What have you done to your car today?

[bg1]

Replaced the bowden cable in driver's door handle - I can finally open the door without excessive force.

I also tackled the sagging drivers Msport seat with some cable ties - I've got pics so will post up

There's a very good fix for that, I found it only documented on german Z4 forums - you need the elastic mat (actually it's a few steel wires) from non-sport seats. Nobody knows why the sports seats came without them.

Part no.2 on the diagram:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=52_2970

Can u link the German site please - I can't find it!

[bg1]

My E86 failed it's MOT. I've only done 3,000 miles between tests but got the work done by my local indy Brystone.
Rectified play in both front lower control arms, replaced both front lower control arms and rear mounts. Carry out full four wheel alignment.
This was a bit of a shame as I had just got the alignment done. I had noticed the steering had become a bit heavier but it is super light now which I'm not sure I like but wil get used to. Cost £725 plus the MOT.
Also got them to clear an EML which was due to the heater element (ODB2 reader thought that 4 of the O2 sensors had gone!). Cost £365
Replaced the 3rd brake light at a cost of £125
I fitted a new battery from Tayna, the original BMW one finally had had enough cranking over in the cold weather.
I also tackled the sagging drivers Msport seat with some cable ties - I've got pics so will post up

Please can you post the pics and any info.

[Chickendippers]

Please can you post the pics and any info.

I have revived the old thread I started - hope it's useful to you.

[Ed Doe]

Had a spare half hour so finally got round to removing the Partial Blanks across the Cooling Duct apertures inside the wheel arch of the M. Can't say I've noticed any difference, but on track at least a little more air should get to the brakes/tyres!

[Dr. Zed]

Finally got around to wrapping the centre console after doing the dash absolutely ages ago.

Also decided to respray the anthracite grey trim pieces in the centre console and then decided to go ahead and respray all the pieces in the car black. Also resprayed the steering wheel trim as they were worn (again sprayed black) .

On the outside I'm currently working through respraying the black plastic too. Got the bits beside the wing mirrors done at the weekend.
Quite happy so far with it. Plastidip is my new favourite thing!

[jamie_z4]

bought another one

[caius]

Took the wipers apart and cleaned the motor out, so they now function. Then drove ~100 miles across the midlands for work tomorrow, with the top down the whole way of course. Well worth the time spent on the wipers, they don't sit in my view of the road now!

[idej_z4]

bought another one

Looking at the lights is that a 4pot? Nice wheels!!!

[GTwice]

Replaced the bowden cable in driver's door handle - I can finally open the door without excessive force.

I also tackled the sagging drivers Msport seat with some cable ties - I've got pics so will post up

There's a very good fix for that, I found it only documented on german Z4 forums - you need the elastic mat (actually it's a few steel wires) from non-sport seats. Nobody knows why the sports seats came without them.

Part no.2 on the diagram:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=52_2970

Can u link the German site please - I can't find it!

I think that's the one
https://www.zroadster.com/forum/threads ... rn.118389/

[jamie_z4]

bought another one

Looking at the lights is that a 4pot? Nice wheels!!!

Yeah it's got the 2exite headlights fitted, they arent really my cup of tea usually but I can't be arsed faffing changing them

Cheers they are m4 reps I belive

[Zulu4]

Replaced the bowden cable in driver's door handle - I can finally open the door without excessive force.



There's a very good fix for that, I found it only documented on german Z4 forums - you need the elastic mat (actually it's a few steel wires) from non-sport seats. Nobody knows why the sports seats came without them.

Part no.2 on the diagram:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=52_2970

Can u link the German site please - I can't find it!

I think that's the one
https://www.zroadster.com/forum/threads ... rn.118389/

Interesting read.
This link shows the in-depth insertion of the flex mat:
https://www.zroadster.com/forum/threads ... st-2864022

It looks like a heck of a job

[tug]

bought another one

Looking at the lights is that a 4pot? Nice wheels!!!

Yeah it's got the 2exite headlights fitted, they arent really my cup of tea usually but I can't be arsed faffing changing them

Cheers they are m4 reps I belive

Like them wheels as well, excellent choice on gettin a 4 pot as well mate.

[zriha]

Taking an opportunity of nice weather to shot a new video for my YouTube channel And also to take some photos.

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[Simon 3.2M]

Change from silver to black headlights and have her a good clean!

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[Mojito]

Managed with a superhuman effort to move my roof motor to the boot I'd watched the videos, read countless threads on how difficult it is to do ..... and you know what it was far more difficult than I anticipated, a real PITA A great sense of achievement as I contemplate over a beer, but I would never ever undertake to do it again.... too many cuts and bruises Go to one of the guys on the forum, it's a bargain for what they charge

Couple of thoughts that might help others. I had a mate helping me and we uses a cheap boroscope (Amazon £39) linked to my phone. Absolutely brilliant for locating those cable ties on the 'sharksfin' of the plastic outer container - we literally used it to guide a small pair of clippers onto them to cut them. Most difficult part was getting the lid off the container. After several hours we had only got half the tape off and stuggled to get anything in to prize the lid off. Ended up making a 'tool' out of a small 'U' shaped metal bracket, tied to a loop of cord - see photo. We hooked it into a small gap between container and lid and by pulling hard on the cord with a piece of wood slipped through the loop we managed to widen the gap and break more tape away. Finally just kept trying to twist the lide until it broke away.

Thought that was the end of the battle, but there wasn't enough slack in the hydraulic lines to pull the pump/motor out of the container. We had cut the retaining cable tie which holds the lines at the bottom of the 'sharksfin', but BMW in their wisdom had also taped the lines to the bottom of the container. More cuts and bruises, the air was blue, got there after about 6 hours in total

My motor hadn't actually stopped working, the car has supposedly always been garaged and only done 39,000 miles, despite being 18 years old. I was somehwat horrified by the rust, but so pleased it's now moved and tucked neatly away behind the boot carpet where I can always get to it.

Time for another beer