Project YouWhyWhy

[Duncodin]

I don't know. It's got a lot of history and I think all those unknown wires in the dash (are they, kind of, behind the radio?) are just the result of previous owners installing various audio systems and other ICE systems and adding/removing wires etc.

Probably nothing to do with the rough running of the engine.

Looking at your previous posts where there was non oem air filter. Looks like some boy racer has been fiddling in there. If it was my car I'd be stripping out the ignition and injector systems and rebuilding with known stock parts.

On the other hand. When you first got it you went for a good drive and you and the missus were very pleased with it. So it sounds like it was working fine to begin with. Till that AA breakdown event. Put your thinking cap on. Was that breakdown before or after you started working on the air filter and strange bolt in pjpe setup.

On the other-other hand. It's a 1.9 they're not that expensive. Labour and materials you might already be over the value of the car. Maybe time to cut your losses and maybe find something that doesn't have a boy racer air filter and go-faster strut brace.

 

[backseateducation]

It was after I had refitted that funny blue pipe, but I think before I changed the air filter box. But I think you're right - no use throwing good money after bad. I'm off to Sommerfest this weekend, so if no meaningful progress by the time I get back on Monday it's probably time to say move it on. Better it gets broken up for useful parts than bankrupt me.

 

[backseateducation]

Well I've had a reply from the garage to say thanks for sending them a copy of that electrical trouble shooting manual, so maybe there is hope.....

 

[backseateducation]

Apologies for my abscense from this thread and the site in general.
The car has now been at the garage for two months, I've missed out on all the good weather and as far as I know no work has been done. I've been away for the last week on holiday, so after work on Tuesday I need to go and see whats happening. Although I will have to pay for recovery again, I just want the car back on my drive now, then I can decide what to do with it.

 

[backseateducation]

Well as of yesterday I'm no longer a BMW owner. Basically everything electrical was knackered, something had been smouldering in the fusebox, the ECU is pretty much goosed too. In all honesty I think I was lucky it didn't catch on fire, the wiring under the dash was so badly bodged. Although at least then I could have claimed on the insurance.......
I was going to trailer it home and break it myself, but Lucy didnt want a scrap car on the drive and I've got nowhere to store the various parts that were worth taking off either. So I ended up with £200 scrap, which has unfortunately been pretty much cancelled out by the cost of getting it to the garage in the first place plus a couple of hours labour......


I must admit I'm angry with myself for buying such a pup, I simply bought the first one I saw without going through it carefully enough. I've had my fingers well and truly burnt on this one. I'm disappointed that a car formerly owned by another forum member has met it's end on my watch too.
I have kept a few bits and pieces, as I'd love another one, but I'm not sure when I will have the cash. If I do, I'll only be able to be buying at the bottom of the market again, as that's all I can afford, but I must admit I'd love another. When it was going it was great.

 

[bombur]

sad days @backseateducation

 

[backseateducation]

sad days @backseateducation

Rubbish isn't it. I'm surprised how much I've missed it to be honest. We've had so much good roadster weather too!
However, while out for a bike ride earlier I came across this looking forlorn in the corner of a local car yard, so I went back this evening for a proper look.

The bodywork has a few dings, and the rear of the offside outer sill is scabby, but otherwise seems ok from the outside. The underside is really clean, unlike the interior and hood but it's all there and has red extended leather in reasonable nick.
A look at the MOT history reveals this.......


So basically a front brake overhaul and a tyre to get it on the road. I'm not worried about the cosmetics, so if it runs well, it must be worth a go surely.
In the passenger footwell is a £1995 price tag, so I suspect it was up for that price with no takers until it had to be mot'd, and they've not bothered doing anything with it. The tyre that failed on tread depth is actually flat, so that sort of proves my point. If it starts and drives ok, I might stick in a cheeky bid.

