viewing z4 3.0si tomorrow
- Thread starter ash1212002
- Start date
ash1212002 said:Marlon said:
I'll see how the viewing goes and take it from there, I think the xenons will set the car off nicely
Had my eyes on this but did not bid seems fully loaded with xenons!, surprised what it sold for!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121777400063?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
In terms of the options the vehicle I am looking at tomorrow, is it pretty standard? anything special
Id been watching that car just out of interest.. absolute bargain, it went that cheap just because it was an auction, if u want it sold fast its the only way and you always end up getting less than its actually worth.... you should have had a bid, its a 7.5k car all day long and the interior is lovely
ash1212002
Member
mr.tourette said:ash1212002 said:Marlon said:
I'll see how the viewing goes and take it from there, I think the xenons will set the car off nicely
Had my eyes on this but did not bid seems fully loaded with xenons!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121777400063?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
In terms of the options the vehicle I am looking at tomorrow, is it pretty standard? anything special
Id been watching that car just out of interest.. absolute bargain, it went that cheap just because it was an auction, if u want it sold fast its the only way and you always end up getting less than its actually worth.... you should have had a bid, its a 7.5k car all day long and the interior is lovely
Shame i missed out, specced out, alot of car for the money!
if you can get the number of the current mot certificate and the reg number you can check its previous mot history, broken springs are generally unnoticed till the mot, indeed when i checked mine before purchase i could see they had both been replaced after a fail one on 2010 and the other in 2011 
ash1212002
Member
mr.tourette said:if you can get the number of the current mot certificate and the reg number you can check its previous mot history, broken springs are generally unnoticed till the mot, indeed when i checked mine before purchase i could see they had both been replaced after a fail one on 2010 and the other in 2011
Good idea! Dissapointed it does not have xenons, is there an aftermarket kit i could fit? how much will it cost to fit an aftermarket kit? Any recommendations?
you can buy hid kits on ebay for 30 quid buddy, i have a cheap set on my honda accord and they still work fine 6 years later
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Low-Dip-Beam-H7-35W-5000K-Hid-Dc-Slim-Conversion-Kit-Xenon-Bulbs-Id36-/331075890337?fits=Model%3AZ4&hash=item4d15a92ca1
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Low-Dip-Beam-H7-35W-5000K-Hid-Dc-Slim-Conversion-Kit-Xenon-Bulbs-Id36-/331075890337?fits=Model%3AZ4&hash=item4d15a92ca1
ash1212002
Member
mr.tourette said:you can buy hid kits on ebay for 30 quid buddy, i have a cheap set on my honda accord and they still work fine 6 years later
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Low-Dip-Beam-H7-35W-5000K-Hid-Dc-Slim-Conversion-Kit-Xenon-Bulbs-Id36-/331075890337?fits=Model%3AZ4&hash=item4d15a92ca1
How do they compare to the factory fitted xenons? are they easy to install?
ash1212002 said:mr.tourette said:you can buy hid kits on ebay for 30 quid buddy, i have a cheap set on my honda accord and they still work fine 6 years later
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Low-Dip-Beam-H7-35W-5000K-Hid-Dc-Slim-Conversion-Kit-Xenon-Bulbs-Id36-/331075890337?fits=Model%3AZ4&hash=item4d15a92ca1
How do they compare to the factory fitted xenons? are they easy to install?
they were very easy to install on the accord, 20 minute job, pull out old bulbs, install new bulbs, find a spot to mount the ballasts( i used halfords extra strong velcro) , push fit the wiring plugs... simples, cant tell you how they compare to factory xenons as I've only had my zed 3 weeks and i haven't took it out at night yet
they are extremely bright tho and couldn't imagine needing anything brighterWhy are xenons a 'must'? Do you do a lot of country driving at night where they would be beneficial?
If they are the only thing that's missing on an otherwise ideal car, I think you could retrofit them at a later date (unless anyone else knows this not to be the case), (and NOT a HID kit), as you already will have the washers, which I believe are supposed to be present for the xenons.
