New Z4 member

[Rimsky]

Hi everyone,
I have been using the forum over the last couple of weeks to help me make my decision on whether or not to buy a neighbour’s Z4, so a big thank you for the assistance. I have taken the plunge and bought the car, a 2003 E85 3.0 on Stuttgart 19” rims. As the photo below shows, it’s in Sterling grey with Oregon black interior. The guy only kept the car for 6 weeks as he soon realised he was struggling to get in and out of it due to his hip, so he isn’t a good source of info on it.

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It is in need of a little tlc with all the alloys requiring a refurb, the front bumper needs a full respray and repair to a knock between the grills and some rust on the front wing I’m hoping is only surface rust. With only 82,000 on the clock, plenty of history, 2 keys, the original bmw owners pack, and at what I considered to be a good price, I believe it will make a cracking car once sorted.

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It is currently fitted with a Powerflow, back box delete set up, which is just too darn loud for me so this will need to be changed. Can anyone recommend a good replacement back box that will still give some ‘growl’, just not as mad as the no back box arrangement is?
The 19” rims are fitted with 265/30/19 tyres on the rear which will soon need replacing. I saw on a rim website that this car should have 255/30/19’s as a maximum. Is anyone running a similar set up or can confirm if I need to drop down to the 255’s when I do put new rubber on?
For some reason, the 2 trim panels inside the boot lid are missing, so I will need to source them from somewhere.
There is an airbag warning light on the dash that I see was previously turned off on a receipt in the history, so I’ve no idea what that is all about. If I purchase a Creator C310+ unit, will this identify where the problem is, or at least enable me to turn the light off again?

I had better call it a day (for now) with all the questions, but rest assured I will be back with more as I start to learn about the car and try to get it set up the way I want it. Thanks again for a great forum.

[jock156]

Nice car!

Welcome aboard!

[buzyg]

A very shiny Z4. Welcome to the forum.

[Special Kay]

Yes very shiny indeed Welcome to the forum

[inkey$]

Welcome along and good luck with the new purchase.
C110+ will identify and clear any lights you have, so well worth £40.

[fatbaldboy]

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[fatbaldboy]

The 19” rims are fitted with 265/30/19 tyres on the rear which will soon need replacing. I saw on a rim website that this car should have 255/30/19’s as a maximum. Is anyone running a similar set up or can confirm if I need to drop down to the 255’s when I do put new rubber on?

Not car specific - but helpful.

https://www.grip500.co.uk/guide/tyre-si ... tion-table

[Mr Tidy]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Your Z4 looks great with those wheels. I think the size of the tyres will depend on the size of the rims. My car came with 19" CSL Reps so the rears were 9.5J and I had no issues with 265/30 rear tyres. Any narrower tyres would have looked stretched on rims that size.

[MikeyH]

Welcome to the forum, great looking car in a great colour You were lucky he was a neighbour I had to go from Devon to Sheffield to get mine

[Rimsky]

Thanks for the warm welcome folks and the info.
A slow puncture and a holiday have prevented me getting out in the car until this week but so far I’m loving it. Exhaust has definitely grown on me so no thoughts of changing that any time soon. Spoke to the guy who fitted the alloys and all good on the 265’s front too.
Question, what do you guys use in the way of a workshop manual? Old school so used to Haynes manuals but they don’t do a Z4 specific one. Any you can recommend?

[Pondrew]

Hello, good evening and welcome.
The only problem I found with 265 width 19" tyres is that not many manufacturers make them, so the options are limited and therefore the prices are high. If you can get 255 or even 275 depending on the rim width, there is more choice and generally a bit cheaper.

CSL type rep wheels really do suit the E85/6 IMHO!

[Ole gits rule]

Thats looks like a very clean zed - a nice little project to work on over the summer

[MikeyH]

Thanks for the warm welcome folks and the info.
A slow puncture and a holiday have prevented me getting out in the car until this week but so far I’m loving it. Exhaust has definitely grown on me so no thoughts of changing that any time soon. Spoke to the guy who fitted the alloys and all good on the 265’s front too.
Question, what do you guys use in the way of a workshop manual? Old school so used to Haynes manuals but they don’t do a Z4 specific one. Any you can recommend?

I looked into a Haynes but they are only online, not the same as thumbing through the pages. However, everything I have needed to know is on here. It's a mine of useful info and guides on how to do stuff. Everyone is always very helpful.

[Pondrew]

Everyone is always very helpful.

When you say EVERYONE...........

[Ole gits rule]

Everyone is always very helpful.

When you say EVERYONE...........

Always exception to every rule - at least you keep us entertained with the car swaps