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2004 E85 Z4 2.2SE Thorough Health Check

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
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ArthurZ4
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2004 E85 Z4 2.2SE Thorough Health Check

Post by ArthurZ4 » Tue Jun 15, 2021 5:03 pm

I have recently joined the Z4 Forum, this is my 1st post.
Having now purchased my first Z4 I would welcome some advice.
My car is a completely standard 2004 2.2Se in Sterling Grey.
It came with a comprehensive history file, FSH and it has 79,600 miles on the clock.
Taken it out several times now and it is great fun to drive, handles well, if a little underpowered (should have bought a 3.0L).
I have owned Porsche 911's, Boxster's and Caymans, Audi TT's, Jaguar XK's and Mercedes Coupes in the past and know what its like to ride in a well set up car.
As I intend to keep my Z4 I need to address some niggling issues:
1) Passenger door handle does not work at all or is very stiff when it does work.
2) There is a tinny sound coming from somewhere under the bonnet when I accelerate, which fades to nothing when driving normally or in an enthusiastic way.
3) I have 18" BMW alloys and Potenza Run Flat tyres, which I know are not the most compliant of tyres, but the ride is very harsh & crashes over unsmooth roads, so not sure about the dampers and bushes.
4) Tracking may be out.
5) The hood failed to close on one occasion, although it has worked fine since.

Can anybody recommend a BMW specialist near Enfield North London that can be trusted to undertake a thorough health check on my car.
Any sound advice great fully received.
ArthurZ4

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bigwinn
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2004 E85 Z4 2.2SE Thorough Health Check

Post by bigwinn » Tue Jun 15, 2021 5:39 pm

Hi Arthur

I’m sure folk on here will advise good bmw specialists near you imminently.

I’ll go straight to point 2 and say if you can, check yourself ASAP the DISA valve. If that is the tinny rattle you need to get it fixed quick (fairly inexpensive) but if it is that and it lets go it could be expensive

Door handle issue will most likely be a stretched cable

Handling- get a good look at the bushes, links and shocks, however runflats are not going to help the hard ride. Deffo get tracking looked at when you can

Hood issues- that’s what z4s go wrong at best. Did you get any warning lights?

Cheers

Stuart
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JamesClements
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2004 E85 Z4 2.2SE Thorough Health Check

Post by JamesClements » Tue Jun 15, 2021 6:33 pm

Hi and welcome :) you might want to get the roof motor reconditioned and relocated to the boot if t hasn't been already, generally a case of when and not if they go. There are a few on here who will do it for very reasonable money.

Ditch the runflats ASAP it will completely transform the cars handling, Good Year Eagle F1's, and Pilot Sports are probably the most popular options :driving:
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2007 Carbon Black E85 2.5i | 19" NAD alloys, Pilot Sport 4S, strut brace, Stubby, ZHP, Brembo 4 pots, Greenstuff pads, Alcantara retrim, roof motor in boot
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Mr Tidy
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2004 E85 Z4 2.2SE Thorough Health Check

Post by Mr Tidy » Tue Jun 15, 2021 7:57 pm

Hi and welcome to the forum ArthurZ4. :thumbsup:

The nearest roof motor specialist to you will be Ross (bowser134 on the forum). Here's a link to his business:- https://www.rbmhampshire.co.uk/

I know Hampshire is a bit of a trek from Enfield, but Ross can often work wonders with tired roof motors and relocates them to the boot where they don't get wet! After 15 years at Sytner he set up on his own in late 2018 so he can do pretty much anything you might want done to your car, and he does run a courtesy car now if that makes life easier!

I'd swap the tyres to non-runflats and see how much that improves things before getting into a suspension refresh/upgrade.
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A2KVU
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2004 E85 Z4 2.2SE Thorough Health Check

Post by A2KVU » Tue Jun 15, 2021 10:19 pm

Hi there - we are in the same boat! Bought my first e85 last week. A 2.2 SE in bright red with 66k on the clock

ArthurZ4
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2004 E85 Z4 2.2SE Thorough Health Check

Post by ArthurZ4 » Wed Jun 16, 2021 6:05 pm

Thanks to you all,
Very useful info.
I have checked my DISA Valve and whilst it working it is definitely nearing the end of its life.
There are genuine BMW DISA valves for sale at £240 and on EBay there are Bilsten DISA valves for £106.
Is there any difference in quality or are they the same product, without the BMW mark up?

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2004 E85 Z4 2.2SE Thorough Health Check

Post by bigwinn » Wed Jun 16, 2021 7:11 pm

Advice on DISA from me would be buy the X8R kit to suit your car- fairly simple task to do yourself with basic tools?

Probably £60-70
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2004 E85 Z4 2.2SE Thorough Health Check

Post by bigwinn » Wed Jun 16, 2021 7:18 pm

If the forum helped you, why not help the forum back. Thats the Z4 way! :thumbsup:

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