New Owner. Need Direction

Crazey · 09-04-2025, 11:05 AM

Hey, new owner, well got the car about 6 months ago. 2003 3.0L.

What is some good shops to shop at?
I need new head lights for sure.
Top obviously doesn't work, not planning on repairing in the near future.
What is y'all's recommendation to lower the car?
What are some things i should know about these cars? What goes out, what is a must change? etc...

I am a car guy, and i love all my cars. Z4 is the last addition. Couldn't pass it up, it was too good of a deal for a car with under 50k miles.

Currently i have:
1979 L-82 Corvette
1990 L-98 Corvette
1993 ZR-1 Crovette
1996 3000GT VR-4
1998 R129 SL500
2002 S500
2003 Z4 3.0
2013 Renntech S550

And two vans, lol. 2016 Express 2500, and 2023 Mercedes Sprinter 2500.

THank you all in advance.

Peter

3002 tii · 09-06-2025, 11:42 PM

For oem maintenance, I go with FCP Euro (lifetime replacement). Other vendors have implemented similar policies but they were the original so I support them. For aftermarket, I cross shop between ECS (or Turner, both owned by same parent company) and Bimmerworld.

Re headlights, I would generally avoid aftermarket because the wiring on those are always f’d up. I’d rather pay up a little more for used ones on eBay. If you don’t have xenons, new halogens are little more budget friendly.

Re lowering, really depends on your goals (aesthetics vs performance). You can do simple spring & shock combo to fancy two or three way coilovers.

Despite the low mileage, I would start with flushing all the fluids (engine, transmission, diff, and brakes). Inspect belts and hoses to see if any have dried and are in need of replacement. Also check tires for dry rotting.

Buy a good BMW specific code scanner that is compatible with that chassis. If everything looks clean, do your basic maintenance and enjoy the car.

PS - if you need to cross reference part numbers, go to www.realoem.com; enter either last 7 VIN or look up your chassis by changing the catalog from ‘current’ to ‘classic’, and select Z4 / E85, engine trim, and production date.

Crazey · 09-12-2025, 01:12 PM

I appreciate you replying so quickly. Doing pretty much everything you just listed. Just need to find a good pair of headlights.

Resoelg · 09-13-2025, 12:01 AM

Welcome and enjoy. They are a blast to drive.

09-04-2025, 11:05 AM	#1
Crazey Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2003 Z4 3.0 Join Date: Sep 2025 Location: Columbia, SC iTrader: (0)	New Owner. Need Direction Hey, new owner, well got the car about 6 months ago. 2003 3.0L. What is some good shops to shop at? I need new head lights for sure. Top obviously doesn't work, not planning on repairing in the near future. What is y'all's recommendation to lower the car? What are some things i should know about these cars? What goes out, what is a must change? etc... I am a car guy, and i love all my cars. Z4 is the last addition. Couldn't pass it up, it was too good of a deal for a car with under 50k miles. Currently i have: 1979 L-82 Corvette 1990 L-98 Corvette 1993 ZR-1 Crovette 1996 3000GT VR-4 1998 R129 SL500 2002 S500 2003 Z4 3.0 2013 Renntech S550 And two vans, lol. 2016 Express 2500, and 2023 Mercedes Sprinter 2500. THank you all in advance. Peter
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09-06-2025, 11:42 PM	#2
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2861 Rep 12,981 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (109) Garage List E86 Z4 M GTS [9.91] F15 X5 35i [9.17] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 35i (Retired) [9.43] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.44] E82 135is (Retired) [9.53] E90 328xi (Retired) [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [8.95]	For oem maintenance, I go with FCP Euro (lifetime replacement). Other vendors have implemented similar policies but they were the original so I support them. For aftermarket, I cross shop between ECS (or Turner, both owned by same parent company) and Bimmerworld. Re headlights, I would generally avoid aftermarket because the wiring on those are always f’d up. I’d rather pay up a little more for used ones on eBay. If you don’t have xenons, new halogens are little more budget friendly. Re lowering, really depends on your goals (aesthetics vs performance). You can do simple spring & shock combo to fancy two or three way coilovers. Despite the low mileage, I would start with flushing all the fluids (engine, transmission, diff, and brakes). Inspect belts and hoses to see if any have dried and are in need of replacement. Also check tires for dry rotting. Buy a good BMW specific code scanner that is compatible with that chassis. If everything looks clean, do your basic maintenance and enjoy the car. PS - if you need to cross reference part numbers, go to www.realoem.com; enter either last 7 VIN or look up your chassis by changing the catalog from ‘current’ to ‘classic’, and select Z4 / E85, engine trim, and production date. __________________ Follow for latest mods
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09-12-2025, 01:12 PM	#3
Crazey Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2003 Z4 3.0 Join Date: Sep 2025 Location: Columbia, SC iTrader: (0)	I appreciate you replying so quickly. Doing pretty much everything you just listed. Just need to find a good pair of headlights.
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09-13-2025, 12:01 AM	#4
Resoelg Lieutenant 339 Rep 505 Posts Drives: 2023 X3M Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 Z4M [0.00] 2023 X3M [0.00]	Welcome and enjoy. They are a blast to drive.
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