NO LONGER NEEDED My 2003 3.0i intro…

[Zedebee]

also be good to save some money towards water pump, thermostat & expansion tank replacements!

Water pump isn’t a known failure point on this engine. The M54’s is mechanical, whereas the later N52 engine has the problematic electrically operated one. Thermostats can be occasionally (but non-fatally) sticky. The expansion tank will spring a leak at some point, but it’s hardly worth replacing it preemptively as you may cause leaks from joints/connectors downstream or have problems with airlocks. If you do, go with OEM, as the others can be of variable quality.

 

[enuff_zed]

Wow that’s a lot of roof motor replacements. Seriously that’s good info. In that context £299 doesn’t seem bad value for a fixed price from a decent garage.

Yup. You get a warranty too, and RBM have a stellar reputation.

 

[Joez4]

Water pump isn’t a known failure point on this engine. The M54’s is mechanical, whereas the later N52 engine has the problematic electrically operated one. Thermostats can be occasionally (but non-fatally) sticky. The expansion tank will spring a leak at some point, but it’s hardly worth replacing it preemptively as you may cause leaks from joints/connectors downstream or have problems with airlocks. If you do, go with OEM, as the others can be of variable quality.

Defo go oem, my febi tank didn't even last a year, the oem bmw one is slightly heavier and feels better quality

 

[Steven40181001]

Makes perfect sense to have a reputable garage give the car a once over,

Thermostat and expansion tank are very straightforward jobs to tackle yourself, waterpump is abit more involved, requires lifting the engine on one side to remove it, if you decide to do that job yourself it makes sense to also remove the vanos for seal replacement,

Lots of threads on here detailing how to do all of these jobs with basic tools and a good trolley jack and axle stands, I started off never done any work on a car and thanks to the help of others on here have tackled most the issues these cars suffer with

Yeah, I have watched a fair few videos on replacement of these parts but doing that seems a bit past my skill set & what I can realistically do myself without becoming increasingly frustrated at it all and launching a hammer at the thing! Lol.

Water pump isn’t a known failure point on this engine. The M54’s is mechanical, whereas the later N52 engine has the problematic electrically operated one. Thermostats can be occasionally (but non-fatally) sticky. The expansion tank will spring a leak at some point, but it’s hardly worth replacing it preemptively as you may cause leaks from joints/connectors downstream or have problems with airlocks. If you do, go with OEM, as the others can be of variable quality.

Oh, great news! Maybe I’ll leave those bits alone then. Other than Vanos, is there anything which may need attention first off? As previously mentioned, RBM will do their inspection and I’ll know more from that.
I have since done the X8R DISA valve kit, so that’s now up-to date

 

[Mr Tidy]

Ross must have done loads of roof motor relocations and revivals as he was doing them long before he set up RBM, although I think he avoids doing them himself these days now he has staff!

I suspect that price for the CDV delete will include fresh brake fluid. When he did mine in 2020 the invoice showed £32.50 for CDV removal and £40 for fresh brake fluid, before VAT.

It might be worth asking RBM specifically to check the rear brake pipes as they can corrode.

 

[Steven40181001]

So, few bits done since my last update here…

Removed wheels, deep cleaned wheel arches, painted calipers and installed 12mm front & 15mm rear spacers. Cleared rear drain holes while I’m in there.
DISA valve update from X8R, old one was shagged and defo needed doing.
Headlight restoration of UV coating.
Install of BlueMusic receiver.
Install of Fexon cup-holders.
Stubby Ariel.
New Bosch wiper blades.
ZHP gear knob install, looks and feels way better!
Painted cross bar behind front grille.
Removed windscreen cowl and cleared front drainage holes. Cleaned and UV coated cowling.
Re-dyed the drivers seat bolster.
Detailed the engine bay and ceramic coated all plastics.
Replaced ashtray cover with new as old wouldn’t stay shut.
Replaced all interior bulbs, including boot bulb.
Drivers door card off to try and solve an annoying rattle that’s right in my ear while driving. So far un-successful.

Car goes in with RBM on Friday for the following:
Roof motor relation to boot,
Oil service,
Gearbox service,
Diff service,
CDV delete,
Full inspection.

Loving it so far! Itching to get it out for a drive but the weather has been so poor I’m trying to resist the urge!

 

[Mr Tidy]

Some good improvements already done and I noticed from one of your photos it has Xenons, which is a bonus.

Hopefully the weather will have improved by the time you pick it up from RBM.

