The CoolC Zee4
Discussion
I thought I should now start a Reader's Cars for my Z4 even though I've had it 8 months now.
Short version of a very long story. I got ripped off by a classic car specialist who I bought a Porsche 924 from. There had been a long drawn out legal battle but eventually at the end of April 25 after just shy of 2 years I was paid out and the 924 collected and returned to the seller.
A couple of friends have Z4 (one a 3.0 and one a 2.2) both roadsters and have been really enjoying them. I'd always had a preference for the Z4 coupe over the roadster and had a few saved searches in Autotrader, Marketplace etc.
This particular Z4 was on Autotrader in a pretty badly written ad with poor pictures and had gone unsold for quite a while, but I kept coming back to it as I particularly like the colour combination. Anyway, once I had the funds back from the court case, I went to look at the car. Turned out to be a really nice car. Thick pack of invoices from the local garage, all the usual jobs on these already done (rocker gasket, sump gasket, water pump, starter motor) and the wheels had just been refurbished as the guy had no interest from his advert so had decided to keep it.
After a bit of back an forth we agreed on a price, he had his private plate removed which took a week or so and I eventually collected in on the Friday of the May bank holiday weekend.
I should have saved the poor advert pictures, but didn't think to at the time.
Getting it home and on my drive.
During the week waiting for the private plate to be taken off, I'd been shopping for a couple of bits that were "needed". So they were already delivered before I picked up the car and were the first jobs as well as a full deep clean.
Cup holders.
New rear badge to replace the faded one.
The car wasn't filthy by any stretch, but I would have said it only ever got a "wipe over" rather than a full wash, so on the Saturday I set about going through it fully.
Afterwards and a drive out to a nicer spot for pictures.
Sunday was out to Thoresby Hall for their annual car show.
A few jobs were needed. The aircon wasn't cold, so I thought I'd give one of these kits a try.
Worked for a bit, but only a couple of months, so there is a leak somewhere. It's on the list to get it properly looked at sometime.
I was then into generally just enjoying using the car as my "toy"
Local car meet
And a bit of garage clearing to make room to squeeze it in, and it is a squeeze.
A day tackling the under bonnet. Previous owner was selling as he's moved house and no longer had a garage. It had off-road parking, but it was under trees, so....
Engine bay, again, wasn't filthy, but I do like a nice clean bay.
Then time for some big mods. Replace the degraded fuel cap tether
All 4 in this picture are PHers. This was a local show on the bank of the river Trent.
This is an old school friend who had just got his FRP out of storage while having building work carried out, so we went off to a local car meet to celebrate it being back on the road.
Then it was time for the big trip of the year. Le Mans Classic in early July. Big clean again.
Wheels off, cleaned and coated with sealant.
Waxed and ready to be packed with camping gear.
Parked up in Newhaven waiting for the ferry. The other 2 Z4s and the Aston we some of our group. (11 of us in total)
The obligatory and now traditional group photo on Indianapolis before heading into the campsite.
For the car to be quickly covered in campsite dust
Been using the car all summer for loads of shows, I'll not post them all.
Here after an old friend came up to visit, so we went out for a little hoon.
Infiltrated the local car group which as you can see is pretty much all Porsche people.
My favourite picture from one of the summer shows
September Sunday Service at ZeroNine
Season close at a local car club meet. Showing up the exotica
Jobs on the list;
Headlight polish. I have all the stuff, now waiting for slightly warmer weather before tackling them.
MOT gave an advisory for front flexi hoses. So I'll get a nice set of HEL lines and do a fluid change at the same time.
Driver's door opening is not great. I've replaced the bowden cable from the handle to the latch but has made no difference so I think it's the outer handle. Seems to be a relatively common issue, which means good used handles are hard to find.
Plans for 2026.
Front bumper needs painting. Previous owner clearly parked over a kerb regularly as the underside is scraped to buggery and there is some laquer peel. I'll do a reg plate plinth delete at the same time and use magnets to fit the front plate. Front fog lights need a refurb too.
Another trip to Le Mans Classic with an additional few days afterwards exploring the Grand Massif area of France.
