An MOT too far... End of an era!

[overthehills]

It's the time of the year when I get the anxiously awaited call from my local garage that alas, my Zed has failed her MOT.

Sadly, this year, it's probably a few hundred quid just to keep her roadworthy. I quote:

Repair immediately (major defects):

• Offside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))
• Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))
• Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded trailing arm (1.1.11 (c))
• Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded trailing arm (1.1.11 (c))
• Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Repair as soon as possible (minor defects):

• Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Nearside Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))
• Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))
• Nearside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge edge (5.2.3 (e))
• Offside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge edge (5.2.3 (e))
• Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to flexi hose (1.1.11 (c))
• Nearside Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge edge very bad (5.2.3 (e))
• Offside Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge edge (5.2.3 (e))
• Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Offside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i)

Not nice reading, but totally expected for a 21 year old car with 139,200 on the clock. She's already cost me a new MAF and cam position sensor this year and I've put off new tyres expecting a big list of pricier fails.

So I'm starting to appreciate that whilst a real joy, she's a money pit I can't justify keeping any longer. Especially as I don't have space, tools or know-how to DIY some of the work.

Before I start Googling "car scrappage in Shropshire" with a tear in my eye, I thought I'd reach out to you lovely lot. If ever there's a community dedicated to keeping a Z3 on the road (or at least her more usable components) it's here.

She's a black-and-red 2.2i and currently has no faults on my code reader. Got a good amount of history, but wouldn't want to mislead and suggest she's anything other than a fun old runabout now in urgent need of expenditure.

Don't suppose there's any interest in taking her off my hands for a fair lump sum, whether for a project or to break for parts? Let me know soonest. Technically the current MOT is valid until 26th November 2022 if that helps with any calculations.

Cheers.

 

[t-tony]

Some pictures of the interior possibly, with the roof down would help someone make a decision on rescuing it. Nearer 24 than 21? Mileage is irrelevant really.

Tony.

 

[overthehills]

First registered in April 2022.

I'll get some snaps when I get her back from the garage tomorrow.

 

[t-tony]

Just stretched picture out. My bad. Shame you're not closer.

Tony.

 

[colb]

Got to be worth doing those jobs to keep it going, nothing terminal and all DIY if your capable with spanners. Tyres would be the most costly to replace but since the car has infrequent use budget tyres would do to keep costs down.

 

[DrWong]

That’s a lovely wheel/body colour/roof colour combination

The major defect list doesn’t look to bad to me tbh. Would you be planning to replace it with something else? Cos I reckon that would likely cost much more than the few hundred quid to sort the immediate defects

 

[overthehills]

I'd ordinarily agree with you, @colb, but I'm incapable with spanners! I also only have the one allotted parking space where I live, and my better half by sheer good fortune has a newer car arriving this week, @DrWong, otherwise I'd absolutely shell out and get the major defects fixed pronto.

So realistically, the Zed would become a second car and that's a luxury I sadly can't afford.

Hopefully you're all reading my devastation in this as well as pragmatism! If you'll forgive the pity party, I recently took a jump into self employment and it's been a very tough few months. So there's that, too...

 

[Oddly Godly]

Most of the faults look quite easy to fix, might not be as bad as it looks to get it mot,d. 9 faults are tyres, indicator, number plate and headlights. It looks a lovely car from the photo. I'm sure someone can rescue it.

 

[Peter1450]

Seems a shame to not have her repaired I know photos can be flattering but it looks in pretty good condition apart from your listed faults.
All the Z’s of similar age will need new brake lines etc, but appreciate not everyone wants/ I capable of doing this at home, can’t see it would cost more than a few hundred pounds to keep her on the road for another year.
Actually enjoy the challenge of keeping these older cars on the road now, I have a hybrid van for work with 7K on the clock and it’s already full of niggly problems,can’t see it being anywhere near a test centre in 20 years time

 

[Stevo7682]

Pm sent

 

[Zephyr]

Pitty looks like a nice car, and guessing from the sport seats probably a well equipped one.
definitely worth saving.

 

[mwpe]

Definitely worth saving, those defects are next to nothing. If I didn't have another project on I would be after it.

 

[Mazza]

The car I have in my garage was far worse than that…. Deifinitely worth saving … dont let the scrappers get their mitts on it

Mmm have I space for another one….

 

[Synclare]

.

 

[overthehills]

Wow, thanks for all the comments and message, folks. Rather blown away by the response!

Suffice to say I'm still 50:50 whether to invest in her or hand her over. Definitely see she's too good for scrappage.

One thing's clear: remedying the MOT failures is not work I can do myself. Having mulled it over all day, I'm happy to keep her on the road for c. £100 but not, for example, for £400+ if that makes sense. Insurance renewal is due within a week, so it's actually good timing one way or another.

I've got her back from my local BMW specialist and snapped a load of photos this morning. This shows how she looks after an autumnal round trip to west Cornwall (and not a half mile trip to the car wash!). Plenty more photos available for those of you so inclined. She has a toolkit, warning triangle and after-market Pioneer radio with USB port, although the speakers are awful.

As I'm all for transparency, some pertinent points, some of which are probably 'to be expected':

• There's obviously lichen on the roof.
• Occasional water ingress, in heavy rain, via the driver's side window seal. I read that 'Gummi-pflege' is the one for this.
• Stain on the driver's seat which pre-dates my custodianship. Probably a former owner letting too much rain in.
• Minor oil leak from what I think is the rocker cover.
• Slight rattles from the transmission on occasion, when accelerating/changing gear from a standing start.
• Rear window plastic has seen better days. Glare on motorways at night can be a bit irritating.
• BMW badges are 'tired', to say the least .

I've DMed those of you who've got in touch, so thanks very much there. More generally I welcome observations/feedback/etc from all following this thread.

Cheers for reading!

 

[GZed]

I live near Shrewsbury. Agree that an MOT would significantly improve sale price. I use a local independent guy who is excellent, trustworthy and very reasonably priced. I’ll PM contact details etc