AWFUL evening...

Dave'z3 · Post by **Dave'z3** » Mon 23 May, 2011 01:05

Was feeling massively stressed out so figured I needed a chilled out drive in the car. After about 20 mins of driving (on the way to a road that I can give it some beans on) I was following someone going 30 mph down a residential street. They slowed down and pulled into their drive, after he was out the way I accelerated (I was in 3rd going from 10mph, so wasn't thrashing it) and there was an LOUD explosion in the engine followed by a loud grinding sound. Turned off the engine immediately and pulled into a farm entrance, at which point smoke/steam came bellowing out of the gaps under the bonnet...

Turns out (as I found the bits scattered along the road) the rod that attaches to the piston snapped and ripped its self through the bottom of the engine blowing a massive hole in the sump.

Gutted doesn't begin to cover it

Count me out of cruises for a while!!

Hope your week goes better than mine!

Dave

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Mon 23 May, 2011 06:44

Sorry to hear Dave, this is one of those nightmare scenarios you always hope will never happen. By the sounds of things you may be better off sourcing a new block? maybe a chevy v8 or an s50b32?

I hope things cheer up for you!

Z3cade · Post by **Z3cade** » Mon 23 May, 2011 07:07

Sorry to hear that Dave... i hope you manage to source a new engine if thats your plan?..
if your decide to buy another zed theres a cracking 3.0 forsale in the exchange..

Ragtop · Post by **Ragtop** » Mon 23 May, 2011 07:17

Really feel for you Dave, I know how much you love your Zed. Gail was shocked to hear about it too and we both hope you get something sorted soon.

maccers · Post by **maccers** » Mon 23 May, 2011 09:16

Blimey, thats very sad news indeed. Quite rare I would think, its not exactly a service "check and replace" item con rods really. ebay for a replacement engine/box?

maccers · Post by **maccers** » Mon 23 May, 2011 09:17

Just seen your location - I'm in Epsom if you need any assistance with removing it if you decide to diy, got most tools for such jobs.

Dave'z3 · Post by **Dave'z3** » Mon 23 May, 2011 10:07

Thanks everyone for wishing me luck...clearly need some atm

Shantybeater - Yeah new/second hand block is the plan...I would love to but couldn't afford the petrol/road tax/insurance...

Z3cade - I have someone looking for a new engine for me...would love a 3.0 but im only 24 so insurance would kill me.

Ragtop - Thanks Ron, I pretty much lived in my car and now I'm already feeling totally lost without it...send my regards to Gail too - How was your holiday?

maccers - I know...I thought the BMW straight six was pretty much bullet proof, hence why I went for a 2.0...just must be one of the lucky ones

...That's a REALLY kind offer and it means a lot, but I have a friend thats a mechanic and i work with computers so I'm not great with mechanics...but again - thanks a lot for the offer..

Regards (and again thanks for the support),

Dave

maccers · Post by **maccers** » Mon 23 May, 2011 10:14

No worries, its a genuine offer. I also work in computers! Cisco voice and data mostly.

Hope you get it sorted and enjoy some of the summer!

Richard.

BimBeema · Post by **BimBeema** » Mon 23 May, 2011 10:58

Sorry to hear that Dave - its one of the rarest things I've heard since owning my Zed and being a member on the forum. I hope you can get the Zed up and running again soon.

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Mon 23 May, 2011 11:07

Dave'z3 wrote:Thanks everyone for wishing me luck...clearly need some atm

Shantybeater - Yeah new/second hand block is the plan...I would love to but couldn't afford the petrol/road tax/insurance...

Z3cade - I have someone looking for a new engine for me...would love a 3.0 but im only 24 so insurance would kill me.

Dave

Worth mentioning, i was 24 when i got my first z3M

now 26, insurance is suprisingly cheap, around half what it is for an s2000/m3!

best of luck whatever you decide to do

BimBeema · Post by **BimBeema** » Mon 23 May, 2011 11:52

OT but I think its heavily influenced by location/post code, Insurance in London post codes is absolutely ridiculeous.

GazHyde · Post by **GazHyde** » Mon 23 May, 2011 11:54

Damn Dave, that's awful!

I'll will sadly remove you from the cruise this Sunday...

Hope you get it sorted quickly.