 

[Duncodin]

Rubbish isn't it. I'm surprised how much I've missed it to be honest. We've had so much good roadster weather too!
However, while out for a bike ride earlier I came across this looking forlorn in the corner of a local car yard, so I went back this evening for a proper look.
View attachment 235695
The bodywork has a few dings, and the rear of the offside outer sill is scabby, but otherwise seems ok from the outside. The underside is really clean, unlike the interior and hood but it's all there and has red extended leather in reasonable nick.
A look at the MOT history reveals this.......
View attachment 235697

So basically a front brake overhaul and a tyre to get it on the road. I'm not worried about the cosmetics, so if it runs well, it must be worth a go surely.
In the passenger footwell is a £1995 price tag, so I suspect it was up for that price with no takers until it had to be mot'd, and they've not bothered doing anything with it. The tyre that failed on tread depth is actually flat, so that sort of proves my point. If it starts and drives ok, I might stick in a cheeky bid.

When your car fails the MOT and you have the faults fixed the retest just tests those items that failed.

But that car failed back in June. So wouldn't that mean that it needs a full new test and not a simple retest. New full test could, in theory, find new faults.

I'd also be looking at the advisories.

 

[backseateducation]

That was one of the things that I noticed, there weren't any advisories. Im hopeful that it won't have deteriorated too much over the period, but as you say you can never be sure.
However, if it runs alright, I can take my time and get the other things fixed. After the shenanigans with the last one I'd be happy with that. I've already got brand new front discs and a caliper at home.

 

[t-tony]

That was one of the things that I noticed, there weren't any advisories. Im hopeful that it won't have deteriorated too much over the period, but as you say you can never be sure.
However, if it runs alright, I can take my time and get the other things fixed. After the shenanigans with the last one I'd be happy with that. I've already got brand new front discs and a caliper at home.

You only get a free re test up to 10 working days after the original test.
Working days do NOT include Saturdays (as some garages would have you believe) and any Bank Holidays.

Tony.

 

[Duncodin]

It's only done 23 miles since it's MOT pass last year. Maybe why brakes etc are binding.

One thing I notice is that last year it failed on that tyre. Then passed on retest a few days later (tyre ok?) And this year it failed again on the same tyre. Strange, last year, that the owner would take it for a (paid) retest last year knowing the tyre is duff unless he knew it was going to pass. Did any of the other jobs in 2021 get fixed or did somebody do a mates-rates test.

I'd be very suspicious of last year's Pass.

Also. This year's test faults don't look expensive. But the owner (car lot trader) decided not to have them fixed? Does he know something?

Remember that the MOT won't fail a car even if someing like the engine and transmission are knackered. If the car gets to the station and on to the ramp then the tester wouldn't even check that all the gears work.

Did you say the car was priced at £1900? The car is a 1.9 for that amount of money I'd want it running and MOT'd although I assume the trader will do a deal to see the back of it especially at this time of the year. But then I'd want to be able to test drive it before parting with 3 or 400 max in that state assuming I had the space, the money to burn and a missus with the patience of a saint.

Bit of a catch 22. You won't be able to road test it till that brake and tyre are fixed.

But something still doesn't sit right with me.

 

[backseateducation]

You're right of course mate. My biggest issue is that I look at cars like that in the way most people look at dogs in a rescue centre - 'oh the poor thing, let's take it home!'

 

[Althulas]

Might be worth a visit but doesn’t state if it’s got an mot or any problems but has sport seats all for just under 1K
I just found my dream car... Search for yours
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-de...=Z3&price-to=2000&sort=relevance&year-to=2022

but for the money you was talking about in your previous post this looks in far better condition with 12 months mot and mentions free insurance maybe it’s a months worth to get you home looks like it has sports seats too.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-de...=Z3&price-to=2000&sort=relevance&year-to=2022

Sometimes you need to travel for the right one and nothing like a road trip.

 

[backseateducation]

That blue one looks really nice.
Maybe by Christmas I might have enough funds together for a better look.

 

[backseateducation]

Hi all. Apologies for not having been around for a while - after the demise of my Z I did consider another, but possible coolant issues with my Mondeo (and the fact I'd owned it for six years, which is a lifetime for me!) led me to trade it in for a F21 116d, so I am kind of still in the fold. Hopefully as we get into 2023 I might have the money to look for another Z.