Hello Everyone,
I've just bought my second Z4. The first was a few years ago, I swapped that for an E46 M3 CS because I has always wanted one of those but my wife never, ever forgave me for getting rid of her favourite one of my cars. My last fast car (a 135 M-Sport) was sold a couple of years ago to make way for my Twin,'16 plate, high octane, turbo-charged, children. So for her birthday this year, I've bought her her very own Z4. Just for her. And maybe for the occasional trackday for me - twice a year I guess. She's not *too* keen on that part but we'll see how well she hides the keys.
The details then....
Its a 2006 104K mile 3L Si M-Sport Coupe that's had a varied life, the last guy tried his best by it I think but didn't have much to contribute. I didn't pay an awful lot for it though and, as you might expect, it has its issues. Luckily mostly minor. There are lots of body fixings and plastic panels missing at each end but the main metal body is in good nick with no visible corrosion evident so far. Eventually, It'll end up on the ramp at Classic Hero's for a full "go on hit me with it' inspection but I'd like to get a year or so's work out of it first. Mechanically it appears to be in good form and having passed two professional inspections by guys that I trust, and having had a pretty intensive service and new Michelin Pilot Sports at each corner, I'm happy to let the wife-unit loose in it - she lacks my race experience but is pretty capable in a quick rear-drive car - I trust her. Predictably, it has a few nagging issues that I intend to sort out over the course of the next couple of years but that's ok, its a keeper and we have time to work it back up into a nice car again - I'm going for 'Capable GT Gnasher' over 'hard core track monster' because I've had (and raced) those and this one is going to be a little more civilised. Although I *do* rather like the race-oriented one that (is it Luke?) has been doing and testing at Snett, (also my home track for the bikes) - its tickling my animal urges a bit. Perhaps another one in time? We'll see..
Overall, I'm very happy with it, Mrs DP-G has pronounced it as, 'very good, nice and punchy but a bit jittery over 100' on our local roads, so I suspect I have some suspension work ahead, and stiff conversation about getting carried away on the roads around Hertfordshire. A 4 wheel alignment next week will tell all, I am sure.
From what I've read so far it looks like you all have a cracking forum here and hopefully you wont mind me dropping in the odd question or two as time goes on. I'm very familiar with BMW over the years (and RealOem, Pelican Parts, etc etc) - I have an old R1100S track bike that was a basket case and I've worked up into a bit of a fun - but I'm not so hot on the Z4 as my last one (a black 3L Si SE Coupe) was 2 years old had 35k on the clock and dealer maintained - this time I'm doing it all myself.
A picture or two then.....
I've just bought my second Z4. The first was a few years ago, I swapped that for an E46 M3 CS because I has always wanted one of those but my wife never, ever forgave me for getting rid of her favourite one of my cars. My last fast car (a 135 M-Sport) was sold a couple of years ago to make way for my Twin,'16 plate, high octane, turbo-charged, children. So for her birthday this year, I've bought her her very own Z4. Just for her. And maybe for the occasional trackday for me - twice a year I guess. She's not *too* keen on that part but we'll see how well she hides the keys.
The details then....
Its a 2006 104K mile 3L Si M-Sport Coupe that's had a varied life, the last guy tried his best by it I think but didn't have much to contribute. I didn't pay an awful lot for it though and, as you might expect, it has its issues. Luckily mostly minor. There are lots of body fixings and plastic panels missing at each end but the main metal body is in good nick with no visible corrosion evident so far. Eventually, It'll end up on the ramp at Classic Hero's for a full "go on hit me with it' inspection but I'd like to get a year or so's work out of it first. Mechanically it appears to be in good form and having passed two professional inspections by guys that I trust, and having had a pretty intensive service and new Michelin Pilot Sports at each corner, I'm happy to let the wife-unit loose in it - she lacks my race experience but is pretty capable in a quick rear-drive car - I trust her. Predictably, it has a few nagging issues that I intend to sort out over the course of the next couple of years but that's ok, its a keeper and we have time to work it back up into a nice car again - I'm going for 'Capable GT Gnasher' over 'hard core track monster' because I've had (and raced) those and this one is going to be a little more civilised. Although I *do* rather like the race-oriented one that (is it Luke?) has been doing and testing at Snett, (also my home track for the bikes) - its tickling my animal urges a bit. Perhaps another one in time? We'll see..
Overall, I'm very happy with it, Mrs DP-G has pronounced it as, 'very good, nice and punchy but a bit jittery over 100' on our local roads, so I suspect I have some suspension work ahead, and stiff conversation about getting carried away on the roads around Hertfordshire. A 4 wheel alignment next week will tell all, I am sure.
From what I've read so far it looks like you all have a cracking forum here and hopefully you wont mind me dropping in the odd question or two as time goes on. I'm very familiar with BMW over the years (and RealOem, Pelican Parts, etc etc) - I have an old R1100S track bike that was a basket case and I've worked up into a bit of a fun - but I'm not so hot on the Z4 as my last one (a black 3L Si SE Coupe) was 2 years old had 35k on the clock and dealer maintained - this time I'm doing it all myself.
A picture or two then.....
North West Surrey