You've probably looked on eBay...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2000-BMW-Z3-M52-2 ... 0534520588

Bench · Post by **Bench** » Mon 23 May, 2011 13:08

Wow that does seem strange, has there been any reasons given for the catastrpohic failure?

sidtheranger · Post by **sidtheranger** » Mon 23 May, 2011 16:58

Really feel for you Dave,

hope you can get yourself another engine for a good price real soon.

You could try Bridgers Breakers down in Peas pottage, somebody told me that there are a couple of wrecked Zeds down there.
Anyhow, all the best from me and Mrs Sid and keep us informed.

jontymo · Post by **jontymo** » Mon 23 May, 2011 18:58

Unlucky matey, hope you get it sorted quickly, let us know how you get on.

Jontymo

macca · Post by **macca** » Mon 23 May, 2011 20:08

Sorry to hear that. It could have been trying to accelerate from 10mph in 3rd put too much stress on the con rods causing failure? Not much help now I know but at least you might know why?

Daz3 · Post by **Daz3** » Mon 23 May, 2011 21:43

Hi Dave sorry to hear about your car i know how you feel i had the same thing happen to me a few years back absolutly gutting. Hope you get it sorted soon.

spurs fan in a coupe · Post by **spurs fan in a coupe** » Mon 23 May, 2011 21:52

Hi Dave,

I hope the mini or maxi Surrey Cruise(s) didn't ruin your car.

I'm sure she will be back on the road soon.

Best of luck mate

seasurfer · Post by **seasurfer** » Mon 23 May, 2011 22:16

Hi Dave, really sorry for you and zed, you may need this from us all

Hope you get it sorted soon.

Gill

Hard Top · Post by **Hard Top** » Mon 23 May, 2011 22:42

Hi Dave, that is bad news indeed.

Hope you get something sorted out soon, I can only imagine how you must feel at the moment.

Jamezee · Post by **Jamezee** » Mon 23 May, 2011 22:44

Sorry to hear this Dave, hope you get something sorted soon.

pingu · Post by **pingu** » Tue 24 May, 2011 17:44

Sorry to read bad news.

Straight swap for an engine from a scrappy would be the way to go.

Probably doesn't have to be a Z3. A bit of investigation will tell you what the differences are between the Z3 2.0 and the 3 series 2.0. I suspect not very much.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue 24 May, 2011 17:54

Just read this thread. Bad news, but the silver lining is once you're into the rebuild, you'll have a chance to go through the car mechanically, sort out any dodgy parts and ultimately have a stronger zed on the other side.

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Tue 24 May, 2011 19:46

Sorry to hear this Dave,

Sounds daft but if anything was to happen to my Zed Id rather have an engine/gearbox failure than someone bumping me or something similar that would require bodywork etc, hopefully if you can source and good engine its just a straight swap and good as new

Keep your chin up

Tim.

sidtheranger · Post by **sidtheranger** » Wed 01 Jun, 2011 10:47

Hi Dave, any luck getting an engine or sorting yours out?

Dave'z3 · Post by **Dave'z3** » Mon 20 Jun, 2011 23:15

Double post!

Dave'z3 · Post by **Dave'z3** » Mon 20 Jun, 2011 23:18

Thanks for all your support / suggestions / helpful advice!

I've ended up going for a 2.2i engine as I've heard its the best size for economy and performance. The second reason being that on the surrey/sussex I was sitting next to Z3Topaz22 enjoying his engine note and fell in love with it. While the engines out I've asked them to put a new clutch in too as there was a whining coming from the thrust baring and it didn't seem to be releasing smoothly. Then finally they are going to go over the electrics with a fine tooth comb as there were a few issues.

I'll keep you all updated with the progress...

Best wishes,

Dave

spurs fan in a coupe · Post by **spurs fan in a coupe** » Tue 21 Jun, 2011 06:36

Best of luck Dave,

I know you love that car

Wolverine_1999 · Post by **Wolverine_1999** » Wed 22 Jun, 2011 07:26

Wow that's awful to hear. Is it a straight swap for the 2.2 engine? No upgrade of exhaust system or anything else needed?

snatch · Post by **snatch** » Wed 22 Jun, 2011 19:23

Ebay short block 2.0ltr no bids @ £125
also complete head £135 be quick..... nowt to do with me.
good luck

Dave'z3 · Post by **Dave'z3** » Tue 05 Jul, 2011 18:45

Update:

I've gotten my car back! The 2.2 was put in (no added modifications needed) as well as a new clutch. The work was done by Chris and his team at Total engines and gearboxes who I will be using from now on.

