First Z4 - How do I make it last?

M

MoeZ4

Member
 Toronto
Hey,

First time Z4 poster. I'm an accidental Z4 owner - I have access to insurance auctions and scooped up a 2003 E85 2.5i with ~110k miles on it - got a great deal as it was marked as a total loss by the previous owner. Only got to drive it a few times before the snow (What a car!) The carfax shows the car as well maintained for the first 10 years, after that not so much. Since getting the car I've done the most important thing - fixing the convertible motor but I'm wondering what you guys would do after buying a car like this to make it last.

As its a budget car and my first project I plan to do the following myself

- Oil filter housing & the belts that go with this
- Water pump/thermostat
- Valve cover gasket

and some basic things like spark plugs etc.

Anything I'm missing that I should consider doing?

Also: will take it to a professional for body work & rims
 

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Welcome. :)

When the weather is cold. Keep it away from salted roads in a warm garage on a battery conditioner and look in regularly. Too good looking a car not to.
 
buzyg said:
Welcome. :)

When the weather is cold. Keep it away from salted roads in a warm garage on a battery conditioner and look in regularly. Too good looking a car not to.
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Didnt even think of a batter conditioner - good call. cars died once in the garage already! Staying away from salted roads is my hardest hurdle as of now :ROFLMAO:
 
If you have no coolant leaks and the system is working well, i wouldn't bother to change any components until you need to. Often disturbing one then leads to others down the line failing. You could, however, collect rreplacement water pump, thermostat, expansion tank etc so they are to hand when you do need them.
Same goes for the oil filter housing: if it's not leaking, leave it until it does.
If you are looking to collect a box of future requirements, then also look at getting a replacement diode/brush pack for the alternator.

Valve cover gasket is likely to be brittle if it's never been done, so worth sorting that out. Block off the oilways if bits are left stuck to the head, before you start prising them off!
Definitely check the inlet elbow pipe to the throttle body: they tend to get holes in and make the engine run lean.
Also remove the disa valve and check it is not starting to wear and flap around. Ideally upgrade it with metal internals.
 
enuff_zed said:
If you have no coolant leaks and the system is working well, i wouldn't bother to change any components until you need to. Often disturbing one then leads to others down the line failing. You could, however, collect rreplacement water pump, thermostat, expansion tank etc so they are to hand when you do need them.
Same goes for the oil filter housing: if it's not leaking, leave it until it does.
If you are looking to collect a box of future requirements, then also look at getting a replacement diode/brush pack for the alternator.

Valve cover gasket is likely to be brittle if it's never been done, so worth sorting that out. Block off the oilways if bits are left stuck to the head, before you start prising them off!
Definitely check the inlet elbow pipe to the throttle body: they tend to get holes in and make the engine run lean.
Also remove the disa valve and check it is not starting to wear and flap around. Ideally upgrade it with metal internals.
Click to expand...
Good call on the coolant - no coolant leaks but Its leaking quite a bit of oil. Thanks for the help!
 
Give it a decent service, change oil, filters and brake fluid as a minimum.

I agree with others, be careful trying to fix stuff that ain’t broke.

Identify where your oil leak is coming from. The filter housing gasket is a DIY fix, but the sump gasket will be a garage job unless you have engine lifting equipment.

In cold weather, particularly if you run short journeys, you can get a water/oil emulsion (mayonnaise) forming under the oil filler cap. Don’t be alarmed, it’s not head gasket failure, but it can eventually clog up the CCV system. This can be avoided with longer runs with the engine fully up to temperature.

Hope all goes well.
 
Welcome to the group. Nice car by the way. Is it auto or manual. If it is auto, and you end up doing the expansion vessel there are some other bits you need. There is a thermostatic valve that send coolant to the auto box. If its never been changed it will fall to pieces when you take it out.
 
w1ndsurfnut said:
Welcome to the group. Nice car by the way. Is it auto or manual. If it is auto, and you end up doing the expansion vessel there are some other bits you need. There is a thermostatic valve that send coolant to the auto box. If its never been changed it will fall to pieces when you take it out.
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Good point. In my experience they don't simply 'fall to pieces' either. First one I did fired right past my head as I lifted the expansion tank off! Now I keep well clear! ;)
 
w1ndsurfnut said:
Welcome to the group. Nice car by the way. Is it auto or manual. If it is auto, and you end up doing the expansion vessel there are some other bits you need. There is a thermostatic valve that send coolant to the auto box. If its never been changed it will fall to pieces when you take it out.
Click to expand...
Manual! and thank you!
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. :thumbsup:

BMW claim the transmission is "filled for life" but it certainly wouldn't do any harm to refresh the fluid. It won't prolong the life of the car, but removing the Clutch Delay Valve is a simple modification that will improve clutch engagement.
 
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