To start or not to start?

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TWO
Joined: Tue 05 Apr, 2011 22:04
Posts: 177

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: Chelmsford

To start or not to start?

Post by TWO »

Hi

I have recently SORN the Zed for the Winter period and have done all of the necessary recommended checks prior to storing in the garage...................third year running :cry:

The question I'm never sure on the answer; (1) Is it wise to run the engine for a period of time to keep the oil circulating? (2) If so; how often? (3) for how long?............or just leave well alone until the Spring time. :?

Cheers
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lordhelpus
Joined: Sat 14 Sep, 2013 09:46
Posts: 128

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Tax Exile

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by lordhelpus »

I think it all depends on a couple of things...
1. When was the oil last changed prior to storage.
2. When do you intend to get the vehicle back on the road?

When I laid mine up last year I didn't bother changing the oil, but when it was time to get it back on the road in the spring, I contacted the local Indy BMW specialist garage who trailered it away and done a complete oil and fluid/filter service and tune up and gave it the once over underneath and a MOT.
The minor servicing I do myself through the year, but I like to have it checked out at least once a year just for peace of mind really.

If I was doing what you intend to do then I would start it up and run for 30mins once a fortnight.
1997 2.8................ Montreal Blue
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TitanTim
Joined: Mon 23 Jun, 2008 18:56
Posts: 5488

  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: Stafford

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by TitanTim »

Mines in storage for 6 months of the year albeight during the summer. I would never start the car as all your doing is filling the exhaust with water and creating condensation in the cylinder head, just buy a decent battery conditioner like a ctek and leave the Zed well alone until the spring.

Tim.
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2001 Z3 1.9 Roadster Sport - 2012 Z4 sDrive 2.0 M Sport
TWO
Joined: Tue 05 Apr, 2011 22:04
Posts: 177

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: Chelmsford

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by TWO »

TitanTim wrote:Mines in storage for 6 months of the year albeight during the summer. I would never start the car as all your doing is filling the exhaust with water and creating condensation in the cylinder head, just buy a decent battery conditioner like a ctek and leave the Zed well alone until the spring.

Tim.
Cheers Tim.................Yes, the Zed is linked up to a Ctek Battery Charger, Oil changed, Tyres slightly over inflated, Rubbers greased with Gummi, Roof left off the clamps to ease the tension, WD40 were needed :rtm:

Many thanks...........I'll leave well alone until the spring :cry:
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Davejue1
Joined: Sun 22 Sep, 2013 07:25
Posts: 1249

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Mansfield

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by Davejue1 »

I'll second Tim. Mines sorn till march/April now and won't be touched until then. Did the same last winter and everything was fine come spring time. :)

Cheers
Dave
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"Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional!"
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Buz007
Joined: Fri 16 Jul, 2010 20:18
Posts: 254

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Leeds

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by Buz007 »

For the past 5 years every November I've put mine in the garage with the brakes copper greased and handbrake off, alarm off, roof unlocked, oil changed, full tank of petrol, cleaned and waxed and just sat for 6/7 months... No charger just a tailor made Z3 car cover and without fail....she starts up in May on the button ready to rock and roll. :D
''need I remind you 007, you have a licence to kill...not to break the traffic laws''
beerbelly
Joined: Fri 07 Feb, 2014 20:12
Posts: 177

  blank

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by beerbelly »

TitanTim wrote:Mines in storage for 6 months of the year albeight during the summer. I would never start the car as all your doing is filling the exhaust with water and creating condensation in the cylinder head, just buy a decent battery conditioner like a ctek and leave the Zed well alone until the spring.

Tim.
totally agree with what he said
johnz3
Joined: Wed 13 Sep, 2006 10:27
Posts: 670

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Pitsea

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by johnz3 »

What about tyres please. Increase the pressure/deflate a few psi. Also if you dont start up you dont move the car and the weight of the car will be sitting on the same part of the tyre.

Thanks
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motco
Joined: Tue 18 Aug, 2009 18:12
Posts: 728

  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by motco »

My Westfield is on SORN for six months of the year - actually all year nowadays - but I break it out for the track days season. Rock back and forth to free the brakes, and release the clutch occasionally, preferably while moving the car slightly in gear to rotate the gearbox with respect to the pressure surface of the clutch to stop it sticking to the face. I don't find flat spotting a problem for the tyres, but it may be brand specific.
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TitanTim
Joined: Mon 23 Jun, 2008 18:56
Posts: 5488

  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: Stafford

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by TitanTim »

I've never really had problems with the tyres after being laid up, just keep them at 33psi all round. If I was storing for more than 6 months then would increase pressures. I'm never keen on putting the car up on axle stands as the springs would be extended. Unsure if that would be a bad thing long term.

Tim.
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2001 Z3 1.9 Roadster Sport - 2012 Z4 sDrive 2.0 M Sport
DC
Joined: Tue 15 Sep, 2009 17:31
Posts: 571

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Inverness-shire

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by DC »

It gets a bit trickier when you have air conditioning.
I start and run mine several times in the winter to keep the A/C in order.
Always on a warm day and run for at least 30 mins, luckily I have a longish drive so it gets moved about a bit as well.
never had any trouble from doing this.
When I had a Morgan I used to lay that up all winter without starting it though I did move it a couple of feet occasionally to ease pressure on the tyres. That also used to work fine for me.
I think a dry garage is maybe important and a dust sheet along with no drastic changes in temperature seems to help to avoid condensation.

