Help a new boy find the right e85/86!

JonLeeper · Post by **JonLeeper** » Fri Jun 22, 2018 5:03 pm

Still thinking about the test drive on the train home! A lovely sound and just power throughout the pedal travel! No tappity noise at idle, hot or cold, so no issue there. Its a blacktop engine so should be OK.

The paintwork will, I'm sure, start to bother me at some point but I'm not sure it's worth a full respray. So I was wondering how much an e86 would cost to wrap? Anyone got any ideas?

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Sun Jun 24, 2018 7:07 pm

It sounds like you are very pleased with it - but I'm not really surprised!

Sadly I can't help you regarding the cost of a wrap.

JonLeeper · Post by **JonLeeper** » Sun Jul 01, 2018 7:46 pm

So collected the car today and drove a very circuitous route home. Some motorway and some very windy back roads. About 100 miles in total.

Fist impressions are that I love it. The noise, the power the feel, all just wonderful. There are some issues, aren't there always, but nothing that really took away the pleasure of the drive. The front disks are slightly warped and that needs to be fixed. The ride isn't quite right and my left leg went to sleep! They're the major things at the moment. I've got to drive

So there are two lists starting to form in my mind. Short term jobs and longer term jobs.

Short term;

New front disks. So is it worth thinking slightly lo gear term and getting hold of some bigger front calipers, off another BMW, and sending them off to be refurbished and then fitting larger disks? Or do I just replace the current ones?

Full service. The Serive History has the last service in July 18, approximately 10,000 miles ago, and that was an "oil service" and brake fluid change. The electric water pump was changed in Nov 16 about 20,000 miles ago so that should be fine. It doesn't seem to have ever had an "Inspection 2" but an "Inspection 1" was done on July 15, about 40,000 miles ago. So do I need to anything more than a normal service?

Longer term jobs.

A full suspension refresh. The ride was a little harsh and it didn't handle the potholed roads quite as I'd like. The tyres are reasonably new, July 17 and are Bridgestone Potenzas, 225/40/18 on the front and 255/35/18 on the rear. Still loads of life left there. It also had a full 4 wheel alignment done at the same time, but I'm not sure that they did that much as the prints I have don't seem to be the same each side, although they're not too far apart! So I cannot see much evidence of changes, there was a NS front wishbone in July 16 and an OS rear spring in July 13. There are also a few bushes here and there. I'm guessing the whole thing could do with a freshen up. So what do I go for? What are the recommendations?

The steer g wheel is starting to show its age so that will need to be replaced.

The drivers seat has a few bits of wear that I need to sort, I'm guessing it will have to be retrimmed.

The car's paintwork will need to be sorted, but I'm guessing that will be a wrap jot new paint!

So overall very happy.

JonLeeper · Post by **JonLeeper** » Sun Jul 01, 2018 7:48 pm

: 20180701_154125.jpg (169.43 KiB) Viewed 666 times

Me in the car.

My favourite view! I just love the way the hips show in the mirrors!

: 20180701_183049.jpg (122.35 KiB) Viewed 665 times

: 20180701_183057.jpg (125.85 KiB) Viewed 665 times

Z4 COUPSTER · Post by **Z4 COUPSTER** » Sun Jul 01, 2018 7:53 pm

Looking good there bud!!! And the hat looks sweet as well..customary hat very important accessory.
Nice list of bits there, but mist importantly enjoy it.
You been waiting a while so no rush on things
Brakes id leave standard as they are more than up to the job, unless you want some nice grooved n drilled bits.
Well done she looks,a cracker.
D

wonkydonkey · Post by **wonkydonkey** » Sun Jul 01, 2018 9:06 pm

Congrats! Great that you managed to get your hands on a facelift and the red leather makes it stand out from the crowd

I'm with Z4 COUPSTER, the brakes should be fine in standard form. I've just replaced my rear discs and pads with Mintex items and will be doing the same up front before too long. £55 for the rears, £70 for the fronts, (discs and pads) : https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 1784396691

My car is a 2003, but you get the idea. If money is no object then brakes are a good place to spend money on upgrades but I get the impression you're looking to keep costs down with your car, much like myself.

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Sun Jul 01, 2018 10:17 pm

Circa £1200 to wrap a Z based on Edinburgh prices

For steering wheel buy a DIY leather kit from AliExpress and spend an evening sewing on a new cover. Loads of people done it in here, including myself, and it's fairly straightforward forward

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Sun Jul 01, 2018 10:20 pm

More info... viewtopic.php?t=100631

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Sun Jul 01, 2018 10:25 pm

Sorry, better thread here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=101464&hilit=Mewant

RyanB88 · Post by **RyanB88** » Sun Jul 01, 2018 10:26 pm

Seems a good buy. glad you’re happy and hopefully gives you many years of fun! Brake discs being warped is an easy fix. Maybe consider Mtec discs as they’re cheaper and look the business when vented and grooved. Looks ingood condition for the mileage too

Z4 COUPSTER · Post by **Z4 COUPSTER** » Mon Jul 02, 2018 5:45 pm

JonLeeper wrote: ↑Sun Jul 01, 2018 7:48 pm 20180701_154125.jpg

Me in the car.

My favourite view! I just love the way the hips show in the mirrors!

20180701_183049.jpg

20180701_183057.jpg

Don't wrap it Jon.in.pics it looks Stratus grey? It's one of the best colours for the Zed lines.
D

JonLeeper · Post by **JonLeeper** » Tue Jul 03, 2018 2:52 pm

Z4 COUPSTER wrote: ↑Mon Jul 02, 2018 5:45 pm
JonLeeper wrote: ↑Sun Jul 01, 2018 7:48 pm 20180701_154125.jpg

Me in the car.

My favourite view! I just love the way the hips show in the mirrors!

20180701_183049.jpg

20180701_183057.jpg
Don't wrap it Jon.in.pics it looks Stratus grey? It's one of the best colours for the Zed lines.
D

The trouble is that the passenger side has been really badly resprayed and the lacquer has gone funny. It looks like someone has taken some sandpaper to it. I want to hide that if I can. It's more silver than grey so I want to go to a slightly darker color. The trouble is a respray will be expensive so I was thinking that a wrap would be more cost effective.

JonLeeper · Post by **JonLeeper** » Tue Jul 03, 2018 2:52 pm

RyanB88 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 01, 2018 10:26 pm Seems a good buy. glad you’re happy and hopefully gives you many years of fun! Brake discs being warped is an easy fix. Maybe consider Mtec discs as they’re cheaper and look the business when vented and grooved. Looks ingood condition for the mileage too

Disks and pads orders and will be fitted this week.

JonLeeper · Post by **JonLeeper** » Tue Jul 03, 2018 2:53 pm

wonkydonkey wrote: ↑Sun Jul 01, 2018 9:06 pm Congrats! Great that you managed to get your hands on a facelift and the red leather makes it stand out from the crowd

I'm with Z4 COUPSTER, the brakes should be fine in standard form. I've just replaced my rear discs and pads with Mintex items and will be doing the same up front before too long. £55 for the rears, £70 for the fronts, (discs and pads) : https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 1784396691

My car is a 2003, but you get the idea. If money is no object then brakes are a good place to spend money on upgrades but I get the impression you're looking to keep costs down with your car, much like myself.

Thanks for the link. Disks and pads ordered.

Z4-forum.com

Z4-forum.com