Tell me I'm OK or I'm Screwed

[tab380]

I have wanted a z3/z4 for 15 years, but could not take the payments.
It all started in 1989 when I bought a Mazda Miata MX-5 the 1st year they came out. I loved and pampered that car for 6 years until in 1996 I saw the James Bond movie Goldeneye. The BMW z3 was the Bond car in that movie and I had to have it.
I put the Miata for sale and sold it for $10,000. and ordered a Red z3 with tan interior. I waited 7 months for the car to be delivered. I put the $10,000. and a $5,000. Tax Refund as a down payment and financed about $16,000. I think the payments were under $300.
When I got it, I would take long drives with the top down, blaring Bond music.
I loved and pampered that car but it had an issue where as I was driving the Doors would unlock and the Flashers would start flashing and I could not turn it off till I stopped the car and turned off the engine. The Dealer could not recreate the problem each time I took to them.
At about 11 months of ownership I decided to buy a Lakefront Lot to build my next house and needed a down payment. I sold the z3 for the equity and to get rid of the payments so I could buy the property and make payments on it. Thinking I would get back into a new z3 after the house was built. Well life got in the way and business got bad and I got a 2000 Ford Focus and had it ever since. 14 years I have had the Focus longing for a BMW z4.
Well I got an early inheritance and although it was not enough for a brand new z4, It was for a used one. This one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/261443763765...84.m1423.l2661
It is the color I wanted and had Navigation. But it has a Branded Title: Buyback/Lemon.
According to CarFax it had a Fuel tank and pump replaced and Body electrical wiring repaired.
The Ad for the car had 100 photos and it’s the cleanest and newest looking car I could find for the $40,000. I paid. I know the resale for this car is shot but I intend on keeping this car till I die unless the Lemon comes back. So look at the Ad and tell me if I am OK or I'm Screwed.

[RecycledTeen]

Why wouldn't you be ok? Regardless of opinions and experience of 100s or 1,000s of other Z4 owners out there, it's all about what you wanted and were willing to pay for, no? If you were buying to drive a year or so and flip it, then yeah, selling "could" be an issue, but in your case unlikely. Looks tight, nice and clean, low miles, and with warranty, so be sure to drive crap out of it to shake out any other gremlins. When you hit 100k and go to trade it in or sell, none of its history will matter LOL. Congrats on sale and enjoy your new baby!

[nicknaz]

You can take it to any BMW dealer and ask to see the service history. If you see a bunch of HPFP repairs, then I think you've got your answer on why it was lemoned, and you should be good to go.

Many 'non lemon' 35i cars have their HPFP replaced under warranty

Congrats on the new car.

[CarAbuser]

Looks perfect.

Bit jealous of what £26k buys in the states!

Like others have said. It was only a lemon because of the fuel pump fault which is a really common issue with the engine. You could but a brand new one from the dealership and still have to get the pump replaced.

[2011CrazE89]

I may be late to the party on this topic. Is there an issue with Z4's and fuel pumps?

[fl_cyclist]

I would not say your screwed, you have warranty and BMW will fix anything that comes up. The fact that is was a buyback just means the previous owner was fed up with the issues they encountered and convinced BMWUS to do a buyback and give them a new vehicle. BMW always resells those after they check them out and feel they are sellable.

I did a buyback with a 2009 335i due to multiple HPFP and other issues. I was just fed up being in service. I got a new 335i and still had to replace two HPFPs so really the issue existed regardless of the car.

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by 2011CrazE89

I may be late to the party on this topic. Is there an issue with Z4's and fuel pumps?

Pre-2012 Z4's had high pressure fuel pump issues (all cars with the N54 engine). After several iterations, the problem has been resolved.

[tab380]

Thanks, I feel better now. It will be delivered tomorrow/Thursday and will take pics of the delivery and post. I have already ordered the 2014 side fender trim lights and a stubby antenna.

