runner for not much money. When it's a business decision, taking into account parts, labour, time wasted on it - not worth the hassle. Good shout I reckon.
I never understand some peoples logic with cars. Spend £1000’s on them and then just use and abuse them and never clean or maintain them .Yet people say spend £100 on a a pair of trainers get them out of the lovely box they’ve carefully stored them in and then moan when they get a mark on them after the first wear and then spend time cleaning it off before storing them away carefully again.
I’m watching this one because I’d very much like a 3.0 z4 with a manual box
Thanks for yet more great content Matt. Salutary warning to all! I suppose it would be 'doable' for a one man band, good on the spanners on his driveway or garage, but pointless as a commercial venture.
Good call, it's not worth the trouble. A BMW without at least a straight 6 is pointless.
If it was a 6 cyl I’d have done all the work on it definitely
I had a Z4 3.0. My far arm of all time! But the parts were all ridiculously expensive.
Love the National Trust sticker in the windscreen of the SL.
Thought you’d of preferred ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme’. Now you’re driving about in all these convertibles 😆😆😆👍🏻
😂
Service overdue for 38k miles should be a showstopper, right? :)
I had a Z3, best thing going for it was the 6 cylinder engine, but it had almost all the faults yours had including the broken springs. Ended up selling it cheap.
I was looking at Z3 and Z4s a few years back, as well as early Boxsters and MX5s. Ended up in a decent 944 which was then traded up to a Gen 1 Cayman S.
I think you did the right thing. I don't get how anyone lets their car get in their state and then expects someone to buy it. Its a shame but someone will be able to do something with it. The Winner Takes It All is the best ABBA song for me too
Yes I find having four cars is one too many for a comfortable life. I have my daily, my weekender and my nice car for shows which is plenty for one life to keep on top of.
I agree
Hi Matt, I have been so busy that I was longing for your videos! Brilliant video 👍🏻👍🏻 always loved the Z4
Thank you! Hope everything is well with you
Only the Rims are worth almost 1000 EUR. I have one they are fun, springs and oile leak are very common problems. It's makes a nice combo with my RRS.
Ideal for an enthuiast, no rust and a bit of fettling it's a good car.
Hear, Hear - Z4 and the Z3 are timeless Bimmers. Was surprised you said nothing about the L322 next to it, I'm hoping that's in the next video
In addition to your "list" there are all thebodywork issues too so a potential money pit and can see why the head won over the heart this time. Good little project for someone handy with the spanners and some time on their hands!
Evening matt great car but the z3 was the coolest way back in 97/ 98
The water leak will be the passenger door membrane
Power steering rack is leaking? These are EPS systems, not hydraulic
Carbon black is an awesome colour
I thought you would have done it up, would have made a great summer prize for one of your draws !
Love the Z4 especially a good one, still a good looker of a car
Hey Matt, great video as per usual on occasions it would be good to have car on ramp and have a look to see it from a different angle(pardon the pun!!). Keep up the good work 😀
I look forward to next weeks video showcasing the £3500 you've since spent on the car....😀
Pity about the Z4, not exactly a one careful owner car! Will never understand how people can leave a car get to that state.
Good to see the SL55 back on the road, its a nice collection of former F1 safety car models you are gathering with the SL55 and the AMG GTS.
Whatever happened to the electric FIAT you bought last year, apologies if you covered this in another video. An add for the new model made me think of your Californian one.
Subbed as I’m from Stockport 👌 channel looks good
This much mold is actually a health hazard - especially for me, who is highly allergic to it. I'm roughly halfway through the video, curious how it'll end. But that passenger seatbelt isn't reason for optimisim, I suppose.