I finally bought a Z4 - Ownership thread!

[DaveP]

The course of true love never runs smooth, or something like that...

A lovely chap whose Z4 was recently written off is coming to (hopefully) collect the car on Saturday, so nice to know that it's going to a good home. His plan is to daily it and do the occasional trackday, which is exactly how it has been modified.

Because if I didn't have bad luck I'd have none at all, the EPAS motor has died a couple of times since he agreed to buy it. A restart always fixed the issue, but I don't have the heart to sell a car with an intermittent fault. Step forward enuff_zed, who not only connected me with someone selling a working motor, but is also paying me a visit tomorrow to fit it. What a top bloke indeed!

My private plate has been taken off, and the new V5 is winging its way to me as I type. All being well, this weekend will bring my E85 ownership journey to an end.

What of the replacement? I spotted a poorly written ad for a promising 35i, which was a Cat N for paint damage a few years back. The ad had been kicking around a while and I love a bit of a project, so I'm going to get along and see whether it's worth me haggling to buy it and doing another 'build'. I'll keep you all posted.

 

[enuff_zed]

Good to hear it's hopefully found a good home.
Which steering wheel is going with it?

 

[Mr Tidy]

It's good to know you have found the ideal buyer for your current car Dave.

I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next!

 

[DaveP]

Norfolk Zed Rescue attended my stricken (not really, it was only intermittent) Z4 this morning, and managed to remove and refit the PAS motor in less than two hours. It's a real pleasure watching an expert at work sometimes. I can't sing the praises of enuff_zed highly enough!

A quick slippery blast around the local lanes, and the car is driving as well as it ever has. Almost makes me regret selling it. Almost...

 

[enuff_zed]

Norfolk Zed Rescue attended my stricken (not really, it was only intermittent) Z4 this morning, and managed to remove and refit the PAS motor in less than two hours. It's a real pleasure watching an expert at work sometimes. I can't sing the praises of enuff_zed highly enough!

A quick slippery blast around the local lanes, and the car is driving as well as it ever has. Almost makes me regret selling it. Almost...

Thanks Dave,
Longest part is getting the seat out and back in again. We really should have lowered the roof before you took the battery away to charge.
Hopefully it'll find a good new home on Saturday and continue to get a few laps in on the track.

 

[pvr]

Hahahaha, you ignored the most basic Roadster advantage over the tintop - and that is getting the seats out with the roof not being in the way :lol:

 

[pvr]

Even easier without a steering wheel in the way

 

[DaveP]

And it's gone, to a lovely chap called Tom who said that he may end up paying the forum a visit to update on his ownership.

With a dearth of 35s available at the right money, I'm really struggling to find what I want. If the right car doesn't come up by the end of the month, this may be the end of my Z4 ownership journey.

 

[enuff_zed]

And it's gone, to a lovely chap called Tom who said that he may end up paying the forum a visit to update on his ownership.

With a dearth of 35s available at the right money, I'm really struggling to find what I want. If the right car doesn't come up by the end of the month, this may be the end of my Z4 ownership journey.

Hope Tom enjoys the car as much as you obviously did. Did you remind him he can contact me if he has any issues or questions. If I can't help I'll be able to point him to someone who can.
Got my fingers crossed that you find an E89 you like, but even if you go down the M4 route do keep in touch.

 

[tomcuthbertson7]

Good to meet you Dave,
Car drove great on the journey home regardless of the miserable weather! Hasn’t moved since then, but I’ve been on it all weekend cleaning and a couple of small jobs. Some pics below, hopefully it works, I’m not used to posting on here.
All cleaned up, roof cleaned, headlights restored (weren’t that bad!), and swapped my zhp shifter in from my old car (prefer the oem look).
I’ll be on again soon in the future, thinking of starting my own thread of updates!
Thanks again

 

[enuff_zed]

Good to see it's being looked after. Look forward to hearing more.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Congratulations Tom.

Those seats look great, as do the wheels (I would say that as Dave bought them from me)!

 

[DaveP]

Hey Tom - glad you joined up, and good to see the Z4 getting some love. How is the passenger door handle treating you? Hopefully you do pop back to chart your ownership experience, as I'd love to see some more photos of it on the Ring!

In other news, this might be the end of my Z4 journey. Without any decent 35s coming up for sale, I went and drove an M4 convertible over the weekend and really liked it. Sure, it's heavy. Sure, I don't need 420-something bhp. Sure, it does make me look like a bit of a pillock. But it drove really well, and was a lot more comfortable and well put-together than the E89s I drove. The M4 is having a few bits fettled and heading off for an inspection at a specialist in Kings Lynn, and all being well I should be the next owner in a few weeks' time.

Most of all, it really appeals because I can enjoy it without having to pour money into it and create a 'Frankencar' that needs constant fettling by specialists. M-cars are just designed to do what I want out of the box, and for whatever reason BMW didn't see fit to make a 'proper' E89 M-car.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Shame you didn't have any success with an E89, but it's good to see you have found an alternative that you like.

And it is still a BMW!

 

[tomcuthbertson7]

Hi Dave, much better now I am used to it haha! Although it might take a little longer for the girlfriend. It is definitely on the list of to do's!
I have used it all this week for work and loving it so far. Feels tighter and more direct than my old car, I'm assuming the polybushes are the culprit there.
I have also started my own progress thread! please show it some love and I'll keep it going!

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=150571

An M4 sounds like a great choice too! most importantly though, what colour is it?

 

[DaveP]

And just like that, the Z4 journey came to an end. This thing is absolutely unreal - such a Swiss Army knife.

Thanks to everyone here who's helped out, answered stupid questions, and generally encouraged the drivel I've posted in this thread.

 

[pvr]

That is a massive step up though

 

[enuff_zed]

Have fun with that. Keep in touch though.

 

[enuff_zed]

That is a massive step up though

Right up until the point when it becomes a massive step sideways. :roll:

 

[Mr Tidy]

Things are obviously going to happen a bit quicker in your M4! I hope you enjoy your adventures with it as much as your Z4.