Hi from a Z3M Newbie

For the M Powered Z3 derivatives
Post Reply
bugsy
Joined: Wed 01 Apr, 2009 09:12
Posts: 53

  M roadster S50
Location: Sutton

Hi from a Z3M Newbie

Post by bugsy »

Hi from a newbie,

Picked up my Z3M on Saturday. I have to apologise to Crooky & K12AN who have mentioned this car in previous posts. I'm afraid I beat you to it.

The car was in a great condition for a 10 year old car. A few little niggles that need to be fixed, but they're easily done. It does need a service & mot (in july) but I factored that into the price when picking it up. This site was of great help when researching common faults & buyers guide when going to look at the car :cheers

(couple of pics quickly taken at the weekend. When I've washed & waxed it I will put up better pics).
Image
Image

I'll fill in my profile a bit more soon but for now, just want to go driving (and avoid speed humps!).

Cheers
Bugs
bugsy
Joined: Wed 01 Apr, 2009 09:12
Posts: 53

  M roadster S50
Location: Sutton

Engine management changes for new exhaust?

Post by bugsy »

One quick question (can't find an answer in the forum).

The car has been de-cat so I am going to have the cat put back on. Does any changes need to be performed to the engine management if swapping the exhausts?
User avatar
MrPoz
Joined: Sun 21 Oct, 2007 10:06
Posts: 76

  Not specified
Location: Cambridgeshire

Post by MrPoz »

Is this the Z3M from Peterborough that I mentioned in previous posts?
Image
bugsy
Joined: Wed 01 Apr, 2009 09:12
Posts: 53

  M roadster S50
Location: Sutton

Post by bugsy »

MrPoz wrote:Is this the Z3M from Peterborough that I mentioned in previous posts?
Yep. The guy was really nice and honest. Can't see any damage. Panel alignment good and the same colour on all panels.
I know people were cautious because he works/owns a bodyshop, but if he has repaired the car that was an amazing job!

Edit
ps - if someone knows something about the history of the car that was not declared at the time of purchase, I would *really* appreciate being informed.
Last edited by bugsy on Mon 06 Apr, 2009 14:59, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
TonyCal
Joined: Tue 21 Oct, 2003 07:18
Posts: 1570

  blank.gif
Location: Lancing
Contact:

Post by TonyCal »

Nice looking car, and welcome to the forum.
the engine management system should compensate for the addition of the cats, but it might not be an instant change, could take a 100 miles or so I think.
User avatar
MrPoz
Joined: Sun 21 Oct, 2007 10:06
Posts: 76

  Not specified
Location: Cambridgeshire

Post by MrPoz »

I never intended for my comments to come across as a warning of repair, it was just to inform people that is what he did for a living and to bear it in mind when viewing.... which I'm sure you did.

The father and son are both nice genuine guys and I nearly bought a mini from the father a couple of years ago. If I remember correctly the son owns or owned a very nice Sierra Cosworth in black.

The car seems a nice clean example to me and was a good price for the condition/mileage. Without sounding too nosey could I ask how much the deal was done for?
Image
User avatar
whiteminks
Joined: Tue 26 Sep, 2006 09:58
Posts: 2768

  M roadster S54
Location: Lincoln

Post by whiteminks »

Looks really great Bugsy.

You are going to have a fab summer! 8-)
big cheesy wrote:'I nearly cacked my trolleys till I quickly tuned in'. Yorkshire Cruise 2008.
bugsy
Joined: Wed 01 Apr, 2009 09:12
Posts: 53

  M roadster S50
Location: Sutton

Post by bugsy »

MrPoz wrote: The car seems a nice clean example to me and was a good price for the condition/mileage. Without sounding too nosey could I ask how much the deal was done for?
No probs. £8.4k.
I haggled because it was an import (imported by a BMW garage in 2005), service due, mot due in July, car tax due in august, passenger door did not open from the outside and small tear (1cm) in the drivers seat. Oh yes, I was also paying in cash (had a wad of £50's in my pocket). I estimated with the bits above done, it was probably worth about £9k (£9.5k if it was UK sourced).
I was also very aware of him working for a bodyshop so I was looking over it like a hawk. Luckily it was glorious sunshine on Saturday so it made it easy.
Rob13
Joined: Mon 05 May, 2008 08:18
Posts: 263

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Sutton, London

Post by Rob13 »

Hi there and welcome!

