[New Owner] 2006 3.0si Silver Grey Metallic

A

atreidy

Member
Guys, I finally got a "Zed"!!!

Will take some pics in the next couple weeks after I get a hold of floormats and get a chance to give her a nice shine up :)

I guess we call this a '53 plate? (Still learning all the cool words)

Some basic specs:
-Silver Grey Metallic on Grey/Black leather interior
-Sport Package
-Premium Package w/ Carver Sound (MP3 Yes!)
-108's
-BMW Assist w/ Bluetooth
-Black Leather heated sets (Non-M :( )

The only downsides I've seen so far are:
-No GPS, I wanted this real bad, but I guess honestly, it doesn't bother me that much that I don't have it. I would rather focus on the road and feeling the smooth rev and tight shifting :) I'll explore retrofitting one day but.. sounds like it's a $3k+ endeavour.
-Extremely High mileage (72k, which averages to about 20k/yr). However, I brought this to an independent well known BMW mechanic and he was astounded by both exterior, interior, and mechanical condition of the vehicle. He described the car as "extremely tight" and "punchy". He didn't remember the Z4 being so punchy and didn't expect it to drive so well with 72k on the clock. Plus side to high mileage was a ridiculous price :). No issues and the next recommended service is in 7k miles. The mechanic did recommend to replace radiator and reservoir and hoses at around 80k miles as his experience is BMW's cooling systems tend to expand and retract so much after a while that they spring leaks and cracks.

My car just says "Inspection 7000 miles". Is this an inspection I or II? How can I tell?
 
welcome, sounds like a nice car! :thumbsup:

Retro fitting Sat-Nav is very reasonable in my opinion, I dunno what the costs are state side though :bag:
 
Congrats on your purchase! :thumbsup:

interesting question on the inspection thingy.. I wasn't too sure on that myself :P

btw. if it's a 2006, then it's either a 55,06 or maybe a 56... 53 plate means it's around 2004 ;)
 
has to be insepction II.

congrats!! lucky bastard. the milage may be high for the Zed, but it's peanuts for the engine so have no fear. More lika the control arms and steering rack and all that that I'd keep an eye on, plus the bloody roof motor. :)
 
ps.. linky for working out what "plate" you would have ;)

https://www.newreg.co.uk/services/new_registration_format_age_identifiers.plate
 
Darn, Inspection II costs an arm and a leg, doesn't it? :)

Honestly the car drives like new. Barely a whistle in terms of squeaks and rattles and suspension is firm but very comfortable (EVEN on run flats). I cannot wait until I replace tires and hope for further improvement on road noise / ride comfort.

I thought the roof motor was fixed to a closed motor starting 06 facelifts? I will make sure not to close/open in the wet..

Further notes for you guys:
1- Bluetooth on iphone 3gs certainly downloads my phone book. However, I can't seem to access that phone book via voice recognition? I have to scroll through my 500+ contacts extremely slowly with the steering wheel controls. Not too useful IMO.
2- Bluetooth sound quality on iphone 3gs is good for the other side, but I cannot hear well on the highway.
3- Getting to the bluetooth Passkey on the TCU is about a 30 minute job removing several grommets/rivets. Generally painless and you just have to remove the entire bracket housing the TCU and it will reveal the label on the other side.
4- Bluetooth pairing on iphone 3gs was instant. Very easy.

Questions:
5- There's a slight tear on the roof and i guess the dealer patched it up with some yellowish looking rubber cement or goo of some type. What should I use to color it black to blend?
6- Is there an instantaneous gas mileage meter?
7- How do I know if I have a tire pressure monitoring system?
 
Welcome!

2006 will be an '06 or '56 plate...don't worry, it is a UK thing.

6 - I don't think so
7 - I understand that the car senses a low pressure tyre through the ABS system and not through a pressure gauge. Could be wrong.

I think voice recognition is a seperate add-on?
 
Hi and welcome

SatNav retrofit costs around £600 in the UK, and is a fairly easy job, just a bit nervy cutting the hole in the dash. Myslef, PVR, and DHK have all done this.

Tire pressure monitor in the US are actually monitored by sensors in the wheels unlike UK and eurpe where they are monitored as AJZ4London say by the ABS sensor.

If you have tire pressure monitoring you will have the rest button in the centre console.
 
The tyre pressure sensor does use the ABS wheel speed sensor, as said above.
It detects if there is a change in wheel speed as the rolling circumference of the tyre changes when deflated. :thumbsup:
 
Welcome - sounds like a good buy!

Depending on how far you wanted to take the "shine up" you may want to have a go at claying (polish and wax) - it's brilliant! Plenty of coverage in the detailing and bodywork section!
 
I used to be an automotive detailing buff so certainly aware of claying and polish/wax. Going to be a key part of my routine :). But, I haven't done any detailing for about 4-5 years now and will need to do a little research again.

What's the latest recommend wax? Zaino and Zymol were huge a while back.

Thanks for the heads up :)
 
I had a 4-5 year hiatus from waxing and was delighted by how much easier current waxes are to use - interesting to see if you find the same. It was here that I discover claying.

I pretty much use Meguiars - don't want to get drawn into using the really expensive stuff. There's some good posts on here where people have listed what they've done and what they've used. Although we can't agree on what it's worth spending or which brands are best! Some good pointers about the interior - dash is a little tricky.

The one thing that seems to be universally accepted is the AG hood treatment - don't think I've read of anyone using anything by anyone else.
 
If its on 72k The inspection 2 should already have been done i think. Im sure its supposed to be done at 58k or thereabouts. Maybe this is another inspection 1??

72k is NOT that high mileage. Its just that with roadsters/sports cars people expect them to be sitting in a garage for 6 days a week.

The engines in these cars are shared with many other BMW's out there that do huge mileages. The only real implications of your 'high' mileage will be the suspension parts and maybe the gearbox/clutch and other minor niggles. If everything feels good and checks out there is no need to worry.
Pix please :) Imediately :evil:
 
your engine i think is from the 330 E90, which was discontinnued in the states in 2006 and was replaced by the TT 335. The 330 engine from my memory was pretty damn bullet proof and one of the best of the range, M motors nonwithstanding. So really, as long as Service history is good on it, i wouldn't worry, like i said it's all about the other bits like control arms, shocks, springs and other areas that i think were weak on E46 and remain to be a bit of weak spot on the roadster.
 
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