Sabretooth tiger
///Member
Thank you dear cousin. I shall take good care of it
-
Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
Stuart Little (2007 E85 Z4 2.5si manual)
- Thread starter MR_Y
- Start date
MR_Y
Well-known member
After major surgery, all seems well.
Taking it a bit easy, since the clutch and flywheel have been replaced.
Clutch feels definitely lighter, but easily controllable.
Will daily the car on most days, in addition to weekend blasts.
Drove it in pissing rain yesterday in JHB and all went well. Tyres dealt with standing water with no drama, wipers worked well, lights illuminated dark roads well, soft top kept the rain out and no leaks.
I noticed on mildly rippled or unsmooth sections of the N1 (Pretoria to Buccleuch), the car fidgets slightly at legal speeds (this was in the dry). I won't say tramlining, but requires attention to keep it on track - which is spoiled a bit by the electric steering that does not give enough feedback for micro adjustments of the steering wheel. The alignment was done recently and it drives perfectly on smooth highways at speed. I wonder if this is just a trait of the car. Anyway, not a major issue since it performs well enough on other roads and was also noticeable before the recent surgery. The Eagle F1s are brand new and are not to blame - pressure has been adjusted to non RFT spec (so, Z4M spec for 18 inch wheels, which are non RFT).
The exhaust is a huge talking point. At the traffic lights, I get a whistle or wave from a hot hatch driver (GTI, M140i, etc). I can't keep up obviously when they pull away, but the exhaust adds its own appeal and street cred.
On another note, the car gets more looks/stares than my Porsches (ex Cayman S included). Maybe it's the exhaust noise
Some pictures...
Avoiding car park dings, by parking far away
I am not photographer, but this is some sort of juxtaposition, I think 🤔
Taking it a bit easy, since the clutch and flywheel have been replaced.
Clutch feels definitely lighter, but easily controllable.
Will daily the car on most days, in addition to weekend blasts.
Drove it in pissing rain yesterday in JHB and all went well. Tyres dealt with standing water with no drama, wipers worked well, lights illuminated dark roads well, soft top kept the rain out and no leaks.
I noticed on mildly rippled or unsmooth sections of the N1 (Pretoria to Buccleuch), the car fidgets slightly at legal speeds (this was in the dry). I won't say tramlining, but requires attention to keep it on track - which is spoiled a bit by the electric steering that does not give enough feedback for micro adjustments of the steering wheel. The alignment was done recently and it drives perfectly on smooth highways at speed. I wonder if this is just a trait of the car. Anyway, not a major issue since it performs well enough on other roads and was also noticeable before the recent surgery. The Eagle F1s are brand new and are not to blame - pressure has been adjusted to non RFT spec (so, Z4M spec for 18 inch wheels, which are non RFT).
The exhaust is a huge talking point. At the traffic lights, I get a whistle or wave from a hot hatch driver (GTI, M140i, etc). I can't keep up obviously when they pull away, but the exhaust adds its own appeal and street cred.
On another note, the car gets more looks/stares than my Porsches (ex Cayman S included). Maybe it's the exhaust noise
Some pictures...
Avoiding car park dings, by parking far away
I am not photographer, but this is some sort of juxtaposition, I think 🤔
Last edited:
MR_Y
Well-known member
Battery seems dead....
Tried starting the car and the dash lights flickered a bit and then nothing.
My FM Modulator has a battery voltage check. When I plugged that in, it showed around 10v. Normally it is over 11v.
Anyway, I have never replaced a BMW battery before on a car that is out of Plan. I heard something about "registering" a battery. Not entirely sure what that means. I assume I can get an aftermarket battery fitted by Battery Centre and then the registering needs to be done by BMW?
Tried starting the car and the dash lights flickered a bit and then nothing.
My FM Modulator has a battery voltage check. When I plugged that in, it showed around 10v. Normally it is over 11v.
Anyway, I have never replaced a BMW battery before on a car that is out of Plan. I heard something about "registering" a battery. Not entirely sure what that means. I assume I can get an aftermarket battery fitted by Battery Centre and then the registering needs to be done by BMW?