 

[Steven40181001]

Work completed yesterday at RBM, would recommend them for any work needed to your car
They carried out the health check and found the following issues:

Rear brake flexis perished
Rear ABS rings have witness marks
OSR flexi hose twisted
Rear subframe corroded
Rear metal brake lines corroded
Front bumper has damage
Front flexi hoses perished
NSF head lamp condensated

Anyone have any knowledge/experience of these issues, anything I should be too concerned with? RBM weren’t too worried over any particular point.

Code diagnostics were showing only a couple of historic undervoltage fault codes.

IMO, not too bad for a 23year old car - was expecting way worse!

Took the car out for a rip in the sunshine earlier today, couldn’t resist! The CDV delete really makes a big difference!

 

[Z450]

I would suspect most Z4s of that age unless someone has had preventative work done would have the above issues as mentioned. These cars are over 20 years old now so all will have subframe corrosion unless it’s been kept dry all its life. Maybe worth getting the subframe cleaned and protected.

 

[MikeyH]

Bit late but welcome to the forum, great car you have

 

[Mr Tidy]

Your car is looking smart and you've done some good improvements already.

RBM are probably more fastidious than an MOT test station, but I'd be looking out for any advisories for the brake pipes and hoses and rear subframe corrosion and doing something about them if advisories started to appear. But given how expensive and hard to find Xenons are getting it might be worth dealing with the condensation issue. I think the problem is usually due to leaking seals on the access covers in the arch liner.

 

[Steven40181001]

Your car is looking smart and you've done some good improvements already.

RBM are probably more fastidious than an MOT test station, but I'd be looking out for any advisories for the brake pipes and hoses and rear subframe corrosion and doing something about them if advisories started to appear. But given how expensive and hard to find Xenons are getting it might be worth dealing with the condensation issue. I think the problem is usually due to leaking seals on the access covers in the arch liner.

Thanks, it’s beginning to get closer to where I want it to be OEM + is my style.

Definitely driving it with an ounce more confidence knowing it’s been checked over and given the all ok. It’s due an MOT next month, which I’ve booked in for the 17th. By all accounts it should fly through that (fingers crossed!), any advisories I’ll get sorted pretty shortly after.

I’ve seen a couple of YouTube videos on the headlight seal, think I’ll rewatch with a closer eye on what to do now.

I would suspect most Z4s of that age unless someone has had preventative work done would have the above issues as mentioned. These cars are over 20 years old now so all will have subframe corrosion unless it’s been kept dry all its life. Maybe worth getting the subframe cleaned and protected.

Yeah, I might look into this a bit further down the line.

 

[Steven40181001]

Hi all,

I’m now looking to get the VANOS seals redone on my z4 at RBM.
I’m wondering if it’s worth getting the seal upgrade kit done along with the anti rattle kit or just the standard seal kit? I’m also asking them to replace the VANOS solenoids for new as well as new belts. Anything else worth getting done while they’re in there?

Thanks,

 

[enuff_zed]

Hi all,

I’m now looking to get the VANOS seals redone on my z4 at RBM.
I’m wondering if it’s worth getting the seal upgrade kit done along with the anti rattle kit or just the standard seal kit? I’m also asking them to replace the VANOS solenoids for new as well as new belts. Anything else worth getting done while they’re in there?

Thanks,

There isn't a seal upgrade kit really. X8R simply supply seals made of a better material than the originals.
As for the vanos solenoids, they are not as complicated as the N52 ones and rarely go wrong. They cost quite a bit and are very easy to swap in situ.
Unless RBM find anything actually wrong with them I'd save your money.

 

[Steven40181001]

Small update on things…

Car is now booked in with RBM early March for VANOS rebuild, rocker cover gasket, anti-rattle upgrade, belt change & coolant change.
I’ve just carried out a throttle adaptation reset and purchased/fitted a classic additions outdoor cover.
Had an MOT carried on Tuesday this week as well which it flew through with no advisories, happy days

 

[Steven40181001]

VANOS rebuild with belts, rocker-cover gasket and anti-rattle kit now completed, but RBM found issue with many of the coolant components Water pump replaced along with radiator, thermostat & housing, expansion tank and cap.
Seems I have a clutch and flywheel change to be done imminently as well. Any upgrades recommended for either? Hopefully that will mark the end of the expensive jobs leaving smaller, niggly bits to be done such as steering wheel re-trim and replacement door membranes etc.

 

[Steven40181001]

New clutch & flywheel fitted last week which has resolved the surging revs issue That completes the expensive jobs for now - I hope!
Treated her to a full decontamination wash, 1 stage machine polish & ceramic coating today all ready for the year ahead and couple of planned meet ups