Subframe Sadness

[GengisKaan]

Forgive the dramatic title.

I've been told that the source of my loud thuds on
/off acceleration are because two of the bushes on my subframe are rotten away. The whole subframe and diff are moving a lot basically.

I've spent almost 2k on this car, and it's starting to feel like a money pit and I'm at the end of what I want to keep forking out.

My question is how long can I leave it like this. I drive in a careful manner with the clutch so the clunking is minimal. Will this be okay for a couple of months? I've just paid for new tyres, after a lot of other jobs and really can't justify spending the 650 I've been quoted (actually seems a decent price to me) to have polybushes fitted.

I'm also worried the clutch is starting to feel different, slight vibration through the pedal, and maybe a couple of percent mor difficult to change gears - how much does this cost when it goes?

Sorry for the verbal diarrhea, I just need to vent, I'm really at the end of my tether!

 

[Rldee007]

I am not answering your questions but just want to offer another perspective.

To buy a newer car where these things are less of risk with similar performance you would be looking at a car 8 to 10 year old and likely to cost you 2/3 times as much as your car and the cost to repair .

Also you buy a car like this to enjoy if you have to drive like Miss Daisy then it defeats the point of it and also risk further damage. I appreciate money doesn't grow on trees.

Have you looked into doing the work yourself?

 

[GengisKaan]

I am not answering your questions but just want to offer another perspective.

[SIC]

Have you looked into doing the work yourself?

It's good to get a different perspective, thanks.

I would love to do the work myself, I'm a rookie but can do a few things. My main problem is living in Central London I have nowhere to work on my car - let alone jack it up and drop exhausts etc...

 

[Matty_Z4]

I am not answering your questions but just want to offer another perspective.

[SIC]

Have you looked into doing the work yourself?

It's good to get a different perspective, thanks.

I would love to do the work myself, I'm a rookie but can do a few things. My main problem is living in Central London I have nowhere to work on my car - let alone jack it up and drop exhausts etc...

Im not sure I would like the subframe knocking on the chassis. We know on the E46 the Rear Axel Carrier cracks eventually and needs welding, and the Z3s get a bit crusty around there but no reports on the Z4 that I have seen. Having the subframe knocking like that could cause similar cracking or if it doesn't it could be rubbing allowing rust to start forming. Either way not good.

I would always encourage everyone to have a go, I have recently just picked up a spanner again after about 15 years and love it. Now having to carry all of the tools down from a first floor flat, and making sure that I can get any jobs done in a day so that we have no complaints from the neighbours can get a bit tedious. But for now it works, Saying that I would not want to be doing the same works on the side of a London street.

Im not sure if this is still possible but you used to be able to rent a ramp/lift for a day, this could be a solution if you did want to do the work. Just be prepared if you do need to drop the exhaust the front bolts can be rather rotten.

I approve of the thread title
[youtube]TdrL3QxjyVw[/youtube]

 

[colb]

Given your circumstances it might be a good idea to pay a visit to Zedshed HQ run by members over on zroadster.org located near Basingstoke for their opinion on the condition and faults with your car and the best way forward.
https://zroadster.org/forums/zedshed-hq.109/
They have refurbed a Z4 as well as their many refurbs of Z3's, the main man is Lee, best register on Zroadster.org and get in touch via a PM but you have to post three posts before you get access to the PM system on there.
Just been three days of hell with my Z4 replacing the exhaust downpipe flange bolts that had rusted away, if yours are anything like mine were you won't be dropping the exhaust working at the roadside or in a parking space let alone attacking the rear bushes.

 

[Mike6]

Sorry about your predicament. I dont know where you got your quote from but might it be worth getting a few more from outside London where charges would hopefully be lower.

 

[GengisKaan]

Thanks for the tips guys. Glad you liked the title too Matty :roll:

I'll give Zedshed a shout - but it is doing a big European trip with this issue - 2 separate BMW indys reckon it's fine if I go easy with it.

Will post back from the otherside of the alps!