My 14 year update on my Z after taking it out of 3 year storage
My 14 year update on my Z after taking it out of 3 year storage
I havent posted on here in a long time, but I used to be active and was even a moderator at one point. I kept my Z but 3 years ago bought a new Bmw 328i (4 door) sportline w/ 6spd manual. I garaged the Z with a plan to drive it but after 3 years the only time it moved was about 5 miles when I moved last year.
I purchased my '05 350z roadster w/ manual, in early 2007 with 20k miles on it. From that time until fall of 2016 I managed to put on 195k miles on the Z (and keep it all oem). The rear brakes werent doing well right before I garaged it so it was one of the reasons for not moving it. During this time id start it up every 3 months or so keep it running until last December while it was idling in my garage the radiator mangaged to explode fluid out of the reservoir and shot everywhere.
As its approaching end of summer I wanted to drive the Z with the top down, and brought it over to a new mechanic with an open checkbook and said fix it! Surprising it just needed new rear brakes and a radiator and some belts to the tune of $1,100. The Z was all waxed up and took it on a 400 mile trip this weekend down the Jersey Shore and must have gotten about 5 compliments and countless looks in it from strangers, this took me back because I have never got one in my BMW (except the guys who gawk at it at the carwash because its a manual). The trip was a huge success and Z ran great except it was overheating upon sitting at idle, which ill need to bring back to the mechanic to take a look at.
So I have owned the Z for a while and ill go through the major repairs I did during the 20k-195k period.
1. New clutch & flywheel @ 60k miles (my guess is first owner wore the clutch down, also lesson here is if clutch is maybe going stop driving or you will also destroy flywheel)
2. New clutch @ 165k miles
3. 3 thermostats (these have gone out at me every 60k miles)
4. 3 Rear brake calipers, I think this is my own cars issue but ive replaced them 3 times so far 80k, 120k, 160k
5. New convertible top at 160k miles, finally replaced mine after it had holes only after 4 years old. I went with the cloth top and its worth the extra money for appearance in my opinion over oem vinyl.
6. New oem exhaust at the 70k mark.
7. New radiator 195k miles
8. Replaced first belts @ 180k miles (yes they lasted this long)
9. Window motor @ 190k miles
10. Various brakes and many tires I went through. Ive had many different brakes on the Z and Im finally back at oem. Even though they leave brake dust they are the best brakes in my experience, stop great, dont have any metallic in them which will destroy your paint on your car and are reasonable priced.
A few things I have never done any maintenance on:
1. Plugs and wires (its about time)
2. Rear differential fluid (low priority but hasnt done anything to the car).
3. Preventative maintenance on timing chain and waterpump. My mechanic stated the chain will outlast the motor and only change the waterpump when needed as after replacing them the cooling systems get wonky on the Z.
Well im glad to be back in the Z game and I forgot how special these cars are. I have no plans to ever sell mine and also hope to be more active here too!
I purchased my '05 350z roadster w/ manual, in early 2007 with 20k miles on it. From that time until fall of 2016 I managed to put on 195k miles on the Z (and keep it all oem). The rear brakes werent doing well right before I garaged it so it was one of the reasons for not moving it. During this time id start it up every 3 months or so keep it running until last December while it was idling in my garage the radiator mangaged to explode fluid out of the reservoir and shot everywhere.
As its approaching end of summer I wanted to drive the Z with the top down, and brought it over to a new mechanic with an open checkbook and said fix it! Surprising it just needed new rear brakes and a radiator and some belts to the tune of $1,100. The Z was all waxed up and took it on a 400 mile trip this weekend down the Jersey Shore and must have gotten about 5 compliments and countless looks in it from strangers, this took me back because I have never got one in my BMW (except the guys who gawk at it at the carwash because its a manual). The trip was a huge success and Z ran great except it was overheating upon sitting at idle, which ill need to bring back to the mechanic to take a look at.
So I have owned the Z for a while and ill go through the major repairs I did during the 20k-195k period.
1. New clutch & flywheel @ 60k miles (my guess is first owner wore the clutch down, also lesson here is if clutch is maybe going stop driving or you will also destroy flywheel)
2. New clutch @ 165k miles
3. 3 thermostats (these have gone out at me every 60k miles)
4. 3 Rear brake calipers, I think this is my own cars issue but ive replaced them 3 times so far 80k, 120k, 160k
5. New convertible top at 160k miles, finally replaced mine after it had holes only after 4 years old. I went with the cloth top and its worth the extra money for appearance in my opinion over oem vinyl.
6. New oem exhaust at the 70k mark.
7. New radiator 195k miles
8. Replaced first belts @ 180k miles (yes they lasted this long)
9. Window motor @ 190k miles
10. Various brakes and many tires I went through. Ive had many different brakes on the Z and Im finally back at oem. Even though they leave brake dust they are the best brakes in my experience, stop great, dont have any metallic in them which will destroy your paint on your car and are reasonable priced.
A few things I have never done any maintenance on:
1. Plugs and wires (its about time)
2. Rear differential fluid (low priority but hasnt done anything to the car).
3. Preventative maintenance on timing chain and waterpump. My mechanic stated the chain will outlast the motor and only change the waterpump when needed as after replacing them the cooling systems get wonky on the Z.
Well im glad to be back in the Z game and I forgot how special these cars are. I have no plans to ever sell mine and also hope to be more active here too!
Last edited by dfresh713; Sep 1, 2019 at 03:40 PM.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 8,625
Likes: 1,394
From: Aurora, Colorado
Welcome back- it's good to see another Z driver return to the fold! Two other items to consider for upcoming maintenance. Change out the brake fluid to a high temp DOT 4 to preserve the master cylinder and seals on your brakes. Also, if your cam position sensors are still originals, they go out with regularity on most Z33s. Good luck and enjoy the drive!
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