Another happy Z3M owner!

[Batchem1]

Hi,
After years of admiring them, I've finally taken the plunge and bought my first Z3M.
I have a beautiful T reg Dakar Yellow car. It's not pristine, but it is in really great shape and after a couple of days of washing, waxing, polishing, feeding and buffing it's hard to believe that it really is 14 years old. A pity that I can't post a picture as the forum has apparently reached its maximum attachment quota!
If anybody on the forum has a minute to spare, there are a couple of things I really need advice on - please!
First, and I guess some of you will challenge this logic, after seeing half a dozen others I chose this car on the basis of its general cleanliness, condition and originality. I am only the third owner. It has covered just 45K miles, of which the previous owner drove just 3000 miles in 5 years. It was MOT'd on the day I picked it up with no advisories. I learned enough as a visitor on the forum to make a careful inspection of the boot floor weld area and to listen out for any odd VANOS noises. You're probably expecting a big BUT, and here it is. In those last 5 years and 3000 miles the car was not serviced AT ALL! Prior to that, every service is in the book at a BMW main dealer. I have it booked in for a thorough check and fluids change next week at a specialist in Salisbury (I live in Taunton). Is there anything else you'd advise?
Secondly, amongst the car's original features is a compressor in the boot. It is, of course, well past its use by date - so what do other Z3M drivers carry instead? I'm planning a 2-week European jaunt in a couple of weeks and it would be handy to have something with me in the event of a flat.
In preparation for that trip I've read a great article on here about a guy packing his Z3 with everything needed for a camping trp - including the tent. I'm not camping, but I do have a partner who likes to be prepared (i.e. cannot leave home without a large selection of shoes, a vanity trunk and a specialist hairdrier). We're currently wrangling about who gets which side of the boot but I can see it'll be me who gets the side which is already half full with a CD player.
Anything else you'd like to pass on to me will be gratefully received, and if any of you are near or passing through Taunton it would be great to meet for a chat.
Many thanks in anticipation of a flood of replies!

[Brian H]

Hi Batchem1

I think I had seen this ///M on Pistonheads a few weeks ago, if it is the same one it certainly did look like a great example.

You will need to post you photos via photobucket etc. Have a look at the link below.

Posting Photos Link

Hopefully some of the ///M owners will be along to give some pointers regarding servicing etc.

Brian

[Z3cade]

When having the service I would get them to change your gearbox and diff oil too..

Brake fluid and coolant most essential as well

[Batchem1]

Thanks, am working my way through photobucket now.

[Batchem1]

Thanks for that - will add gearbox and diff oil to the list for this Thursday.
You will have seen the car on Pistonheads - it was advertised at a West Midlands location.
I drove up to see it a couple of Fridays ago, was so taken with it that I did the deal there and then, went up on the train and drove it home on Sunday, and have been blessed with a few sunny days since then.
Life doesn't get much better than that!

[Strikem]

If it's covered very little miles in the 5 year period I wouldn't be put off with it not having a service. However the first thing I would do is service it. All fluids, as these degrade over time, and 5 years is an awfully long time. Make sure things like engine oil is properly flushed to remove everything. I'd take the first couple of 100 miles carefully to warm the engine up and coax it back into life.

I would have thought the seals and gaskets etc over the years are ok, as long as there is plenty of oil etc in the engine. You will find how much, when they/you drain it. On the whole I wouldn't be too worried sounds like a great buy.

[Batchem1]

Thanks, Strikem, that's pretty much how I see it.
It's going to Emtec in Salisbury next week, and they come highly recommended.
I'm going to feel a whole lot more confident once they've weaved their magic - Provence here I come!

[Jonttt]

I would not be worried by the history over the last 5 years with that mileage.

As you are doing get fluids changed as some will absorb moisture over the years irrespective of miles.

Do you know how the low miles was spread from the MOT history ? ie was it stood for a number of years or just used very infrequently over the 5 years ?

ps I would get a full service done irrespective of what the last service was as things like spark plugs can cease and it will give a future purchaser confidence to accept the gap in servicing due to low miles

It is worth you checking you are getting WOT (wide open throttle) on an S50 as its cable driven and they can either dry up (internally lubricated) or stretch and need adjusting. They are easy to adjust and/or cheap to replace and you would not believe how many people are drivind around only able to get 80% WOT and all the fun is in the last 20%

and welcome to Z3 ownership. My bother had a dakar yellow and I loved it.

