I think the si coupe look fantastic in red ! Miss my old onenfbr wrote:Both absolute stunners! Must admit, I think only the 'M' can pull off the colour red. Having seen a couple of 'si' coupé in Red, I just feel they look as if something is missing.
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nfbr's 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Blog/Build-Thread
- KERMIT1970
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- Location: Ardrossan Ayrshire Scotland
Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Cars: 2016 M4 vert YMB & X3m Comp. E30 325i Sport. Z3M
Gone
: 2014 z4 35is melbourne red & black leather
: 335d M sport Coupe Black with red leather
: z4 Coupe 3.0 si Red with Black Leather 18" CSL`s
: z3 2.2 sport
Gone
: 2014 z4 35is melbourne red & black leather
: 335d M sport Coupe Black with red leather
: z4 Coupe 3.0 si Red with Black Leather 18" CSL`s
: z3 2.2 sport
- nfbr
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Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Cheers!Stratts wrote:Lovely car mate, looks great.
I assume you got discount on the poly bushes? I popped in to see your mob back in September when I was in the area, I picked up a set of E36 front wishbone bushes. I was surprised to be surrounded by VAG nonsense when I went to collect them.
I also just did the front wishbone bushes on my Z today, makes a huge (positive) difference
The bushes were an early Christmas present of sorts. Really looking forward to getting them on the car!
How come you were surprised by the VAG nonsense? It is after all a VW tuning specialist I work for lol.
It's a special installation lube for the Powerflex Poly Urethane bushes. Makes em' go in a lot easier!Taz wrote:what are the condoms for
Mind changed! That does look really nice. Not sure I fully agree with the matte black bit on the lower rear valance though.KERMIT1970 wrote:I think the si coupe look fantastic in red ! Miss my old one
Last edited by nfbr on Sat Jan 03, 2015 1:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
nfbr's 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport Coupé - Car Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Ruby Black - Steptronic - Champagne Merino leather.
I like taking Photos, Cars, Technology and Rock Music
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Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Awesome ! I had an s4 twin turbo quite a few years ago and dealt with Jim , dean and a couple of others on a regular basis , back in the apr days , I'm surprised they didn't sack you on the spot for turning to the dark side
- Machine monkey
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Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
How are the black series powerflex bushes compared to the others? I have the purple ones the black are more hard core aren't they? If your after another cheap handling upgrade. Swap the front ARB for one off a e46 m3. I found it really stopped body roll. The rear one sadly dose not fit.
- nfbr
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Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
25 years strong and Jim is still with us! He's always got a hand in the workshop and is always in and about working on "other" projects!Paulwirral wrote:Awesome ! I had an s4 twin turbo quite a few years ago and dealt with Jim , dean and a couple of others on a regular basis , back in the apr days , I'm surprised they didn't sack you on the spot for turning to the dark side
APR UK is now based within our company, so that's all still going strong too!
With me putting in around 55-70 hours a week on a regular basis they are slightly lenient on what car I get, especially since I walk to work anyway
To be fair on the Z4 the bushes are mostly Black (harder) material anyway. It's only the insert on the front wishbone rear bush that gets the purple stuff.Machine monkey wrote:How are the black series powerflex bushes compared to the others? I have the purple ones the black are more hard core aren't they? If your after another cheap handling upgrade. Swap the front ARB for one off a e46 m3. I found it really stopped body roll. The rear one sadly dose not fit.
My colleague/neighbor; Mike with the E46 M3 has gone for the Black Series bushes and he's happy with them, although I went with the regular versions just because the car isn't being used much on the track at all.
That may well go on my to do list, however I'm also considering the possibility of an Eibach or H&R anti roll bar kit at some point. Still undecided of which springs to go with. I'll definitely be using Bilstein B8 dampers regardless though!
nfbr's 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport Coupé - Car Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Ruby Black - Steptronic - Champagne Merino leather.
I like taking Photos, Cars, Technology and Rock Music
- nfbr
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Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
So... This comment a few days back got me thinking about the daft whip aerial, After several searches around the forum, I found that most people on here seem to be going toward some weird looking stumpy thing off a piece'o'crap french biscuit tin.DPG wrote:Looking good. Are you keeping the whip?
