My journey so far!

[Reamesy]

Well just over a week ago I purchased my Z4. Its a 2006 2.5 Sport. It had been in the same family for 11 years with one owner prior to that.

It has 78000 miles with a long history of bills and cost me £4000

Photos here

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B1AGAfJVYGzcHtA

Once home; I began my usual close inspection after a full detail. I then made my shopping list for genuine items at my local branch as experience has taught me that more often than not eBay users charge a premium and its not always the current version.

I needed various clips to get everything tip top.

I also bought a Genuine M Sport weighted gear knob. What a difference to the gear change this has made. £63 from the dealer. Part Number 25117896886.

Then the important stuff. With the N52 engine not having a oil dip stick its difficult to see the condition of the oil. So for the sake of £63 I bought 10 litres of Mobil 1 3000 5 - 40 full synthetic. I had a slight tick from the hydraulic lifters so ran a flush through and changed the oil.

This is where I found the first issue. Who ever had serviced it last (or prior) had broken the oil filter cap insert. This sits inside the filter and has a non return valve built in. This had broken and was just open so it would not retain oil pressure. After waiting two days I picked up my new part, popped it in and bingo; what a difference. No more tick from the lifters and much more pull from the engine.

The next issue was the brakes. After my first long run (165 miles) I noticed I had a badly binding OSF calliper. Knowing I was going to overhaul them anyway I replaced all four callipers complete with discs and pads. Extracted the old brake fluid before flushing new brake fluid during the bleed procedure. Adjusted the handbrake so this is now spot on too.

My next item was the Gap Tech roof module. http://www.gap-tech.co.uk/rchp.html. This arrived and instead of using the supplied scotch clips which I hate; I peeled the insulation on the original wiring and soldered the module in properly.

With that installed, I need a way to listen to my Spotify as I do not have mp3 music. The car had the BMW iPod connection but you need a Get 2 or 3 iPod which is no good to me, as you can not use them with Spotify.

Solution was as other members have done. The Bluetooth module in place of the the CD Changer. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1

My exhaust needed stainless steel trims. I had a VW Scirocco previous and used these. 62mm internal diameter. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01 ... UTF8&psc=1 They are a perfect fit and a fraction of the price others are charging. £17.65

My next item to instal is the cruise control which needs the cable harness. I bought this form the dealers as well for £33. eBay want £39 plus postage! Just waiting for the rain to sod off

Thats it for now; Im sure there will be more.

[Z4C_er]

Hey, lovely car and well done for your enthusiasm! Enjoy!

[Mr Tidy]

Well you've certainly been busy!

It's good to see a Z4 getting spoilt.

[Reamesy]

Cheers guys. I do like my cars right. Took advantage of time off and good weather.

[Reamesy]

Well today was my last day off and the last full day to complete the planned work. I managed to fit the cruise control harness and switch. All went without a hitch. Finished off with a wash and wax ready for my commute this evening back up north.

Have to say Im really impressed with the ride quality. feels very solid with no bangs or rattles. Brakes are now bedding in nicely. Engine is smooth. Whats not to like.

Great advise form you guys. So glad I went for the 2.5 over the 2.0. A perfect compromise of power smoothness, reliability and economy. Overall average over the last 600 miles 39.7 so not bad at all.

[Reamesy]

So today I decided to tackle the fog lights. They were full of water and at £120 for a pair only to end up shot again; I decided to try and restore my originals. What could I lose?

I removed them and as you can see form the photos, they were worse than I first thought. I put them in the oven once they were removed from the plastic cradle. 80 Celsius for 20 mins. Then used a wallpaper scraper and flat blade to prise them apart.

Cleaned the best I could and used chrome efect enamel over galvanised spray.

Then came out well and hopefully will buy be some time as Im sure they will go again.

Gallery below

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B1A5cLqfND0Fyi

[mgrlane]

Great work.

How easy was it to get the original exhaust tip off? This is one for my list of things to do. Have you got any pictures with the new ones on?

I am tackling the fog lights next weekend. I have gone down a different route. I am going to remove and apply a tint.
https://vtsupplies.co.uk/product/dark-smoke/

[Reamesy]

My car didn’t have any exhaust trim to remove however on past cars I’ve used liberal amounts of WD40 days before then a good bit of heat using a MAP gas blow torch. Ensure WD has evaporated first. Then a gentle tap with a hammer on to a block of wood to avoid damage incase it won’t budge.

I have posted photos of the parts I’ve fitted from Amazon.

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B1AGAfJVYGzcHtA

[mgrlane]

Thanks for the advice,

Apologies, I didn't see the link in the 1st post- looks great! Did a fantastic job of those fogs too!

[Reamesy]

Cheers mate. A lot of elbow grease and in a through away culture feels good too

[yipikayee]

Hi!

Been busy with new toy i see

My next item to instal is the cruise control which needs the cable harness. I bought this form the dealers as well for £33. eBay want £39 plus postage! Just waiting for the rain to sod off

How much did you pay for cruise control stalk? im waiting for the cables to areive, need to get the stalk too and i will retrofit it.

Overall average over the last 600 miles 39.7 so not bad at all.

Jelaous! My 3.0 is much more thirsty

[buzyg]

Nice work, your Zed's looking good.

[Reamesy]

Hi!

Been busy with new toy i see

My next item to instal is the cruise control which needs the cable harness. I bought this form the dealers as well for £33. eBay want £39 plus postage! Just waiting for the rain to sod off

How much did you pay for cruise control stalk? im waiting for the cables to areive, need to get the stalk too and i will retrofit it.

Overall average over the last 600 miles 39.7 so not bad at all.

Jelaous! My 3.0 is much more thirsty

I paid £116 for the stalk.

My MPG has settled at 38.1 overall so still better than I was expecting.

If you need any help with cruise give me a shout

[Stotts]

Great work. I’ve found the N52 is a lovely engine and,
As One had been looked after I’ve had no problems. However I’m off to get a weighted gear knob for sure but probably going for the Sure one

[Reamesy]

Great work. I’ve found the N52 is a lovely engine and,
As One had been looked after I’ve had no problems. However I’m off to get a weighted gear knob for sure but probably going for the Sure one

Which ever make it is the weighted shift really does transform the gear shift experience