Won't be cheap to do, but you could be kicking yourself for passing up on an opportunity just because of the headlights.
If they are the only thing that's missing on an otherwise ideal car, I think you could retrofit them at a later date (unless anyone else knows this not to be the case), (and NOT a HID kit), as you already will have the washers, which I believe are supposed to be present for the xenons.
Won't be cheap to do, but you could be kicking yourself for passing up on an opportunity just because of the headlights.
ash1212002
Member
enzed4 said:
I'll be doing a lot of night driving, i'll view the car tomorrow and potentially fit a hid kit instead
ash - rear springs can be replaced fairly cheaply and straightforwardly. The replacement of the roof motor if it's been done properly is a big positive as these are £500+ to replace.
Most of us have had to compromise over colour and spec as the 3.0si is quite rare. Perhaps the basics are more important: This is a capable sports car so check the discs and when the pads were last replaced. Also you will find that there are long service intervals so you may find a sparse service history. If an Inspection ll is due it is the expensive one (though you can keep costs down by using a good independent - my last Inspection ll cost me £240 - a lot more at BMW!). Staggered tyres are expensive £400+ for a decent set so check tyre condition and factor in replacement cost if necessary (most of us use non runflats so check they have been changed for decent rubber already).
You will hear a ticking noise at tickover from the engine - like the tapping of laptop keys - this is normal and the injectors operating. Any other noise could be issues mentioned in posts above.
The engine should feel strong and smooth during the test drive with no hesitation or misfire. First to second can feel a little baulked and adding a few more revs to pull away will avoid kangarooing - this is a characteristic of the clutch and you will get used to it.
The steering may feel odd at first - it is very lively - this is another Zed characteristic - eventually it can become quite involving but can be disconcerting the first time you experience it.
Check the interior roof cloth, seat condition and the operation of all electrics, seats and options . . . .you have read the forum advice . . .
Basically these are impressive machines that provide reliable performance for little maintenance and cost but be certain you are not buying one that has been used up to the point it needs input as all the basics can add up.
Finally - you will have to be patient - it took me 8 months to find a 3.0si at a price point I was happy with - I had to compromise on colour and spec. Others will tell a similar story. Good luck with your search
Most of us have had to compromise over colour and spec as the 3.0si is quite rare. Perhaps the basics are more important: This is a capable sports car so check the discs and when the pads were last replaced. Also you will find that there are long service intervals so you may find a sparse service history. If an Inspection ll is due it is the expensive one (though you can keep costs down by using a good independent - my last Inspection ll cost me £240 - a lot more at BMW!). Staggered tyres are expensive £400+ for a decent set so check tyre condition and factor in replacement cost if necessary (most of us use non runflats so check they have been changed for decent rubber already).
You will hear a ticking noise at tickover from the engine - like the tapping of laptop keys - this is normal and the injectors operating. Any other noise could be issues mentioned in posts above.
The engine should feel strong and smooth during the test drive with no hesitation or misfire. First to second can feel a little baulked and adding a few more revs to pull away will avoid kangarooing - this is a characteristic of the clutch and you will get used to it.
The steering may feel odd at first - it is very lively - this is another Zed characteristic - eventually it can become quite involving but can be disconcerting the first time you experience it.
Check the interior roof cloth, seat condition and the operation of all electrics, seats and options . . . .you have read the forum advice . . .
Basically these are impressive machines that provide reliable performance for little maintenance and cost but be certain you are not buying one that has been used up to the point it needs input as all the basics can add up.
Finally - you will have to be patient - it took me 8 months to find a 3.0si at a price point I was happy with - I had to compromise on colour and spec. Others will tell a similar story. Good luck with your search
ash1212002
Member
paulgs1000 said:ash - rear springs can be replaced fairly cheaply and straightforwardly. The replacement of the roof motor if it's been done properly is a big positive as these are £500+ to replace.
