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Hello to the forum
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- Newbie
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2019 11:09 am
- Location: West Yorkshire
Hello to the forum
I am not new to the forum but this is my first post. I have been a member since 2013 when I first got my Z4. I have benefitted so much from all the knowledge on the forum. Over the last 6 years I have been working slowly but steadily to bring my Zed up to scratch, and I think the car is now at a point where I won’t feel ashamed to show it against all the other amazing cars people have posted pictures of.
So here is the story. It’s a pre-facelift E85 in Black Sapphire with red leather sports seats, manual transmission and the 2.5 litre M54 engine. She wasn’t in good shape when I got her, she had been rather neglected.
So here’s what’s been done:
Mechanical
New gearbox seals (she was leaking gearbox oil when I got her). I had the gearbox oil changed.
Full lubrication of steering and suspension
Sticking steering mod (what a difference that made - thanks forum!)
Vacuum leak was fixed (rubber boot below DISA)
Lower control arm bushings changed
New ABS sensors
New tyres all round
New rear brake discs and pads (including getting the handbrake sorted)
DISA modification to stop the engine blowing itself up
I can’t remember the part name exactly but an airbag warning light showed that she needed a new electrical cable that went right through the car from back to front (had to take a lot of the cabin apart to do it)
Fixed a broken window regulator
Replaced the front headlamps with angel eyes as they were misting up
Fitted a performance air filter
Changed the oil every year
Repaired the wiper linkages
New spark plugs
Coolant changed regularly
Differential fluid changed
Brake fluid changed (obviously)
New brake calipers on the front
Fixed two buckled/distorted wheels
AC cleaned and recharged
Cabin filter changed
Drain holes cleared to make sure my hood motor stays nice and dry rather than becoming aquatic
Tracking/4 wheel alignment (obviously).
Cosmetic work/upgrades
Front bumper re-sprayed
Calipers painted in red and the hubs painted in silver
All wheels refurbished
New badges everywhere
New headlamps
Chrome exhaust tips added
Silver parts of the dashboard rubbed down and resprayed in back sapphire metallic
New gearbox and handbrake leather gaiter fitted with red stitching
New handbrake leather handle with red stitching
New OEM upgraded gearbox handle fitted
BMW cup holders added - don’t know why as they are useless
New OEM mats
Side skirts purchased from a breakers yard as the ones on the car originally were badly scuffed by close encounters with curbs by the previous owner who, apparently, did not know how to drive
Professional detail including machine polishing and ceramic coating (CarPro CQuartz UK 3.0)
Stubby fitted.
Still to to
Upgrade the speakers
Would love to change the suspension to make it less firm/crashy on B roads (you can tell the car was designed for the American market). She is not on runflats, which helps, but a more progressive set up would be great (any advice welcome).
Vanos kit
Re-colour hood
That’s pretty much it. Hope you like it.
It would have been much harder and mistakes would have been made without all the info on the forum so thanks a lot!
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- Member
- Posts: 628
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 2:09 am
- Location: New Zealand
Hello to the forum
Car is looking stunning and well done on the work so far. Great way to get to know the car is by doing things to it. Interior photo’s would be great to see. Enjoy
2003 Toledo Blue 3.0 E85 Manual
2008 Volvo V50 - Dog Car
2020 Kia Sportage GT - Her Indoor’s Car
1995 Dakar Yellow M3 E36 Race Car - Sold
2009 Vauxhall Astra VXR - Sold
2003 350Z well modded - Sold
1992 911 RS - Sold and still in mourning
2008 Volvo V50 - Dog Car
2020 Kia Sportage GT - Her Indoor’s Car
1995 Dakar Yellow M3 E36 Race Car - Sold
2009 Vauxhall Astra VXR - Sold
2003 350Z well modded - Sold
1992 911 RS - Sold and still in mourning
- buzyg
- Legend
- Posts: 26544
- Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 6:11 pm
- Location: Cornwall
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OnlineMr Tidy
- Legend
- Posts: 23855
- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
- Location: North West Surrey
Hello to the forum
Hi and welcome - great looking Z4 too.
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
- johndglynn
- Member
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Fri Jul 12, 2019 10:31 am
- Location: Northants
- Contact:
Hello to the forum
Now that is a list! Well done on a successful restoration
Classic Motorcycle Valuations
classic-motorcycle-valuations.com
classic-motorcycle-valuations.com
- Crazy Harry
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1689
- Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:32 pm
- Location: Breckland Norfolk
Hello to the forum
Hi and welcome as a contributing member. Roadster -well done and by now you must have loads of experience to share with others
- paddy wright
- Lifer
- Posts: 7664
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:00 pm
- Location: south yorkshire
Hello to the forum
Great looking z!
Z4 2.2 sterling grey,Msport seats,retrofit cupholders,cruise,footwell lights,sound gen and mfsw,18"ellipsoids,xenons+light washers,ZHPknob,folding mirrors,3"stubby,update wheel caps,gateway300 ipod, wind deflector to keep the wife happy!
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- Member
- Posts: 738
- Joined: Sat May 11, 2019 10:12 pm
- Location: Thatcham, Berkshire
Hello to the forum
Looks fantastic and welcome to joining in. Hope mine doesnt need as much work as that !!
E86 In sapphire black
- metal licker
- Lifer
- Posts: 7512
- Joined: Fri Feb 17, 2012 9:14 pm
- Location: In the mosh pit
Hello to the forum
Welcome aboard
718 4.0 GTS Boxster in YELLOW
718 Guards Red Boxster .........Gone!
A35 AMG saloon .........Gone!
JCW ...........Gone !
E89 35i Msport VO ................Gone !
E89 23i SE DSB ................Gone !
Hello to Jason Isaacs
718 Guards Red Boxster .........Gone!
A35 AMG saloon .........Gone!
JCW ...........Gone !
E89 35i Msport VO ................Gone !
E89 23i SE DSB ................Gone !
Hello to Jason Isaacs
-
- Newbie
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2019 11:09 am
- Location: West Yorkshire
Hello to the forum
It’s a long list for sure, and perhaps longer than I had bargained for, but it’s been done over 6 years and of course the car wasn’t expensive to buy.
As a hobby it’s been fun and I am lucky to have a great Indy close to home. Although even they didn’t know about the TIS steering fix procedure.
It’s the longest I have ever owned the same car and you are right, you don’t know a car until you have to do things with it. I have a daily driver which is new but I don’t feel the same attachment to it yet. To be imperfect is to be human I guess so that’s why the Zed has become more than a car, it’s become a good mate. So I won’t ever sell it.
I will contribute for sure, I am still no expert, but I guess I now know something about these cars