Thrashed Z4 M's

[Mr Tidy]

Yes, Tom's post could be very useful to anyone thinking about looking for an M.

Sadly an M was never going to be in budget for me - but I'm very happy with my 3.0Si. It seems about 80% as capable for about 50% of the cost!

[BMWZ4MC]

1. Run in service - just make sure its done on time or within 10% IMO its not worth the risk.

Good post Tom, but as you'd perhaps expect I disagree with this point. What are you risking by buying a car that has had its running in service done at 800 or 1600 miles? Yes, if you are looking for a mint, investment car or to continue a BMW warranty, but in all other cases an early or late running in service is very unlikely to affect the engine health of the car. I've proven that the oils used from the factory are the same as those changed by the dealers. Now the cars are 10+ years/50k miles old there are other far more important factors than worrying about a running in service changed 1000 miles late (in my opinion). I've recently been contacted by an owner that has a mint, low mileage M that is mortified that his BMW owned car didn't have its running in service until 3000 miles, mine was done at a similar mileage with no ill effects at 55k miles and plenty of trackdays.

as the engine doesn't have a dry sump it is susceptible to oil starvation in this area if the car is not allowed to warm up and oil circulated properly.

If the car had a dry sump it would still be a problem. It's the lack of warm up and tight tolerances that seem to be the problem rather than oil starvation or lack of a dry sump.

The actual technical literature for the s54 notes this sport54 engine as semi dry sump.... because of some sort of separation in the sump and dual pickups.... not sure i understand the reasoning totally for calling it semi dry sump but.... their you have it.

This is a brief description of the sump / oil pick up and the first few paragraphs make for an interesting read:

https://www.eeuroparts.com/blog/5615/di ... -e36-bmws/

[Vanne]

Nice post Tom.

When are we gonna see you in another Coupe mate?

[tomscott]

Nice post Tom.

When are we gonna see you in another Coupe mate?

Fancy a roadster tbh! I loved my coupe but with prices being what they are I think the roadster is really tempting and I’ve had a coupe fancy something different!

After having the boxster S for a while having the top down was a bit of a revelation, never reallly understood convertibles when there were coupe variants. After the experience it seems to me if it’s a second car and it’s a compromise with two seats might as well be top down too!

Not really in too much of a rush been concentrating on house renevations and buying the JCW has kept me quiet

It’s my 30th in a couple of weeks... do fancy treating myself to something... also tempted with a 3.0si or a 987.2 boxster S. Ultimately in dreamland I would like to get into a 997.1 or 997.2 C4S vert, they are just a bit far out of reach and unfortunately wouldn’t fit in the garage

That’s the main issue the only car that will fit is the Z4 so will probably be another in the future

[mark seeker]

I warm my car up and don't go over 3k until the oil is warm, run it on Shell Nitro, change the oil and filter every year, but then I do that with all cars, not just the MR.

[Bing]

Nice post Tom.

When are we gonna see you in another Coupe mate?

Fancy a roadster tbh! I loved my coupe but with prices being what they are I think the roadster is really tempting and I’ve had a coupe fancy something different!

After having the boxster S for a while having the top down was a bit of a revelation, never reallly understood convertibles when there were coupe variants. After the experience it seems to me if it’s a second car and it’s a compromise with two seats might as well be top down too!

Not really in too much of a rush been concentrating on house renevations and buying the JCW has kept me quiet

It’s my 30th in a couple of weeks... do fancy treating myself to something... also tempted with a 3.0si or a 987.2 boxster S. Ultimately in dreamland I would like to get into a 997.1 or 997.2 C4S vert, they are just a bit far out of reach and unfortunately wouldn’t fit in the garage

That’s the main issue the only car that will fit is the Z4 so will probably be another in the future

Yet another convert - pun not intended - it’s about time Tom !

