Firs Post

R

Rodderz4

Member
I have just purchased a 2003 E85 roadster in Sapphire Black. It has covered just over 70k. When I bought it I knew that the brakes needed some work so I have bitten the bullet and it is booked in at my local garage for that and the suspension. The bodywork seems very good, I had it checked over and there is no rust on the car.
In 2002 I owned two Z3's, the first was a 1.9 in red, the second was the facelifted 2.8 in silver. I have always wanted an E85 since they came out
Once I get the car back from the garage I will post some pictures. I live in the North West and wondered if there were any other keen E85 drivers in the locality or any meets that I could attend etc
Thanks for your time!
 
Hi Rodderz4, keep an eye on this section of the forum for any runs/meets near your area :thumbsup:
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=14
Rob
 
Welcome to the forum. It is, of course, Zedfest tomorrow, but I guess you won’t have your car back from the garage by then. :( There seems to be lots more meets in the North than than the South, and even more in Scotland. I think Z4 owners get more sociable the further North you go.
 
Thanks for the replies. Sadly won’t be able to make the Zedfest but it seems like it will be a great event. First run out should be Thursday next I think. There is a car meeting held at Wray near Lancaster. Not sure what will be there but going to have a look
 
Hi and welcome aboard with your very smart Z4. :thumbsup:

Roll on Thursday. :driving:
 
As promised, just a couple of photos of the car! I have now had the brakes replaced an upgraded with Brembo discs and pads, the brake pipes have been completely replaced as has the suspension. What a difference it has made to the way the car drives. I also took the precaution of replacing all the drive belts. Looking forward to a drive out later
 

Attachments

  • DSCN0799.JPG
    DSCN0799.JPG
    337.2 KB · Views: 575
  • DSCN0803.JPG
    DSCN0803.JPG
    341.2 KB · Views: 575
Looking very nice.
Did you remove the 'fries' off the rear lights or were they like that when you got it?
While you're thinking of 'precautions' have you checked the Disa valve? They can dismantle themselves and head off to meet the pistons. It may be that it's been upgraded already though?
After that, have a search for vanos overhaul on here.
The oil seals aren't great and eventually let oil past, meaning the valve timing adjustment doesn't work fully. You possibly won't notice as the management system does compensate to a degree. But I can assure you that if you get it overhauled, with better quality seals, then you'll see what you've been missing.
 
Like that when I got it!
Thanks for the tips. I have the full service history for the car and all the bills for the last seven or eight years. A lot of work has been done on it. Just getting used to the way things are posted on the forum too!!
 
Now had the Z for just over 6 weeks and I have to say I am really pleased with it. The new brakes, (Brembo) have bedded in really well. I have had to re -site the roof motor, got Mike from the Zed Shed to do that for me. I have noticed though that there seems to be a very slight loss of coolant fluid, over the period i have owned the car it has lost perhaps half a litre at most of fluid. I cannot see any discernible leaks and I am still checking fluid levels before every drive.
Could anyone suggest what the issue may be please?
Many thanks
 
The expansion tank is renowned for getting hairline cracks that are almost invisible, open up when the coolant gets hot and it escapes as steam, so you can't always tell it's there.
Have a good look around that tank and you may see some antifreeze residue.
If its really bad you may see coolant on the undertray, below the expansion tank.
I had the same issue but in fact, when I swapped the tank over it turned out to be the O-ring seal in the base, where it sits onto the lower manifold that had gone hard and was leaking.

Is it auto or manual?
The auto has an oil cooling thermostat in the bottom too. When you lift the expansion tank away the spring inside it can overcome the old brittle plastic and the whole thing whizzes past your ear; many small components in close, but expanding, formation.
So if it's an auto, have a new thermostat to hand too, or like me you're stuck until a new one turns up.
 
Many thanks for the response. It is an auto. Ive had a look at the tank and there does appear to be some slight residue so I will get it fixed. Thanks for your help
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom