2004 BMW Z4 3.0L Petrol · GP04 YCS

The 2004 BMW Z4 presents a stable and recently improving maintenance trend. The most recent test on 3 April 2025 at 92,540 miles passed with zero defects, a clean sweep that contrasts sharply with the recurring advisories of previous years. This suggests the last keeper addressed the suspension and tyre issues that had been accumulating. The vehicle is currently roadworthy on paper, but the history reveals a pattern of deferred wear items rather than catastrophic failure. The mileage profile is notably low for a 22-year-old sports car, averaging roughly 4,206 miles per year. The record shows a gap between November 2020 at 82,420 miles and March 2022 at 85,868 miles, covering just 3,448 miles over approximately 16 months. From March 2022 to April 2024, the car added 6,270 miles, and then covered only 5,402 miles in the 12 months leading to the April 2025 test. This is consistent with light, intermittent use rather than daily commuting. Low mileage can preserve structural components, but prolonged sitting risks dried-out bushes, seized calipers, and flat-spotted tyres. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and steering. The 2022 test flagged slight play in both nearside and offside front suspension arm ball joints, while the 2024 test found worn wishbone arm bushes on both sides. Although the 2025 test was clean, these components degrade with age and low-mileage use as much as with high mileage. Check for cracking rubber, uneven tyre wear, and clunking over bumps. The rear shock absorbers showed external casing corrosion in both 2019 and 2020, and the offside rear inner rim had been repaired and welded twice by 2020. Inspect the shock absorber seals for oil misting and the rear wheel rim carefully for any signs of distortion or cracking around the weld zones. The braking system has been a recurring advisory theme. Inner brake discs were flagged as worn, pitted, or scored across all four corners in both 2019 and 2020. While the most recent test passed, low-mileage vehicles are prone to disc corrosion from short trips. A test drive should reveal any judder through the pedal under moderate braking. Given the car's age and use pattern, also inspect the underside for structural corrosion, particularly around suspension mounting points and subframes, as the 2020 test noted corrosion on the rear shock absorber casings.