Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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after seeing those wheels lee posted, i've decided they aren't for me. I'm not keen on stretched tyres, i prefer seeing a wide tyre from behind, rather than a skinny one.
i'm thinking about buying just rear spacers for now (20mm) and leaving the front to give an even greater staggered stance (rear wheels are 0.5'' wider than the fronts), although unsure if this will look silly.
in other news, i got my pattern part ARB link arms through today. when i had the car serviced, the mechanic commented on one of them being loose. I've been experiencing some iffy handling for a while now and hoping these cure the problem.
i doubt it will though. ideally i need a proper strutbrace up front as i don't like the lack of response from the front end (it's fantastic compared to hatches but the puma was even better).
also finally got round to sorting my garage out, so I can sleep at night knowing the Z4 is safe in the garage.
the floor and door are going to be re-painted in summer as they look awful 
[Edited on 12-01-2013 by Ben G]
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Kippers
Member
Registered: 27th Dec 10
Location: By the sea, Kent Drives: A nee naw
User status: Offline
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Was you at junction 10 of the M20 recently?
Sure i saw you.
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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Very unlikely, I don't even know where the M20 is
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BeetleGav
Member
Registered: 27th Jun 10
Location: lancashire, nelson
User status: Offline
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Sack the spacers for now and get them fecking wheels painted!
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BeetleGav
Member
Registered: 27th Jun 10
Location: lancashire, nelson
User status: Offline
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Just done an insurance quote on a 3.0 and it's now acceptable that I've turned 22! Would you recommend one? Haha what mileage is yours on? Expensive to run etc?
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Simon_16v
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Registered: 14th Aug 06
Location: Yorkshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by BeetleGav
Just done an insurance quote on a 3.0 and it's now acceptable that I've turned 22! Would you recommend one? Haha what mileage is yours on? Expensive to run etc?
You're telling me, I'm 23 and comes back at £600 for a 3.0 
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BeetleGav
Member
Registered: 27th Jun 10
Location: lancashire, nelson
User status: Offline
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Mine ain't that good it's 1k but I was amazed
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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Mines just under 74k and runs beautifully. The engines are virtually bulletproof. It's decent on fuel for the size of the engine and doesn't cost much to replace stuff as most of it is the same as the e46 3 series.
Bootspace is good and it's a joy to drive with rood up or down. I use mine every day and it's no colder inside than a tin top due to the 3 layer roof.
The only downsides are the lack of cabin space, which can make it a ballache to move around and get out and the standard seats aren't very supportive.
the upgraded seats which some z4's have are much better though.
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BeetleGav
Member
Registered: 27th Jun 10
Location: lancashire, nelson
User status: Offline
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The ones in my price range have like 100k. They okay with high mileage? What's service prices like?
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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i paid 6500 for mine just before summer, but there were some going on the z4 forum with around 80k miles for about 5k recently.
i use a specialist for my servicing, rather than main dealers.
prices are:
oil change: £119
inspection 1: £189
inspection 2: £269
so not too bad really. the intervals are 15,500 miles or 2 years aswell, whereas my focus requires a service every year or 12,500 miles.
[Edited on 13-01-2013 by Ben G]
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BeetleGav
Member
Registered: 27th Jun 10
Location: lancashire, nelson
User status: Offline
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Ahrite them prices ain't too bad provided nothings too wrong
I'm seriously looking Into it now, I've got that many options I'm spoilt for choice
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BeetleGav
Member
Registered: 27th Jun 10
Location: lancashire, nelson
User status: Offline
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Are the 2.5 engines any good? They are cheaper to buy but same to insure
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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yes they are decent engines too. IanW on here had a black one that i think was a 2.5, although i'm not 100% sure.
only problem is they are 5 speed. the 6th gear is great for fuel econom and cruising.
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BeetleGav
Member
Registered: 27th Jun 10
Location: lancashire, nelson
User status: Offline
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Might have to be a 3.0. Just yours seems to have endless problems apart from the engine which is abit off putting lol
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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tbh the only problems i've had were the leaking oil cap, which was a £5 fix and the coolant bottle was cracked, which cost about £100 including coolant to sort.
other than that, it's just regular maintenance bits and my own self doing
the roof motors can fail, which is a £600+ bill to replace. luckily the previous owner of mine already had this done at a cost of £750.
the battery light problem i had on friday night went away on it's own, which is weird still runs fine and the light went off.
[Edited on 13-01-2013 by Ben G]
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BeetleGav
Member
Registered: 27th Jun 10
Location: lancashire, nelson
User status: Offline
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Can the roof be used manually or are you fucked if it fails? Not that it would be down much in the northern climate
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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theres a cord that runs to the boot that you pull on the manually release it from the up or down locking positions 
the roof goes up and down in 11 seconds iirc. ideal ifyou get caught in a brief shower, like i half a couple of times
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BeetleGav
Member
Registered: 27th Jun 10
Location: lancashire, nelson
User status: Offline
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So your only left saying "fuck fuck fuck" for 11 seconds? Lol
I really want one but I can't decide if they are just out of my price range to buy one :/
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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what else have you been looking at? these obviously aren't the best cars if you carry passengers or need space for equipment.
sometimes i wish i had bought a turbo'd hatch, but i like a car i don't see many of on the roads.
also, a lot of people don't believe how cheap they are. a bloke in work thought it was worth double what i paid
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BeetleGav
Member
Registered: 27th Jun 10
Location: lancashire, nelson
User status: Offline
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I've looked at tt's Audi s4 avants. Beetle v5 sports. Constantly looking at motors. Not fussed for practicality more rarity and fun. I only go camping every so often and I can fit enough in the boot id imagine for a weekend
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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my dad fitted my front ARB link arms today. seemed like an easy job, and it was, apart from the ice cold wind 
my dad getting amongst it:
and one of the old ones removed (this was fine, but the other side was buggered, so replaced both):
when i removed the wheels, i noticed that the inside edge of the tyres were worn and the inner sidewall had small cracks in places. hopefully that isn't an MOT fail.
now i just need to extract the sheared bolt out and pray for no expensive repairs come next week.
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BeetleGav
Member
Registered: 27th Jun 10
Location: lancashire, nelson
User status: Offline
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you not have your tracking sorted when you lowered it?
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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Nah didn't bother. Will have to get it sorted before the wear gets worse.
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BeetleGav
Member
Registered: 27th Jun 10
Location: lancashire, nelson
User status: Offline
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decided i want a silver 3.0 preferably red leather and the same wheels as yours...... ive found one but its an auto
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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Some of the auto's have the steering wheel paddles which are pretty cool. Red leather was my choice also buy couldn't find any at the time.
Good luck with the search
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