After a year of ownership and lots of looking at the great info on this forum, I thought it was time to become a forum member and say a big thank your for all the helpful information.
So the Z4. An 08 plate Z4 3.0si roadster, space grey (I think, not sliver) black leather, 10 double spoke rims and with now 40,000 miles on the clock
Having done about 7,000 miles in roughly a year.
The first Z4 I tired was a 2.5 and though that was excellent in the right colour comb and was absolutely immaculate I almost bought it, but as it was from a main dealer it was a bit pricey and as it was the first one I saw I held off (it sold inside a week!) Then I tired a 3.0si at a Merc main dealer and loved it; but they wouldn't come down enough to cover the bits that needed sorting, or justify the lack of warranty. Looked at an older one, but that was definitely old, and by this time I had my heart on a facelift 3 litre. Then I spotted this one..
So what have I sought help on over the past year?
1) new front, rear swing arm bushes. These popped. I replaced them myself with OEM bushes which was an easy job; with some fairly liquid and a gear puller! I did think about polly bushes but felt the ride was hard enough, and living in the country the roads are more 4*4 territory than sports car.
2) New electric roof motor. What a rubbish design. Electric hydraulic motor; put it in the boot so the poorly designed drain holes dont have to work that well!!! I thought about doing this myself, but to be honest couldn't be bothered so paid my local main dealer. Only down side was the 3 series semi auto touring loan car was rather liked by the wife!
3) back exhaust box. both hangers failed. (Didn't realise it had two hangers until I rummaged on here) Again a rubish design with changes in section of the hangers right at the main fatigue points. Still, welded them up and its holding. If they break again I'll probably opt for a AC Schnitzer back box! Expensive but looks gooooood!!
4) Ahhh tyres!! Fronts need replacing soon. And I'm going to go for Michelin run flats. I've had good call to use run flats in the past. 300 miles to Cornwall without realising the tyre was flat, on a previous 3 series. I appreciate they will be harsh, but from the various reads cant be any worse than the Bridgestones which tram line like ..!
4) My high level rear break light, old red one fell apart, so replaced with an OEM white one supplied by main dealer. £66 inc new springs (I'd post a pic but have no idea how! Computer luddite) Looks much better in white!
5) Bonnet cable. This isn't stuck or anything like most posts, but broken. From the forum posts I know I can open the bonnet if I have too, but I'm really hoping that the windscreen washer fluid will last the 7000 miles till the next service!!!!
So that is in fact a lot of hassle for a years worth of ownership and in what is suppose to be a "german engineered car". Well I have learnt over the years that German engineering can be as c**p as anybody else's; but the look and feel is far better and the drive is so lovely I'm willing to forgive it enough to put up with it; turn the traction control off and go slide it around the roundabouts 8) (In a controlled fashion off course!)
So thanks again for the advise, and hopefully I will be able to contribute to others delight in Z4 ownership.
So the Z4. An 08 plate Z4 3.0si roadster, space grey (I think, not sliver) black leather, 10 double spoke rims and with now 40,000 miles on the clock
Having done about 7,000 miles in roughly a year.
The first Z4 I tired was a 2.5 and though that was excellent in the right colour comb and was absolutely immaculate I almost bought it, but as it was from a main dealer it was a bit pricey and as it was the first one I saw I held off (it sold inside a week!) Then I tired a 3.0si at a Merc main dealer and loved it; but they wouldn't come down enough to cover the bits that needed sorting, or justify the lack of warranty. Looked at an older one, but that was definitely old, and by this time I had my heart on a facelift 3 litre. Then I spotted this one..
So what have I sought help on over the past year?
1) new front, rear swing arm bushes. These popped. I replaced them myself with OEM bushes which was an easy job; with some fairly liquid and a gear puller! I did think about polly bushes but felt the ride was hard enough, and living in the country the roads are more 4*4 territory than sports car.
2) New electric roof motor. What a rubbish design. Electric hydraulic motor; put it in the boot so the poorly designed drain holes dont have to work that well!!! I thought about doing this myself, but to be honest couldn't be bothered so paid my local main dealer. Only down side was the 3 series semi auto touring loan car was rather liked by the wife!
3) back exhaust box. both hangers failed. (Didn't realise it had two hangers until I rummaged on here) Again a rubish design with changes in section of the hangers right at the main fatigue points. Still, welded them up and its holding. If they break again I'll probably opt for a AC Schnitzer back box! Expensive but looks gooooood!!
4) Ahhh tyres!! Fronts need replacing soon. And I'm going to go for Michelin run flats. I've had good call to use run flats in the past. 300 miles to Cornwall without realising the tyre was flat, on a previous 3 series. I appreciate they will be harsh, but from the various reads cant be any worse than the Bridgestones which tram line like ..!
4) My high level rear break light, old red one fell apart, so replaced with an OEM white one supplied by main dealer. £66 inc new springs (I'd post a pic but have no idea how! Computer luddite) Looks much better in white!
5) Bonnet cable. This isn't stuck or anything like most posts, but broken. From the forum posts I know I can open the bonnet if I have too, but I'm really hoping that the windscreen washer fluid will last the 7000 miles till the next service!!!!
So that is in fact a lot of hassle for a years worth of ownership and in what is suppose to be a "german engineered car". Well I have learnt over the years that German engineering can be as c**p as anybody else's; but the look and feel is far better and the drive is so lovely I'm willing to forgive it enough to put up with it; turn the traction control off and go slide it around the roundabouts 8) (In a controlled fashion off course!)
So thanks again for the advise, and hopefully I will be able to contribute to others delight in Z4 ownership.
