Long time no see

[One Spanner Frank]

There she stands at the top of the drive, unused for twelve months.
I cleaned the hood, polished the body and charged the battery. She started first go. The tappets rattle a bit, but that should clear when the engine oil starts circulating.c
This morning she is in for her MoT. Then she will stand for another twelve months, unused and looking neglected. 2.8 litres of power and an automatic gearbox.
She was first registered in August of 1997 and has managed to travel some 78,000 miles without too much trouble. The first time she was sold (second hand) she cost £31,000. How the mighty have fallen!

 

[jonco]

That's sad @One Spanner Frank - don't know the background but hope she passes and can find a way back onto the road. Good Luck.

 

[Antm72]

Shame the car stands and isn't used but glad you are keeping her well

 

[One Spanner Frank]

Thanks for the good wishes, jonco.
There is no history to bother about with the car. I have to visit a care home every morning and it eats up all of my time. I bought a converted Kango which will carry a wheelchair in the back and that is used all the time, much to the detriment of the Z3. Time is the problem.
In my garage stands a Triumph Thunderbird 900 triple. It has clocked up 2020 miles since new. I think I need a time management course.

 

[billz]

Such a shame for them to be just standing around. It must feel rotten to see them and not have the time to drive them.

 

[One Spanner Frank]

Well, she sailed through the MoT and all they could find wrong was the petrol filler cap seal was getting iffy.
I rebuilt both door mirrors last year. One had had it, the other turned out to O.K., but I did them both and now have a spare. I fitted new headlights at the same time including angel eyes. The only real problem is the glove box. It opens but is a real so and so to get it to close and stay closed.
The tappets stopped rattling once the engine oil started to circulate. All it needs now is some chewing gum to replace the petrol cap seal and it will be alright for the next twelve months.
I asked Smiths of Ilkeston for a valuation in exchange for a car that they had. I put in my registration R715SST and it came back that the car was not registered and did not exist. Hmmm.

 

[DavidM]

I read this thread with interest - where is all this heading @One Spanner Frank - two cars seldom used - no time to drive - then you take the Zed and consider trading it for another?

 

[FRANKIE]

There she stands at the top of the drive, unused for twelve months.
I cleaned the hood, polished the body and charged the battery. She started first go. The tappets rattle a bit, but that should clear when the engine oil starts circulating.c
This morning she is in for her MoT. Then she will stand for another twelve months, unused and looking neglected. 2.8 litres of power and an automatic gearbox.
She was first registered in August of 1997 and has managed to travel some 78,000 miles without too much trouble. The first time she was sold (second hand) she cost £31,000. How the mighty have fallen!

I know how you feel. If I told you about my Z///M, it would make you think you were running yours into the ground by comparison. And you're right, it's usually a matter of time (and sometimes money). Kind of sad...............................Frankie

 

[t-tony]

it's usually a matter of time (and sometimes money).

Very true Frankie, very true.

Tony.

 

[One Spanner Frank]

Problem solved. She has a new owner (or soon will). The sale has been agreed and goes in part chop on the 30th of this month. A bargain at £1200.
What I am left with is a doodah for resetting the servicing lights. A cover for the hood, when folded. A toneau I believe BMW call them and a mesh wind break/fly swatter. I am not letting them go with the car; they were expensive.
The Kango is having some attention to the paintwork and it will go too.
I shall miss the Z3. She was fun to drive, especially with the tramlining and always wondering if the battery would be flat. I now have to learn how to drive a different car, a Leaf.