Most of us have had to compromise over colour and spec as the 3.0si is quite rare. Perhaps the basics are more important: This is a capable sports car so check the discs and when the pads were last replaced. Also you will find that there are long service intervals so you may find a sparse service history. If an Inspection ll is due it is the expensive one (though you can keep costs down by using a good independent - my last Inspection ll cost me £240 - a lot more at BMW!). Staggered tyres are expensive £400+ for a decent set so check tyre condition and factor in replacement cost if necessary (most of us use non runflats so check they have been changed for decent rubber already).
You will hear a ticking noise at tickover from the engine - like the tapping of laptop keys - this is normal and the injectors operating. Any other noise could be issues mentioned in posts above.
The engine should feel strong and smooth during the test drive with no hesitation or misfire. First to second can feel a little baulked and adding a few more revs to pull away will avoid kangarooing - this is a characteristic of the clutch and you will get used to it.
The steering may feel odd at first - it is very lively - this is another Zed characteristic - eventually it can become quite involving but can be disconcerting the first time you experience it.
Check the interior roof cloth, seat condition and the operation of all electrics, seats and options . . . .you have read the forum advice . . .
Basically these are impressive machines that provide reliable performance for little maintenance and cost but be certain you are not buying one that has been used up to the point it needs input as all the basics can add up.
Finally - you will have to be patient - it took me 8 months to find a 3.0si at a price point I was happy with - I had to compromise on colour and spec. Others will tell a similar story. Good luck with your search
Cheers Paul for the information
The car has had brand new run flats fitted will this compromise the quality of the drive/tramline etc
whats the difference between inspection 1 and 2 is there a definitive list i can obtain of what is carried out between the 2 services
does the 3.0si require a running in service at 1500 miles or so?
New, quality runflats are better than they used to be for ride comfort (The problem is the stiff sidewalls). However try them and see whether you can live with them - if so replace them after getting through their tread, if not replace and sell them on. Tramlining is worse with runflats.
Inspection 1 is a basic oil + filter change and a few other checks. Inspection 2 is oil change etc + spark plugs plus a thorough check. I'm sure someone on here will have a service list . . . .
No running in service at 1500 miles - that's just the ///M I think which uses a special bedding in oil that must be removed at low mileage.
The 3.0si amazes me with the performance which is available, day after day, with so little servicing . . .and cost.
It's a terrific version of the Zed.
Inspection 1 is a basic oil + filter change and a few other checks. Inspection 2 is oil change etc + spark plugs plus a thorough check. I'm sure someone on here will have a service list . . . .
No running in service at 1500 miles - that's just the ///M I think which uses a special bedding in oil that must be removed at low mileage.
The 3.0si amazes me with the performance which is available, day after day, with so little servicing . . .and cost.
It's a terrific version of the Zed.
ash1212002 said:I will physically check tomorrow, I presume the ignitor and ballast is within the headlight. I do hope it has xenons!
how did the viewing go ash?
ash1212002 said:
Don't cut your nose off, fit a HID kit if the car is as you want - £55.
Read this before thinking about fitting a HID kit:Scooba_Steve said:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html
(thanks for member walker1c for the link)
Having read the article before I don't dispute the science around the light source shape but my real world experience, in our headlights, is that there is no glare, light projected much further than halogen and a sharp cut-off. I've only ever been flashed by another driver once when coming over a hump-back bridge and had no issues with the MOT.
If I had the time and inclination then I'd do a comparison of each type from the same spot. But I don't!
It's been the best mod I've done as I can actually see far enough ahead to drive at night.
If I had the time and inclination then I'd do a comparison of each type from the same spot. But I don't!
It's been the best mod I've done as I can actually see far enough ahead to drive at night.
I get the concerns and I know it's not a 100% proper conversion, but I couldn't drive at about more than 50mph on halogen low beam. Now I don't even need high beam, the low lights the road plenty far enough ahead.