Not satisfied with the 'short comings' of the PSA group stumpy aerial thing, (and in all honesty finding it to look a little Chav) - I looked back towards my routes as a VAG specialist and remembered the Polo 6R Aerial
Very similar in style to the stock antennae on the Honda S2000, but with a slightly smaller diameter at the base so there's no overhang.
I borrowed one off my colleague 'Jimmy the Hoover' who has a rather odd white Golf Estate on White 19" X5 Lobster Claws...
Tried it on; and found it looks to be a perfect fit!
Here's a couple of comparison images! (will post up an installed photo once I've received my brand new one )
These are around £18.00 from the Volkswagen main dealer or TPS - Part number 6R0 035 849, which has superseded to 6R0 035 849D. These have a 5mm thread like the Z4.
If you do buy one, make sure you don't get the 6R0 035 849A as the thread on the A suffix part number is 6mm instead of the BMW type 5mm thread.
nfbr's 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport Coupé - Car Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Ruby Black - Steptronic - Champagne Merino leather.
I like taking Photos, Cars, Technology and Rock Music
- DPG
- Lifer
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Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
The OEM Sport ariel isn't much more from a dealer. Think I paid £22
http://www.amazon.co.uk/BMW-Genuine-Spo ... B008FPTWR4
http://www.amazon.co.uk/BMW-Genuine-Spo ... B008FPTWR4
- nfbr
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Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
This is true, but the genuine BMW stubby aerial is just as horrible as the PSA group one in my personal opinion.
Plus if you shop wisely, the Polo 6R Aerial can be had for around £12.00 new.
Plus if you shop wisely, the Polo 6R Aerial can be had for around £12.00 new.
nfbr's 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport Coupé - Car Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Ruby Black - Steptronic - Champagne Merino leather.
I like taking Photos, Cars, Technology and Rock Music
- nfbr
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Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Comparison Photos of the Stock and Polo 6R Aerial.
Old:
New:
Still feel as if it's a bit of a downgrade from the previous motor ( Jetta ) as that had no visible aerial at all... To put it bluntly, If that rear quarter ever needs paint - It's going.
More bits to come later today
Old:
New:
Still feel as if it's a bit of a downgrade from the previous motor ( Jetta ) as that had no visible aerial at all... To put it bluntly, If that rear quarter ever needs paint - It's going.
More bits to come later today
nfbr's 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport Coupé - Car Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Ruby Black - Steptronic - Champagne Merino leather.
I like taking Photos, Cars, Technology and Rock Music
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Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé!
too right a quick run on these roads and my carbon goes muddy blacksimonlpearce wrote:Ruby black is probably one of the better colours for a coupe
Just a bugger to keep it ruby black this time of year
- nfbr
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Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé!
Tell me about it! I hardly ever drive the car, living so close to work and it still manages to get dirty too frequently...mad4slalom wrote:too right a quick run on these roads and my carbon goes muddy blacksimonlpearce wrote:Ruby black is probably one of the better colours for a coupe
Just a bugger to keep it ruby black this time of year
nfbr's 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport Coupé - Car Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Ruby Black - Steptronic - Champagne Merino leather.
I like taking Photos, Cars, Technology and Rock Music
- nfbr
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Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
So... I finally got some more little bits done this evening on the Coupé.
First up, relatively boring and simple, LED numberplate bulbs. Had these kajiggers lying around at home, so thought I'd best crack em' in the original housings.
Came out a treat -
Here's a comparison picture (Although looks crazy thanks to me not wanting my plate on a public forum)
And a photo when I got back home after doing the jobs...
Nice easy job, Thought I'd worked out the knack for not bending the clips back on the housings, but seems the design is pretty much impossible...
First up, relatively boring and simple, LED numberplate bulbs. Had these kajiggers lying around at home, so thought I'd best crack em' in the original housings.
Came out a treat -
Here's a comparison picture (Although looks crazy thanks to me not wanting my plate on a public forum)
And a photo when I got back home after doing the jobs...
