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My First Zed Thread (2003 E85 3.0)

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
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Timmyboybunter
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My Zed Thread

Post by Timmyboybunter » Mon May 13, 2019 12:23 am

I've been looking forward to this one for ages - facelift headlight time :driving:

Everything went almost exactly to plan and was an easy job. I was then being fussy with the alignment of one of the lights, and when clicking the bumper back into place for the 4th time snapped the fixing bracket - it's still held on firmly enough though so I won't bother with a new one.

Before pic of sorts - just disconnecting the fog light bulbs is enough to simply lay the bumper on the floor, without disturbing the washer jet plumbing etc.
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And the finished result - massive different to my eyes, for a relatively subtle light design change. Very pleased - thanks to synthedup for the lights.
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2012 VW Passat 1.4 Tsi Estate
2005 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG
2015 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive35iS (sold)
2010 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive30i (sold)
2003 E85 BMW Z4 3.0 (sold)

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kis
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My Zed Thread

Post by kis » Thu May 16, 2019 7:54 am

Looks good! I guess all thats left is a facelift rear light conversion :evil:
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG

BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71

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Timmyboybunter
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My Zed Thread

Post by Timmyboybunter » Thu May 16, 2019 8:09 am

Ta :)

No there's a few things I actually prefer on the pre facelift - front bumper and rear lights for example. Visually I'm pretty much done, just need to sort the calipers out.
2012 VW Passat 1.4 Tsi Estate
2005 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG
2015 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive35iS (sold)
2010 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive30i (sold)
2003 E85 BMW Z4 3.0 (sold)

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kis
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Post by kis » Thu May 16, 2019 8:27 am

I'm a mish-mash. I love the rear LCI lights and bumper... but front I much prefer the aero front bumper...

Are the halogens a straight plug and play for the pre and post facelift?

You upgrading the brakes (fronts) while you're there?
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG

BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71

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Timmyboybunter
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Post by Timmyboybunter » Thu May 16, 2019 9:46 am

I'd love the aero kit - way too much money to change though. It's becoming apparent that there are many cars around (with aero kit or sports seats etc) which are clearly worth more in parts than they are as a car sale. Shame really. I'd love to hear from synthedup after he's completely finished with his car what the takings were after postage etc etc.

Halogens are easy - yes you can swap between pre and post facelift without issue, it's only the Xenons which can not be swapped over.

No plans to upgrade the brakes. I'm only toying with getting the calipers done because they just look strange at the moment, all red with black spots - just a non-strange looking set of clean dark coloured calipers will be fine. I'm trying to keep some kind of reasonable limit on spending, for a very good reason: I'm really enjoying this car (and the whole 'convertible' 2 seater thing, this is my first) and I'm not overly keen on the E89 models, so almost certainly I'll want to upgrade at some point - which only leaves a 3.0SI or an 'M' roadster realistically, at which point it's all start again :D

I'm just happy to be rid of all that nasty orange!
2012 VW Passat 1.4 Tsi Estate
2005 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG
2015 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive35iS (sold)
2010 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive30i (sold)
2003 E85 BMW Z4 3.0 (sold)

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Timmyboybunter
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Post by Timmyboybunter » Mon May 20, 2019 4:56 pm

Bumper scratches removed. Before:
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After £100:
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2012 VW Passat 1.4 Tsi Estate
2005 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG
2015 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive35iS (sold)
2010 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive30i (sold)
2003 E85 BMW Z4 3.0 (sold)

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paulc_bkk
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Post by paulc_bkk » Mon May 20, 2019 5:53 pm

Nice result with the front bumper!

I just picked up a facelift rear bumper, which I’ll eventually paint and fit along with a M front bumper

Missed out on some facelift lights off eBay and synthedup sold his too. Gutted since I’ll be in the UK in 2 weeks and was hoping to pick some up while I’m there.... I guess I’ll have to get some from Yahoo Japan Auctions instead - one of the best sources for spare parts in Asia (where I got my roof covers)

Interesting comment about some cars now being worth more in parts than as a whole car. I’d love some aero skirts, and starting to think crazy thoughts about buying a Z just to get the skirts

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Post by paulc_bkk » Mon May 20, 2019 6:02 pm

Timmyboybunter wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 9:46 am No plans to upgrade the brakes. I'm only toying with getting the calipers done because they just look strange at the moment, all red with black spots - just a non-strange looking set of clean dark coloured calipers will be fine. I'm trying to keep some kind of reasonable limit on spending, for a very good reason: I'm really enjoying this car (and the whole 'convertible' 2 seater thing, this is my first) and I'm not overly keen on the E89 models, so almost certainly I'll want to upgrade at some point - which only leaves a 3.0SI or an 'M' roadster realistically, at which point it's all start again :D

I'm just happy to be rid of all that nasty orange!
I embraced the orange when I did my brake upgrade....
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Porsche Boxster S brembos with Z4M discs, and 3.0 setup on the rear - also orange
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paulc_bkk
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Post by paulc_bkk » Thu May 23, 2019 6:20 am

Timmyboybunter wrote: Sat May 11, 2019 6:50 pm Yes getting the covers scanned is on my to-do list - nearly finished my list of car mods so I'll look into it when complete.

The only thing I'm missing now is the little round cover in your photo which goes over the top lock. Can't find one anywhere!
As promised, I got a quote for scanning and printing the cover...
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At current exchange rate that’s about £148 to scan and £37 - £49 for each print

At this cost I think it doesn’t really make sense, but if it were a crowd-fund type project it could become more viable

Thoughts?

