My 2003 Z4 3L Journey (every mod including pics)

enzed4 · Post by **enzed4** » Thu Mar 07, 2019 7:04 am

Hutch wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2019 12:07 pm
enzed4 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2019 10:19 am That should help the rozzers get a nice clear pic of your number plate next time you run a red light or speed...
I hope your not suggesting I participate in illegal driving activities!!!

The lady doth protest too much, methinks

Hutch · Post by **Hutch** » Sun Mar 10, 2019 3:57 pm

Mod 4 - ZHP Gear Knob (M Sport Knob)

If there is one thing I don’t like about my Z4 it’s the gear change particularly between 1 & 2

I just fitted the ZHP knob today and it feels loads nicer than the plastic one that came on the car as standard. Does it make the gear change better.. the answer is not really, however, it does my the gear box/stick feel more sportier like your driving a more modern short shift car. The gear stick is a little shorter (and heavier) so you don’t have to smash it quite so far to order to get into gear which helps with quicker changes. The look and feel of the knob are fantastic and actually make the inside of the car look a little more modern aswell

I’m going to do the CDV (clutch delay Value) mod next as that seems like it’s highly rated!

Product Name
BMW Genuine M Leather Gear Stick/Shift Knob Black (25 11 7 896 886)

Price
£66.31 (Purchased on amazon and was the cheapest I could find)

Link to buy
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0052R53PI/ ... HCb125SQ72

Before

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After

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ZHP Knob

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Comparison

paulc_bkk · Post by **paulc_bkk** » Tue Mar 12, 2019 3:55 am

Great choice with the ZHP gearknob.... I had that fitted to my old E36. It was even more noticeable when I did a short shift conversion on it too.

Papa_Zee · Post by **Papa_Zee** » Mon Mar 18, 2019 9:46 pm

Hi Hutch,

Could you please let me know how you modded the connection so I don’t muck it up?

I ordered the proper light from BMW as in your link but I haven’t been able to connect the cable from the car as pics. Thanks.

Papa...

Hutch · Post by **Hutch** » Wed Mar 20, 2019 11:33 am

Papa_Zee wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2019 9:46 pm Hi Hutch,

Could you please let me know how you modded the connection so I don’t muck it up?

I ordered the proper light from BMW as in your link but I haven’t been able to connect the cable from the car as pics. Thanks.

Papa...

Hello mate,

Not sure if you have already done this and im sorry for the late reply!

Basically there is a tiny bit of plastic inside the female connector on the back of the LED number plate light that stops the male connector from being able to be pushed in. It's long and thin and starts about half way down the sids of the female connector and runs to the bottom. I think its purpose is to act as guide to the correct male connector.

To make it fit the male connector I had to remove the little bit of plastic. How I did this was by heating up the tip of a really thin flat head screw driver with a lighter to the point it was glowing hot. Then I drove the screw driver all the way through the plastic bit insidethe Female connector so that is was completly removed. It's a bit messy as your basically melting off that peice of plastic! I then tidied it up a bit with a small file and a knife to remove any left over plastic. Once that little plastic stopper/guide is removed the Male connector on your car will fit in there a treat and even still locks into the connector to ensure the connection won't come loose.

Hope this helps!! it's a little bit of faffing around but easy enough to do

Papa_Zee · Post by **Papa_Zee** » Wed Mar 20, 2019 9:37 pm

Hey Hutch,

No worries, I knew you would check back soon anyway and thanks. I did the mod by snipping off the protruding bit with my dremel which did a really neat job. I even cancelled the order for new plugs.

Overall, very pleased with the outcome. I think it beats the chinese bulbs which can be too bright, have errors etc. Thanks again.

Hutch · Post by **Hutch** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 2:21 pm

Papa_Zee,

Looks great mate

Definitely looks loads better then the original lights!

Dremmel would have probably been a better option thinking about it now !

Flyingfifer · Post by **Flyingfifer** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 2:34 pm

Hutch wrote: ↑Thu Mar 21, 2019 2:21 pm Papa_Zee,
Looks great mate
Definitely looks loads better then the original lights!
Dremmel would have probably been a better option thinking about it now !