Nice easy job, Thought I'd worked out the knack for not bending the clips back on the housings, but seems the design is pretty much impossible...
nfbr's 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport Coupé - Car Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Ruby Black - Steptronic - Champagne Merino leather.
I like taking Photos, Cars, Technology and Rock Music
- nfbr
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Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
So, with the workshop available for the night, here comes the first of the jobs that are gonna make a difference to the way the car feels
Having obtained both a set of Powerflex Wishbone bushes and Powerflex Rear Trailing Arm bushes, I set to work with the job of doing the wishbone bushes.
At this point I'll apologise for the picture heavy and potentially boring to some post, but here goes! Hopefully some people may find this a useful or educational reference.
With all the under tray trims removed ready to set to work, down comes the first wishbone console - This is secured by two 16mm Bolts - Dead straight forward to drop.
Then the next one:
At first they didn't seem to want to free up, but a bit of penetrating spray and a large set of jaws to swing the bushes around the hexagonal end of the wishbone soon saw them come loose!
With a little bit of muscle - they came free of the wishbone!
Time to get busy with the press! First I pushes out the centre rubber part of the bush as the only tool I could find was too small to push out the metal collar
Then something randomly fell off the shelf just around the corner from where I was working and miraculously happened to be a 65mm diameter metal press tool!
this made life a whole lot easier.
Here's how the housings look with the bushes removed next to the new bushes!
With the hexagonal ends of the wishbone cleaned up - It was now time to install the purple pivot bush -
These have a correct orientation so pay attension to the instructions if you are going to do this job yourself!
A rough idea of how it all goes together...
And another...
Back over to the press: Using the 65mm tool to insert the new bushes
The new bushes now pressed into their housings
and finally fitted up in situ on the car!
First impression back on the road:
- Well - I'm very impressed.
Previous to these bushes I'd noticed things such as white lines on the road giving a bit of a grabbing sensation on the steering, almost taking the steering wheel from my grasp and pulling me from side to side.
On a decent length road test, this now appears to have stopped! The steering feels so much more accurate, more positive and less slack than before.
There is quite literally no increase in noise, vibrations or harshness at all! In these ways it feels as good as before, if not a slight bit better with the overall feeling of being a little more well connected to the steering.
I can honestly say they are a fantastic purchase and would choose these again without a doubt, over the Meyle HD bushes people seem to be going for.
Virtually anyone in the automotive industry will tell you, that German manufacturers are useless at making bushes and rubber products in general - Hence the reason people have a need to replace the wishbone bushes in the first place, and on that fact - A poly urethane product with a lifetime warranty will always get my vote. - Well done Powerflex for a fantastic product!
Having obtained both a set of Powerflex Wishbone bushes and Powerflex Rear Trailing Arm bushes, I set to work with the job of doing the wishbone bushes.
At this point I'll apologise for the picture heavy and potentially boring to some post, but here goes! Hopefully some people may find this a useful or educational reference.
With all the under tray trims removed ready to set to work, down comes the first wishbone console - This is secured by two 16mm Bolts - Dead straight forward to drop.
Then the next one:
At first they didn't seem to want to free up, but a bit of penetrating spray and a large set of jaws to swing the bushes around the hexagonal end of the wishbone soon saw them come loose!
With a little bit of muscle - they came free of the wishbone!
Time to get busy with the press! First I pushes out the centre rubber part of the bush as the only tool I could find was too small to push out the metal collar
Then something randomly fell off the shelf just around the corner from where I was working and miraculously happened to be a 65mm diameter metal press tool!
this made life a whole lot easier.
Here's how the housings look with the bushes removed next to the new bushes!
With the hexagonal ends of the wishbone cleaned up - It was now time to install the purple pivot bush -
These have a correct orientation so pay attension to the instructions if you are going to do this job yourself!
A rough idea of how it all goes together...
And another...
Back over to the press: Using the 65mm tool to insert the new bushes
The new bushes now pressed into their housings
and finally fitted up in situ on the car!
First impression back on the road:
- Well - I'm very impressed.
Previous to these bushes I'd noticed things such as white lines on the road giving a bit of a grabbing sensation on the steering, almost taking the steering wheel from my grasp and pulling me from side to side.