[Batchem1]

Hey, this is great - thank you so much for the advice Jonttt.
I'll add your suggestions to the list for Emtec next week.
And thanks for the welcome - it's going well so far.

[Batchem1]

Oops, forgot the mileage question.
The MOTs show that the mileage has increased gradually over the last 5 years. The last owner really only did have time to use it on the sunniest of sunny days.

[Batchem1]

Well, let's see if I've learned the photobucket lesson:

[miller1098]

thats a great looking car .have you discovered the gender of it yet?

[Badman gee]

Looks great, for a hairdressers car.

[Bi11]

Welcome. The M is great fun. Having bought mine (from Somerset!) back in November, I have only really driven it the past couple of weekends.

Hope you enjoy.

[Batchem1]

Thanks, guys.
Have I missed something in previous posts about the gender question?

[Boysie]

Why Boris
A Nightmayor to drive

[Z3cade]

Looks great

[Batchem1]

Why Boris
A Nightmayor to drive

Ha ha!
Long story,the name has some Germanic connections for us, so it almost had to be Boris the Beemer.

[Batchem1]

Looks great, for a hairdressers car.

Funnily enough, I do a little casual snipping in my spare time ....

[Boysie]

Looks great, for a hairdressers car.

Funnily enough, I do a little casual snipping in my spare time ....

Yeh maybe in the garden

[gas guzzler]

Hi and welcome, nice looking car, would really like a M. I've had my 2.8 for just over three months now and really enjoying it, the more I drive it the more I wonder what a Z3M would be like, but have to put thoughts like that behind me. Use my car everyday going to work 10 mile round trip, so wouldn't do it any favours and can't justify another toy

Andy

[Batchem1]

I think you're probably right, Andy. I plan to use mine for sunny day treats. I have a little Land Rover for the more mundane trips.
Mind you, in another life I had a Jaguar XKR which I used for sunny day treats. My XKR buddy still uses his for work and at the last count had about 160,000 miles on the clock with no mishaps. Mind you, an expensive car to do that many miles in.
Mike

[Batchem1]

Just to keep Ray company, my VROD:

[Batchem1]

And just to rub it in, my Street Glide:

[PCSAM]

here is my other ride

[Batchem1]

Nice!

[Althulas]

Looks a nice example. I wouldn't write of the compressor though as mine works fine. I would properly give the hood a good clean, water proof treatment and treat the rubbers to some gumiflech too.

[Batchem1]

Looks a nice example. I wouldn't write of the compressor though as mine works fine. I would properly give the hood a good clean, water proof treatment and treat the rubbers to some gumiflech too.

Aha, thanks - the hood is in good nick, so that treatment is something else I can get on with myself.
I hadn't thought about trying the compressor for operation, just assumed that the use by date would mean that the sealant might not still be up to the job. What do you think?

[M3BMC]

Hi Batchem1
I toured Europe 10 years ago in mine and was away for 8 weeks. Managed 17 countries and ended up in Africa. Every inch of space was used and we only had the roof up once as it was a glorious spell. Have fun, you have made me think of all the happy memories.
Col

[Batchem1]

Hi Batchem1
I toured Europe 10 years ago in mine and was away for 8 weeks. Managed 17 countries and ended up in Africa. Every inch of space was used and we only had the roof up once as it was a glorious spell. Have fun, you have made me think of all the happy memories.
Col

Col, thanks for the encouragement - that must have been quite a trip!
I'm not planning to get down as far as Africa this time - the journey starts with Denmark, then Sweden, then down to see friends in Rudesheim, Germany (by an amazing coincidence we should be there for the Harley Davidson Magic Bike Rally), then on to old haunts around Lake Geneva.
I can only hope that we have weather as good as you had.
Still wrestling with the packing. At the latest count we look like starting to get a bit smelly sometime around day 10.
So fingers crossed for some roof-down sunshine!
Mike

[Althulas]

Ah Admittedly I did buy some new sealant. As for the roof I still give it a once over every year so the rain just beads off. Only other tip I can advise on is be careful of a heavy right foot in the severe wet it caught me out once but that was my own fault after having a front wheel drive for a while.

[Brian H]

here is my other ride

I knew I had seen you before