Just bought an E89

[andy123]

Hi All, been a member from a little while in order to do some research before buying a car. Decide that I wanted an E89 ( I had originally test driven a 2.5 when they were first released but it was difficult to justify a running a new car as a weekend toy with two young teenagers ).

After research I decide I didn't want one of the later 2.0 and settled on a straight 6. My daughter gave birth to a wonderful baby boy at the end of March and a few other things got in the way of buying a car. Finally got round to viewing a 3.0 just under 2 weeks ago which had a lovely engine but in my eyes needed a bit of paint. Then a nice blue 2.5 came on the market with 48000 miles, car has a few stone chips that would benefit from touching up. Car is fitted with 18inch wheels and heated sports seats.

Test drove the car on Wednesday and quickly agreed a price with the owner. Went to pick the car up on Thursday and the owner had included some luggage they had bought to fit the car and also included a previously unmentioned ski bag ( I had mentioned that I might retrofit the through load hatch ). Sadly pickup didn't go to plan after my bank blocked the transfer. Finally picked the car up on Friday and had a nice 60 mile drive home.

Unfortunately went to open the roof on Saturday morning and noticed liquid dripping onto the LHS of the passenger seat and the roof failed to open fully , I suspect a hydraulic leak from the pipe operating the roof section that moves the rear roof section on top of the front roof section. I knew the roof was a weak point but hoped i would have few months of trouble free motoring !

Anyone have any recommendations of a reasonably priced repairer, in easy reach of the M4 junction 7 ? If necessary I could go the ZShed in Warrington as my parents live in Stockport.

I know photos ! How do I include photos in a post ? Do I need to have an account with a hosting service ?

 

[Ole gits rule]

RBM in Hook or Autowerks in Swindon but stay away from main dealers

 

[andy123]

RBM in Hook or Autowerks in Swindon but stay away from main dealers

Thanks, it looks like RBM get lots of good reviews. Hadn't heard much about Autowerks, I will do a search.

 

[andy123]

Also if one of the hydraulic pipes has let go, is it recommended to replace all of the pipes or just the failed pipe?

 

[Ole gits rule]

RBM in Hook or Autowerks in Swindon but stay away from main dealers

Thanks, it looks like RBM get lots of good reviews. Hadn't heard much about Autowerks, I will do a search.

Autowerks, good indie, have my M4 serviced there, reasonably priced and loads of high end BMW's in there

 

[andy123]

RBM in Hook or Autowerks in Swindon but stay away from main dealers

Thanks, it looks like RBM get lots of good reviews. Hadn't heard much about Autowerks, I will do a search.

Autowerks, good indie, have my M4 serviced there, reasonably priced and loads of high end BMW's in there

Thanks OGR, good to have a really positive recommendation. I will look up their location as I can easily get a train to/ from Swindon.

 

[Ole gits rule]

Thanks, it looks like RBM get lots of good reviews. Hadn't heard much about Autowerks, I will do a search.

Autowerks, good indie, have my M4 serviced there, reasonably priced and loads of high end BMW's in there

Thanks OGR, good to have a really positive recommendation. I will look up their location as I can easily get a train to/ from Swindon.

Ross at RBM is also really good and I think he has courtesy cars available, he's active on here as well

 

[Mr Tidy]

Well firstly congratulations on becoming a Z4 owner.

I used TWG Automotive in Camberley for my BMWs for years (just off J4 of the M3). It's run by Will Gibson who is ex-Sytner.

But then in 2019 Ross opened RBM Hampshire in Hook after 15 years at Sytner and I've been going there with both my BMWs ever since. Initially because TWG usually booked a month ahead, and being new Ross could often sort small issues in less than a week. Now booking times are similar but Ross has loaners, Will has a hire car! But I've been more than happy with the standard of work and prices at both places.

A couple of people on here had major issues with Mike ZShed so he got removed from the forum. But prior to that I took my previous Z4 to him for replacement rear brake pipes in Kunifer and to get a spare key cut and coded and I was happy with what he did for very reasonable money, although that was at his home before he got premises.

Finally to add a photo look on the left below the box you type a post into and there is an "Add files" button, click on that then select the photo(s) you want.

 

[andy123]

Thanks Mr Tidy, I had seen lots of positive comments regarding RBM on here.

Hopefully here are a few pics of the car.

 

[Reamesy]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your purchase. I do need to ask, was there any evidence of the roof leaking before you completed on the sale? Did you operate the roof when you inspected it?

 

[andy123]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your purchase. I do need to ask, was there any evidence of the roof leaking before you completed on the sale? Did you operate the roof when you inspected it?

Hi Reamesy, yes roof was tested when I inspected/test drove the car. I also dropped the roof for the drive home and then raised it whilst I was sat in a traffic jam on the M23. I then jumped off of the m25 at Chertsey and drove the rest of the way with the roof down. Finally raising the roof once I'd parked up at home. If it was a break in one of the wires then I'd suspect it was a pre-existing fault. However with it being a hydraulic leak I think it would be difficult to effect a temporary repair.

 

[Reamesy]

Yes I would agree with that.