|
|
SUPPORT ZPOST BY DOING YOUR TIRERACK SHOPPING FROM THIS BANNER, THANKS! |
Post Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
11-30-2020, 01:36 PM | #1 |
New Member
5
Rep 26
Posts |
Must-fix issues Z4M e85
Alrighty so I've been doing extensive research on some of the common issues Z4M's have and have narrowed down to 3 issues that I need to focus on. The car is relatively new to me with absolutely no service records. She's a 2007 and currently has ~70k with mostly street driving. I'm starting to track the car and am looking for a peace of mind moving forward.
Issues: 1) Rod bearing replacement 2) VANOS rebuild 3) Valve adjustment (Unless this is done with the VANOS rebuild?) Is there anything else I should be focusing on? Which issue should I be focusing on first?
__________________
Gruppem RAM / Stromung Back Boxes / Vibra 360m EM / Rogue TM / Leather-Z Center Console / Stubby / CDV / Rockford Fosgate Sound + Panasonic MVH-S512B/ Clutch Stop / 3m Crystalline Tint
|
11-30-2020, 02:48 PM | #2 |
Second Lieutenant
258
Rep 208
Posts
Drives: 08 Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Greenville, SC
|
The VANOS and rod bearings are the only things to look at that are specific to the S54 engine. Given the age/mileage of the car and that you're tracking it. I would check all fluids, the brakes, suspension bushings, and the mounts for the engine, transmission and diff.
VANOS typically needs addressing by 75k miles. Rod bearings can usually be stretched until 100k. Look up the S54 VANOS rattle sound on YouTube. It typically starts around 2.5-3k rpms and will get worse from there as it wears. I bought my car at 66k miles and it started rattling around 69k. I had mine rebuilt using the Beisan parts shortly after that. If you do a VANOS rebuild, you should do a valve adjustment at the same time. For rod bearings, getting a Blackstone oil analysis can give you an idea of how healthy they are. My analysis has come back fine so I'm going to wait until 100k or the oil pan gasket starts leaking, whichever comes first.
__________________
'08 Z4M Coupe | Space Grey/Imola Red Extended/Carbon Leather | Eventuri Intake | Strömung Exhaust | Strong Strut Front/Rear Braces | 19" E46 M3 ZCP Wheels
|
11-30-2020, 02:57 PM | #3 | |
Private First Class
28
Rep 104
Posts |
Quote:
If you're gonna track it more than once: 2. Stiffer engine and transmission mounts to prevent missed shifts/moneyshifts (Vibratechnic engine mounts + Rogue rubber transmission mounts worked for my track car) 3. Rear trailing arm bushings - either go with the limiters or replace with polyurethane versions Look over the rest of the suspension and check condition of the front control arms, their bushings, wheel bearings, etc, and do an alignment. Change the transmission oil and diff gear oil, since that's probably never been done on the car. |
|
Appreciate
1
wdb4732.00 |
11-30-2020, 04:20 PM | #4 | |
Colonel
1138
Rep 2,866
Posts
Drives: Anything
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SoCal
|
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-30-2020, 04:23 PM | #5 | ||
New Member
5
Rep 26
Posts |
Quote:
Quote:
Are these prices reasonable?
__________________
Gruppem RAM / Stromung Back Boxes / Vibra 360m EM / Rogue TM / Leather-Z Center Console / Stubby / CDV / Rockford Fosgate Sound + Panasonic MVH-S512B/ Clutch Stop / 3m Crystalline Tint
|
||
Appreciate
0
|
11-30-2020, 05:08 PM | #6 |
Get off my lawn
932
Rep 1,159
Posts
Drives: 6MT
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: USA
iTrader: (7)
Garage List 2023 GR Corolla [0.00]
2022 BMW X3 M40i [10.00] 2007 BMW Z4M Coupe [0.00] 2002 BMW 325xiT [0.00] 1991 BMW 318is [0.00] |
100% agree that you should have a reputable independent BMW specialist do a thorough inspection of the car (PPI, basically) and see what wear items may need replacement or updating if you are not comfortable doing so yourself.