[Beedub]

Good post Tom, but as you'd perhaps expect I disagree with this point. What are you risking by buying a car that has had its running in service done at 800 or 1600 miles? Yes, if you are looking for a mint, investment car or to continue a BMW warranty, but in all other cases an early or late running in service is very unlikely to affect the engine health of the car. I've proven that the oils used from the factory are the same as those changed by the dealers. Now the cars are 10+ years/50k miles old there are other far more important factors than worrying about a running in service changed 1000 miles late (in my opinion). I've recently been contacted by an owner that has a mint, low mileage M that is mortified that his BMW owned car didn't have its running in service until 3000 miles, mine was done at a similar mileage with no ill effects at 55k miles and plenty of trackdays.
If the car had a dry sump it would still be a problem. It's the lack of warm up and tight tolerances that seem to be the problem rather than oil starvation or lack of a dry sump.

The actual technical literature for the s54 notes this sport54 engine as semi dry sump.... because of some sort of separation in the sump and dual pickups.... not sure i understand the reasoning totally for calling it semi dry sump but.... their you have it.

This is a brief description of the sump / oil pick up and the first few paragraphs make for an interesting read:

https://www.eeuroparts.com/blog/5615/di ... -e36-bmws/

really damn interesting to read so this setup really was semi dry sump...

[buzyg]

Nice post Tom.

When are we gonna see you in another Coupe mate?

Fancy a roadster tbh! I loved my coupe but with prices being what they are I think the roadster is really tempting and I’ve had a coupe fancy something different!

After having the boxster S for a while having the top down was a bit of a revelation, never reallly understood convertibles when there were coupe variants. After the experience it seems to me if it’s a second car and it’s a compromise with two seats might as well be top down too!

Not really in too much of a rush been concentrating on house renevations and buying the JCW has kept me quiet

It’s my 30th in a couple of weeks... do fancy treating myself to something... also tempted with a 3.0si or a 987.2 boxster S. Ultimately in dreamland I would like to get into a 997.1 or 997.2 C4S vert, they are just a bit far out of reach and unfortunately wouldn’t fit in the garage

That’s the main issue the only car that will fit is the Z4 so will probably be another in the future

I take it the future love of your life has large hips then Tom

[tomscott]

I do love a good booty

[RickRob]

Rick's theory:

There are lots of sports cars, some really powerful and others not so. As far as I am concerned I usually run out of road before the ///M runs out of power.

Surely anyone with a sports car gives it a bit of a go from time to time, but the more powerful ones aren't trying so hard.

Makes sense to me!

[jimmybell]

thrashed? or trashed?

It's an M car, it's designed to be regularly used at the upper rev range, right to the limit. Anyone who owns one and doesn't get near the red line on a regular basis is buying it to polish, not to drive.

The only thing you would love to avoid is finding a car that's been redlined when cold regularly. Good luck trying to identify that. Best you can hope for is a decent service history (+more in receipts), perhaps forum membership and how well it's maintained/looked after to indicate a well loved car.

That said - mine wanted for nothing, but still threw up some hefty bills for repairs (cam follower finger wear) that i couldn't avoid really... if someone tells you they've serviced a component you cant do much to check it.

[jimmybell]

Rick's theory:
...
Surely anyone with a sports car gives it a bit of a go from time to time, but the more powerful ones aren't trying so hard.

I'd agree entirely, as does the Scottish highlands police guy who spent 25 years patrolling what we now call the NC500 i spoke to. Said he rarely pulled over anything particularly expensive, they have much more to lose when if caught speeding/driving dangerously. Hot hatches? snagged them every day!

When i drove a 1.6 Pug 306, i wanted to fly around everywhere... 5-6 cars later, no real desire to race much in Z4, by the time i had a 500hp C63 there's only supercars that can beat you in a straight line. Now? I literally have no interest in racing anyone, my car is too expensive and there's not much that'd beat me. The faster the car you get, the more people that want to race you. Saying that, i had a 4C trying to race me at the PH meet on Sunday

Maybe i'm more mature... doubt it. Boys get older, toys get more expensive.