Looking for general advice.

[Mr.Slash]

Howzit everyone, I'm currently in the market for a Z4, I've done a fair bit of research into the car but everywhere in going always recommends here, so are there any common/big mechanical issues that I'd run into on a 2006-09 model? Other than the usual rattles that a 20 year old car would have?

 

[PDJ]

I have heard it depends a lot on whether you (or your specialist) insist on the clearances being brought back towards the middle of the tolerance bands vs. them being left untouched if “in spec”.

Seems a bit of a false economy to not do the former once everything’s apart and you have the shim kit etc.

I have a spreadsheet with the clearances from the times I have done the clearances this allows me to track the wear if any

If you don't have a box full of shims you need to measure the shim then see if there is a bigger shim that should bring it in to spec if you don't have the right size shim you need to order them from BMW at around £3 or £4 each if you buy a shim kit it has all of them and they cost an arm and a leg and you will never use them, so the car could be sat for a few day waiting for a new shim

The tolerance from memory 0.002" and normal A4 paper is 0.004" thick

It also depends on the person doing it does he like the feeler to be a tight fit or just a little bit of friction this can be the difference of 0.0005"

This is why I made the spread sheet to watch the wear if any

A garage may never tell you what the clearances where just in tolerance to check their work you may as well have done it yourself

 

[PDJ]

Also BMW don't measure them they use a go no go feelers and change the out of spec ones

 

[Vanne]

just get the M one, dont look back. The engine alone is worth the extra youll pay over the non-m.

 

[Mr.Slash]

It's supposed to be Oil Service, Inspection 1, Oil Service, Inspection 2 and repeat in that order. With "condition based servicing" requiring a service after no longer than 2 year intervals that means an Inspection Service every 4 years - or sooner if you do more than about 15,000 miles in less than 2 years.

Hey, kinda new to the whole looking after your car properly thing, but what do you mean by inspection 1 and inspection 2? I had been told as a general rule of thumb every 10k km you take the vehicle for a service is this something different to that?

 

[Mr Tidy]

Yes, the S54 engine in the M cars doesn't have hydraulic lifters and Inspection services include checking the valve clearances on a cold engine and adjusting them using shims - hence the cost. Inspection 2 is the same but also includes fresh gearbox and differential fluid.

This is why you really need one that has some history of these being done, and also why running one is never likely to be a cheap option!

 

[DevonPaul]

That is the service interval. I used to service mine every year regardless of miles done. If I ever get another I will be looking for such care to have been taken. The S54 is some engine. It deserves such attention. Any less and over time you will be found out.

Exactly - we got Ins 1 and 2 done on years/mileage, but oil service (almost) every year in between, even though often it had only done a few hnudred miles.