AlexYannoulatos
///Member
I don't think battery registration is needed on the Z4. Hopefully someone here can confirm this
momo1
Well-known member
Car is looking great!
No registration needed on the new battery for E85/86, I changed the battery once and was plug an play, also had the battery go dead and took it to the battery Centre for charging and plonked back in with no issues, i used to disconnect the negative terminal if i knew the car wont be driven for a few weeks and also no issue with that, old school cars are so much simpler
No registration needed on the new battery for E85/86, I changed the battery once and was plug an play, also had the battery go dead and took it to the battery Centre for charging and plonked back in with no issues, i used to disconnect the negative terminal if i knew the car wont be driven for a few weeks and also no issue with that, old school cars are so much simpler
MR_Y
Well-known member
Thanks.
The roadside assistance guy checked the voltage on the battery and says it is perfect. It is an OEM BMW battery (looks still new).
He reset (disconnected and reconnected) the battery and the car works now.
To be safe, I am getting the car checked at my independent mechanic.
Will revert.
Update:
Seems that while the battery voltage was fine when tested, the drop charge (my understanding is that this is the drop caused by starting the car) was too low. Mechanic advised me to go to Battery Centre. They confirmed that the battery is a 2016 model (I learned something new today on how to read a battery's date of manufacture) and quoted for a replacement battery.
I was surprised to see that Battery Centre have BMW labelled batteries. Was quoted R2,800 with fitment (they keep the car charged with another battery while the replacement takes place, so that the car's settings are not lost).
When I called BMW for a quote on the same battery, it was R7k + R1,500 for labour 😲
I went ahead with the Battery Centre battery, which I understand to be a Raylite battery with a BMW label. Was also advised that registration/coding was not needed.
Anyway, all is fine now. The battery has a 2 year warranty.
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MR_Y
Well-known member
I have been driving with the top up in the past few days due to heavy rains and then extra hot/sunny conditions.
I am impressed with how well insulated the cabin is with the roof up. Apart from the exhaust, the cabin is reasonably quiet and free of rattles/squeaks. Definitely feels like a big car in terms of insulation and NVH (apart from the modded exhaust).
With standard fit ISOFIX and passenger airbag switch, I can also do the school run with no fuss.
I want to upload a sound clip of the exhaust to the forum. Any advice on how to do that?
I am impressed with how well insulated the cabin is with the roof up. Apart from the exhaust, the cabin is reasonably quiet and free of rattles/squeaks. Definitely feels like a big car in terms of insulation and NVH (apart from the modded exhaust).
With standard fit ISOFIX and passenger airbag switch, I can also do the school run with no fuss.
I want to upload a sound clip of the exhaust to the forum. Any advice on how to do that?
Sabretooth tiger
///Member
You can always upload to YouTube and add the link in a post. That's what I did. Not sure if you can load it directly here as with pics.
MR_Y
Well-known member
In other news, I placed an order for a new sport exhaust system on my Macan. More reason to create a channel: '"Old man with loud cars"
Sabretooth tiger
///Member
Nothing wrong with that bud. Just blame it on your hearing and say you need to hear the car is idlingIn other news, I placed an order for a new sport exhaust system on my Macan. More reason to create a channel: '"Old man with loud cars"
My car is already loud with the downpipe but resonator delete is on the cards.
MR_Y
Well-known member
The car is going well.
However, I have an itch for something a bit newer, quicker, better handling and with a few more bells and whistles, but still with a BMW badge
Old M240i manual perhaps... 😈
However, will wait a bit before deciding. I feel I need to enjoy this Z4 for at least a full year. Maintenance costs will not be recouped, so have to extract my money's worth in driving pleasure.
However, I have an itch for something a bit newer, quicker, better handling and with a few more bells and whistles, but still with a BMW badge
Old M240i manual perhaps... 😈
However, will wait a bit before deciding. I feel I need to enjoy this Z4 for at least a full year. Maintenance costs will not be recouped, so have to extract my money's worth in driving pleasure.