They:
Collecting the car while I was out of the country
A fully refurbished engine
A new clutch
Extensive work on the electrics
All the labour involved

The work got done in just over a week and kept me up to date with everything with phone calls and texts. Providing I go to them for all my servicing I have a 5 year warranty with them too.

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post their website but if you wanted a number give me a shout and I will pass it on.

Thanks again for the support, was nice to have it even though it was hard to bring myself to come on the site...really nice community on here.

Regards,

Dave

PS - Any other questions if I can help I'd be happy to answer!

Mac The Tank · Post by **Mac The Tank** » Tue 05 Jul, 2011 19:01

fantastic news!

lady luck is back in town [\massive grin]

mac on his mobular

Ragtop · Post by **Ragtop** » Tue 05 Jul, 2011 19:12

That's great news Dave.

Good to see you back on the forum again.

Hope to meet you again on any forthcoming cruises.

seasurfer · Post by **seasurfer** » Tue 05 Jul, 2011 19:49

Pleased for you that the zed is back on the road, hopefully you can forget that '''awful night''' now.

Gill

Mac The Tank · Post by **Mac The Tank** » Tue 05 Jul, 2011 19:49

Just gotta change your sig now...

Mac

Ming · Post by **Ming** » Tue 05 Jul, 2011 20:46

Glad you got it sorted Dave - the 2.2l is real smooth and I'm sure you're gonna enjoy it now you can be sure it ain't gonna let you down again

Jays Zed · Post by **Jays Zed** » Tue 05 Jul, 2011 21:02

Glad you managed to get sorted relatively quickly

, I know i'd be lost without my rollerskate!!!

Hope you enjoy the "new" engine even more!!!

sidtheranger · Post by **sidtheranger** » Tue 05 Jul, 2011 22:33

That's good news Dave

Dave'z3 · Post by **Dave'z3** » Wed 06 Jul, 2011 09:36

Thanks all, it's good to be back, racking up the miles so I can get the engine run in gently before coming out to see/meet all you lovely people.

I've really enjoyed the 2.2 already, even tho I've only gone over 2500rpm 3 times. The delivery of power comes a lot lower down the rev range...and the sound! Don't get me started!

I started changing the sig last night but got distracted by something shiny...

Hope to make it to a cruise SOON!

Regards,

A very smiley Dave

Dave'z3 · Post by **Dave'z3** » Wed 06 Jul, 2011 18:26

WHAT the F*** is going on at the moment?!?! Pulled over to help a guy out as his car wouldn't get into reverse, push it out of where he is and his door puts a massive crease into the rear wing of my car. Is my car cursed and should I sell it and get another one?!?!?!

SADFACE!

Badman gee · Post by **Badman gee** » Wed 06 Jul, 2011 18:27

just bad luck

seasurfer · Post by **seasurfer** » Wed 06 Jul, 2011 18:59

B****y hell, you are in the wars, sorry to hear that too, hope you get that sorted without much hassle.

Gill

Hard Top · Post by **Hard Top** » Wed 06 Jul, 2011 19:14

Dave'z3 wrote:Is my car cursed and should I sell it and get another one?!?!?!

SADFACE!

Nope, you are just a nice, helpful bloke.

Next time, don't do it.

Dave'z3 · Post by **Dave'z3** » Wed 06 Jul, 2011 19:37

Thanks guys/girls,

I could really do with a break from the bad luck with the car atm...feeling like a beaten spouse keep going back for more (I'm very against domestic abuse).

Hardtop - I love the small print you put in your posts...and I'll always be the sort to help out...

seasurfer · Post by **seasurfer** » Wed 06 Jul, 2011 20:26

Dave'z3 wrote:Hardtop - I love the small print you put in your posts...and I'll always be the sort to help out...

Awwwwwwww, we can send you a group

to make you feel a smidge better

Gill

sidtheranger · Post by **sidtheranger** » Wed 06 Jul, 2011 21:03

FFS Dave! never rains but pours eh?

Still, I guess it's all just some cosmic test for a good bloke.