I would suggest a pad upgrade - stock rotors and DOT4 fluid work well but you risk pad deposits with OEM or similar street pads. The rest of the items you can tackle as you start to familiarize yourself with the car and experience it on track. For what it's worth, VANOS and rod bearing overhauls are items to consider as you approach high mileage but the forums vastly understate or overstate the criticality and timing of it. Some have tackled them before 50K miles while others approach 90K miles and plenty of track time without addressing it yet. |
Appreciate
0
|
11-30-2020, 05:14 PM | #7 | ||
Second Lieutenant
258
Rep 208
Posts
Drives: 08 Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Greenville, SC
|
Quote:
Quote:
__________________
'08 Z4M Coupe | Space Grey/Imola Red Extended/Carbon Leather | Eventuri Intake | Strömung Exhaust | Strong Strut Front/Rear Braces | 19" E46 M3 ZCP Wheels
|
||
Appreciate
0
|
11-30-2020, 11:41 PM | #8 | |
Colonel
1138
Rep 2,866
Posts
Drives: Anything
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SoCal
|
Quote:
Can't comment on the VANOS as I had a "friend" that helped me rebuild mine at a discounted rate. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-01-2020, 12:05 PM | #10 |
Private
22
Rep 50
Posts |
I replaced my original rod bearings at ~140k miles, which is longer than my water pump lasted. They did look a little worn but my blackstone analysis always came back fine, and I did it for peace of mind. Granted I don't track or race my car, its a daily driver. S54 bearings don't wear out nearly as fast as S65/S85 bearings.
On the vanos side of things, that got overhauled right around 150k miles. I had a broken tab on the oil pump hub, and the tip of the upper timing chain tensioner was snapped off. Car ran fine otherwise. I noticed the broken tab during a valve adjustment, drove the car for about 5k more miles before I had the money to overhaul the entire system. If you can't do all at once, I would prioritize rod bearings first, and then vanos after. You can see the tabs on the vanos hub during a valve adjustment, which could probably be the most catastrophic thing to fail. |
12-01-2020, 02:27 PM | #11 | |
Colonel
1138
Rep 2,866
Posts
Drives: Anything
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SoCal
|
Quote:
The tip of the upper timing chain tensioner appeared to wear out in about 50k miles or so. Mine was on the verge of snapping off when I changed it under 50k. Beisan appeared to have an upgraded version...may consider that on my next go around. Last edited by XMetal; 12-01-2020 at 02:32 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-01-2020, 04:04 PM | #12 | |
Private
22
Rep 50
Posts |
Quote:
Yes true, cam bolts cannot be seen w/ the valve cover off. Mine were fine but I changed those anyway. I went with a rebuilt vanos unit with upgraded seals, anti-rattle components/ splines, S62 diaphragm springs, Beisan upper chain guide, cyro hub, Rogue vanos oil presure line, and even a new vanos accumulator. I basically upgraded whatever could be upgraded so hopefully I'll never had to address the vanos system again, lol. Also, if you happen to have an oil leak coming down the passenger side of the engine block, and you can't figure out where its from. Its probably the CPV o-ring thats leaking, and should be replaced/upgraded with a viton O-ring. Something I would recommend doing if you're removing or upgrading your headers. It could run down and soak the passenger side of the transmission bell housing and fool you into thinking its a rear main seal leak. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-01-2020, 04:29 PM | #13 | |
dances with roads
4732
Rep 4,096
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-04-2020, 12:13 AM | #14 | |
Private First Class
28
Rep 104
Posts |
Quote:
As far as rod bearings go, Blackstone is a good "canary in the mine" at best. My rod bearings at 112K km and about 30K km of that at the track were almost toast, so I am willing to swap them out as a maintenance item every 4-5 years if the car sees significant track time or lots of starts below 30F temps. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|