Another pricey day!

[Zooropa]

I took the Zed down to get the suspension checked today. Found out that I need new springs and shocks on the rear. I suspected there was an issue as the drivers side rear sat around 1.5'' lower than the passenger side and the steering wheel shudders when going over a pot hole.

Went to ECP website and found 2 Sachs shocks and 2 Sachs springs for £190 odd pounds. With their discount code applied for BH.

Got new spring pads (upper and lower) from BMW dealer for £30 all in.

Managed to get rear top mounts from a local parts shop for £25 for the two.

Booked into the garage next week for fitting. Will I notice a big difference in the driving experience do you think?

All in all quite pleased with the prices as I decided against lowering the car in order to protect the new stainless steel exhaust against our bumpy roads!

Next job is to book it in for a major service, how much should I be looking to pay for that (I would like to have ALL the fluids replaced as I don't know when it was last done)?

Then it's full respray time at the very start of June for 2 weeks. I am going to miss it .

Then it's new roof time which is booked with Jack Smith in Swansea early August.

Once all of the above is sorted I will be able to finally post a picture of it!!!

I don't know if anyone cares but I like to jot down my thoughts on the process without boring those who don't appreciate the Z3 for all it's glory!

Take care!

Ps. I have posted an ad for the passenger wing mirror frame which is in decent nick on the for sale forum. If you know anyone who could be interested could you tag them or pass the info on please?

Thanks again!

 

[andyglym]

Changing shocks and springs will transform your Zed, on the proviso the bushes aren't goosed. Not sure on the service, depends where you go, my local one man band garage charges £40 per hour whereas a main dealer will be nearer £100 per hour! If you can't or don't have the time to do it yourself a local garage can be worth their weight in gold. 3-4 hours labour + parts ish, I always take my own and they fit for me.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Don't worry,those who don't appreciate the Z3 for all it's glory won't be looking here, your secret is safe.

 

[billz]

Agree a local Garage should charge around £40 to £60 per hour. Just had mine serviced without fluid change and no need for air filter (done 4k ago) cost me £190 but had to have 6x plugs at £60 a set

 

[Zooropa]

@billz can you feel any difference in yours after a major service?

 

[billz]

@billz can you feel any difference in yours after a major service?

To be honest i have the same service every year just the parts that differ depending how many miles a do between services.
I have not drove it yet as only had it done on Monday.

 

[billz]

Its also been a pricey week for me too. Had it professionally machine polished last week and picked it up Saturday then the Service this week. Next month i am having the wishbone bushes and MOT, also tax and insurance so will be another expensive month

 

[Nodzed]

Hi, new shocks and mounts will make a huge difference (do the fronts as soon as you can though to get the full benefit) one down side as you renew / upgrade it will show up the other suspension items that are weak or knackered ...... sorry.

 

[Zooropa]

@Nodzed luckily for me the front suspension is in good order so hopefully the contrast won't be too marked. The mechanic today said that there was no need to change anything there so that was good. The rear on the other hand was really needing an overhaul!

Do you think investing in the new spring pads was a good idea?

 

[Zooropa]

@billz im glad you are there sharing my pain! If it makes you feel any better the respray is going to cost me a fortune next month!

 

[Nodzed]

@Nodzed luckily for me the front suspension is in good order so hopefully the contrast won't be too marked. The mechanic today said that there was no need to change anything there so that was good. The rear on the other hand was really needing an overhaul!

Do you think investing in the new spring pads was a good idea?

Hi yes if they were perished damaged etc, cant hurt for the cost TBH in any event.

 

[DavidM]

I took the Zed down to get the suspension checked today. Found out that I need new springs and shocks on the rear. I suspected there was an issue as the drivers side rear sat around 1.5'' lower than the passenger side and the steering wheel shudders when going over a pot hole.

Went to ECP website and found 2 Sachs shocks and 2 Sachs springs for £190 odd pounds. With their discount code applied for BH.

Got new spring pads (upper and lower) from BMW dealer for £30 all in.

Managed to get rear top mounts from a local parts shop for £25 for the two.

Booked into the garage next week for fitting. Will I notice a big difference in the driving experience do you think?

All in all quite pleased with the prices as I decided against lowering the car in order to protect the new stainless steel exhaust against our bumpy roads!

Next job is to book it in for a major service, how much should I be looking to pay for that (I would like to have ALL the fluids replaced as I don't know when it was last done)?

Then it's full respray time at the very start of June for 2 weeks. I am going to miss it .

Then it's new roof time which is booked with Jack Smith in Swansea early August.

Once all of the above is sorted I will be able to finally post a picture of it!!!

I don't know if anyone cares but I like to jot down my thoughts on the process without boring those who don't appreciate the Z3 for all it's glory!

Take care!

Ps. I have posted an ad for the passenger wing mirror frame which is in decent nick on the for sale forum. If you know anyone who could be interested could you tag them or pass the info on please?

Thanks again!

Some great work going on here - I look forward to seeing the new car!

 

[billz]

@billz im glad you are there sharing my pain! If it makes you feel any better the respray is going to cost me a fortune next month!

Did that last year to the front end. Also had the scorpion exhaust last year and oohh yehh the Mtec drilled and grooved discs and green stuff pads. Just seems to go on and on

 

[Mint]

Should be a great example when you've had all the work done. Don't forget the before/during/after pics of your respray
Here's mine: https://zroadster.org/media/albums/mints-respray.75/

 

[Zooropa]

@Mint thank you for posting that. If mine looks anywhere close to as good as yours when it is done I will be delighted!

I will be sure to post photos once it is done

Thank you

 

[Mint]

@Mint thank you for posting that. If mine looks anywhere close to as good as yours when it is done I will be delighted!

It has to look a lot worse before it gets better
I had the wheels refurbed as well

 

[Antm72]

Be interesting to see if it sits level afterwards but a great refresh of the rear end is never going to hurt
Looking forward to the end result

 

[Bonzeau]

I renewed the O.E.M. springs, mounts and shocks last year, plus the drop links and ARB bushes ( all other bushes okay ). I noticed an immediate improvement in ride/handling. I have also fitted front and lower rear strut braces plus longitudinal body braces. This tightened up rigidity and sharpened up the handling further, while still providing a comfortable ride.


Bonzo.