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kis
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Post by kis » Thu May 23, 2019 7:40 am

Seems expensive. I'm sure some members here have 3D printing, so could work out much cheaper if they're interested in helping out?
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG

BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71

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Timmyboybunter
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Post by Timmyboybunter » Fri May 24, 2019 3:21 pm

paulc_bkk wrote: Mon May 20, 2019 5:53 pm ...and synthedup sold his too. Gutted since I’ll be in the UK in 2 weeks and was hoping to pick some up while I’m there....
Yes he sold them to me, sorry! I do have another pair of Facelift lights but they're probably more suitable as donors really as the lenses and clear hockey sticks are all fine, but the inside looks to have been painted at some point and I wouldn't rule out them having been opened up before. I concluded they would take too much of my time to sort out - though hacking them open does give the option of completely removing all trace of orange and of course a halo light upgrade.
paulc_bkk wrote: Mon May 20, 2019 6:02 pm I embraced the orange when I did my brake upgrade....
I like those - look great. I'm toying with a dark bronze colour.

Interesting on the 3D printing. I was anticipating a cost slightly lower than that based on a small amount of research and some ballpark quotes - I think you'd struggle to crowd fund though, probably best to assume you can sell each finished unit for a 'reasonable' amount which is less than the money they're changing hands for currently, but enough profit to repay your outlay. Good comment from Kis above - if you have the scan file in hand then you have different options to send that file to different suppliers or task someone non-commercial to do it.
2012 VW Passat 1.4 Tsi Estate
2005 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG
2015 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive35iS (sold)
2010 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive30i (sold)
2003 E85 BMW Z4 3.0 (sold)

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Timmyboybunter
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Post by Timmyboybunter » Tue May 28, 2019 6:38 pm

Fitted a red LED fog light bulb to my euro light conversion, following advice here. Bulb looks good (i.e legal :D) but caused a warning light on the dash - solved by disabling 'hot' and 'cold' monitoring using NCS expert/dummy.
20190528_183348.jpg
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2012 VW Passat 1.4 Tsi Estate
2005 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG
2015 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive35iS (sold)
2010 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive30i (sold)
2003 E85 BMW Z4 3.0 (sold)

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Timmyboybunter
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Post by Timmyboybunter » Tue May 28, 2019 7:14 pm

Fitted a 'Horizon LED' interior upgrade kit, which cost £24 including delivery, after a discount code on their website.

Not a lot of money, but a few things have annoyed me about it. Here's what you get, quoting from the website:

E85 & E86 Models (x10 Bulbs)

x1 Front Courtesy Light

x2 Front Map Lights

x1 Glove Box Light

x1 Boot/Trunk Light

x1 Centre Console Light

x2 Front Footwell Lights

x2 Festoon Number/License Plate Lights

I started with the 3 interior courtesy lights. The original bulbs are small enough to be replaced by simply removing the surround from the roof, but the smallest of the LED bulbs (which I assume were correct - no instructions provided) wouldn't then fit through the gap without taking the whole enclosure apart into individual pieces; not hard, just a pain.

Then did the boot light - easy to do, bigger OEM bulb so used the bigger LED bulb in the kit (of which there were 2 provided).

On to the number plate lights - these had the same oem bigger bulbs as the boot, but as I only had one bigger LED left I used 2 small LED lights.

No light in my glovebox, despite searching around with a torch :D

Didn't bother changing the center console light (where the CD changer is) as I never use it and didn't even realise a light was in there.

This then left me with one small and one big LED bulb, which I used in the footwell lights - bigger bulb on the drivers side.

After all that, I'm left with 2 long LED bulbs with a metal contact at each end similar to an inline fuse, haven't a clue where they might fit.

Now I read their website again, I think the 2 supplied 'large' LED bulbs were meant for the footwell lighting but this size will clearly fit other housings too - so coupled with the random 2 left over bulbs the kit as a whole is a bit confused. Better off, and possibly cheaper, just to buy a handful of both type and experiment with what fits where for greatest light output.

Very light weather at the moment so the car isn't really being used at night, but the interior is far brighter than before (and the boot) when unlocking and getting in as a test - so I'd recommend swapping as a general idea but not necessarily this kit.
2012 VW Passat 1.4 Tsi Estate
2005 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG
2015 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive35iS (sold)
2010 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive30i (sold)
2003 E85 BMW Z4 3.0 (sold)

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Timmyboybunter
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Post by Timmyboybunter » Tue Jun 04, 2019 1:36 pm

I'll just leave this here and have a little cry :headbang:
Screenshot_20190604-133213.jpg
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2012 VW Passat 1.4 Tsi Estate
2005 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG
2015 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive35iS (sold)
2010 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive30i (sold)
2003 E85 BMW Z4 3.0 (sold)

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kis
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Post by kis » Tue Jun 04, 2019 6:03 pm

Well being a 3.0 it’s probably a good time to do a 330 brake upgrade. Otherwise if you’re in a pinch you can take my O/S front caliper. Removed it from mine because my N/S was binding badly. The irony lol!

Headlight just needs adjusting, should be the most simple.

Wheels... happens more because of runflats! Just get a new set with tyres from eBay or something? Upgrade to 224’s?

Good luck with it!
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG

BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71

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