Excellent work, big respect 
:worshipbmw:
:worshipbmw:
Is this the end? 180k miles, £3k+ bill for suspension and universal joint?
- Thread starter firefoxchris
- Start date
firefoxchris
Member
Afternon all! Sorry its been a long time updating the thread, work has been busy.
Just wanted to say what an excellent job Martin / enuff_zed did on my Z4, this is all totally fixed and resolved and for a fraction of the cost. Not only did all the bits get fixed but pthe whole suspension has been overhauled and checked. There were so many bits that the garage could have done whilst they dismantled the car but they didnt even mention or quote those, yet they wanted to replace the steering link for ~£1500 that didnt even need doing! (Martin showed me mine that had done 180k and it was fine, gladly donated it to ). Thank you raymond.harper for yours that had done lots less miles, very generous. Martin swapped it out and I donated mine to another forum member for another project.
If it had gone with the garage I would have ended up paying for bits that didnt need doing and then not having new parts in areas that made sense whilst doing this work! Crazy.
It feels like the car is now at the point where it needs this level of car and attention rather than just a quick scan over and quote for what they "think" without the long term health of the car in mind.
I collected the car back from Martin, got the wheel alignment done and it really does remind me of when I first picked it up in 2010.
The whole experience has taught me a lot...
1. Never trust a garage quote 100% even if it does some with a video explaining what they think needs doing
2. Question what else could be done that may come up soon when dismantling parts of the car
3. This forum is an amazing resource of knowledge and experience
and last but not least..
4. 180,000 miles on a 2008 3.0 si Coupe with a nasty garage quote is NOT THE END!
I have so many good memories of this car over the last 12+ years, its honestly one of the best things I have ever bought, not just cars, anything! I remember going to fetch it after wanting a Zed even since I was a child! £15k screen price, part-ex'd my 2.0 TDI Golf for £6k so paid only £9k for this coupe, it had done 47k miles and now is over 180k and I'm stll enjoing it every time I drive it. Like any car, it needs maintenance but it does feel like very good value fun for £.
Thank you to Martin/enuff_zed's for all his great work and attention on my car, it was well worth the journey and cancelled train fun!! He's a great guy too. Highly recommended, dont give up on your Z4, even at high mileage, send it to Norfolk Zed Rescue!
Also, thank you to everyone involved in talking this through initally, its an amazing community, I've made a donation to the hosting costs.
I was going to finish with a nice photo of the car but its not exactly been the weather for it the last few days!
Heres to another 180,000 miles 
Just wanted to say what an excellent job Martin / enuff_zed did on my Z4, this is all totally fixed and resolved and for a fraction of the cost. Not only did all the bits get fixed but pthe whole suspension has been overhauled and checked. There were so many bits that the garage could have done whilst they dismantled the car but they didnt even mention or quote those, yet they wanted to replace the steering link for ~£1500 that didnt even need doing! (Martin showed me mine that had done 180k and it was fine, gladly donated it to ). Thank you raymond.harper for yours that had done lots less miles, very generous. Martin swapped it out and I donated mine to another forum member for another project.
If it had gone with the garage I would have ended up paying for bits that didnt need doing and then not having new parts in areas that made sense whilst doing this work! Crazy.
It feels like the car is now at the point where it needs this level of car and attention rather than just a quick scan over and quote for what they "think" without the long term health of the car in mind.
I collected the car back from Martin, got the wheel alignment done and it really does remind me of when I first picked it up in 2010.
The whole experience has taught me a lot...
1. Never trust a garage quote 100% even if it does some with a video explaining what they think needs doing
2. Question what else could be done that may come up soon when dismantling parts of the car
3. This forum is an amazing resource of knowledge and experience
and last but not least..
4. 180,000 miles on a 2008 3.0 si Coupe with a nasty garage quote is NOT THE END!
I have so many good memories of this car over the last 12+ years, its honestly one of the best things I have ever bought, not just cars, anything! I remember going to fetch it after wanting a Zed even since I was a child! £15k screen price, part-ex'd my 2.0 TDI Golf for £6k so paid only £9k for this coupe, it had done 47k miles and now is over 180k and I'm stll enjoing it every time I drive it. Like any car, it needs maintenance but it does feel like very good value fun for £.
