BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe - Daily / Fixer
Discussion
Lovely choice of car OP. 
(Although I may be a bit biased as I am now on my second)! 
And so cheap, even if it is an automatic SE!
I think the colour is what BMW called Ruby Black - it looks great in the sun, which at least you get plenty of! I didn't see that effect too often on mine.
So far as the Aux-in is concerned, the BMW brochure I have from 2006 (no month on the print date) says they all have it.
My first one was built in October 2006 and did have it, my current one was built in September 2006 and does not. From what I have read early cars also had a silver cam-cover and later ones had black - it seems cars with the silver cover didn't get Aux-in but those with the black cover did get it.
Anyway you can buy a kit pretty cheap to retro-fit it on E-bay using the existing stereo connection for the optional CD-changer.
If you head over to Z4Forum I think there is a "How To" thread on there, plus loads of other Z4 fans!
Hope you keep enjoying it - there is just something so right about the shape of the Coupe IMHO.
(Although I may be a bit biased as I am now on my second)! And so cheap, even if it is an automatic SE!
I think the colour is what BMW called Ruby Black - it looks great in the sun, which at least you get plenty of! I didn't see that effect too often on mine.
So far as the Aux-in is concerned, the BMW brochure I have from 2006 (no month on the print date) says they all have it.
My first one was built in October 2006 and did have it, my current one was built in September 2006 and does not. From what I have read early cars also had a silver cam-cover and later ones had black - it seems cars with the silver cover didn't get Aux-in but those with the black cover did get it.
Anyway you can buy a kit pretty cheap to retro-fit it on E-bay using the existing stereo connection for the optional CD-changer.
If you head over to Z4Forum I think there is a "How To" thread on there, plus loads of other Z4 fans!
Hope you keep enjoying it - there is just something so right about the shape of the Coupe IMHO.
-UPDATE-
Yesterday and today I had the time to tackle the following jobs.
Replace 2 x jacking point cups/rubbers (2 were missing)
Replace 3 x differential mounts
Replace 2 x gearbox mounts
Replace 2 x engine mounts
Replace 1 x prop donut/guido
Replace 2 x rear ARB bushes and stabiliser bars
Replace 2 x front drop links/stabiliser bars
I ordered the new parts in Germany and had them delivered to the girlfriends parents (since I was going to be in Germany for holiday) as they are loads cheaper than here in Dubai, plus I doubt I could get all the parts I wanted, especially OEM quality parts (Lemforder and Meyle) let alone a decent price. I also ordered a special bush extractor kit for the diff bushes (not in the pic)
Jacked up on stands, and ramps for extra safety, also had a jack at the front:-
I started with the diff mounts. After reading a few guides, I got down to business and removed the skid pan, re-inforcement plate, support bars, support bracket, ARB, , exhaust, heat shield ,drive shafts and main input shaft. Three large bolts and the differential was finally loose and slowly dropped with a jack. The diff weighs bloody loads, more than I expected!
(very clean for a 120k car, Dubai weather I guess!)
Bagging and labelling the bolts/nuts as I go, plus including the torque setting for ease and speed of reinstall:-
The three bushes were a total pita, both removing and pushing new ones in.
Old main diff bush, totally shot (it fell to bits):-
Old front diff bush, split (both were like this):-
New bush pushed in:
Special tool I used to remove and install bushes:
New rear stabiliser bar vs old:
After that I refitted the diff, and all the parts, I left off the exhaust as I had the below to fit. Main diff support bolt needed to be torqued to a hefty 176nm!
Replacing the prop donut/guido, you need to drop the propshaft. The donut/guido had small cracks and was brittle, so was worth replacing. I visually checked the centre bearing, and all looked good:-
Replaced the gearbox mounts, probably the easiest job with the exhaust off and centre support bracket removed. As you can see, the old ones were compressed:
Engine mounts were goosed as well, both cracked. Drivers side was easy to do, but the passenger side has a support bracket which is bloody fiddly to remove, took various attempts of jacking the engine up in certain areas to get it:
Old vs new:
I didn't take any pics of the front stabiliser bars, but these were split and no doubt the reason for the front end rattle.
