A year in the life of a Zed

E

Ewazix

Veteran
 Somerset
I’ve just clocked up my first year with the Zed and thought I'd pass on my ownership experiences, particularly for the benefit of any potential owners. Thanks to all contributors on the forum, any issues were fixed with advice from the threads, great resource, top people :thumbsup: .

Having searched for ages I bought my 2003 2.5SE from a private owner last winter and was wowed by it's overall condition, spec, low miles (34k) and full BMW history. I didn’t spot the non-functioning passenger window or leaky fog lamp, but knew it needed a headlamp washer top-cover. Costs and problems were routine or minor,
£160. For the window regulator which was fitted by a trusted local outfit.
£140. For a full bumper assembly off ebay, salvaged the headlamp washer unit/top, and fog lamp then fitted them myself (with info from the Forum –thanks to all). It turned out that I needed the lamp washer unit as well as the top clip came off with the cover. I sold on the remainder of the bumper & parts which recovered a few bob.
I had horrible steering and tramlining issues which sounded like ‘sticky steering’ caused by a faulty steering module. Thankfully all was cured by having a full suspension check, all steering column UJs lubricated, four-wheel alignment, and the clincher, getting rid of the RFTs for Falkens!
£400 All -in and what a transformation. All issues cured and drives fantastically.
Late summer the roof refused to go down and I thought the motor was gone, luckily a good lube of the front roof catches and all hinges sorted it and the roof whips up and down now.
Roof drains all inspected for blockages but were clear.
Steering wheel squeak sorted with lube to the steering column bearings.
Six-CD changer cassette stuck, fixed with a sharp tap to the front and no problems since cleaning the cassette trays with some pledge
£20 for some touch in paint to deal with a couple of micro chips.
£15 for BMW roof cleaner, nice results.
£50 on a Turtlewax clay, polish and seal set, lovely finish
£40 on a Cetek trickle charger to keep the battery well over the snow enforced lock-in, very nice piece of kit and ideal for the Zed with the plug-in charging lead on the battery in the boot.
£300 for a BMW scheduled oil service, brake fluid change and to strip & adjust the handbrake.
36 mpg over 3,500 miles
£255 for insurance
£245 for tax
Just been MOTd for £27 with an advisory for light surface corrosion on two brake flexi-pipe unions and may need front pads (but not discs) by next year. Not a cheap years motoring for a third car but I see no service or parts required bar the above for the next couple of years so I’m happy. Putting it in to context my mate has just been quoted £1k yes £1000 to replace the central locking on his poxy Polo!

That’s the boring stuff, I’ve tended to run classics as a toy over the years and bought the Zed because it’s nearest thing to a good Healey 3000 I’m likely to own, thumping six pot, RWD, low slung, long bonnet it’s a ringer! The engine must be the smoothest six going, pulls hard to red and the car just feels the part in the twisty stuff (with non-RFTs!). It looks great and unlike the classics can be relied on to go on a journey. So thanks again to all on the forum and here’s looking forward to the spring and more roof-off antics (apologies to our Coupe friends :wink: ).

Z4Feb2011.jpg
 
ZermattV said:
Love the quote about the healey it was exactly why I wanted one... Nice post
Click to expand...

Thanks mate, I'm sure I read somewhere that the Z4 design team were influenced by the Healey,

healey20500w_409.jpg
 
It looks great and unlike the classics can be relied on to go on a journey.

And one of these days the Z4 will be a classic as well. :D Z4 Pilot
 
I had a 65 3000 Healy when I was in college during the 70's. Loved and hated it at same time. I was never visited by the Prince of Darkness while I owned it but keeping the three carbs synced was an ongoing task that tried my patience. One spring morning that was neither very cold or wet it wouldn't start (again) and while I was recharging the battery I read in the local paper that the local VW dealer was having a sale. Two hours later I was the proud owner of a new type 3 fastback. Now some 30 plus years later I think about that decision with some regret. Whenever I see a clean 3000, I want another. But then I come to my senses and realize I have the best of all worlds. A modern reincarnation of the Healy that is faster, more comfortable, far safer and infinitely more reliable.
 
I had a 65 3000 Healy when I was in college during the 70's. Loved and hated it at same time. I was never visited by the Prince of Darkness while I owned it but keeping the three carbs synced was an ongoing task that tried my patience. One spring morning that was neither very cold or wet it wouldn't start (again) and while I was recharging the battery I read in the local paper that the local VW dealer was having a sale. Two hours later I was the proud owner of a new type 3 fastback. Now some 30 plus years later I think about that decision with some regret. Whenever I see a clean 3000, I want another. But then I come to my senses and realize I have the best of all worlds. A modern reincarnation of the Healy that is faster, more comfortable, far safer and infinitely more reliable.
 
£255 insurance :o very cheap glad your enjoying the Z had mine 3 years now and still smile whenever i start her up :D :D
 
I can understand the reliability issues on big healey's it just my first experience of open top motoring was on the rear jump seat in a 3000 and nothing has ever felt faster...
 
Great write up! Thanks for sharing your experiences. As for insurance about the same as mine with Aviva (aka/previous - Norwich Union) - they have always quoted the cheapest for the last couple of decades on both my cars and bikes. :thumbsup:
 
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