Thank you to Martin/enuff_zed's for all his great work and attention on my car, it was well worth the journey and cancelled train fun!! He's a great guy too. Highly recommended, dont give up on your Z4, even at high mileage, send it to Norfolk Zed Rescue!
Also, thank you to everyone involved in talking this through initally, its an amazing community, I've made a donation to the hosting costs.
I was going to finish with a nice photo of the car but its not exactly been the weather for it the last few days!
Heres to another 180,000 miles 
Attleborough, Norfolk
[ref]firefoxchris[/ref], what a great result and a happy customer.
What with train strikes, dodgy weather, wrong parts arriving etc, it wasn't straightforward, but thanks for your patience. The main thing when doing these jobs on an open gravel drive is not to have to rush. Every time I stopped you replied 'no rush' which took the pressure off.
I fully concur with your No.3 lesson. This forum is brilliant and your donation to it is very much appreciated.
So now all that remains is to pray for better weather and get out there and drive it.
What with train strikes, dodgy weather, wrong parts arriving etc, it wasn't straightforward, but thanks for your patience. The main thing when doing these jobs on an open gravel drive is not to have to rush. Every time I stopped you replied 'no rush' which took the pressure off.
I fully concur with your No.3 lesson. This forum is brilliant and your donation to it is very much appreciated.
So now all that remains is to pray for better weather and get out there and drive it.
firefoxchris
Member
Absolutely enuff_zed. As soon as I picked it up from you I think I clocked up about 600 miles in a week, its running so well. Feels like it is glued to the road again, so smooth and precise. I'm starting to wonder how long it had been that bad and the garage hadnt done anything! All is well now and that is what matters.
You are providing a great service to Z4 fans, keep up the great work
You are providing a great service to Z4 fans, keep up the great work
firefoxchris said:
I would like to point out that there are other, equally if not more proficient, members of the forum who could also have done this work.
So you don't have to travel all the way to Norfolk.
As the cars get older and need more fettling I hope that the network of 'Rescuers' will expand.
We should also not forget the supportive members who, whilst not able to assist 'hands on', are willing to post parts around the country, often for free, to keep other members on the road.
Devon
Grreat idea!RobbiZ4 said:Sounds very good.Pondrew said:
So I will join the Norfolk Rescue Team once a year and we'll have the Norfolk Roof Rescue event somewhere in late spring/early summer.
Not sure you quite know what you're letting yourself in for though.
Rotterdam
Just saw and read this post from the start. What a great story, and happy to see another 3.0si saved (even if it is a coupe 
).
Awesome work mr. enuff_zed, you and others in this thread and on this forum really make this place worth it. And it yet again makes me jealous of you guys on your little island there what with your great car culture
I'm off to go and peruse that donate link.
).Awesome work mr. enuff_zed, you and others in this thread and on this forum really make this place worth it. And it yet again makes me jealous of you guys on your little island there what with your great car culture
I'm off to go and peruse that donate link.
Thank youryushe said:Just saw and read this post from the start. What a great story, and happy to see another 3.0si saved (even if it is a coupe
Awesome work mr. enuff_zed, you and others in this thread and on this forum really make this place worth it. And it yet again makes me jealous of you guys on your little island there what with your great car culture
I'm off to go and peruse that donate link.
I think so:enuff_zed said:Grreat idea!RobbiZ4 said:Sounds very good.Pondrew said:
So I will join the Norfolk Rescue Team once a year and we'll have the Norfolk Roof Rescue event somewhere in late spring/early summer.
Not sure you quite know what you're letting yourself in for though.
meeting brilliant people, watching great cars, driving through magnificent landscapes, helpin' a couple of struggled roofs and - a 1,800 miles trip onto the island. It'll be my first.
What else? 8) :roll:
Recently joined the forum as I'm currently looking to upgrade my mx5 to an E89. Just read all 11 pages of this topic and amazed at all the sensible advice from so many people and the offer of free parts, however hats off to enuff_zed, what an absolute star for giving so much of his time and expertise to rescue this car for another member.
raymond.harper
Senior member
. There is a world of difference from an MX5 to an E89! My advice is to get the 6-cylinder engine and if you see a car you want to buy, post the details for the members to give you their opinionandy123 said: