Discussion
I’ve been meaning to start this thread as a maintenance/journey log for my recently purchased Z4.
It’s a lowly 2.5i with small wheels and a manual gearbox. I hoped the reg would be a good omen, and so far, so good.
I collected it with around 85,000 miles on the clock - so fairly low for the year, but at that odd in-between in which lots of things need doing to it in order to keep it running.
So far, I’ve carried out a complete cooling system overhaul including:
Radiator, thermostat + housing, expansion tank + cap, water-pump (metal impeller) and top/bottom hoses (all OEM parts)
DISA Valve Upgrade - XR8
Oil Service/Micro Filter at BMW
Roof motor relocated to boot
Replaced nearside caliper
Front pads
Auxiliary Belt
Alternator - OEM Bosch
Replaced both headlamp seals
Renovo roof renovation/303 fabric guard
ZHP short/weighted gear knob
Deep clean of the exterior (although I like it dirty) + interior/leather conditioning etc
The previous owner had the wheels dipped/powder-coated just before I collected it and fitted brand new P7’s all round. Unfortunately that means it’s on run-flats but I can’t quite bring myself to change them out. He also poly-bushed the rear control arms and had the headlamps machine polished.
The Z4 isn’t the sharpest drive but I think BMW struck a good balance for the road. In SE spec and on 17’s, It feels lithe yet taught, and with the state of the roads local to me - it’s ideal. It also doesn’t seem to suffer with the sticky steering of early Z4’s. The engine is turbine-smooth, makes a lovely noise, and is (just) quick enough. It sits in that sweet spot in which I can regularly extend it through the first 3 gears without getting into trouble. It uses very little oil for an M54. I’ve put over 10,000 miles on it in 6 months, and so far it has proved robust, although I have just this morning spotted a leaky nearside shock, so perhaps bork is fitting after all.
That’s a job for the new year.
Merry Christmas!
It looks like you've addressed the potential problems, especially the roof motor one. 
They are great cars - I've had a Z4 Coupe for 4+ years and still love it. After all you can't buy much with a naturally aspirated straight 6 petrol engine, manual gearbox and RWD!
They are great cars - I've had a Z4 Coupe for 4+ years and still love it. After all you can't buy much with a naturally aspirated straight 6 petrol engine, manual gearbox and RWD!
Edited by Mr Tidy on Monday 24th December 22:53
That’s it! A lot of the jobs I’ve done were preventative. My parents had various E46/E39 models during my childhood, so I’m fairly familiar with the usual issues.
I think I’ll move on to a coupe after this if they remain reasonably priced. They get under your skin. I’m fond of this car.
Forgot to add, also had a new windscreen fitted recently as I knocked the rear view mirror whilst cleaning the glass and cracked the old one.
I think I’ll move on to a coupe after this if they remain reasonably priced. They get under your skin. I’m fond of this car.
Forgot to add, also had a new windscreen fitted recently as I knocked the rear view mirror whilst cleaning the glass and cracked the old one.
Demanvilles said:
Lovely! Merry Christmas! Yours looks to have a nice light interior too.
Thanks - as it's a "Sport" model it has a black headlining, so I really wanted seats in a different colour. Mine are Pearl Grey. I bought a ZHP gear-knob too! My wheels were off an E89 - if you think of changing your wheels they're worth looking at as they sit further out in the arches because E89s have different offsets. My fronts are 18mm further out and rears are 10mm - much easier than spacers!
Demanvilles said:
Forgot to add, also had a new windscreen fitted recently as I knocked the rear view mirror whilst cleaning the glass and cracked the old one.
Nice car OP. I also bought a 2.5 SE recently, but I haven't done any of the jobs you've done, apart from an oil change and service!Can I be nosey and ask how much your new windscreen cost? Mine has a few scratches and chips, and they're annoying in the low winter sunlight.
spreadsheet monkey said:
Nice car OP. I also bought a 2.5 SE recently, but I haven't done any of the jobs you've done, apart from an oil change and service!
Can I be nosey and ask how much your new windscreen cost? Mine has a few scratches and chips, and they're annoying in the low winter sunlight.
No problem. It was around £230 ish for an OE spec Pilkington but without the fancy BMW logo. It was the only advisory on the last MOT so it's nice that it's done. Can I be nosey and ask how much your new windscreen cost? Mine has a few scratches and chips, and they're annoying in the low winter sunlight.
Mr Tidy said:
Thanks - as it's a "Sport" model it has a black headlining, so I really wanted seats in a different colour. Mine are Pearl Grey.
I bought a ZHP gear-knob too! My wheels were off an E89 - if you think of changing your wheels they're worth looking at as they sit further out in the arches because E89s have different offsets. My fronts are 18mm further out and rears are 10mm - much easier than spacers!
Cheers for the tip! I'll look into those if I decide to change - although I am enjoying the smaller wheels. I bought a ZHP gear-knob too! My wheels were off an E89 - if you think of changing your wheels they're worth looking at as they sit further out in the arches because E89s have different offsets. My fronts are 18mm further out and rears are 10mm - much easier than spacers!
I just replaced the front (Sachs) shocks with Bilstein B4's and Lemforder top mounts. I have matching mounts for the rears but struggling to find a supplier with B4's in stock. Front end feels better.
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