First time owner of an old(ish) beemer. Help please

[ShanGov]

Howsit Fanatics,

Long time BMW owner and fan here. Over the years I've had a few beemers but always new and under motorplan with a few non-beemer toys on the side. Currently daily a G20 M340i with M performance exhaust (pretty nice sounding system), the wife has a 235i (f44?) and have a Birkin 7 for track days and some stick shift fun.

Last weekend I saw a 2000 z3 3.0i manual, for sale in Durbs with 80k kms on the clock and in great conditon so drove down with a mate and bought the car and drove it up to jhb the next day.

She didn't miss a beat but I did notice a lifter tick. The owner said the car stood for a long time (2years) in his workshop as the previous owner emigrated and didn't pay him or inform him. It was over Covid peak in 2020 so at the time he thought that owner died! Anyway he bought the car earlier this year after hunting down the owner and was using it but now also emigrating (checked his house and could see it to be true).

The mileage checks out and BMW history shows no comments but obviously the lifter tick is due to the lifters most likely stuck from standing so long. I've done an oil change with BMW 5w30 oil, new oil filter; coolant flush and changed the front shocks (bilsteins), upgraded the exhaust with quad pipes (2 back boxes) and will do the belts this weekend. I added LM hydraulic lifter additive and tried the 3min rev hold procedure twice but the tick persists.

I do most of the service stuff and even changed the shocks myself but I do need a referral to a solid old school mechanic around the greenstone hill/edenvale area who charges decent rates and I can trust to check out this tick. The lifters will most likely need to be replaced. I'm loving this car so far but that tick is annoying....its also the first toy that my wife actually loves so that means alot! Happy wife, happy life anol anol....

Was about to go see a highly recommended ex forum member and then found a thread that shocked me senseless about swapping parts and stuff so desperately looking for recommendations I can trust as this is brand new (and scary) territory for me. Your help is highly appreciated!

Sorry for the long brain fart here!

 

[maverick328]

Add another bottle of the LM hydraulic additive, the 6 cyl engines usually need 2 bottles for the noise to go away. If the noise still persists then it needs replacement

 

[ShanGov]

Thanks for the suggestion. Ive always been apprehensive about any additives but gave this a shot from the online vids I've seen with M54s. Its only 300ml in can so shouldn't do any harm to add another can. Will give that a try.

Still need some suggestions for recommended mechanics. Who works on yours?

 

[rodga]

Keen to see if the 2nd bottle sorts out your tick
have the same with my 525i but its been like that for 10 years already lol

Dont see if you did any work on the cooling system, but I would definitely add a cooling system refresh to the list

 

[ShanGov]

Ive only done a coolant flush, added new coolant and bled the system. I hear the e36 plastic bits are weak points but not sure specifically what I should change

 

[rodga]

Ive only done a coolant flush, added new coolant and bled the system. I hear the e36 plastic bits are weak points but not sure specifically what I should change

change the hoses and expansion bottle for a start, might as well add waterpump and thermostat - my oem waterpump impeller (plastic) was broken which caused hotter temps, thankfully no overheating, but changed to one with a metal impeller.

Not sure what else will need changing on that platform but a quick google should sort you out

 

[MR_Y]

Hi Shan, welcome to the forum.
We chatted on the Z3/4 Whatsapp group.
Please post pics of the cars.

 

[ShanGov]

Hi Shan, welcome to the forum.
We chatted on the Z3/4 Whatsapp group.
Please post pics of the cars.

Howsit bud, spotted your car in the skid pan post. She's looking mint.

I've attached some pics of the current rides

 

[MR_Y]

Howsit bud, spotted your car in the skid pan post. She's looking mint.

I've attached some pics of the current rides

Excellent collection.
So, which cars sleep outside

 

[modocrat]

That Lotus must be fun (as f***) to drive around. We need videos!!

 

[ShanGov]

Excellent collection.
So, which cars sleep outside

Thanks man - simple answer is the ones with solid roofs lol But they are parked in undercover parking during work, all ceramic coated and I have a guy who washes them all to my standard with my products twice a week at my premises and it seems like overkill but they get a professional full detail and machine polish twice a year without fail. Sometimes I feel like I'm just keeping my GF tight for the next guy lmao but Im super pedantic about keeping my cars in the best condition possible.