[BMWZ4RIDER]

Congrats. Nice looking and clean machine. Mine was used and not a buy back but the HPFP was replaced Under warranty prior to my purchase. The BMW warranty history I got prior to purchase told the service history and has proved so far to be accurate with no repeat issues.The OEM warranty will serve you well IF you do have any issues. Use it for all its worth if needed. Otherwise drive and enjoy.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

Pre-2012 Z4's had high pressure fuel pump issues (all cars with the N54 engine). After several iterations, the problem has been resolved.

My has started needing a long crank to start. Not sure what the issue is yet. I will report back if its HPFP

[2011CrazE89]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

Pre-2012 Z4's had high pressure fuel pump issues (all cars with the N54 engine). After several iterations, the problem has been resolved.

Hmmm. I have a 2011 30i. Should I be concerned?

[cuddapah]

Mine is 2011 35i with intermittent AC. When I asked service advisor if it is because of HPFP, she said that BMW took care of that issue prior to 2011 models. But they did replace LPFP, not HPFP.

Originally Posted by 2011CrazE89

Hmmm. I have a 2011 30i. Should I be concerned?

[pete_z89]

Originally Posted by 2011CrazE89

Hmmm. I have a 2011 30i. Should I be concerned?

Nope. You do not have the N54.

[Vintage]

hell of a deal!

[cuddapah]

Are you sure ? Mine is 2011 35i and it has a N54. I checked at http://www.bmwarchiv.de/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html

Originally Posted by pete_z89

Nope. You do not have the N54.

[pete_z89]

Originally Posted by cuddapah

Are you sure ? Mine is 2011 35i and it has a N54. I checked at http://www.bmwarchiv.de/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html

100% sure. I wasn't responding to you. I was responding to the post about the sDrive30i. The sDrive35i (like yours and mine) have the N54's. The sDrive30i's do not have the N54.

[CedarZ4]

Restating Pete's post with additional information for clarification purposes:

35i and 35is uses the same N54 engine (I6 single scroll twin turbocharger)

The 30i uses the N52 engine (I6 naturally aspirated)

The 28i uses the N20 engine (I4 twin scroll single turbocharger)

[nicknaz]

its actually N20 for the 2.0L turbo in the 28i

I haven't seen any HPFP issues for that car yet. The N55 I think there have been a handful reported

[tab380]

Well I got the car to day and went back to work. When I got home, I washed the car to look for dents and scratches. The 100 pictures in the eBay ad was taken outside in bright sunlight and made the car look perfect.
Washing it in the early evening reveled the front of the car had some stone chips on the bumper, on the plastic headlight covers and a couple on the windshield. A little disappointed, I debated about getting touch up paint, I decided to that might look worse.
I guess I’ll live with it. I installed the Stubby antenna and the chrome side marker trim/lights and removed the front license plate bracket.
I only got one key and no Owners Manual. Am I missing anything else?
Also, the rear tires are Michelin and the fronts are Bridgestone. Is that normal?

[BMWZ4RIDER]

2 keys are standard and allows 2 different driver settings and memory. You may want to invest in buying the 2nd replacement key.
Look for the tool kit in the trunk located in a compartment on the left side of the trunk. This has a plactic pouch, screw driver, tow hook in it
Does the car have the cold weather package? If so with with center cabin to trunk pass thru? If so there should be a ski bag and a plastic ski rack that can be mounted in the trunk to hold the end of the skis.
Premium stereo with 6 disk/DVD players? This is Located in glove box hidden in the upper left side. There is a tab on the upper left side of the glove box that allows the player to ne slowly lowered.

[nicknaz]

just get cobb, FMIC and sticky non rft and you will forget all about those rock chips

[CedarZ4]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

its actually N20 for the 2.0L turbo in the 28i

I haven't seen any HPFP issues for that car yet. The N55 I think there have been a handful reported

Edited.

Thank you for the correction. Must have been a brain fart as a N50 engine doesn't even exist to my knowledge.

In regards to OP - For rock chips try Dr. ColorChip. Seems to work a lot better than touch-up paint for rock chips and road rash.