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EVM
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Joined: Thu Nov 02, 2017 11:46 pm
Location: Toulouse & Caerphilly

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Post by EVM » Thu Jan 04, 2018 3:48 pm

Hi there all, I've been lurking on here for about 6 months after deciding I might finally be able to afford a Z4 in my life.

The information listed on the forum about what to look for, the discussions of potential issues & fixes and the buying guide were invaluable when searching until I finally took the plunge and bought this little lady.
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IMG_20171028_091805020.jpg (227.85 KiB) Viewed 899 times
Ten minutes after purchase with a bellyfull of Shell's finest.
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IMG_20171123_160322969.jpg (260.34 KiB) Viewed 899 times
Basking in the sun in Toulouse

After seeing the Autotrader pictures/information and chatting with the seller over the phone, I ignored most of the rules for buying a car and pretty much committed to buy it. As I live in the south of France it was pretty difficult to arrange a test drive, but he seemed quite genuine and was happy to take the car off sale until I was flying back 3 weeks later. For peace of mind, I also managed to persuade the seller to put it through an early MOT. When I finally saw the car at the end of October (couple of days after its 11th birthday in fact) it was in better condition than I could have hoped, so shook his hand (almost ripped it off, I was that keen) and drove it from St Albans to Cardiff.

Luckily it was a dry day, so I was able to have the roof down part of the way. But I found the “mind of its own” handling a bit interesting when encountering the HGV tyre ruts on the M4. A change from run-flats is on the cards once this set has reached its wear limit.

A couple of days later drove it down from Cardiff to Toulouse in one shot and it was great. Surprisingly comfortable, great when nailing it away from the many toll booths, but I really missed my cruise control.

So far over the past few months I am very happy with the car and with it being generally dry here I’ve had the top down most of the time. However I have been accumulating a list of topics to be investigated and tasks which may need to be done to keep her tip-top. I welcome any additional recommendations or advice.

• High Oil consumption; used a litre on the run down and another litre since being here, probably 1500 miles per litre (suspect/hope it is due to the low miles being done up until I bought it and that a combination of full service and a good few thousand high-load miles will clear it up).
• Engine misfire; it threw an EML light when I really opened the taps on the way home one night (used my OBD reader to pinpoint the offending coil, after inspection they all seem to be the originally fitted Bosch items, so not sure whether to replace the lot in one go and be done with it? But then do I use new iteration Bosch or follow Realoem and replace all 6 with Delphi?)
• Replacement of the oil filter housing gasket and cleaning of the Vanos solenoids.
• Full inspection 1 service (oil and filters)
• Get under it properly and check it all out, focusing on brake lines
• Replacement wind deflector (all the fittings are there, it seems to have been misplaced)
• Brake Caliper refurbishment
• Cruise control retrofit

Will be getting rid of the private plate aswell, have no need for it and will be lost once the French reg is allocated.

As it seems to be a really well looked after example, I was thinking that it may have been previously owned by someone off the forum. If so, it would be interesting to trace some of the history of the car.

Anyways after that monologue, I look forward to chatting to you guys and benefitting from all of your wisdom.

Cheers,
Sion
2007 2.5 Si Sport, Silver Grey, Dream red leather.

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Marlon
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Post by Marlon » Thu Jan 04, 2018 3:54 pm

Welcome to the Forum - South of France eh, now we're all jealous :driving:
Good to hear that your months of lurking the forum helped, I can recommend retro-fitting cruise :thumbsup:
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Gone: 3.0si 2008 E85
911 997 Carrera S

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metal licker
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Post by metal licker » Thu Jan 04, 2018 3:56 pm

Hi and welcome aboard Sion :thumbsup:
718 4.0 GTS Boxster in YELLOW :driving:
718 Guards Red Boxster .........Gone!
A35 AMG saloon .........Gone!
JCW ...........Gone !
E89 35i Msport VO ................Gone !
E89 23i SE DSB ................Gone !

Hello to Jason Isaacs

Graeme_NI
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Post by Graeme_NI » Thu Jan 04, 2018 4:06 pm

Welcome, your new car looks very smart. I'm considering 18" MV2s on mine, they do look well

Highstreet
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Post by Highstreet » Thu Jan 04, 2018 5:57 pm

Very nice Z4 Sion!

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markplant
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Post by markplant » Thu Jan 04, 2018 6:58 pm

Welcome
3.0 Manual. Sterling Grey. Cream leather Electric an Heated. Professional Navigation/Sony tablet replacement. Storm Werks . an parts waiting to be fitted

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obewan
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Post by obewan » Thu Jan 04, 2018 7:03 pm

Hi and welcome
New car pic and Zed at the garage threads both ticked in one go :thumbsup:
E89 2.0 SDrive MSport
Honda CB500F.
Gone but not forgotten E85 2.0 MSport

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Mr Tidy
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Post by Mr Tidy » Thu Jan 04, 2018 9:53 pm

Welcome to the forum Sion. :thumbsup:

Lovely looking Z4 you have there, and being in the South of France you should be able to get the roof down a bit more than you would in the UK!

Hopefully someone knowledgeable will be along soon to reply to your technical questions. :roll:
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black

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firebobby
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Post by firebobby » Thu Jan 04, 2018 11:14 pm

Welcome to the forum, you should be able to sell the private plate if it came with the car
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
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buzyg
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Post by buzyg » Fri Jan 05, 2018 12:07 am

Welcome to the forum. :)
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HyperGrade
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Post by HyperGrade » Fri Jan 05, 2018 1:23 am

Welcome, very nice and similar to mine. Oil consumption sounds v high - hope you get that cleared up quickly!
Enjoy!
2nd Z4, Auction find, 2007 3.0si Sport, 45k, Silver Grey, 224 Alloys. Retro Cruise :thumbsup:
Previous: 2003, 2.5i Sport, Sterling Grey (2006-2010)

bowler
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Post by bowler » Fri Jan 05, 2018 9:23 am

Welcome Sion to the Forum, May seem like a daft question re wind deflector but have you checked the inside of the boot lid?

EVM
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Post by EVM » Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:19 am

Thanks for the welcome and positive comments peeps.

Yup, cruise is first on the list of the non-essential task to be done.
Oil consumption is a little concerning, but by all accounts within limits. as the previous owner did very little miles in it I'm hoping that some regular use and a good service will help clear up the fluctuating oil levels.
I've checked the wind deflector holder on the bootlid and down the back of the parcel shelf, but unfortunately no joy, think I will post in the for sale/wanted area.
2007 2.5 Si Sport, Silver Grey, Dream red leather.

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jabber
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Post by jabber » Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:29 am

Hi and welcome to the forum great looking z4
Z less again
14 E89 Z4 2.0 msport grey gone now
10 E89 Z4 3.0 Black auto now. Very sadly gone
Gone 04 E85 z4 3.0 Maldives blue smg

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paddy wright
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Post by paddy wright » Fri Jan 05, 2018 1:53 pm

Welcome to the fun house
Z4 2.2 sterling grey,Msport seats,retrofit cupholders,cruise,footwell lights,sound gen and mfsw,18"ellipsoids,xenons+light washers,ZHPknob,folding mirrors,3"stubby,update wheel caps,gateway300 ipod, wind deflector to keep the wife happy!

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