Good news is that we are in the process of getting awnings approved in the estate.

I don't intend on keeping the new ones forever - the new cars, as amazing machines as they are, just lack character for me. Playstation cars that are just a bit too refined and too good at what they do...especially these xDrives I need RWD manual transmissions to have fun

 

[ShanGov]

That Lotus must be fun (as f***) to drive around. We need videos!!

My man, its honestly the most fun I've had with my clothes on. Shes the cover car for the Lotus 7 FB group of SA but trust me she is just as fast (and fun) as she looks good. You need every bit of attention and focus when driving her as every single one of your senses is fully engaged. Quick rack steering, wilwood 4 pots allround, twin sidedraughts on a fully worked 2L Zetec twincam coupled with a sweet quaife short shifter on a type 9 box. Power to weight is amazing.....560kg! I also have a full roof and doors in the boot so shes a great all rounder. Recently did a club long distance drive with the Mrs to Swaziland in June this year.

I had an amazing track day in August with some awesome GoPro vids of it killing some monsters on the track but the SD card got damaged and lost all my holiday vids too. But will hopefully take a few more when Im at the track again.....Im one of the few that drive her there and (touch wood) always drive her home after...so far 3 years running.

Sure you can tell how passionate I am about that little car with massive character

 

[modocrat]

You got me drooling..

Pity about that SD card. Have you tried data recovery? https://cssi.co.za/

 

[ShanGov]

You got me drooling..

Pity about that SD card. Have you dried data recovery? https://cssi.co.za/

I found a you tube link to a vid a friend did. It was when I had the 1800 standard engine so its a bit of different animal now with the worked 2.0L.

Formatted that SD card and chucked it out of anger.

 

[maverick328]

Thanks for the suggestion. Ive always been apprehensive about any additives but gave this a shot from the online vids I've seen with M54s. Its only 300ml in can so shouldn't do any harm to add another can. Will give that a try.

Still need some suggestions for recommended mechanics. Who works on yours?

The Agents in Durban point. Macho is the owner

 

[ShanGov]

The Agents in Durban point. Macho is the owner

Ok cool - im based in Greenstone hill JHB. Seems like okes are quite cagey about referring people these days

 

[ShanGov]

Add another bottle of the LM hydraulic additive, the 6 cyl engines usually need 2 bottles for the noise to go away. If the noise still persists then it needs replacement

Checked yesterday and my oil level is just a fraction over the full mark with the one bottle of LM. But I did take her for a long evening spin yesterday and it seems like the sound of the tick has definitely decreased by 20-30% softer. Its there still but like at red light its not nearly as loud as it was when I got it.

So I will keep driving it and give the LM a chance to keep working and will see how that goes before I add another bottle. Not comfortable overfilling the sump

Still hoping to get recommendations from the JHB fanatics for mechanics......cant own an older car without knowing who to go see if something goes pear shaped

 

[///Avi]

Hi Shan, I can’t recommend any trustworthy mechanics in that area but I would recommend Tunetech. Quality work and trustworthy in my personal experience.

Also on the M54B30, it’s good to check the vacuum lines, disa valve operation and ICV, the MAF sometimes needs to be cleaned/replaced.

The more you drive the car I would say it would quiet down, especially if it has been sitting for extended periods before you purchased.

 

[ShanGov]

Hi Shan, I can’t recommend any trustworthy mechanics in that area but I would recommend Tunetech. Quality work and trustworthy in my personal experience.

Also on the M54B30, it’s good to check the vacuum lines, disa valve operation and ICV, the MAF sometimes needs to be cleaned/replaced.

The more you drive the car I would say it would quiet down, especially if it has been sitting for extended periods before you purchased.

Appreciate that recommendation Avi - thanks. Will check them out

Also thanks for the tips to check up on - will give them a once over when Im changing the drive belts this weekend. Fortunately she drives and behaves like a new car ( except for the tick.....which is getting better). Idle is perfect, revs clean and pulls hard. But nevertheless I would like to double check every possible area myself for peace of mind - so will take your advice and check those out.

Extended periods are an understatement - she was sitting for 2 years!

 

[Ga-3M]

Would also recommend using 5W40 oil on next change, should help a little bit with the lifter tick and run a bit quieter.