CK4LIFE
Active member
For some reason I knew this was coming 🤣🤣However, I have an itch for something a bit newer, quicker, better handling and with a few more bells and whistles, but still with a BMW badge
TBP88
Well-known member
HahaThe car is going well.
However, I have an itch for something a bit newer, quicker, better handling and with a few more bells and whistles, but still with a BMW badge
Old M240i manual perhaps... 😈
However, will wait a bit before deciding. I feel I need to enjoy this Z4 for at least a full year. Maintenance costs will not be recouped, so have to extract my money's worth in driving pleasure.
I feel like you should enjoy this car for what it is for a while. And *MAYBE* head for a test drive of a Z4M - have you sampled one before?
MR_Y
Well-known member
Losing oil, again......
So, after all the oil leak work was done (top and bottom of engine and new sump too), I have been steadily losing oil, according to the computer, over the past month. At first I thought it was just a wacky sensor, since there are no visible leaks.
I assume the oil is being burned. I have not checked the exhaust fumes.
Anyway, off to the mech tomorrow for a diagnosis.
So, after all the oil leak work was done (top and bottom of engine and new sump too), I have been steadily losing oil, according to the computer, over the past month. At first I thought it was just a wacky sensor, since there are no visible leaks.
I assume the oil is being burned. I have not checked the exhaust fumes.
Anyway, off to the mech tomorrow for a diagnosis.
MR_Y
Well-known member
Seems that it could be the valve stem seals.
I am weighing up whether this needs to be fixed or is it fine to live with topping up oil every 1,000km.
Oil has been topped up and will be monitored.
VinceM
Well-known member
Seeing you would like to move onto another car soonest, perhaps do not spend more money on this one and live with the oil expense which is negligible.
Valve stem seals labour costs are greater than the oil expense.
Do you see smoke on hard acceleration or revving?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
momo1
Well-known member
After major surgery, all seems well.
Taking it a bit easy, since the clutch and flywheel have been replaced.
Clutch feels definitely lighter, but easily controllable.
Will daily the car on most days, in addition to weekend blasts.
Drove it in pissing rain yesterday in JHB and all went well. Tyres dealt with standing water with no drama, wipers worked well, lights illuminated dark roads well, soft top kept the rain out and no leaks.
I noticed on mildly rippled or unsmooth sections of the N1 (Pretoria to Buccleuch), the car fidgets slightly at legal speeds (this was in the dry). I won't say tramlining, but requires attention to keep it on track - which is spoiled a bit by the electric steering that does not give enough feedback for micro adjustments of the steering wheel. The alignment was done recently and it drives perfectly on smooth highways at speed. I wonder if this is just a trait of the car. Anyway, not a major issue since it performs well enough on other roads and was also noticeable before the recent surgery. The Eagle F1s are brand new and are not to blame - pressure has been adjusted to non RFT spec (so, Z4M spec for 18 inch wheels, which are non RFT).
The exhaust is a huge talking point. At the traffic lights, I get a whistle or wave from a hot hatch driver (GTI, M140i, etc). I can't keep up obviously when they pull away, but the exhaust adds its own appeal and street cred.
On another note, the car gets more looks/stares than my Porsches (ex Cayman S included). Maybe it's the exhaust noise
Some pictures...
Stop (and go back) before gravel
View attachment 20440
Avoiding car park dings, by parking far away
View attachment 20441
I am not photographer, but this is some sort of juxtaposition, I think 🤔
View attachment 20442
Chris Bangle design language has aged well. E85 is classically sexy AF (more Scarlett Johansson than Megan Fox
View attachment 20443
View attachment 20444
View attachment 20445
the fidget on the steering wheel is a common characteristic due to the E85 being the first BMW to have implemented electric steering technology, I fitted brand new RFTS and normal tyres on my old 3.0 Si and it did the same, i know of a guy that did a complete hydraulic setup which solved his issue but honestly not worth it, i did get use to mine after a while
