Got a Z4 now

[colb]

Been looking for a few weeks now and finally found a tidy 2.5 in Bristol today, a garage trade in sold on to a sole trader. Silver not my first choice but can live with it, roof works a treat but first job will be a new camshaft cover gasket, small leak dropping on exhaust. Good discs and tyres, painted calipers.

 

[Paul Rice]

Welcome to the sign of 4

 

[t-tony]

Nice looking car Col, hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine mate.

Tony.

 

[colb]

Hope so Tony, keeping the Z3 as well, may let the son borrow it, going to use that as the getaway car on his forthcoming wedding in December all ribboned up. Thinking of letting them borrow it after the honymoon is over so my garage is freed up for the Z4. Didn't have a long test drive in the 4 today, just long enough to get the feel and check out it performs ok. A few historic codes set when I scanned it on the laptop, nothing worrying, when cleared they didn't come back, time will tell. Only one I couldn't clear but it reports not currently present is the steering angle sensor, will be putting it on INPA when I get it home and see what that says. Most impressed with BMW Scanner 1.4 which I used today, its so simple to scan all the modules and clear codes. Very relieved to find one with a hood that works, others I have looked at have had problems. I will be moving the motor/pump to the boot when I get my hands on it but will deal with the cam cover gasket first and give it a fluid service at the earliest. SWMBO got the sulks for me spending the money but you do what you got to do at my age or you never will, no doubt she will ride in it and its insured for her to drive.

 

[t-tony]

Sounds like a plan mate. Shirl bonded with the Z4 in a way she never did with the Z3. Also have to agree on the "time" thing too mate.

Tony.

 

[Paul Rice]

Same for me, bought the Z4 to move on. Jacquie never liked the 3, always felt uncomfortable and vulnerable. Totally different story with the 4, when i suggested keeping the 3 and selling the 4 was quite positive in her reaction. Still moans if i have the roof down when its, cold, windy, hot, wet, not found the ultimate situation for hood down yet, think it may be stationary!

 

[TrevD66]

congrats @colb ... very nice looking Z.... for a 4

 

[Shelly]

Looks a lovely Z , enjoy , I’m picking my new Z up tomorrow, I’m so excited,

 

[colb]

After the Rugby ventured out to the garage and did a bit of underbonnet cleaning and pulled the plugs for a clean and check, what a pain in the rear to get the coils out, held in by rubber seals had great difficulty pulling them eventually managed using a screwdriver to help lift them to break the grip the seals were making within the plug wells. Anyone have a better method of pulling them out, using the screwdriver risks breaking the plastic webs around the plug holes.
Loads of dust and grime washed off the inlet manifold and fuel rail, all the plastics cleaned with Back to Black.
Poked the scuttle drain and debris poked out with a fair bit of water draining away. Must check the hood drains next.
Removed the washer bottle and gave that a good clean out. Attention turned to the high level brake light, one end had sprung out, took it out to find its a replacement led unit and it was in three pieces, put it back together using Gorilla tape strips to hold it all together and refitted it.
Ordered some bits in readiness for an oil change including a new Thermal Oil level sensor as I have a code for that, not had time to explore the underside of the car, was planning on checking the wiring to the sensor, if it is duff connection the new part will sit on the spares shelf. Also looking for a AUC sensor Air Quality sensor that sits on the radiator shroud, got a code for that so will check the wiring before I lash out on a replacement, they are pricy. It is part of the Air Con system and looks for bad air, if it sees bad air it switches the air flap to recirculated air in the cabin. Also known as a stink sensor I have found when doing some web research.
Had the computer on it yesterday and checked out the fuel trims in live data, all working as it should. Thought I had an oil leak from the cam cover as there was a small build up of an oily staining on the heat shield over the cat, cleaned that off and have not seen any leak returning, will keep an eye on that and change the gasket if it is leaking. Have ordered a Payen set that includes the round rubber cushion washer for the cover retaining bolts. Did this on Bristol Daves 2.2 a few weeks back and would reccomend putting new ones in if changing the main gasket, New ones are softer and better to use than just replacing the old ones as they go hard and loose their compressability risking cracking the plastic cover if overtightening the retaining bolts.
With all the rain we have had here I am pleased to say the car is dry inside, no hood leaks present, just need to clean and reproof the hood when we get a dry day. Will be washing the hood with natural soap flakes, dry then reproof with Fabsil, have used this on the Z3 with good results.

 

[Grumps]

Congrats on your new car Col. Had to look twice, @Andy Beard car has a very similar reg plate and it is also silver.

 

[t-tony]

Roof drains are at the rear end of the sills Col behind the liner. In case you didn't know

Tony.

 

[handsomejackuk]

Popped in to see @colb Z4 on friday after i had a short run in the 2.8 z3 all legal now !!!!

got to say @colb you picked up a cracker there.!!!! as we were looking around we noticed a few little trinkets added to spice it up... no doubt you will have it all sorted soon, any time you want another hand give me a shout..

i can see me on the hunt for a Z4 next year once i sell both z3's

there may be a nice 1.9 and a 2.8 up for sale next year requiring a bit more fettling watch this space.

 

[colb]

Oh dear what have I done, handsomejack thinking of swapping his Z3's for a Z4?
If anyone on here is looking for a Z3 he has spent a lot of time getting his two cars up together and would be a good buy if he is going to go for a Z4

 

[t-tony]

So what'll it be Al, 2.5 or 30. "i" or "Si" ?

Tony.