I will have to keep an eye out for you as I am also in Sutton.... there are no other M's around here so you will be easy to spot - and perfect timing with this nice weather!!
I used to have a '97 2.8 Z3 50k FOR SALE £4699 Shorter 'M' Cup Sport gear knob,M Steering wheel, Alpine / Infinity audio, 18" Alpina style wheels, Clear indicators all round, cold air feed and modified airbox. Miss April in the '09 Calendar.
ImageImage
User avatar
Jonttt
Z Register member
Joined: Sun 28 Dec, 2008 16:32
Posts: 6554

  M roadster S54
Location: Liverpool

Post by Jonttt »

Bugsy, welcome on board, I am sure it will bring plenty of big wide grins to your face :D
Happiness is not around the corner........happiness is the corner
Image Video or Journal Garage: 2015 FFRR Black Edition, Porsche Boxster GTS, 1997 Porsche Carrara C4S, Ex 2001 BMW S54 Z3m Roadster
bugsy
Joined: Wed 01 Apr, 2009 09:12
Posts: 53

  M roadster S50
Location: Sutton

Post by bugsy »

jonttt wrote:Bugsy, welcome on board, I am sure it will bring plenty of big wide grins to your face :D
I'm looking forward to seeing how this reacts to my previous sports car the VX220. That was immense fun in the dry, a little twitchy in the wet and absolutely lethal in the snow - although it was humourous watching the oncoming drivers faces as you were trying to drive uphill in the snow... waving at them out of your side window :shock: :P

But as always I will be building up slowly. Wouldn't want the heated seats to start smelling of anything :wink:
bugsy
Joined: Wed 01 Apr, 2009 09:12
Posts: 53

  M roadster S50
Location: Sutton

Post by bugsy »

Rob13 wrote: I will have to keep an eye out for you as I am also in Sutton..!
Cool, I warn you I do tend to wave when I see similar cars. Where do you go for servicing? Coopers? Thx b
daverave
Joined: Thu 15 Jun, 2006 20:42
Posts: 203

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: San Isidro, Cartagena

Post by daverave »

Welcome on board bugsy.
Will have to keep an eye out for you as I work in Sutton (Belmont to be more accurate) and travel up and down the mad mile to work most days although only use the Zed when the sun is out. :sunny
Coopers in Banstead are pretty good. They service my friends car and he has never had a problem with them although last time they did make a small mistake on the invoice and tried to charge for 8 new spark plugs in his 1.9 :!:
We did ask if maybe they had changed the engine for a V8 F.O.C. but unfortunately they had just double booked the plugs in error :(
Will give you a wave if I see you :wave
ImageImage
Rob13
Joined: Mon 05 May, 2008 08:18
Posts: 263

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Sutton, London

Post by Rob13 »

My last car was an MR2 and their owners were far better wavers! Zed owners can look at you quite confused when you do but I'm not one of them!

Bought parts off Coopers but so far have only needed inspection one so did it myself.

I have replaced the seat bushes if you ever need a hand with them and also have carsoft to read the fault codes if need be.....
I used to have a '97 2.8 Z3 50k FOR SALE £4699 Shorter 'M' Cup Sport gear knob,M Steering wheel, Alpine / Infinity audio, 18" Alpina style wheels, Clear indicators all round, cold air feed and modified airbox. Miss April in the '09 Calendar.
ImageImage
JohnSmith
Joined: Thu 26 Mar, 2009 16:59
Posts: 96

  M roadster S50

Post by JohnSmith »

I spoke to the guy but was put off by the messing about with the private reg etc.

I'm glad it's a nice car though and someone has got it. Hope you enjoy it! Plus I pick mine up Wednesday so I'm still happy :P
User avatar
Althulas
Joined: Fri 13 Feb, 2009 00:55
Posts: 818

  M roadster S50

Post by Althulas »

I hope your enjoying it as wel as I am. It looks like it has really neat body work.
If you like gaming with mature minded players visit our retirement home http://www.oap-clan.co.uk/
ImageImage
Z3M Jason
Joined: Thu 19 Apr, 2007 10:00
Posts: 148

  M coupe S50
Location: Eastbourne

Post by Z3M Jason »

Bugsey,
Looking good! Regards Cats you would do well to consider aftermarket sports cats. Much freer flowing and much much cheaper than oem replacements from BMW. Prospeed in Cardiff will supply them, others might but cant vouch for anyone else.
Z3M Coupe:- MAC Motoren Airbox, MAF Removed, Prospeed Full system with race cats, Full Dyno setup & Live Remap, 18" BBS LM's,
AC Schnitzer Race Coilovers, H&R Anti Roll Bars + Drop Links, Recaro Pole Position seats, Sparco Steering Wheel, Strut Brace, Porsche Calipers/CSL disc Conversion + Custom made rear discs, Braided Lines, 3.46 Hawthorn Motorsport 40% LSD diff and Digital Racelogic TC (To follow).
Katie_K
Joined: Sun 25 Jan, 2009 17:23
Posts: 75