Dave.
Dave. 1998 Arctic Silver Z3 M44 1.9 Automatic
Del
Joined: Sat 19 Nov, 2011 18:35
Posts: 2136

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by Del »

DC wrote:It gets a bit trickier when you have air conditioning.I start and run mine several times in the winter to keep the A/C in order.
That seems to be a good general recommendation even for cars used all year around, with air con. The service department of my local MINI dealer was lecturing my wife about that recently. :) Something about "stopping the seals drying out and perishing?"
Warrior
Joined: Tue 11 May, 2010 10:02
Posts: 497

  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by Warrior »

Coming at this from a slightly different angle!

I don't have a garage and the fully fitted cover served only to ensure that any condensation was never quite cleared until I managed to move zeddie into a sunnier part of the garden. She now sits, fully waxed, wheels refurbished and sealed, roof sealed, but open to the elements and I keep thinking 'what's the worst that can happen if I take her out for a spin?' This based on the fact that my mileage is low, just over 40k, from around 37k when bought over 3 years ago so a few extra won't unduly affect any resale value.
Of course there will be salt on the roads which could be rinsed off (although that may mean leaving zeddie with a wet underside). So, to rinse or not to rinse, that is the question!?
Last edited by Warrior on Sun 07 Dec, 2014 11:51, edited 1 time in total.
beerbelly
Joined: Fri 07 Feb, 2014 20:12
Posts: 177

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Re: To start or not to start?

Post by beerbelly »

I think I have heard somewhere that bmw actually designed them so they could be used in all weathers barring deep snow there should be no problems at all driving it in any weather :roll:
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TitanTim
Joined: Mon 23 Jun, 2008 18:56
Posts: 5488

  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: Stafford

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by TitanTim »

beerbelly wrote:I think I have heard somewhere that bmw actually designed them so they could be used in all weathers barring deep snow there should be no problems at all driving it in any weather :roll:
Mines great in the snow :P

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Tim.
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2001 Z3 1.9 Roadster Sport - 2012 Z4 sDrive 2.0 M Sport
DC
Joined: Tue 15 Sep, 2009 17:31
Posts: 571

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Inverness-shire

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by DC »

Mines never ever been out in snow or ice and being a Japanese import has never seen grit or salt. I'm sure if fitted with winters as Tim's is it would perform well enough but I just can't bring myself to do it.
I suspect that what I really mean is I cant be bothered cleaning two cars!
Dave.
Dave. 1998 Arctic Silver Z3 M44 1.9 Automatic
TWO
Joined: Tue 05 Apr, 2011 22:04
Posts: 177

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: Chelmsford

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by TWO »

Mines great in the snow :P

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Tim.[/quote]

Hi Tim

Change of subject.........the boot spoiler looks great..............is it OEM or Ebay ready painted?

I was considering the addition for the summer 8-)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Painted-Boot- ... 4abac7c39f
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TitanTim
Joined: Mon 23 Jun, 2008 18:56
Posts: 5488

  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: Stafford

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by TitanTim »

Thanks TWO, the spoiler on mine was off ebay but from a Chinese seller back in 2010, it came already sprayed up in Titanium Silver. I was a little unsure what the quality or colour match would be like but pleasantly surprised the match was spot on and quality was very good, some more pics

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Tim.
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2001 Z3 1.9 Roadster Sport - 2012 Z4 sDrive 2.0 M Sport
Rafolian
Joined: Wed 27 Feb, 2013 08:41
Posts: 547

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by Rafolian »

I bought one also about 18 months ago for my artic silver 2.8. Fitted in 2 minutes and colour spot on, absolute bargain!!
peter2b
Joined: Sat 01 Nov, 2014 18:47
Posts: 963

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: cheshire

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by peter2b »

I start my robin hood 2b up every 3 weeks turn in in and out my shed a few times making sure its fully warmed up before going back in , been doing that for the last 10 years with out any problems so far , its been ok for my z3 since I got her 3 months ago
Peter2b
Mike Fishwick
Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
Posts: 2093

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Daglan, France

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by Mike Fishwick »

Don't forget to prime the oil system by removing the fuel pump fuses and turning the engine in short bursts until the oil light goes out, then a few longer bursts before replacing the fuses and starting up.

Yes - a battery charger is a better investment than a new battery!
A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
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Topperz
Joined: Tue 20 Nov, 2012 20:08
Posts: 89

  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by Topperz »

Zebedee is now in the man cave....aka garage

First time the garage has seen a car in 15 years,and after 3weeks of clearing it out,he was put away nice n dry yesterday

I'm new to this laying up over the winter,is there a to do list anywhere on the forum? or if someone could compile one for those that are new to it

Mine does have aircon,I have left him unlocked with the handbrake off,and do intend buying a trickle charger of some kind

Just want to make sure he is good to go in the spring

Thanks
The only bad thing about owning a Z3 is bedtime .......boing!! time for bed said zebedee

Z3 cosmos black individual 2.0

X1 /MSport XDrive 2.0d mineral white
TWO
Joined: Tue 05 Apr, 2011 22:04
Posts: 177

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: Chelmsford

Re: To start or not to start?

Post by TWO »

Topperz wrote:Zebedee is now in the man cave....aka garage

First time the garage has seen a car in 15 years,and after 3weeks of clearing it out,he was put away nice n dry yesterday

I'm new to this laying up over the winter,is there a to do list anywhere on the forum? or if someone could compile one for those that are new to it

Mine does have aircon,I have left him unlocked with the handbrake off,and do intend buying a trickle charger of some kind

Just want to make sure he is good to go in the spring

Thanks
Hi Topperz

This post is worth a read.......I only found it after I raised my question :roll:

http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30334
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