Well, after 12 months of trouble and stress free motoring with my Z4M-Roadster, I took my car in to get a service and MOT with a BMW specialist a few miles from me in Oxford. (Mark Purcell). There were a few small items we knew needed sorted, such as a new LED brake light for the boot lid. However, as soon as I got out of the car, I realised that the rear springs had finally busted on me, as the car was leaning to the right (which is had been doing for most of the year) much worse than before. Straight away I should have realised that things were going to get painful!
As Poppa was driving us back home, Mark called Poppa's mobile and my heart sank so quick, that if I had farted I would have crushed my heart! Mark had my car on the ramp and things were not looking good. The break lines were in a corroded state and needed a full replacement, both rear springs were broken (I had noticed a lot of rattling when stood outside of my car, which was identical when Poppa's previous E46 M3 Cab had the same thing happen. The biggest "oh sh!t" moment is when he told us I needed a new steering rack. There was also some issue with part of the front right suspension (can't remember what is was, but when Mark showed my Poppa, there was play that would be another knocking I would hear at times. I was so utterly heartbroken at this point, as bar this bombshell, the last 12 months owning this car has been a joy! Oh, the fix that was done under warranty for my right rear backbox (flange had rotted away) is still holding up, but my folks decided to approve Mark replacing the section as there is also some major dents where the car has bottomed out due to the rear springs being snapped.
Poppa dropped me off and went back to the garage, so Mark could show him everything that was wrong, as Mark is really good at not taking the p*** with his customers cars and cards. Both my reassured me not to worry about it (Stress is not something that I am able to cope with too well, as it causes my back to get really painful from the tension), as they didn't want me getting upset (Even though I am part of Generation X, I would hate for people to think I am some snowflake millennial, who can't cope with real life. Stress makes me muscles start to bunch up and freeze on me. This is so bad with all of my spinal damage) due to my back etc.
My folks decided that there was enough value in the car (as well as Mark saying that they were right) that it was worth forking out several thousands. Mark said, that bar the issues he found, the car was actually in really great condition for it's age and mileage ('07 with 100k miles). Thankfully after inspecting it all over for rust, which my three previous cars ended up suffering with so badly, that I was always embarrassed at car meets when I took them. This last year, I have made sure my Z4M is always garaged at night and I've not been driving in the rain that often and have kept off the roads when they would be gritted.
When everything is done, I've been told that I will have a really great car and I should feel a drastic change in the cars behaviour on B roads, which considering my folks and I are moving to a village near Hereford, will be a common occurrence from the start of next year.
On a side note, I can't believe how much my insurance has dropped. Admiral had reduced it down by £200 , which made it about £860, but I decided to use Compare The Meerkat to see if I could get it lower. I then had 3 established companies offer a better all round coverage (more miles, lower excess and breakdown cover) for £489!
As Poppa was driving us back home, Mark called Poppa's mobile and my heart sank so quick, that if I had farted I would have crushed my heart! Mark had my car on the ramp and things were not looking good. The break lines were in a corroded state and needed a full replacement, both rear springs were broken (I had noticed a lot of rattling when stood outside of my car, which was identical when Poppa's previous E46 M3 Cab had the same thing happen. The biggest "oh sh!t" moment is when he told us I needed a new steering rack. There was also some issue with part of the front right suspension (can't remember what is was, but when Mark showed my Poppa, there was play that would be another knocking I would hear at times. I was so utterly heartbroken at this point, as bar this bombshell, the last 12 months owning this car has been a joy! Oh, the fix that was done under warranty for my right rear backbox (flange had rotted away) is still holding up, but my folks decided to approve Mark replacing the section as there is also some major dents where the car has bottomed out due to the rear springs being snapped.
Poppa dropped me off and went back to the garage, so Mark could show him everything that was wrong, as Mark is really good at not taking the p*** with his customers cars and cards. Both my reassured me not to worry about it (Stress is not something that I am able to cope with too well, as it causes my back to get really painful from the tension), as they didn't want me getting upset (Even though I am part of Generation X, I would hate for people to think I am some snowflake millennial, who can't cope with real life. Stress makes me muscles start to bunch up and freeze on me. This is so bad with all of my spinal damage) due to my back etc.
My folks decided that there was enough value in the car (as well as Mark saying that they were right) that it was worth forking out several thousands. Mark said, that bar the issues he found, the car was actually in really great condition for it's age and mileage ('07 with 100k miles). Thankfully after inspecting it all over for rust, which my three previous cars ended up suffering with so badly, that I was always embarrassed at car meets when I took them. This last year, I have made sure my Z4M is always garaged at night and I've not been driving in the rain that often and have kept off the roads when they would be gritted.
When everything is done, I've been told that I will have a really great car and I should feel a drastic change in the cars behaviour on B roads, which considering my folks and I are moving to a village near Hereford, will be a common occurrence from the start of next year.
On a side note, I can't believe how much my insurance has dropped. Admiral had reduced it down by £200 , which made it about £860, but I decided to use Compare The Meerkat to see if I could get it lower. I then had 3 established companies offer a better all round coverage (more miles, lower excess and breakdown cover) for £489!
