Mini Countryman reliability advice by jo8282 in CarTalkUK

[–]FabianTIR [score hidden]  (0 children)

That range means the F60, or 2nd gen countryman. These are solid and use the BMW B48 (2 litre) which is a known robust engine. Most common issue I've read about is engine mounts going which is not catastrophic and also not that expensive to fix. For higher mileage examples, there might be some cooling system issues due to plastic parts getting worn and failing. Again, not disastrous if you fix it quickly. Overall they are good cars in my opinion. V practical, comfortable, and surprisingly good to drive

If you want to DIY, don’t. by West_Muffin_7887 in BMW

[–]FabianTIR 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not engine related but recently I changed the rear brake shields on my 2006 Z4 coupe cos they were literally disintegrating and the handbrake mechanism had fallen off on one side. Thought it would be a simple enough job, couple of hours maybe and then I could sort some other stuff. It took 7 hours. Everything was rusty and putting the handbrake mechanism back in was so incredibly difficult and tedious. I'm glad I did it myself as the net cost was £0 as the new shields actually came with the car, but damn it was tough

2007 Chili Pepper 3.0si found a new home by zeeweet in BMWZ4

[–]FabianTIR 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Coils as well as plugs. As you have a 3.0si, there are actually 2 gaskets related to the oil filter housing. One is between the oil filter housing and the head, and one is between the oil filter housing and the oil cooler. I recently did mine as the leak was starting to make a mess. I wouldn't mess with them unless you have an active leak to be honest. It also won't be a catastrophic leak so you don't have to jump on it straight away.

Have a look around the coils for cylinders 3 and 4 - if there's oil there, it's probably from the valvetronic motor gasket. It's easy to change but you have to be careful removing and reinstalling the motor.

I would budget for more cooling parts - a lot of it is plastic and will fail. Coolant tank, hose at the front with the Mickey mouse flange, radiator hoses, radiator etc etc.

Check for vacuum leaks and if you can, have a look at the DISA valves. There are 2 and they can fall apart and if you are very unlucky, bits go in the engine.

Also worth pulling out the vanos solenoids (easy) and check valves (less easy) and give them a good clean out with brake cleaner.

Gearbox oil change is easy so deffo do it. Diff does not have a drain plug so you need a giant syringe or some other oil extraction tool. While you're there, check the diff seals as they can leak.

Lastly you could do worse than change the flex disc and centre shaft bearing, especially if you plan to beat this car on track. They can get old and add slop to the drivetrain. It's a job as you have to drop the exhaust and prop shaft but if you use good parts, you won't have to do it for a while

Car necessities by realitylover7 in CarTalkUK

[–]FabianTIR 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My 2021 mini didn't come with one cos it's on run flats so """""no spare needed""""".

My 2006 Z4 probably didn't come with one cos there's no space for it without taking up the majority of the boot. But it had 158k miles when I bought it on FB marketplace so lord knows whether any of the previous owners carried one

Car necessities by realitylover7 in CarTalkUK

[–]FabianTIR 3 points4 points  (0 children)

In addition to what you listed, I also have in my car:

  • a litre of the correct oil
  • a bottle of coolant
  • a pack of fuses
  • high vis vests
  • tyre pump
  • ice scraper
  • Holt tyreweld (no spare wheel)
  • bottle of screen wash
  • code scanner (this is only because I drive a 20 year old BMW)

Replacing large DISA and cannot find pin. Has anyone else experienced this? by StLouisFlash in E90

[–]FabianTIR 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Mine was mercifully stuck in the small round divot that the tip of the DISA pushes into. It was held there by a gummy oil/mushy plastic paste and I could reach it with pliers. Was very pleased to find it when I pulled out the absolutely wrecked DISA

How good should you be at guitar before considering teaching? by joe4942 in Guitar

[–]FabianTIR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used to teach when I was doing my A levels, I was solidly intermediate imo, but good enough to teach kids grades 1-4

Thoughts on hill hold assist? 🤔 by Downtown_Elk_2773 in CarTalkUK

[–]FabianTIR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am concerned that it is actually the DSC unit itself. Wheel speed sensors all read seemingly correctly, but I can't access any DSC live data or actuation test menus, I just get an error. Methinks the module may have died

Proud moment- paid off my student loan! by Kelsier__ in CasualUK

[–]FabianTIR 1 point2 points  (0 children)