Loads of car shows and car meets.
Short version of a very long story. I got ripped off by a classic car specialist who I bought a Porsche 924 from. There had been a long drawn out legal battle but eventually at the end of April 25 after just shy of 2 years I was paid out and the 924 collected and returned to the seller.
A couple of friends have Z4 (one a 3.0 and one a 2.2) both roadsters and have been really enjoying them. I'd always had a preference for the Z4 coupe over the roadster and had a few saved searches in Autotrader, Marketplace etc.
This particular Z4 was on Autotrader in a pretty badly written ad with poor pictures and had gone unsold for quite a while, but I kept coming back to it as I particularly like the colour combination. Anyway, once I had the funds back from the court case, I went to look at the car. Turned out to be a really nice car. Thick pack of invoices from the local garage, all the usual jobs on these already done (rocker gasket, sump gasket, water pump, starter motor) and the wheels had just been refurbished as the guy had no interest from his advert so had decided to keep it.
After a bit of back an forth we agreed on a price, he had his private plate removed which took a week or so and I eventually collected in on the Friday of the May bank holiday weekend.
I should have saved the poor advert pictures, but didn't think to at the time.
Getting it home and on my drive.
During the week waiting for the private plate to be taken off, I'd been shopping for a couple of bits that were "needed". So they were already delivered before I picked up the car and were the first jobs as well as a full deep clean.
Cup holders.
New rear badge to replace the faded one.
The car wasn't filthy by any stretch, but I would have said it only ever got a "wipe over" rather than a full wash, so on the Saturday I set about going through it fully.
Afterwards and a drive out to a nicer spot for pictures.
Sunday was out to Thoresby Hall for their annual car show.
A few jobs were needed. The aircon wasn't cold, so I thought I'd give one of these kits a try.
Worked for a bit, but only a couple of months, so there is a leak somewhere. It's on the list to get it properly looked at sometime.
I was then into generally just enjoying using the car as my "toy"
Local car meet
And a bit of garage clearing to make room to squeeze it in, and it is a squeeze.
A day tackling the under bonnet. Previous owner was selling as he's moved house and no longer had a garage. It had off-road parking, but it was under trees, so....
Engine bay, again, wasn't filthy, but I do like a nice clean bay.
Then time for some big mods. Replace the degraded fuel cap tether
All 4 in this picture are PHers. This was a local show on the bank of the river Trent.
This is an old school friend who had just got his FRP out of storage while having building work carried out, so we went off to a local car meet to celebrate it being back on the road.
Then it was time for the big trip of the year. Le Mans Classic in early July. Big clean again.
Wheels off, cleaned and coated with sealant.
Waxed and ready to be packed with camping gear.
Parked up in Newhaven waiting for the ferry. The other 2 Z4s and the Aston we some of our group. (11 of us in total)
The obligatory and now traditional group photo on Indianapolis before heading into the campsite.
For the car to be quickly covered in campsite dust
Been using the car all summer for loads of shows, I'll not post them all.
Here after an old friend came up to visit, so we went out for a little hoon.
Infiltrated the local car group which as you can see is pretty much all Porsche people.
My favourite picture from one of the summer shows
September Sunday Service at ZeroNine
Season close at a local car club meet. Showing up the exotica
Jobs on the list;
Headlight polish. I have all the stuff, now waiting for slightly warmer weather before tackling them.
MOT gave an advisory for front flexi hoses. So I'll get a nice set of HEL lines and do a fluid change at the same time.
Driver's door opening is not great. I've replaced the bowden cable from the handle to the latch but has made no difference so I think it's the outer handle. Seems to be a relatively common issue, which means good used handles are hard to find.
Plans for 2026.
Front bumper needs painting. Previous owner clearly parked over a kerb regularly as the underside is scraped to buggery and there is some laquer peel. I'll do a reg plate plinth delete at the same time and use magnets to fit the front plate. Front fog lights need a refurb too.
Another trip to Le Mans Classic with an additional few days afterwards exploring the Grand Massif area of France.
Loads of car shows and car meets.