I torqued everything up to spec (I did use some loctite on certain bolts, driveshaft, prop bolts etc) and finally I refitted all the undertrays, exhaust, support brackets.
It was roasting outside (circa 45c) and was only able to do the work with a massive welders fan I borrowed off a mate. This saved my life. I still managed to drink loads of water and lots of tea!
All in all, it took me about 6 hours for the removal of the diff, fitting the bushes and reinstalling most of the parts I removed. Few more hours for the prop donut, gearbox mounts and engine mounts etc. I have to say, it was quite a job and physically draining. I look loads of breaks and took my time to make sure everything was done properly.
Test drive was great! No more knocking, gear change is smooth and the lurching from 2nd to 1st has been eliminated. Happy days!
Overall, all the parts (and bush extractor tool) costs me approx £250. I was quoted £900 alone for the bush mounts and engine mounts by a local BMW specialist. So a tidy saving, satisfying DIY and learnt a few things along the way. However I ache like f
k and realise I'm getting older!
Yesterday and today I had the time to tackle the following jobs.
Replace 2 x jacking point cups/rubbers (2 were missing)
Replace 3 x differential mounts
Replace 2 x gearbox mounts
Replace 2 x engine mounts
Replace 1 x prop donut/guido
Replace 2 x rear ARB bushes and stabiliser bars
Replace 2 x front drop links/stabiliser bars
I ordered the new parts in Germany and had them delivered to the girlfriends parents (since I was going to be in Germany for holiday) as they are loads cheaper than here in Dubai, plus I doubt I could get all the parts I wanted, especially OEM quality parts (Lemforder and Meyle) let alone a decent price. I also ordered a special bush extractor kit for the diff bushes (not in the pic)
Jacked up on stands, and ramps for extra safety, also had a jack at the front:-
I started with the diff mounts. After reading a few guides, I got down to business and removed the skid pan, re-inforcement plate, support bars, support bracket, ARB, , exhaust, heat shield ,drive shafts and main input shaft. Three large bolts and the differential was finally loose and slowly dropped with a jack. The diff weighs bloody loads, more than I expected!
(very clean for a 120k car, Dubai weather I guess!)
Bagging and labelling the bolts/nuts as I go, plus including the torque setting for ease and speed of reinstall:-
The three bushes were a total pita, both removing and pushing new ones in.
Old main diff bush, totally shot (it fell to bits):-
Old front diff bush, split (both were like this):-
New bush pushed in:
Special tool I used to remove and install bushes:
New rear stabiliser bar vs old:
After that I refitted the diff, and all the parts, I left off the exhaust as I had the below to fit. Main diff support bolt needed to be torqued to a hefty 176nm!
Replacing the prop donut/guido, you need to drop the propshaft. The donut/guido had small cracks and was brittle, so was worth replacing. I visually checked the centre bearing, and all looked good:-
Replaced the gearbox mounts, probably the easiest job with the exhaust off and centre support bracket removed. As you can see, the old ones were compressed:
Engine mounts were goosed as well, both cracked. Drivers side was easy to do, but the passenger side has a support bracket which is bloody fiddly to remove, took various attempts of jacking the engine up in certain areas to get it:
Old vs new:
I didn't take any pics of the front stabiliser bars, but these were split and no doubt the reason for the front end rattle.
I torqued everything up to spec (I did use some loctite on certain bolts, driveshaft, prop bolts etc) and finally I refitted all the undertrays, exhaust, support brackets.
It was roasting outside (circa 45c) and was only able to do the work with a massive welders fan I borrowed off a mate. This saved my life. I still managed to drink loads of water and lots of tea!
All in all, it took me about 6 hours for the removal of the diff, fitting the bushes and reinstalling most of the parts I removed. Few more hours for the prop donut, gearbox mounts and engine mounts etc. I have to say, it was quite a job and physically draining. I look loads of breaks and took my time to make sure everything was done properly.
Test drive was great! No more knocking, gear change is smooth and the lurching from 2nd to 1st has been eliminated. Happy days!