 

[How 29]

z4 talk

Heaven

 

[FRANKIE]

Been looking for a few weeks now and finally found a tidy 2.5 in Bristol today, a garage trade in sold on to a sole trader. Silver not my first choice but can live with it, roof works a treat but first job will be a new camshaft cover gasket, small leak dropping on exhaust. Good discs and tyres, painted calipers.View attachment 121565 View attachment 121567

Great looking car. Great roads in south Wales to drive as I've been on some of them with @miller1098 . Best of luck with the car...........Frankie

 

[colb]

Took advantage today whilst we had no rain and washed the soft top with a soapy solution then rinsed off with clean water, allowed to dry and reproofed using Fenwicks Awning reproofer.Sprayed it on and spread it out using a clean cotten rag. Paid particular attention to the lower section below the rubber seal,found it easy to get to with the hood half raised.
It wasn't very dirty and minimum tinges of green below the seal, looks like its been cared for in the past. Also gave the seats a feed with Autoglym leather conditioner, they came up very well with that treatment. Found the passenger door wouldn't undo the door unless you put a little pressure on the door whilst lifting the handle. Adjusted the striker ring on the B post a touch and it now works ok. Now waiting delivery of the oil thermal sensor for the sump and filter and oil for the oil change. Gerabox and Diff oil changes after that.
When cleaning the hood I did notice water draining underneath at the back end of the sills so looks like they are not blocked. To be sure I will be taking the wing liners out and checking them as well as cleaning behind the liners.

 

[t-tony]

As an E85 owner I will be interested in all you do mate.

Tony.

 

[colb]

Another day of rain so the Z3 was regalated to the outside whilst the Z4 went on the lift.
Wanted to check the hood motor compartment drain so set to and removed the wheel followed by the lower inspection panel in the arch liner, quite a build up of silt and mud behind there so pulled the rest of the arch liner out after undoing all of its fasteners, some 8mm screws and plastic expanding plugs with push pins. Quite easy to find them all if you take a good look.
Had to leaver the edge out from the outer wing to drop the liner down and out. Not too bad behind there just a build up of silt at the rear, hosed it all out and scrubbed it to get it clean followed by air dry with the airline. Checked the drain whilst in there and it was free of any blockages, ran a stiff cable up there just to check.
Gave it all a good coating of clear Waxoyle and painted the suspension arm that was looking rusty with surface rust, checked the brake lines whilst in there cleaned them up and treated them to a coat of paint as well.
Put it all back together and turned my attention to the AUC Sensor that I have a fault code for. The sensor sniffs the air and if it detects any contamination it switches the aircon to recirculate the cabin air. Its also referred to as a stink sensor!!
Took the plastic radiator top cover off and found it next to the radiator filler cap. Removed it and found that you can take it apart to clean two small foam filters that live in it,cleaned those and blew the whole thing out with air gun. Put it back together and refitted it, will have to check if its done anything next time I put the code reader on it.
Offside will be next job, followed by oil change, awaiting delivery from Opie Oils, just took delivery of the replacement oil level sensor that set a code so that will go in when I change the oil.

 

[colb]

Saturday was rained off and cold so it was Sunday when the Z4 was put on the lift again, this time for an oil change and replacement of the termal oil sensor in the sump. had to take the engine undercover off and the reinforcement plate that sits under the sump to get access to the sensor. Eight bolts later it was off and the oil was drained having earlier added some Redex engine flush to the oil and giving the car a run to warm it all up. Up top I had already removed the filter and cam cover cap to aid draining. Large catch can caught the old oil which was looking a bit black. Allowed it to drain thoughly and sprayed GT85 oil on the nuts holding the thermal oil sensor into the sump. Gently undid the three nuts off the holding studs, would have had a problem if I snapped one. Old sensor held on tight to the studs and had to have anothe dose of GT80 oil sprayed on and some wiggling with a srewdriver to get it to break free of the studs. Refitted the new sensor with a dab of copper grease in the mounting holes so they won't weld themselves to the studs and put some oil around the sealing o ring. Nipped it allup and refitted the electric plug. Dropped the car and fitted the new oil filter after replacing the sump plug and refilled with 7 litres of Opie Oils finest. Engine started to rifil the filter and then back under to check for leaks. Popped the reinforcement plate and under tray on back on replacing a couple of flat thread plates for the holding screws after washing both down.
Attention then turned to the areal on the back wing, the mast was stuck tight on the base unit and couldn't be undone even with mole grips. Explored the underside in the boot and found that the top grommet is held on bu a recessed screw with a hex key head that passes through the undersie aerial pack. Wound the screw out and released the upper grommet with the mast attached. Ended up snapping the mast off, it was that tight. Managed to drill what remained of the brass screw from the mast that remained in the outer grommet and ran a 10mm tap down the hole to reinstate the internal thread. Spare aerial mast from the Z3 liberated from its boot and the whole gubbins refitted to the Z4. Quick test of the radio and Johnny Walker came out load and clear. Quick tidy up tools put away and old oil decanted into cans for trip to the tip. Quick blast up the road and back for a quick coat of waterproofer on the hood. Z4 Parked o9n the drive and Z3 put back in the garage. Tea and medals after a quick shower.
Next job, offside rear wheelarch removal and clean up, checking hood drain that side followed by a dose of Waxoyle.
Forgot to mention I scanned the car after finishing the jobs with BMW Scanner, cleared the codes for Thermal oil sensor and the AUC sensor on the aircon system. Rescanned and they didn't come back. Also cleared a steering angle sensor code that had appeared, cleared and on rescan didn't come back. Will be keeping an eye on that one.