Newbie 3.0 Dorset

J

JSz4

Member
Hi, I recently purchased a 2003 silver manual 3.0, it's done about 80k and am really pleased with it and very grateful for the depth of car buying advice on the forum. The most similar previous car I've owned is an S2000, I expected the Z4 to be more refined and the performance more useable but I've been really impressed by the fact it is returning about 35mpg compared to the S2000's 28mpg.

IMG_7197.JPG


Couple of issues to sort:

Biggest issue is it needs a new roof motor, I've been quoted £720 inc parts, labour and VAT by a BMW specialist (BMWeymouth) but not sure if this is a good price, BMW quoted £880..

Puddle of water in the nearside corner of the boot after it rains.

Occasionally struggles to start and only starts on the 2nd or 3rd attempt with a few revs, bit strange as most of the time it starts absolutely fine and has recently had a new battery and alternator.

Cracked third brake light, quoted £88 for a replacement by BMW so may try eBay.

Green algae on roof, I've cleaned it 3 times with Autoglym cleaner and sponge with no effect so going to give Meguiar's roof cleaner and a brush a try.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum OP. :thumbsup:

Sorry I can't really help with the issues you mention seeing as mine is a Coupe, but there is at least 1 member on here who can relocate roof motors so they don't get drowned so a search may be a plan - otherwise your new motor will suffer the same fate!

Just a quick heads up - the photo police will be along soon!
 
Welcome!
Theres a few threads here relating to the roof motor relocation procedure which is a very good preventive maintenance procedure. The motor can in most cases be revived by soaking in diesel and a good clean.
Dave in durham is your man in the north and bowser is your man in the south and theyre both very adept at this procedure, and for an extremely favourable price too.
Someone will be along shortly with details for both ...
 
If you can get to Durham, see Dave - he will revive your motor and relocate it to the boot at a fraction of the cost:

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=86030&hilit=relocated Ring him first (Contact details on first post).

Forum member Bowser134 is your guy in the south - and Number5 in Bristol

If you replace 3rd brake light don't over tighten the springs when fitting (slamming boot doesn't help either - close gently)

Green algae can be stubborn but use sterilising tablets dissolved in water or bio washing powder and then rinse thoroughly should shift it

Welcome btw :wink:
 
Hi and welcome.

Third brake light give Sopers of Lincon a call and mention the forum you will get a discount, clear ones are cheaper than the red.

Also what Marlon said re your roof :thumbsup:

Stuart
 
Thanks for the welcome and the advice.

I'll give Sopers a call about the brake light and will make sure I don't over tighten the springs when fitting.

I'll give the bio washing powder a go on the roof, really surprising how stubborn the algae is!

I'm in Dorset so will contact Bowser about the roof motor. The roof worked fine when I took the car for a test drive but failed after 2 weeks of use, quite frustrating having only just bought it!
 
JSz4 said:
Thanks for the welcome and the advice.

I'll give Sopers a call about the brake light and will make sure I don't over tighten the springs when fitting.

I'll give the bio washing powder a go on the roof, really surprising how stubborn the algae is!

I'm in Dorset so will contact Bowser about the roof motor. The roof worked fine when I took the car for a test drive but failed after 2 weeks of use, quite frustrating having only just bought it!
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Welcome.

If it only failed 2 weeks ago, its pretty likely that it will be fixable. If you come near Bristol at all, I'm happy to sort your roof out for you too at a tiny fraction of the BMW cost. Just drop me a PM
 
Hi and welcome.

I think that everyone else has answered all of you questions so it just falls to me to state the Forum price for that advice

PICS !!!

Enjoy :driving:
 
Number5 said:
JSz4 said:
Thanks for the welcome and the advice.

I'll give Sopers a call about the brake light and will make sure I don't over tighten the springs when fitting.

I'll give the bio washing powder a go on the roof, really surprising how stubborn the algae is!

I'm in Dorset so will contact Bowser about the roof motor. The roof worked fine when I took the car for a test drive but failed after 2 weeks of use, quite frustrating having only just bought it!
Click to expand...


Welcome.

If it only failed 2 weeks ago, its pretty likely that it will be fixable. If you come near Bristol at all, I'm happy to sort your roof out for you too at a tiny fraction of the BMW cost. Just drop me a PM
Click to expand...

Ok thanks, I'm only an hour and a half from Bristol so will send you a PM. Yes I was a bit surprised the motor failed as it worked faultlessly for the first 2 weeks. The previous owner had owned the car for 5 years and kept it garaged as it was his second car and claimed to have regularly cleaned out the drainage channels.

And yes I'll post some photos tomorrow!
 
JSz4 said:
Ok thanks, I'm only an hour and a half from Bristol so will send you a PM. Yes I was a bit surprised the motor failed as it worked faultlessly for the first 2 weeks. The previous owner had owned the car for 5 years and kept it garaged as it was his second car and claimed to have regularly cleaned out the drainage channels.

And yes I'll post some photos tomorrow!
Click to expand...

Good - it's tomorrow now! :lol:

Looking forward to the photos.
 




Pics aren't great, given it a polish and cleaned cloudy headlights since taking them.

Think I'll try to replace the cracked third brake light first. I don't think it could be leaking enough to fill the nearside corner of the boot with water but worth a try I suppose.

Strangely when I unlocked the car today with the remote the driver's door wouldn't open despite the stalk going up on the inside of the door glass. When I opened the passenger door I heard a clunk from the central locking and then the drivers door would open. Are problems with the central locking common?
 
Stuartt said:
Hi and welcome.

Third brake light give Sopers of Lincon a call and mention the forum you will get a discount, clear ones are cheaper than the red.

Also what Marlon said re your roof :thumbsup:

Stuart
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice, I ordered the light a week ago with the discount and fitted it today :)
 
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