  M roadster S50

Post by Katie_K »

Black is such a good colour, what a nice buy

Enjoy it :D
bugsy
Joined: Wed 01 Apr, 2009 09:12
Posts: 53

  M roadster S50
Location: Sutton

Post by bugsy »

Z3M Jason wrote:Bugsey,
Looking good! Regards Cats you would do well to consider aftermarket sports cats. Much freer flowing and much much cheaper than oem replacements from BMW. Prospeed in Cardiff will supply them, others might but cant vouch for anyone else.
Thanks for that. I was given the cat as part of the sale and it looks brand new. I'm going to get that put back on since it makes insurance easier :) Did a full clean, wash, wax, leather treatment, hood treatment, wheel treatment last night... and it's raining this morning so no more photos :head: Hopefully tomorrow morning
User avatar
BimBeema
Joined: Sun 16 Oct, 2005 22:55
Posts: 1753

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: London

Post by BimBeema »

Congrats and welcome to the forum.

Looks very nice.
User avatar
muppet
Joined: Wed 08 Feb, 2006 17:16
Posts: 1841

  Z4 sDrive20i M Sport
Location: Roof down getting a tan

Post by muppet »

Hi Bugsy, shiney ///M :zmurf:
Image
I have been diagnosed with ADHOTS. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Ohh That's Shiney
bugsy
Joined: Wed 01 Apr, 2009 09:12
Posts: 53

  M roadster S50
Location: Sutton

6 month review

Post by bugsy »

It's been just over 6 months since I brought the Z3M and it has been filled with fun (I have re-found my enjoyment for driving as a result of buying the car). I have been measuring the MPG along the way. On average around London I've been getting 23. I recently went for a 600 mile trip to Wales and averaged 28mpg which I thought was quite impressive with my driving style! Although it doesn't feel as fast as the VX, judging by quick the cars disappear into the rear view mirror it is plenty fast enough. But it's the noise when you get to 4000rpm - my girlfriend absolutely loves it.

It's more comfortable than the VX I had except for steering wheel - the plastic rim is awful. I don't want to change it because I wish to keep the car is as much . Like the VX, it out grips by bravery. Having an eletric hood, very loud stereo, heated seats and aircon in a sports car are a revelation. Parking is a art-form in the beamer due to the side windows being magnified. The plastic rear window gets dirty very quickly. Brought Renovo to clean it which does a great job but but haven't found the right stuff yet to get rid of the folding line. Had one piece of trim fall off but I cannot find where it should go (nothing has stopped working or rattles). I will post a picture in a bit, perhaps someone will recognise it. It starts first time every time and has never died on me.

There had to be some work done on the car, which was expected. Total ownership for 6 months is approx £1,200 (+ cost of car). But I after 2K I still have 4 bars on the service so hopefully I am only looking at MOT, oil service and car tax next year. Below is a summary of costs.

Exhaust - £127 - the car had been de-cat but the seller supplied the original exhaust. Unfortunately it wasn't that simple to fit, as it turned out the back box was also modded. So the cat-exhaust was cut slightly to fit the existing back box which added a little extra. It passed the emissions test with flying colours and is much quieter when cruising (and the world doesn't appear to be ending when I put my foot down).

Service & MOT £417 - It was due a Inspection 2. Was quoted £960 from Coopers BMW Croydon, £680 from Coopers Banstead. Went with GMG Motors, a BMW specialist in Sutton. I was very impressed with their service and thoroughness, they really appreciate BMW's (one of the guy's is BMW trained and has owned M3's in the past). They will get my servicing again next year.

Springs - £505 - it turned out that the car has been lowered. I had a few scrapping sounds trying to get over speed humps. GMG motors looked at the springs and said it was a bad conversion with only half-length springs being used. They use BMW sourced springs and fitted the new ones in a day for me. From ordering the springs to having them fitted took less than a week. Again they were accommodating and talked about other possible updates (e.g. clutch pipe).