Hello fellow 3.0si owner! I like the colour, looks really good with the silver wheels.
My cupholders are also knackered. Can you share where you got yours please? I’ve seen some aliexpress ones but I am wary, and also not sure on whether I need to get the whole vent front or just the cupholder.
Similarly, did you get official BMW badges or aftermarket? And where from? I need front and rear and wheel centres too.
My cupholders are also knackered. Can you share where you got yours please? I’ve seen some aliexpress ones but I am wary, and also not sure on whether I need to get the whole vent front or just the cupholder.
Similarly, did you get official BMW badges or aftermarket? And where from? I need front and rear and wheel centres too.
Just double checked. Both were from Ebay sellers. Neither OEM.
Cup Holders
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/402838728597
Badge
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/257095125000?itmmeta=01...
Cup Holders
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/402838728597
Badge
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/257095125000?itmmeta=01...
CoolC said:
Just double checked. Both were from Ebay sellers. Neither OEM.
Cup Holders
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/402838728597
Badge
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/257095125000?itmmeta=01...
Legend, thanks.Cup Holders
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/402838728597
Badge
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/257095125000?itmmeta=01...
TrevorHill said:
Love the Z4. I have a 2007 roadster. Hard to beat on a summer evening but the coupe is a much rarer and cooler choice.
I have been hankering after a tin top/convertible circa 2012. Best of both worlds?
I am told that the E89 is less of a drivers car. It’s about 200kg heavier and more refined, so it feels more of a relaxed tourer than a sporty steer.I have been hankering after a tin top/convertible circa 2012. Best of both worlds?
I’m jealous of the extra cargo space e in the E86 so I justify my purchase by taking the roof down in anything other than rain (when not on the motorway).
That's a great write up and it's good to see you have been getting out and about in it.
Montego Blue looks great, and I think yours has Champagne leather which is Nappa so better quality that the standard offering. I've had two 3 litre Coupes, Ruby Black with Pearl Grey then Montego Blue with Pearl Grey, and loved them both.
I never planned to sell my second one, until 6 years ago I saw an M Coupe at a price I couldn't ignore. So now I have Silver Grey with Imola Red interior and it's a keeper!
It's worth checking out the condition of the rear brake pipes just in front of the rear passenger side wheel as they can corrode (I had them replaced on my 2nd Coupe after MOT advisories) and the electric water pump will die at some point. It causes overheating in less than a mile so can be inconvenient so some people replace them as a preventative measure, although a Pierburg pump will cost £250-300 so long as you don't buy from BMW.
Anyway that's enough drivel from me, but if you haven't visited already z4forum is a really helpful place for advice and "How To" guides.
Keep enjoying it in 2026.
Montego Blue looks great, and I think yours has Champagne leather which is Nappa so better quality that the standard offering. I've had two 3 litre Coupes, Ruby Black with Pearl Grey then Montego Blue with Pearl Grey, and loved them both.
I never planned to sell my second one, until 6 years ago I saw an M Coupe at a price I couldn't ignore. So now I have Silver Grey with Imola Red interior and it's a keeper!
It's worth checking out the condition of the rear brake pipes just in front of the rear passenger side wheel as they can corrode (I had them replaced on my 2nd Coupe after MOT advisories) and the electric water pump will die at some point. It causes overheating in less than a mile so can be inconvenient so some people replace them as a preventative measure, although a Pierburg pump will cost £250-300 so long as you don't buy from BMW.
Anyway that's enough drivel from me, but if you haven't visited already z4forum is a really helpful place for advice and "How To" guides.
Keep enjoying it in 2026.
Mr Tidy said:
It's worth checking out the condition of the rear brake pipes just in front of the rear passenger side wheel as they can corrode (I had them replaced on my 2nd Coupe after MOT advisories) and the electric water pump will die at some point. It causes overheating in less than a mile so can be inconvenient so some people replace them as a preventative measure, although a Pierburg pump will cost £250-300 so long as you don't buy from BMW.
Water pump has already been done recently. And the front to rear brake pipe is ringing a bell from the wad of invoices I have (I'll have a look again)Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff