4 years between oil change... would you buy it???

cooots · 07-27-2011, 04:39 AM

Hi Guys,

I was hoping you could provide me with some advice...

2007 z4 3.0si Coupe with just 20,000kms (12,500miles) on the clock. Perfect in every way (and there's not many z4s available in this country).

Catch is, the car was only driven on the weekends, otherwise it would sit in the guys garage. The car's FIRST service was undertaken recently on 6 July 2011. That's over 4 years on the same oil and brake fluid. I understand that oil breaks down, can get contaminated and maybe even gluggy over time, but with such low kilometres, do you think it would be a problem?

Would you buy the car?

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

inTgr8r · 07-27-2011, 07:31 AM

WOW... how does anyone let a car go that long!
There was no break in service done?

It's one of those things.... how lucky do you feel.
It's not just the age and mileage on the fluids, it's how it was driven.
A garage queen that is never driven for long runs will usually be a maintenance nightmare as it ages.
This is mainly due to moisture in the fluids that doesn't get driven out.

I hear you about the car being hard to find, but if it was me I would take a pass.

GeorgeT · 07-27-2011, 08:48 AM

BMW strongly suggests changing the oil annually, regardless of mileage, and flushing the brake system every two years.

ANUSTART · 07-27-2011, 09:19 AM

I would buy it under two conditions, one it's been thoroughly inspected by a third party and two their lack of maintenance is reflected in the price. Risk vs. Reward.

I wouldn't worry on brake fluid. Oil is a potential issue. I would change it a couple times in a short period to get any settled debris and moisture out of the system. Bigger consideration are dried seals. Again, doubt it's an issue. Flush the brakes ASAP.

Take a look at the deal overall. Outside of the oil change has it been cared for? Left outside or in a garage covered? Also, what is the likelihood of you keeping it long enough for long term issues to come into play?

Good luck!

inTgr8r · 07-27-2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hogzilla

........
I wouldn't worry on brake fluid. Oil is a potential issue. I would change it a couple times in a short period to get any settled debris and moisture out of the system. Bigger consideration are dried seals. Again, doubt it's an issue. Flush the brakes ASAP.
..........

IMO, Don't disregard the brake fluid either.
The internal damage due to the hygroscopic nature of brake fluid can result in problems too.

My car was an off lease vehicle that had a great service record, except for brake fluid.
One of the first things I did was flush the system.
The fluid that came out of the calipers looked thick as snot.
A year and a half later, I now have failing calipers.

.....BBK on the way

NJ-Eric · 07-27-2011, 09:59 AM

I doubt there is any real damage here. Of course changing your fluids would be the highest priority. 12,500 is really low mileage. How bad could it be? Go for it!

-Eric

DataStream18 · 07-27-2011, 10:24 AM

Yes buy it! Also have at least 3 oil changes with in the first 1000 miles IMO just to be safe. My grandma puts MAYBE 3000 miles on her Audi a year and doesn't change the oil but once a year with zero issue to date doing this.

ANUSTART · 07-27-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

IMO, Don't disregard the brake fluid either.
The internal damage due to the hygroscopic nature of brake fluid can result in problems too.

My car was an off lease vehicle that had a great service record, except for brake fluid.
One of the first things I did was flush the system.
The fluid that came out of the calipers looked thick as snot.
A year and a half later, I now have failing calipers.

.....BBK on the way

My 2005 (9,000 miles when I got it) had never been changed since it was new. Just changed it a couple months ago. It's working fine. As of now. Definitely something to consider, but in and of itself not something to stop the deal. But DEFINITELY change it right away. And maybe do a couple times to get as much of the contaminants out of the lines as you can.

Not sure, but can local temperature and humidity be a factor? I would imagine, if it's dry and warm where the car is it may be less of an issue?

inTgr8r · 07-27-2011, 11:34 AM

^I agree, not a show stopper.

"Not sure, but can local temperature and humidity be a factor?"
Yeah, I think that's somewhat true as well.

I think usage will also factor.
I suspect in my case the previous owner might have tracked the car on old fluid and boiled it.
The crappy fluid was right at the caliper and after that cleared, the rest really didn't look too bad.

07-27-2011, 04:39 AM	#1
cooots Enlisted Member 8 Rep 38 Posts Drives: Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	4 years between oil change... would you buy it??? Hi Guys, I was hoping you could provide me with some advice... 2007 z4 3.0si Coupe with just 20,000kms (12,500miles) on the clock. Perfect in every way (and there's not many z4s available in this country). Catch is, the car was only driven on the weekends, otherwise it would sit in the guys garage. The car's FIRST service was undertaken recently on 6 July 2011. That's over 4 years on the same oil and brake fluid. I understand that oil breaks down, can get contaminated and maybe even gluggy over time, but with such low kilometres, do you think it would be a problem? Would you buy the car? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

07-27-2011, 07:31 AM	#2
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2432 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	WOW... how does anyone let a car go that long! There was no break in service done? It's one of those things.... how lucky do you feel. It's not just the age and mileage on the fluids, it's how it was driven. A garage queen that is never driven for long runs will usually be a maintenance nightmare as it ages. This is mainly due to moisture in the fluids that doesn't get driven out. I hear you about the car being hard to find, but if it was me I would take a pass. __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-27-2011, 08:48 AM	#3
GeorgeT Private First Class 1 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 2007 750i; 2003 Z4 3.0 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seneca, SC iTrader: (0)	BMW strongly suggests changing the oil annually, regardless of mileage, and flushing the brake system every two years.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-27-2011, 09:19 AM	#4
ANUSTART Captain 35 Rep 956 Posts Drives: Z4 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: IL iTrader: (0)	I would buy it under two conditions, one it's been thoroughly inspected by a third party and two their lack of maintenance is reflected in the price. Risk vs. Reward. I wouldn't worry on brake fluid. Oil is a potential issue. I would change it a couple times in a short period to get any settled debris and moisture out of the system. Bigger consideration are dried seals. Again, doubt it's an issue. Flush the brakes ASAP. Take a look at the deal overall. Outside of the oil change has it been cared for? Left outside or in a garage covered? Also, what is the likelihood of you keeping it long enough for long term issues to come into play? Good luck!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-27-2011, 09:59 AM	#6
NJ-Eric Private 0 Rep 51 Posts Drives: Montego Blue Z4 3.0Si Coupe Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Now living in TX iTrader: (0)	I doubt there is any real damage here. Of course changing your fluids would be the highest priority. 12,500 is really low mileage. How bad could it be? Go for it! -Eric
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-27-2011, 10:24 AM	#7
DataStream18 Lieutenant 45 Rep 556 Posts Drives: 2003 ESS TS1 Z4 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Muskegon, Mi iTrader: (0) Garage List 2004 ESS Supercharg ... [4.00]	Yes buy it! Also have at least 3 oil changes with in the first 1000 miles IMO just to be safe. My grandma puts MAYBE 3000 miles on her Audi a year and doesn't change the oil but once a year with zero issue to date doing this.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-27-2011, 11:34 AM	#9
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2432 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	^I agree, not a show stopper. "Not sure, but can local temperature and humidity be a factor?" Yeah, I think that's somewhat true as well. I think usage will also factor. I suspect in my case the previous owner might have tracked the car on old fluid and boiled it. The crappy fluid was right at the caliper and after that cleared, the rest really didn't look too bad. __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
	Appreciate 0 Quote