So I am looking forward to the next six months with the car. I can't believe that some of you are putting yours away for the winter. The only change I have made is putting a wooly hat in the glovebox!
User avatar
unclemart
Joined: Tue 12 Aug, 2008 20:29
Posts: 279

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Thatcham

Re: 6 month review

Post by unclemart »

bugsy wrote:I can't believe that some of you are putting yours away for the winter. The only change I have made is putting a wooly hat in the glovebox!
:drive :thumb: agree with that -
I was looking to get a hard top for our zed but tbh we would lose too many "Top Down" days in the winter months so not going to bother now.... so wooly hat yes and keep the sunglasses handy :wink:

Welcome to the forum btw.....
Remember "To become old and wise - First you need to be young and stupid"

Titanium Silver 2.0
Image
321bhp
Joined: Mon 01 Dec, 2003 19:34
Posts: 2516

  Not specified
Location: essex

Post by 321bhp »

yeah jubbly black is da best colour,although are you sure it Sapphire Black ,my zm 1999 is cosmic black,i thought the later s54 engine cars were Sapphire Black :?:
User avatar
Jonttt
Z Register member
Joined: Sun 28 Dec, 2008 16:32
Posts: 6554

  M roadster S54
Location: Liverpool

Post by Jonttt »

Bugsy, thanks for the interesting/honest update :wink:
Happiness is not around the corner........happiness is the corner
Image Video or Journal Garage: 2015 FFRR Black Edition, Porsche Boxster GTS, 1997 Porsche Carrara C4S, Ex 2001 BMW S54 Z3m Roadster
User avatar
Dolfan
Joined: Tue 09 Jun, 2009 12:19
Posts: 197

  M roadster S50
Location: Milton Keynes

Post by Dolfan »

Interesting Read bugsy....Enjoy 8-)
bugsy
Joined: Wed 01 Apr, 2009 09:12
Posts: 53

  M roadster S50
Location: Sutton

Post by bugsy »

Bella (as she is now called by my girlfriend) has just celebrated her first birthday with us, so I thought I'd give a quick update.

She has been a lot of fun over the autumn & weekend. I was abroad during the snow of Dec & Jan and Bella stayed under covers at home. A few long journeys across Britain were easily coped with. In the cold weather the seat warmers are a god send.

After the snow I brought a solar battery charger that has kept the battery healthy.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000 ... ss_product

She had a post-winter clean & wax in february:
Image

But then I hit a problem. Backing into my drive I noticed she started to shudder (no warning lights though). Then I saw that she had started to dump her oil onto the road:
Image
It turned out that the vanos bolts has sheered whilst driving up my road. A quick trip to GMG motors http://www.gmgmotors.co.uk/, resulting in new solenoids, bolts and head gasket sorted her out. £500 quid for a basic vanos rebuild. Luckily I had only driven a few hundred meters and a lot of oil also dumped onto my driveway - so everything seems ok.

She had to go back in because of an engine idle problem which was quickly solved with an engine management reset. But she's now back to her best, just in time for the sunny weather.

So this brings the total ownership costs for one year up to £1,700 (not including petrol costs). A little bit more than I hoped for, but she still puts a smile on my face everytime I drive her, so it's money well spent.
User avatar
Jonttt
Z Register member
Joined: Sun 28 Dec, 2008 16:32
Posts: 6554

  M roadster S54
Location: Liverpool

Post by Jonttt »

Bugsy, do you know if your car had the vanos bolt recall carried out. All S50's were recalled to fit longer vanos bolts due to them sheering :shock:

I had a warranty report printed out by BMW for my old S50 and that verified they had been replaced under warranty.

You were lucky you spotted it so quickly though
Happiness is not around the corner........happiness is the corner
Image Video or Journal Garage: 2015 FFRR Black Edition, Porsche Boxster GTS, 1997 Porsche Carrara C4S, Ex 2001 BMW S54 Z3m Roadster
shantybeater
Joined: Wed 12 Mar, 2008 14:33
Posts: 1967

  Porsche
Location: UK

Post by shantybeater »

its funny because everytime I see a thread about bolts shearing it always seems to be at the beginning or end of the journey when they are barely moving??

Glad it all worked out ok :)
Image
Progress Thread:http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... 32&t=36117
Previous - S54 M Roadster, S50 M Roadster, Ibiza Cupra IHI 340bhp, Ibiza Cupra K04 270bhp, 6n2 Polo GTi
Tilly
Joined: Wed 26 May, 2004 19:45
Posts: 439

  M roadster S50
Location: Sussex

Post by Tilly »

Had exactly the same problem with my Vanos at the beginning of a journey. Looks like we were both lucky.

Happy that you are still enjoying the experience. May it long continue.
bugsy
Joined: Wed 01 Apr, 2009 09:12
Posts: 53

  M roadster S50
Location: Sutton

Post by bugsy »

Jonttt wrote:Bugsy, do you know if your car had the vanos bolt recall carried out. All S50's were recalled to fit longer vanos bolts due to them sheering :shock:
Yes, I read about that after the garage had told me what had happened (thanks to this forum). It would be difficult to find out about it since my S50 is an import from Malta. I asked about the replacement bolts and they were the longer ones. I am counting myself lucky, not only that it happened so close to home but also that no-one was following me when she had her James Bond moment.
Post Reply