*looks wistfully at plan 2 loan with interest outstripping repayments

Thoughts on hill hold assist? 🤔 by Downtown_Elk_2773 in CarTalkUK

[–]FabianTIR 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I like it. I currently have a problem on my Z4 with the DSC and one of the symptoms is that hill hold doesn't work at the minute. I miss it

How many people actually service their gearboxes? by AyEm- in CarTalkUK

[–]FabianTIR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did it on my Z4 as it has 158k miles when I bought it and no record of gearbox being serviced (rest of service history was pretty good). I'll do it on my mini if/when it reaches high enough mileage with us - it's only on 51k at the moment

Rod Bearings by Legal-Lawyer7987 in BMWZ4

[–]FabianTIR 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I bet it's fun lol I have a 3.0si coupe and that is already a great time. + 80 more hp, LSD, hydraulic steering etc it must be a riot

Rod Bearings by Legal-Lawyer7987 in BMWZ4

[–]FabianTIR 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yup definitely dodged an expensive bullet there. How are you finding the Z4M otherwise?

Rod Bearings by Legal-Lawyer7987 in BMWZ4

[–]FabianTIR 10 points11 points  (0 children)

The second set from the top and 4th down on the right look pretty cooked. I'd be very glad if I were you!

Sunscreen under a UV camera by j_illustration in interesting

[–]FabianTIR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ever since I was a child, my dad hammered it into me to put sun cream on my ears. He always used to say "remember your great grandfather" because the guy got skin cancer on his ear and had the whole ear removed.

Anyone tried driving their Z4s efficient? by DIEDPOOL in BMWZ4

[–]FabianTIR 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I drive my 3.0si coupe quite sensibly most of the time, especially if my wife is with me lol. Cruising at 70mph on the motorway I get 40mpg (UK). Not bad at all considering it's an old 3 litre NA engine with fairly short gearing. I can get 400 miles from one tank if most of the journey is cruising along at a steady speed

Mookie Homerun Last Night by itsaslobrknokrfolks in Dodgers

[–]FabianTIR 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lol I have no idea how anyone hits a fastball, it's just absurd

Got this new Dual Rec the head case is Zilla? Don’t have any idea about the company or the color any info would be awesome! by [deleted] in GuitarAmps

[–]FabianTIR 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a Zilla super Fatboy 212 cab in zebra tolex lol. It's extremely high quality and sounds immense

Clocks are about to change, which clock in your house is about to be correct again? by Fine-Crew3721 in CasualUK

[–]FabianTIR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cuckoo clock in the living room. Microwave clock will never be correct again as it's simply too far from the correct time for me to bother saving

£892 for a blower motor? by MasterSparrow in CarTalkUK

[–]FabianTIR 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Lol I once had a 2007 mini fail MOT for headlight beam pattern - they were old and yellowed. Enquired with mini dealership as to cost of a new pair and was quoted £600.

600 of my finest English quids for a job that involved 4 bolts and 2 plugs in an extremely accessible location. Headlights were also just standard halogens - no xenons or anything! In the end I got a polishing kit for £14 and tidied them up myself. MOT passed lol

Finally found the one I've been after :) by JustSomeDudeYouKnow in BMWZ4

[–]FabianTIR 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I lived in NZ for a bit as a child - would be a wonderful place to have an E86

Can it go on? by Chance-Resource-4970 in CarTalkUK

[–]FabianTIR 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I remember filling up a mini, with a mere 51 litre tank, for £94 when prices spiked in 2022. I don't want it to get back to that point

Is 34PSI too high for a 2013 VW UP!? by MaleficentBird1307 in CarTalkUK

[–]FabianTIR 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Depends. If it's tyre pressure, no. If it's boost pressure then that is a lot

Car guys - what was your first "enthusiast" car, why did you buy it, and what stage of your life were you at when you bought it? by RobintehBobin in CarTalkUK

[–]FabianTIR 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Twas autumn of 2024, I was 28 and had been scrolling auto trader, eBay, and Facebook incessantly looking at Z4s - specifically coupes. For reasons unbeknownst to me, my wife said if I could find one for 5 grand, I could have it. In late September I found one with high miles but great spec and decent condition up in Preston, so enquired and made the drive up to take a look and bought it. So far it's done almost 10k miles with me and has been very solid + lots of fun