discussion New Member - New Z4 M Coupe

[nocturn9]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the BMW Fanatics forum and I am glad to be here. Just some background on my BMW ownership:

• First BMW was a G26 M440i GC. The B58 was an amazing engine and great to drive.
• Second and current is an IX3. As my family grew bigger I didn't want to keep breaking my back getting kids in and out of the low G26. So I traded it in for an IX3. Brilliant car, quiet, cheap to run but boring to drive.
• Third and new current car - 2007 Z4 M Coupe. I have been looking for an E46 M3 for a while but the ones that are out there are in poor condition and the good ones were out of my budget. So I decided to look at the Z4 M, impressive car and fun to drive.

Fast forward, I have never owned a car an 18 year old car but here I am. Based in JHB and here are the list of things I plan on doing first:

1. Major Service, the car has not been serviced in a while. BMW quoted me about R20k for a major service while other reputable mechanics quoted me about R6k. Any advice which option I should go for?
2. Tyres - It currently has P zeros but they are 6 years old. P zeros seem to be really had to find so I may go for Goodyears or Bridgestone.
3. Stone chip repairs - There are a few stone chips on the front bumper and bonnet and thereafter have PPF done. Any reputable person in JHB I can get this done at?

Any thing else on this I should add?

Thanks in advance everyone.

 

[Yulz9081]

Congrats on the S54 beauty.
If you don't need to go to an ARC, then I'd recommend Tier 1 Group. Sander does almost all the work for Daytona and Fouche and his work is class. Just had my Mineral white X5 done by his team and I was exceptionally happy with the job - colour matching is on point.

 

[Peter@AEW]

A major service for and S54 should include valve clearances.
Plugs roughly R1600
Oil filter R350
Diff oil R1600
Gbox oil R1500
Oil from R1700 to R3000
Flush coolant R750 antifreeze and R300 distilled water
Brake flush R300 for 1L
Cabin filter R750 +-
Labour R6k excluding clearances
Compression test included in labour charge.

I would be cautious of a R6k major service as it is likely to exclude the bulk of what I have enumerated above.

Drive it in good health

 

[FiRi@Rennzport]

Congrats on the new whip. Wishing you Many happy miles and smiles.

Notaure if bearings and vanos was done, but i would definitely consider those asap if there were not carried out.

@Peter@AEW can assist with them as well

 

[Benji]

Welcome and congratulations on an awesome ride, looking forward to some more Z4M content on here. Share some pics

As above, bearings and vanos need to be done if they have not already. You will note that you dont "just service" an S54 - you need to be very clear as to what is covered in the service. A "reputable mechanic" for a normal car may not be reputable or experienced with S54 engines. An S54 requires a lot of specialist love, but it does reward you in return

 

[momo1]

Congrats, Z4M is an epic little car which will surely guarantee you the smiles per miles.
@Peter@AEW is your man for any maintenance!

 

[Katanator]

Congrats, definitely on my bucket list as well.

Attend to bearings and check vanos as mentioned above they can destroy your engin so would be high up on my list.

Change all fluids possible if not done recently.

You will probably be better off with a reputable after market mechanic than the dealers.

Give us some info, mileage, model etc.

 

[nocturn9]

A major service for and S54 should include valve clearances.
Plugs roughly R1600
Oil filter R350
Diff oil R1600
Gbox oil R1500
Oil from R1700 to R3000
Flush coolant R750 antifreeze and R300 distilled water
Brake flush R300 for 1L
Cabin filter R750 +-
Labour R6k excluding clearances
Compression test included in labour charge.

I would be cautious of a R6k major service as it is likely to exclude the bulk of what I have enumerated above.

Drive it in good health

Thank you, this list makes sense. Can I reach out to you directly for a quote on these items?

 

[nocturn9]

Congrats, definitely on my bucket list as well.

Attend to bearings and check vanos as mentioned above they can destroy your engin so would be high up on my list.

Change all fluids possible if not done recently.

You will probably be better off with a reputable after market mechanic than the dealers.

Give us some info, mileage, model etc.

It is 2007 Z4 M Coupe with 52000 kms. I plan on making her a garage queen.

 

[Katanator]

Blue one from Crossley & web?

At that mileage you at least have some time to attend to the rod bearings.

 

[nocturn9]

Blue one from Crossley & web?

At that mileage you at least have some time to attend to the rod bearings.

I wish it was that one, unfortunately too rich for me. I have the one from Stargate Auto.

 

[Bugger]

It is 2007 Z4 M Coupe with 52000 kms. I plan on making her a garage queen.

Congrats on the car. These can be really epic. Very tail happy! If I can give you one piece of advice though, use the car. These don't like being left to sleep and they love being driven. Very uncomfortable on long drives and bumpy roads but they can be very exciting to drive. One of the last visceral M cars.

 

[tamgoem]

It is 2007 Z4 M Coupe with 52000 kms. I plan on making her a garage queen.

That is fucking sad.

 

[MR_Y]

It is 2007 Z4 M Coupe with 52000 kms. I plan on making her a garage queen.

Excellent for the next owner 😉

 

[Fordkoppie]

The only redeeming factor about a Z4M is the way it drives.
Its rather ugly as a garage ornament.
An e46 M3 is much better at that in my opinion.

 

[momo1]

The only redeeming factor about a Z4M is the way it drives.
Its rather ugly as a garage ornament.
An e46 M3 is much better at that in my opinion.

aah cmon , there are much uglier cars out there, its definitely weired looking though

 

[KPM3_30]

aah cmon , there are much uglier cars out there, its definitely weired looking though

And this is why, beauty is in the eye of the beholder/beer-holder..

 

[Benji]

In matters of taste, there is no dispute.

What can be objectively said about the Z4, is that it is a very unique shape/design and provides an "exotic" driving position whereas the M3 provides you with the same experience as a 330i, 80% of the time.

As a E46 daily driver, I could never climb into the weekend toy to be greeted by the same interior

 

[TBP88]

In matters of taste, there is no dispute.

What can be objectively said about the Z4, is that it is a very unique shape/design and provides an "exotic" driving position whereas the M3 provides you with the same experience as a 330i, 80% of the time.

As a E46 daily driver, I could never climb into the weekend toy to be greeted by the same interior

Z4M specialness factor/rand is unmatched. I feel like I've made this comment on about 34587 threads at this point, but even with prices like 20-30% up over the last 2-3 yrs it remains true.

 

[FiRi@Rennzport]

And this is why, beauty is in the eye of the beholder/beer-holder..

I really dont think I can agree....

Driving my 1st Z4M back in 2013, i was smitten by the actual drive. Seating position, long bonnet, seeing the rear hips in your mirrors, interior feeling like a cacoon....damn what a package. Z3M gives the same feel.

And then off course theres the S54 ...