Planing a roadtrip - maintenance

Z

zriha

Member
 Zagreb, Croatia
Hi gents,

I need a little bit of advice. So last year, we did about 2.500 km road trip to Tuscany (I live in Croatia), it was around 2.500 km in total, and Z4 did it great. But now, we are planning another trip (I hope the COVID-19) measures will be ok in a couple of months, so March is the month.

As I am calculating now, I think we will do about 5.000 km, we are planning to drive from Zagreb, Croatia to Sicily (Palermo) and do some local trips there.

Condition of our Z4, so it is obviously E85, 2.5i M54B25 engine, with 197.000 km. We bought it with 191.000 km, and the previous owner gave me the whole book of maintenance, the car wasn't a daily driver, and it is not a daily driver to us.

Maintenance (other than regular oil + filter every 10.000 km):
2020. (190.000 km)
New radiator and new coolant

2018. (180.000 km)
Rear disk pads

2017. (165.000 km)
New spark plugs
Front stabilizer + rubber mounting
Gearshift oil + mounting + seals
Front axel rubber joints

2012. (111.000 km)
Front and rear disks + pads
Valve cover
Expansion tank with mount
Coolant hoses

Sorry for my English, maybe I didn't translate anything correctly. But you have a picture, car didn't drove so much, and it had some maintenance.

My question is, what I need to do in terms of preventive maintenance, so I can reduce the possibility of some kind of major breakdown?

Thanks for the help and advice. :)
 
looks to be a pretty good list! spark plugs already done, perhaps add ignition coils to the list?
put a fresh battery in for peace of mind?
brake fluid refresh?
perhaps a wheel alignment, and check all the bushes and suspension while its in the air?

major breakdown items i'd consider would be the water pump and the alternator, if either of those go they'll be a lot of hassle to fix during a roadtrip.

Croatia to Sicily could involve some alps, which in March, might be a case for winter or all season tyres?
 
brillomaster said:
looks to be a pretty good list! spark plugs already done, perhaps add ignition coils to the list?
put a fresh battery in for peace of mind?
brake fluid refresh?
perhaps a wheel alignment, and check all the bushes and suspension while its in the air?

major breakdown items i'd consider would be the water pump and the alternator, if either of those go they'll be a lot of hassle to fix during a roadtrip.

Croatia to Sicily could involve some alps, which in March, might be a case for winter or all season tyres?
Click to expand...

Would you bother to disturb the ignition coils if it is running ok?
Could perhaps gamble that they would not all fail at once, and maybe take one or two spares just in case?

I would also suggest a check of any codes, note them, reset, go for a drive and check again.
Any that come back may be indicative of a problem lurking unseen.
 
I’d definitely check the condition of the tyres and the production date which will be on the tyre side wall, as old tyres are more likely to fail.
I’d also agree with changing the coil packs and water pump if you don’t know when if ever they have been changed,
Also for peace of mind have the car inspected at a local garage.
Let’s hope things improve and you will be able to enjoy your road trip. :D
 
Take a couple of spare ignition coils with you rare for more than one go bad at the same time. Alternator would be biggest concern given the mileage its done unless its been changed previously. Bit expensive to carry a complete unit as a spare maybe just the regulator pack would suffice if the bearings are ok and a failure is just the regulator pack. Spare drive belt would be a must to carry as a spare.
 
I would certainly change out the ignition coils for sure. I guess you could just take a couple of spares but it could still be a major inconvenience if one fails on a dangerous road. They are not very expensive
 
If anything it'll be a flat tyre, broken spring, or something else that you really can't plan for that'll cause you a problem.

Just get decent breakdown cover and don't worry about it.
 
Thank you all for your great advice. I forgot to mention, so the car has a new battery, it was 1 year ago. I tested it and it is ok. :) Also, brake fluids went under the regular maintenance, so it is changed, but I can change it again.

Ok, so definitely ignition coils, I would do that. The alternator is original, and the water pump is changed, but I can change it again, it is not a large investment, but I can be sure with a new OEM part.

Regarding tyres, yes, the Zed has summer tyres now, but I am planning to buy new Michelin Crossclimate+ all-season tyres for this year. I just need to find a good set of original BMW rims, as now I have some aftermarket from the previous owner that I don't like how they look.

I also do wheel alignment every year as a precaution, and we don't have so nice roads.

To sum up, definitely ignition coils, water pump, and check alternator. Maybe put fresh spark plugs when I change everything.

The plan for the trip is for the direction to Sicily to go like this:
Zagreb - Split (410 km)
Split - Ancona ferry boat
Ancona - Naples (418 km)
Naples - Palermo (715 km)

How we will go back, I don't know, we like to plan it on the go. In Naples, we will be 1-2 days and then go to Palermo, so I break the distances so Zed can rest a little bit.
 
As it is not unknown for new components to fail, and you are changing the coils and plugs just as a precaution, I would suggest taking at least a couple of each of the old ones with you. You know they're still good, and they may help you out of an awkward situation.
(And I'd still do a precautionary code check before you go, just in case.)
 
Thanks for the tip, my first car (20 years ago) was VW Beetle, so I am fully aware of having spare old but good parts in my trunk. With Beetle, I had a spare carburettor, spark plugs, cables, distribution cap... :) and I did in that little old Porsch a lot of kilometres. :)

I will definitely check with my mechanic that components, maybe I will go another way, keep the new coils in the trunk for a spare, and keep the old ones in the car if they work, and they are in good condition, I will not touch them.

Also, noted, I have a good road assistance that covers all EU, and this is Italy, not fair from home, so I don't expect that I will have a problem finding a part shop or a mechanic for this kind of job if something goes wrong.
 
Mister T said:
If anything it'll be a flat tyre, broken spring, or something else that you really can't plan for that'll cause you a problem.

Just get decent breakdown cover and don't worry about it.
Click to expand...

This.
 
Chris_D said:
I think some really useful ideas can be gleaned from those 3 idiots on TV....
:thumbsup:
safari.jpg
Click to expand...

Hahahaha, well Chris, I am not going to Afghanistan, only Italy and Sicily :) :) :) :)
 
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