Both look fantastic, have purchased a set myself!

Brilliant thread Hutch, informative, well laid out and of course shows that stubby > whippy

Flyingfifer · Post by **Flyingfifer** » Thu Mar 28, 2019 1:35 pm

Gents, can I clarify, do the number plate lights just pull out from one side (the one with the clip) Will be fitting these at the weekend

Papa_Zee · Post by **Papa_Zee** » Thu Mar 28, 2019 1:48 pm

FlyingFifer, Easiest to gently lift on the left hand side, slide a small flat screwdriver in and push. It will give to the right and you can pop out the left hand side and then the right. You can dremel out the protruding bit as discussed above to achieve a flat finish and then it will fit. GL

MACK · Post by **MACK** » Thu Mar 28, 2019 2:17 pm

Hutch wrote: ↑Sun Mar 10, 2019 3:57 pm Mod 4 - ZHP Gear Knob (M Sport Knob)

If there is one thing I don’t like about my Z4 it’s the gear change particularly between 1 & 2

I just fitted the ZHP knob today and it feels loads nicer than the plastic one that came on the car as standard. Does it make the gear change better.. the answer is not really, however, it does my the gear box/stick feel more sportier like your driving a more modern short shift car. The gear stick is a little shorter (and heavier) so you don’t have to smash it quite so far to order to get into gear which helps with quicker changes. The look and feel of the knob are fantastic and actually make the inside of the car look a little more modern aswell

I’m going to do the CDV (clutch delay Value) mod next as that seems like it’s highly rated!

Product Name
BMW Genuine M Leather Gear Stick/Shift Knob Black (25 11 7 896 886)

Price
£66.31 (Purchased on amazon and was the cheapest I could find)

Link to buy
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0052R53PI/ ... HCb125SQ72

Before
A296A320-985E-4DEB-BEB2-9A5B0DCAEF50.jpeg

After
CAFDB3C1-6499-4CC6-9EC8-C8C7C1A8BE49.jpeg

ZHP Knob
CCE83A26-A7F8-4776-9CE5-F60D8F49AB29.jpeg

Comparison

I do love the ZHP knob. Makes a big difference whilst retaining that oem look. Changing the gear oil helps too. I used refine stuff in a 50/50 mix as recommended by Opie Oils

Flyingfifer · Post by **Flyingfifer** » Thu Mar 28, 2019 3:33 pm

Papa_Zee wrote: ↑Thu Mar 28, 2019 1:48 pm FlyingFifer, Easiest to gently lift on the left hand side, slide a small flat screwdriver in and push. It will give to the right and you can pop out the left hand side and then the right. You can dremel out the protruding bit as discussed above to achieve a flat finish and then it will fit. GL

Awesome Thanks

Flyingfifer · Post by **Flyingfifer** » Sat Mar 30, 2019 9:36 pm

Done the LEDs today, very happy top recommendation Hutch!

Hutch · Post by **Hutch** » Thu Apr 04, 2019 8:56 am

Flyingfifer wrote: ↑Sat Mar 30, 2019 9:36 pm Done the LEDs today, very happy top recommendation Hutch!

That Looks fantastic mate

Hutch · Post by **Hutch** » Sun May 26, 2019 9:41 pm

Mod 5 - Facelift Front Bumper

Good evening, I’ve been very inactive on here recently but I’ve done a few mods to the Z and now it’s about time I did thewrite ups

I just had the facelift front bumper fitted this week and it’s look fantastic! loadsssss nicer and a more aggressive look over the pre-facelift one! This mod pretty much speaks for its self so I’ll let the pictures do the talking

I was worried I would need the undertray from a Facelift car but it’s fits using the standard Prefacelift Undertray. The facelift fog lights are also a straight swap

Am I the only Maldives blue owner on here running a Facelift bumper??

Product Name
BMW Genuine Facelift Bumper (Part from forum member Nick_L 2007 Z)

Price
£450 (Purchased bumper for around £150 and I think the respray cost around £300)

Link to buy
Find someone breaking a Z or EBay

Before

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Prep & Prime

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After

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