On a decent length road test, this now appears to have stopped! The steering feels so much more accurate, more positive and less slack than before.
There is quite literally no increase in noise, vibrations or harshness at all! In these ways it feels as good as before, if not a slight bit better with the overall feeling of being a little more well connected to the steering.
I can honestly say they are a fantastic purchase and would choose these again without a doubt, over the Meyle HD bushes people seem to be going for.
Virtually anyone in the automotive industry will tell you, that German manufacturers are useless at making bushes and rubber products in general - Hence the reason people have a need to replace the wishbone bushes in the first place, and on that fact - A poly urethane product with a lifetime warranty will always get my vote. - Well done Powerflex for a fantastic product!
nfbr's 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport Coupé - Car Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Ruby Black - Steptronic - Champagne Merino leather.
I like taking Photos, Cars, Technology and Rock Music
- nfbr
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- Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 1:47 pm
- Location: Irlam, Manchester
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Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Last night's job... Painting the Grille Bars!
Unsure on what way to go with the grilles, there was one thing I was certain on! I didn't want the awful silver bars that BMW had decided on using on the 3.0Si models.
Rather than splash out £50+ on a pair of all black kidney grilles, I decided to go with the temporary measure of painting the grille bars black.
I opted for the semi-permanent finish of Plasti-dip, Or rather a German Alternative called Hyperlex.
The job begun, removing the grilles from the car (which I'm sure we all know how to do) and stripping the chrome frame from the body/bars
First coat going on, Nice and thin...
Second coat a little thicker, after 30 minutes, then in total Six coats of the stuff 30 minutes apart.
Starting to dry a little now.
And finally re-assembled with the chrome trim cleaned and polished up.
Really happy with the result, but I'm going to give it a full 72 hours before re-installing the grille onto the car, just to ensure the paint dries properly.
As a product review on the Hyperlex Product, I'm not really all that impressed. The nozzle on the can was bunged up and splattering after what feels like less than a half of the can has been used (This will be left to soak in thinners so that I can hopefully use up the rest of the can on something) - and as what could potentially be a safety concern, after being shaken half to death six times the bottom of the can had gone from a nice curved convex to something which made me believe it ready to explode...
Unsure on what way to go with the grilles, there was one thing I was certain on! I didn't want the awful silver bars that BMW had decided on using on the 3.0Si models.
Rather than splash out £50+ on a pair of all black kidney grilles, I decided to go with the temporary measure of painting the grille bars black.
I opted for the semi-permanent finish of Plasti-dip, Or rather a German Alternative called Hyperlex.
The job begun, removing the grilles from the car (which I'm sure we all know how to do) and stripping the chrome frame from the body/bars
First coat going on, Nice and thin...
Second coat a little thicker, after 30 minutes, then in total Six coats of the stuff 30 minutes apart.
Starting to dry a little now.
And finally re-assembled with the chrome trim cleaned and polished up.
Really happy with the result, but I'm going to give it a full 72 hours before re-installing the grille onto the car, just to ensure the paint dries properly.
As a product review on the Hyperlex Product, I'm not really all that impressed. The nozzle on the can was bunged up and splattering after what feels like less than a half of the can has been used (This will be left to soak in thinners so that I can hopefully use up the rest of the can on something) - and as what could potentially be a safety concern, after being shaken half to death six times the bottom of the can had gone from a nice curved convex to something which made me believe it ready to explode...
nfbr's 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport Coupé - Car Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Ruby Black - Steptronic - Champagne Merino leather.
I like taking Photos, Cars, Technology and Rock Music
-
- Lifer
- Posts: 7020
- Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2012 7:53 am
- Location: High Peak,Derbyshire.
Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Oooooh that can looks dodgy, quite a few years ago I had a can of under seal suddenly burst whilst on the bench for no apparent reason..
The black spatters are still on the compressor and grinder to remind me of it!
I had my chrome outer pieces wrapped in 4D carbon... They look a treat without being blingy.
The black spatters are still on the compressor and grinder to remind me of it!
I had my chrome outer pieces wrapped in 4D carbon... They look a treat without being blingy.