Service Advise - Z4MC

nobby_clarke · Post by **nobby_clarke** » Tue Jan 19, 2021 11:30 pm

Hi All,

I'm after a little advice..

My Z4MC has been off the road, within a warm garage for the past 4 years. During this time it has not even been turned over once. Reason for this is that I have been living/working abroad and have now recently returned back to the UK.

I need to dig out my service book and actual mileage, however from memory I'm sure she has covered just over 60,000 and not that long ago had the inspection 1 by the previous owner when I purchased her back in 2015. I want to keep the service schedule and reliability as she's my pride and joy.

What's the various opinions on the route I should take? Obviously I don't want to fork out for the full inspection 2 if it isn't needed.

I'm based in Rugby (Warwickshire), so if anyone also has any recommendations for suitable, reasonably priced garages that'll be great.. that won't just take your money!

Thanks,

Tom

abidK · Post by **abidK** » Tue Jan 19, 2021 11:34 pm

I use a guy called Paul in Hinckley. Bramley Motor works

Harrowbrook Industrial Estate, Hinckley, LE103DS

Decent price and very knowledgable.

Abid

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 12:17 am

Welcome back to the UK Tom.

Going by BMW Condition Based Servicing it should have had an oil service in 2017 and an Inspection 2 in 2019!

But seeing as it hasn't gone anywhere I'd take it to a good BMW Indy for oil and filter, fresh brake fluid and coolant and ask them to have a good look around it for any other issues. But that's just IMHO.

After 4 years sat idle tyres may have flat-spots or other deterioration, and you may well need a new battery.

Hopefully it's a keeper, because I can see 4+ years of no service history not being helpful in the event you wanted to sell - especially if there is a 4 year gap in MOT history too!

nobby_clarke · Post by **nobby_clarke** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:53 am

Hi Tidy,

That's good to know, cheers

I was planning on hiring either a trailer or flatbed to take her to the garage when the time comes so I don't have to start her before she's been flushed.

I should have added that previously, before I went away I jacked her up completely on axle stands so the tyres were off the floor, I have also had her SORN'd throughout this period. I could easily prove my time away when/if the time comes to ever part ways. The battery wasn't the best anyway so I had already accepted that it'll need a new one of them.

Thanks,

Tom

SiJar · Post by **SiJar** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 8:13 am

I personally would have inspection 2 and the break fluid and coolant done.

Simon 3.2M · Post by **Simon 3.2M** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:14 am

The only real problem I can foresee is the state of the fuel in the lines - I’m assuming you didn’t drain the system.

Other than that turn the engine over by hand, check the condition of any hoses and wiring, make sure the clutch pedal is still working and firm and fire her up and drive her to the garage for an engine oil, brake fluid and coolant change.

Be careful regarding the tyres too as they may have hardened and lost their grip.

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 12:16 pm

As above advice really. Fluids and hoses really. As above advice too, you might want to change the tyres depending on how old the rubber was when you jacked up the car. Then I’d personally get her back into the service schedule with a decent oil service, plugs etc and Insp 2 following on from that.

mmm-five · Post by **mmm-five** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 12:16 pm

Personally, I'd not go longer than 12 months without an oil change, and I'd probably drain the gearbox & diff oils too after 4 years. Don't really see a need for valve clearances if the car's not moved though. Suspension may need checking/reconditioning, as will bushes, mounts, seals, coolant system, etc.

BTW, the only stipulation in the manual is for a minimum of an oil change every 2 years. There was/is no 'condition based servicing' for the S54, as the only 'condition' being monitored is fuel use and thus mileage.

Whilst oil services have a 2 year time interval alongside the OBC SI notification (oil service by time is not triggered on the OBC, just stated in the manual), Inspections are on a mileage-based system, not time. So it doesn't matter whether you do 1,000 miles over 1 year of 10 years, you'd still not trigger the next Oil Service or Inspection on the OBC Service Indicator - so you'd use the manual's minimum of oil service every 2 years.

The OBC Service Indicator will tell you the next service based on how many miles per gallon you're averaging and then work out how far you'll have to go to use up 500 gallons. In my case I get 14000 miles (at an average 28mpg) between scheduled servicing (although the SI initially states 15,500 - based on 31mpg for 500 gallons).

Works out rather well for a normal user:

Drive hard and fast = more fuel used = shorter service intervals
Drive slow and easy = less fuel used = longer service intervals

Argenta · Post by **Argenta** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 12:18 pm

I'd say the only fluid that really age, is brake fluid.
I suppose (if the car hasn't been jacked up on stands?) the tires will have flats that will take a few miles to round out.

Mister T · Post by **Mister T** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:41 pm

After that long sat in the garage I'd

SiJar wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 8:13 am I personally would have inspection 2 and the break fluid and coolant done.

I'd do the same and probably a new set of tyres.

Manfred · Post by **Manfred** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:15 pm

Mr Tidy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 12:17 am Hopefully it's a keeper, because I can see 4+ years of no service history not being helpful in the event you wanted to sell - especially if there is a 4 year gap in MOT history too!

Wouldn't bother me as a prospective buyer as long as the mileage was also consistent with the gap.

Angelus666 · Post by **Angelus666** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 4:02 pm

It's not made of glass, just turn it over for a few minutes and if all good give it a drive under low rpm and let things warm up.

Mister T · Post by **Mister T** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 4:54 pm

Angelus666 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 22, 2021 4:02 pm It's not made of glass, just turn it over for a few minutes and if all good give it a drive under low rpm and let things warm up.

Straight down to the MOT test centre I hope...

mmm-five · Post by **mmm-five** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 5:24 pm

Angelus666 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 22, 2021 4:02 pm It's not made of glass, just turn it over for a few minutes and if all good give it a drive under low rpm and let things warm up.

Of course it is!

Turn it over once without massaging baby oil into every crevice, and cajoling finest angel tears around the cooling system will result in catastrophic failure to the cams, vanos, crank bearings, etc.

BMWZ4MC · Post by **BMWZ4MC** » Tue Jan 26, 2021 11:19 am

Thus spoke the voice of experience

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