Can I afford a high-mileage Z4?

[eben007]

Well guys as promised, some more (bad) pics... I really need to get her out into some nice scenery, but for now, this is what I have.

I REALLY need to give big props to solo, even though I didn't end up buying his ride, he has been constantly in touch over email and whatsapp, helping me, giving me tips, and just generally being a really nice guy.

And thanks for letting me join the whatsapp group! Makes me laugh a lot. At work. Embarrassingly.

Some pics:

Taking my dad for a spin, he loves it!

So I popped a headlight bulb last night, ordered some Philips Xtreme's for the girl, will try get them in ASAP. The dash light is irritating me.

Had a yellow oil light come on for several seconds when I switched off the car at the petrol station yesterday morning, but it went away and hasn't returned. Solo told me about the sensor getting hurt if the car was switched on while they were draining oil... but that it's harmless so hopefully that's my problem too. The dipstick shows just less than full after driving the car, and letting it stand for a few minutes.

I really don't like the wheels all that much, and the runflats are crazy stiff over rough roads, but they have so much life left, I'll just deal with them and go to "normal" tyres when it's time.

Tested the "water resistance" this morning and glad to say it does not look like there are any leaks around the soft top. The leading edge rubber between the top and the windscreen is cracked on the lip, so not sure if I can get it replaced, but I want to.

I am going to get the oil/filter/plugs/MT fluid/diff fluid and get that all replaced ASAP, also probably going to flush coolant system and bleed the brake system, as soon as I can.

The shifter knob is worn through a little, so I'll be replacing that, and the emblems on the hood and wheels look a little worse for wear. Seen knock offs on BidorBuy for cheap, (Thanks guy on whatsapp group that I'm not sure if I can name!) so will prolly go that route.

I am thoroughly loving the car thus far!
Thanks again for all the advice guys!

 

[PLV]

Awesome man!

She will definitely look great once you sort the wheels out... lol!

Look forward to seeing the DIY stuff you got planned!

Glad all is going well so far!

:thumbs:

 

[NtandoN]

Congrats :cartel:

 

[Ddoooooon]

looks good mate , glad you enjoying , perfect weather .

 

[Dr Evil]

Congratulations, may she bring you many smiles.


Sent from my iPhone+ using my finger

 

[AdiS]

Had a yellow oil light come on for several seconds when I switched off the car at the petrol station yesterday morning, but it went away and hasn't returned. Solo told me about the sensor getting hurt if the car was switched on while they were draining oil... but that it's harmless so hopefully that's my problem too. The dipstick shows just less than full after driving the car, and letting it stand for a few minutes.

Keep an eye on this - if the yellow oil light comes on for a few seconds after first starting the car and then disappeasr, it usually means it's on it's way out. Common issue.

 

[eben007]

Keep an eye on this - if the yellow oil light comes on for a few seconds after first starting the car and then disappeasr, it usually means it's on it's way out. Common issue.

It only ever comes on after turning the car off, I checked it again last night and it's definitely a little low on the dipstick, about half way between the marks.
I'll keep checking it though, thanks mate!

On another note, while doing the above, I noticed some coolant in the bottom engine cover, and upon further investigation, it turns out I have a water leak somewhere around the plastic coolant tank, I sat in traffic in 30 degree heat for about 45 minutes so no doubt that's what made it pop.

The res was low by about 500ml. So I proceeded to start tearing into it, and got the bottle on the bench. I put the cap on and fitted the bottom bit that the tank presses onto, held my compressor on one hole and blocked the others and pumped it to a bar. It was hissing where the bottle presses into the bottom bit. I checked the smaller o-ring and it felt a little swollen and quite soft, so I replaced it with one I had lying around and it held pressure when I pumped it again. The bottle looks pretty new and I couldn't see any cracks...

I can't really believe the bottom bit is simply a press fitting? The big pipe has a clip but the smaller one can easily push skew and leak?

I'll be calling the dealer to see what they can do, I haven't even had the car for a week. I expected to replace these things anyway, just wish it wasn't now, in Jan, while I'm broke AF.

