Hi all,
I've been looking at a Z4M Coupe for the best part of a year now and the wait is finally over! Some of you may have seen a thread in the M specific section regarding some problems I had with a Z4MC (56 plate, 70k) I bought around 5 weeks ago. To cut a long story short, I've kept the car and it's got a new engine fan, the engine itself has had a bottom end rebuild (all at the dealer's expense) and the it's now up and running! Although I'm keeping the revs low for the first 500 miles or so, the engine sounds incredibly smooth and all in all I'm very happy with how it drives. I'll be taking the car back to the garage (Autobahn Servicing in Halesowen) in a couple of weeks to get the oil inpsected and changed so fingers crossed, there should be no more issues and the engine should be as good as new!
I also asked the garage to replace the clutch as they said they'd only charge me for the part (£175). Apparently the original clutch wasn't too bad but at least I know it's done now. I'm pretty confident that the rebuild has been done to a high standard; the garage had about 8 E46 M3s in when I came to collect my car so I'm sure they know a thing or two about S54s!
I bought the car from Cameron Cars in Northern Ireland and they've been very helpful and reassuring throughout this whole process. I've no doubt in my mind that it was just an unfortunate series of events that lead to the problems and they were committed to making sure that the car was repaired to a high standard, regardless of cost. The were happy to let me have a copy of the invoice
and boy am I pleased the problem occurred now rather than a few months down the line!
The car itself is in great condition for its age, both exterior and interior are in much better nick than the majority of Z4MCs I'd previously been to view. It's Sapphire Black, Imola leather, fully optioned up (heated seats, Nav, DSP, folding mirrors, cruise) and sports some nice CSL reps. Tyres, brake discs and pads had all been replaced recently and the Inspection 1 is c. 10k away so the car shouldn't need too much work in the near future.
Some post-wash pictures:
I know I've only just got the car back but I've already got a list of *light* mods I'm considering (I've already replaced the whippy
)
1. Despite the list of options, the extended storage is not one of them! Therefore I'm thinking about retrofitting at least one (driver's side) cupholder. Looks like I can get the parts off eBay for about £70 and I assume this is an easy enough DIY job.
2. Should be getting an illuminated ZHP knob to replace the current one
3. Installing some new LEDs for the rear numberplate lights
And I'm not sure about these so any help/advice with the following would be appreciated:
4. Although I've got DSP the sound quality isn't up to scratch....I've tried playing around with the settings but to no avail. I've heard that coding the E85 settings into my E86 can improve the quality as apparently the roadster is set up better?
5. I am loosely considering getting the brake calipers painted red to match the interior. Does anyone have any experience of this and how much it should cost?
I also asked the garage to do a CDV delete as I'd been experiencing a lot of kangarooing in 1st and 2nd gear when I initially had the car. Turns out the CDV had already been removed!
Anyway thanks for reading and I'm glad to finally be a fully fledged forum member!
I've been looking at a Z4M Coupe for the best part of a year now and the wait is finally over! Some of you may have seen a thread in the M specific section regarding some problems I had with a Z4MC (56 plate, 70k) I bought around 5 weeks ago. To cut a long story short, I've kept the car and it's got a new engine fan, the engine itself has had a bottom end rebuild (all at the dealer's expense) and the it's now up and running! Although I'm keeping the revs low for the first 500 miles or so, the engine sounds incredibly smooth and all in all I'm very happy with how it drives. I'll be taking the car back to the garage (Autobahn Servicing in Halesowen) in a couple of weeks to get the oil inpsected and changed so fingers crossed, there should be no more issues and the engine should be as good as new!
I also asked the garage to replace the clutch as they said they'd only charge me for the part (£175). Apparently the original clutch wasn't too bad but at least I know it's done now. I'm pretty confident that the rebuild has been done to a high standard; the garage had about 8 E46 M3s in when I came to collect my car so I'm sure they know a thing or two about S54s!
I bought the car from Cameron Cars in Northern Ireland and they've been very helpful and reassuring throughout this whole process. I've no doubt in my mind that it was just an unfortunate series of events that lead to the problems and they were committed to making sure that the car was repaired to a high standard, regardless of cost. The were happy to let me have a copy of the invoice
and boy am I pleased the problem occurred now rather than a few months down the line!The car itself is in great condition for its age, both exterior and interior are in much better nick than the majority of Z4MCs I'd previously been to view. It's Sapphire Black, Imola leather, fully optioned up (heated seats, Nav, DSP, folding mirrors, cruise) and sports some nice CSL reps. Tyres, brake discs and pads had all been replaced recently and the Inspection 1 is c. 10k away so the car shouldn't need too much work in the near future.
Some post-wash pictures:
I know I've only just got the car back but I've already got a list of *light* mods I'm considering (I've already replaced the whippy
)1. Despite the list of options, the extended storage is not one of them! Therefore I'm thinking about retrofitting at least one (driver's side) cupholder. Looks like I can get the parts off eBay for about £70 and I assume this is an easy enough DIY job.
2. Should be getting an illuminated ZHP knob to replace the current one
3. Installing some new LEDs for the rear numberplate lights
And I'm not sure about these so any help/advice with the following would be appreciated:
4. Although I've got DSP the sound quality isn't up to scratch....I've tried playing around with the settings but to no avail. I've heard that coding the E85 settings into my E86 can improve the quality as apparently the roadster is set up better?
5. I am loosely considering getting the brake calipers painted red to match the interior. Does anyone have any experience of this and how much it should cost?
I also asked the garage to do a CDV delete as I'd been experiencing a lot of kangarooing in 1st and 2nd gear when I initially had the car. Turns out the CDV had already been removed!
Anyway thanks for reading and I'm glad to finally be a fully fledged forum member!
i remember your cry for help shortly after taking the keys & have wondered how you got on with it 
south yorkshire
North West Surrey
yeah Ive heard of it- been on 'holiday' in England for 17 years now.