Overall, all the parts (and bush extractor tool) costs me approx £250. I was quoted £900 alone for the bush mounts and engine mounts by a local BMW specialist. So a tidy saving, satisfying DIY and learnt a few things along the way. However I ache like f
k and realise I'm getting older! Edited by Rich_AR on Monday 3rd July 09:11
Saturday I had the gearbox oil and filter replaced at a local gearbox specialist. This is probably the first time this has been done in its 120k life. BMW claim lifetime oil, but their lifetime is 100k (apparently), so made sense to do it. The old oil was quite dark, plus there was an annoying squeak on hard acceleration/or kick down. Strangely replacing the oil solved the squeaking! (little bit like Ed China and that infamous Porsche Boxster gearbox he fixed with fresh oil 
) and the shifting is a little bit smoother now.
) and the shifting is a little bit smoother now.I went to see progress on my projects in an air condtitioned workshop yesterday...and lasted 40 minutes before wanting to get out. How you did this work without a ramp in 45 deg heat is beyond me. The soles of my shoes burn on the outside pavement!
I wish we had a good and honest BMW workshop over here. I have a lovely E30 M3 that I would love to commission but know the heartache of letting one of the shops over here loose on it...one for blightly when I eventually return and safely stored til then...
I wish we had a good and honest BMW workshop over here. I have a lovely E30 M3 that I would love to commission but know the heartache of letting one of the shops over here loose on it...one for blightly when I eventually return and safely stored til then...
Paracetamol said:
I went to see progress on my projects in an air condtitioned workshop yesterday...and lasted 40 minutes before wanting to get out. How you did this work without a ramp in 45 deg heat is beyond me. The soles of my shoes burn on the outside pavement!
I wish we had a good and honest BMW workshop over here. I have a lovely E30 M3 that I would love to commission but know the heartache of letting one of the shops over here loose on it...one for blightly when I eventually return and safely stored til then...
I tell you, it were bloody boiling! The welders fan is a beast though and helped massively. I just took loads of breaks and drank loads of water, but still it wasn't an easy job on my own. I wish we had a good and honest BMW workshop over here. I have a lovely E30 M3 that I would love to commission but know the heartache of letting one of the shops over here loose on it...one for blightly when I eventually return and safely stored til then...
Agree on the honest BM garage bit. I got a few quotes on the gearbox oil from a well known specialist here whom came back with double the price than I paid Dexol (whom were really good I have to say, very impressed).
Good call on the gearbox. We had an office 5 series from 2005 with the six speed. The gearbox began to slip which is apparently down to the valve body which is a relatively simple fix...however, because it was driven for too long it ended up damaging other parts.
A rebuild was AED 7k by Hoorani and they did a good job too. But a simple change of oil at 70k kms would no doubt have prevented all this.
My old Z3M was maintained by the previous owner at a specialist in Dubai. They insisted on using parts sourced from the main dealer with a 15pc discount. Given the main dealer here is 2.5x the price of Europe for parts, pricing was nuts. I wouldn't mind as we all need to eat...but their techs are paid 1/10 of what a tech is paid in Europe and so you just wonder where all the money
A rebuild was AED 7k by Hoorani and they did a good job too. But a simple change of oil at 70k kms would no doubt have prevented all this.
My old Z3M was maintained by the previous owner at a specialist in Dubai. They insisted on using parts sourced from the main dealer with a 15pc discount. Given the main dealer here is 2.5x the price of Europe for parts, pricing was nuts. I wouldn't mind as we all need to eat...but their techs are paid 1/10 of what a tech is paid in Europe and so you just wonder where all the money
markirl said:
Great thread and great spannering!
Looking to replace my prop flex coupling soon - how did you find the quality of the Meyle item? I've heard mixed reports so would be interested to hear your view.
Looked identical and fitted without any issues. I've only read mixed reports on FEBI parts, not Meyle. (However I could only find FEBI gearbox mounts at a decent price, but since they are easy to replace its not issue)Looking to replace my prop flex coupling soon - how did you find the quality of the Meyle item? I've heard mixed reports so would be interested to hear your view.
Edited by Rich_AR on Tuesday 4th July 05:16
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