It's not a MAJOR malfunction either, the car's been perfect besides this.

 

[ET was here]

keep us updated please

 

[eben007]

Just an update on the water leakage, it's "fixed" as in it's not leaking anymore.
Dealer told me that their Mechanic (Nige Auto in Benoni) had replaced two coolant hoses that looked sketchy.

Upon my inspection last night it's obvious that NOTHING was replaced, the hoses in question still have the same dust on them as before, and the radiator cowl was never even removed. (I know because I broke some of those silly clips when I did it, and put only half of them back, they are still in the same spots I put them)

Now either I overfilled the system the first day I checked it, or I accidentally fixed something when I had everything apart. Needless to say I will now replace the bottle and hoses at my own expense, and know that it's been done properly.

I also think they powerwashed the engine bay because it had lots of white stains from the leaking antifreeze, and in doing do they managed to get some water in my right headlight. I'll be attempting to fix that issue over the weekend...

The car feels a bit different to drive than before they took it back in, it might be in my head because I was driving a Corsa in the interim, but something definitely feels different. The clutch engagement area in the pedal feels smaller... I might just be paranoid tho.

I'm going to be doing an oil/filter change on the weekend, as well as flushing the cooling system and using a proper 50/50 mix, as I used Engen brand coolant when I worked on the car, and don't want to leave it in there too long.

Also going to be doing some interior detailing and re-seal the ragtop with some sool stuff I bought from Crazy Detailer.

:thumbs::thumbs:

 

[individj]

i would let them sort it..you just bought the car..tell them they didn't replace the hoses & let them sort everything...maybe it needs to be bled..dont settle..its why you pay a premium and use a dealership. my humble opinion bud..you have it for like 2 weeks

 

[eben007]

Bud you know, I really should, but I'm just seriously gatvol of not having my car with me, and worrying about what they might be doing to her.
For ~R4k and an hour labour I can do it myself and know it's done right. I haven't even quoted from Goldwagen on these parts might even cost less if they have these types of things.

Worried about the clutch now, but it didn't seem to do anything weird when I put foot in 3rd for example. It just feels very on/off like I have to concentrate quite hard to pull away smoothly... might just be I got used to the Corsa..

Anybody know a good replacement gear knob for the 5spd Manual? Do they just screw on or are they hermetically welded with unobtanium like most other things on these cars? Lolz

 

[Solo Man]

Gearlever should just lift off if you grab onto it and pull hard up. I removed mine to respray it when i got the car. Careful you do not hit yourself on the chin when it comes off!! I had a new clutch and flywheel fitted by ZF when i got mine in Feb/March last year and i find that i have to get used to the clutch every time i get out of my other two manual shift BM's. I must add that i had removed the clutch delay valve the day i got the car as i thought that it might be the cause of the clutch slipping. Turned out not to be the case and that is why i had the clutch replaced. Am going to refit the cdv and see if it makes a difference. Will let you know my findings.

 

[eben007]

Gearlever should just lift off if you grab onto it and pull hard up. I removed mine to respray it when i got the car. Careful you do not hit yourself on the chin when it comes off!! I had a new clutch and flywheel fitted by ZF when i got mine in Feb/March last year and i find that i have to get used to the clutch every time i get out of my other two manual shift BM's. I must add that i had removed the clutch delay valve the day i got the car as i thought that it might be the cause of the clutch slipping. Turned out not to be the case and that is why i had the clutch replaced. Am going to refit the cdv and see if it makes a difference. Will let you know my findings.

Shoe, lots of info in that post... I need to go read up on CDV's.

What did you pay for the clutch/fw replacement more or less Solo? Just in case this is a problem on mine.

