Hello fellow Z drivers! Just joined the forum and wanted to introduce myself and my Z3. Got my Z ten years and 100,000 miles ago as my first car, she was in a "neglected, not abused" kind of state so I got her for a good deal as my first car. Peeled paint everywhere, torn up back window and roof, bad CCV, vanos seals going out, sliding seats, not one working hinge strut, vacuum leaks, oil leaks, infinite coffee in the carpets between the chairs, a half working disa valve, the works. In 10 years she's been to the mechanic twice, both times I really should have opted to DIY. Other than that I've done and dealt with lots of the normal wear behavior (which is totally acceptable IMO for a car that can be reliably daily driven "with spirit" for 10 years and 100,000 miles when it was already 10 years old with 85,000 miles).
I dare say that I consider my car my best mechanical teacher as well. Almost everything I know about cars and engines was catalyzed by my Z needing something. The endlessly pleasing cycle of
1. Car does something odd.
2. Read and learn (a ton) about what the problem is and how to fix it.
3. "I think I can do that"
4. (Length of guide*15) hours later
"Wow this DIY needed strikingly little special tools and the design made me think that the engineers would like it if you repair/know your car"
5. "Wow that repair left me more knowledgeable of *insert miscellaneous mechanical/electrical thing here* and I did it myself which makes the car feel more like a more personal possession. It also cost me less than if it were a Toyota Yaris and I took it to an indy mechanic!"
6. Car runs/looks good and I feel good.
For those of you wondering. No, my oil pump nut has not come off, my subframe is not showing any signs of failure, I will never have a leak-free cabin (adds personality), my subwoofer does not sound good, and yes my airbag light is on.
As for what DIYs I've done. Imagine everything a z3 would want by 180,000 miles and I've probably done it (minus polyurethane subframe bushings that I really should have out in myself).
I'm really quite late to joining this forum, but I'm excited to be here!
I dare say that I consider my car my best mechanical teacher as well. Almost everything I know about cars and engines was catalyzed by my Z needing something. The endlessly pleasing cycle of
1. Car does something odd.
2. Read and learn (a ton) about what the problem is and how to fix it.
3. "I think I can do that"
4. (Length of guide*15) hours later
"Wow this DIY needed strikingly little special tools and the design made me think that the engineers would like it if you repair/know your car"
5. "Wow that repair left me more knowledgeable of *insert miscellaneous mechanical/electrical thing here* and I did it myself which makes the car feel more like a more personal possession. It also cost me less than if it were a Toyota Yaris and I took it to an indy mechanic!"
6. Car runs/looks good and I feel good.
For those of you wondering. No, my oil pump nut has not come off, my subframe is not showing any signs of failure, I will never have a leak-free cabin (adds personality), my subwoofer does not sound good, and yes my airbag light is on.
As for what DIYs I've done. Imagine everything a z3 would want by 180,000 miles and I've probably done it (minus polyurethane subframe bushings that I really should have out in myself).
I'm really quite late to joining this forum, but I'm excited to be here!
to the forum from West Cumbria, England.