Thank you sir!
raise:

 

[Solo Man]

I shopped around. Got the Luk dual mass flywheel from Goldwagen (about R5k) and ZF supplied the clutch kit and labour. I was quoted R13k for the flywheel alone!!! from the agents. My total cost was about R13.5k labour included. ZF really went out of their way to help me. I have been going to them for auto [/u]gearbox services now for a number of times and have built up a good relationship. They did a very good job and i got the car back just after lunch. I have just this afternoon re fitted the cdv and have only driven down the street and back. Cannot really say there is any difference. Will have to do more mileage and will report back. Whilst the car was on the stands i also replaced the gearbox and diff oil. Expensive oil!

 

[eben007]

Good morning guys! Quick question, anybody ever use these guys:
http://www.euroautoparts.co.za/shop/bmw/e85-z4-roadster-03.html?

They don't have PLENTY of stuff but the prices and shipping makes it worth it I think, 1 year warranty on parts as well, all Bosch, Valeo, Sachs, Luk stuff...

Bosch Spark plugs for my car, R85
Bosch Air Filter, R135

Not sure of quality but in my mind Bosch makes good parts?

 

[Ralf*]

I have also joined the "Z clan"
https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=84776

 

[kilotango]

congrats on the new z4 mate. it looks awesome, will look even better once the proper mags are on :roflol:

would be a good idea to keep checking oil and coolant levels every few days for a few weeks. if you find that they are at relatively stable levels after about a month, then you can rest assured that there's no leaks or anything going on.

the cooling system on these older beemers are a POS at high mileage, so that would be something to keep an eye out for. even the little plastic bleed screw will crack and cause coolant loss after a while. its unreal how brittle all that plastic gets.

 

[ET was here]

nice

 

[Ralf*]

congrats on the new z4 mate. it looks awesome, will look even better once the proper mags are on :roflol:

are you referring to my purchased Z4 ?
1) there is no more money in the piggybank to buy new mags
2) When I google the 2003 Z4, over 50% show up with this style

would be a good idea to keep checking oil and coolant levels every few days for a few weeks. if you find that they are at relatively stable levels after about a month, then you can rest assured that there's no leaks or anything going on.

The radiator burst in April, 50% of the coolant pipes where changed then, about another 25% coolant pipes were changed when the "Y" fitting going into the block had to be changed

Also the expansion tank has also been replaced about a year ago

Since the radiator burst, and the engine temp reached the red light/red line, followed by the car dying as I coasted to a stop.
since then 9 months later, oil change also done when the radiator was replaced, no hissing, no moisture, no white residue to indicate leakage, but the expansion tanks needs about a cup of water once a week, probably one litre per month maximum, where the water is going, is anyones guess, oil level is essentially remaining constant, maybe gone down a quarter on the dipstick and the colour is consistent golden to darker brown as time goes on.

the cooling system on these older beemers are a POS at high mileage, so that would be something to keep an eye out for. even the little plastic bleed screw will crack and cause coolant loss after a while. its unreal how brittle all that plastic gets.

thats no lie, all the components that have been changed were a bitch to remove because most just crumbled up when trying to loosen them

---

some more pics added to my own thread

 

[eben007]

I have also joined the "Z clan"
https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=84776

Very very nice! I wanted that colour so bad when I was looking for mine, and I LOVE those wheels. I need those wheels...

I just replaced my coolant tank, level sensor and cap on mine, planning to do waterpump and thermo next month, and then I'll tackle the hoses, as mine seem very limber still.

Same boat as you regarding working for a salary and having this as my only mode of transport now, it kinda feels like should sell a bike and get a runabout to do traffic with, maybe an i20 or a corsa or so, it kinda feels like an injustice putting the Z in 2 hours of stop-and-go traffic every afternoon lol.

CHECK YOUR ROOF DRAINS, I just pulled the right side one out when I got the car, never realizing there was one on the left, and when I pulled it out this weekend about a liter of muddy water rushed out. That would have killed the roof motor as it sits by the left one.

As for everything else to check, I'm sure you've searched and found the wealth of info on this and many other sites. Mine is now on 158 000 km and it STILL feels better than any other car I've owned. They are incredible.

Congrats and may she entertain you for many safe miles!