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Atacama Yellow 35is build thread

Specific discussion about the E89 2009 Z4 (sDrive35is, sDrive35i, sDrive30i, sDrive23i)
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ronk
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Atacama Yellow 35is build thread

Post by ronk » Wed Jun 01, 2022 11:42 pm

The bottom line is I suppose. If you enjoy what you’re doing, then why not? :thumbsup:
You don't stop playing when you get old - You get old when you stop playing!
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with. :thumbsup:

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Atacama Yellow 35is build thread

Post by Dave 2 dogs » Thu Jun 02, 2022 7:22 pm

Hi B21
Reading your thread with interest…. The bit about the outside lower grills to remove the silver section. If you’re bumper is the same as mine, I had my lower grills off to spray them gloss black , I didn’t take the bumper off. They are on clips that need pushing towards the radiator, taking them of is the easy bit , getting them back on is more difficult, I put the 2 side ones back first because that allows you to get some hand help in the centre hole , the middle bit going back is tricky ( especially after just painting them and not wanting to scratch them. I jiggled it behind the hole an pulled into place ( back towards you) with a hook type tool through the holes covered in a small bit of cloth so not to damage the paint , some swearing later it was back in place. As I say , maybe your bumper is different to mine, but I thought this might help

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Atacama Yellow 35is build thread

Post by B21 » Fri Jun 03, 2022 9:01 am

Dave 2 dogs wrote: Thu Jun 02, 2022 7:22 pm Hi B21
Reading your thread with interest…. The bit about the outside lower grills to remove the silver section. If you’re bumper is the same as mine, I had my lower grills off to spray them gloss black , I didn’t take the bumper off. They are on clips that need pushing towards the radiator, taking them of is the easy bit , getting them back on is more difficult, I put the 2 side ones back first because that allows you to get some hand help in the centre hole , the middle bit going back is tricky ( especially after just painting them and not wanting to scratch them. I jiggled it behind the hole an pulled into place ( back towards you) with a hook type tool through the holes covered in a small bit of cloth so not to damage the paint , some swearing later it was back in place. As I say , maybe your bumper is different to mine, but I thought this might help
Hi there, thnx for the tips..in the end the tech guy managed to unclip them using a similar technique. My paint guy advise against spraying the grills as he felt with the grill like texture getting the paint to key may prove problematic so I decided to leave them as they were.
We choose to go to on with this endeavour at this time and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard..

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Atacama Yellow 35is build thread

Post by B21 » Fri Jun 03, 2022 9:07 am

Visited the 4 wheel alignment centre to check on the alignment…bit surprised to find that despite only a very modest lowering effect of the new Ohlins suspension that it was sufficient to mean that the cambers couldn’t be brought into full alignment.



Guys use the next generation alignment tools that make lasers look passé..

So will need to get adjustable rear lower camber arms and a set of camber plates for the fronts..bit of a pisser but that’s what happens when you start serious modding..
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Atacama Yellow 35is build thread

Post by B21 » Sat Jun 04, 2022 2:38 pm

I think its fairly well know that E89s tend to wear their rear pads out quicker than the fromts.

However was suprised to see the rear brake pad light come on with a predicted remaining 1,200 miles as we were doing the alignment check..

The discs and pads were on my 20i for a while along with the 6 pot brake kit which leads it by a couple of thousand miles of wear.

So rear pads about 7,000-10,000 miles..front pads 60,000 miles..

Just shows how hard the DSC unit is working especially on a 400 bhp variant..
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We choose to go to on with this endeavour at this time and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard..

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Atacama Yellow 35is build thread

Post by Chippie » Sun Jun 05, 2022 10:17 am

B21 wrote: Sat Jun 04, 2022 2:38 pm I think its fairly well know that E89s tend to wear their rear pads out quicker than the fromts.

However was suprised to see the rear brake pad light come on with a predicted remaining 1,200 miles as we were doing the alignment check..

The discs and pads were on my 20i for a while along with the 6 pot brake kit which leads it by a couple of thousand miles of wear.

So rear pads about 7,000-10,000 miles..front pads 60,000 miles..

Just shows how hard the DSC unit is working especially on a 400 bhp variant..

I’ve noticed on mine that the rears wear about twice as quickly as the fronts,
just one point, when you changed the brakes over from the 2.0 did you reset the brake pad monitor or does it still think it’s got the old pads in?
E89 35is space grey Kansas coral red leather

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Atacama Yellow 35is build thread

Post by B21 » Mon Jun 06, 2022 2:19 pm

Chippie wrote: Sun Jun 05, 2022 10:17 am
B21 wrote: Sat Jun 04, 2022 2:38 pm I think its fairly well know that E89s tend to wear their rear pads out quicker than the fromts.

However was suprised to see the rear brake pad light come on with a predicted remaining 1,200 miles as we were doing the alignment check..

The discs and pads were on my 20i for a while along with the 6 pot brake kit which leads it by a couple of thousand miles of wear.

So rear pads about 7,000-10,000 miles..front pads 60,000 miles..

Just shows how hard the DSC unit is working especially on a 400 bhp variant..

I’ve noticed on mine that the rears wear about twice as quickly as the fronts,
just one point, when you changed the brakes over from the 2.0 did you reset the brake pad monitor or does it still think it’s got the old pads in?
Its a good point :thumbsup:

Frankly I'm not sure..as you know we ended up swapping bits between 3 cars and not sure if I or didn't..anyway fresh pads going in tomorrow..

The front pads arrived today (although they look like they won't be needed for a short while! :rofl:

You can see why they may wear more slowly if contact patch has anything to do with it..
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Atacama Yellow 35is build thread

Post by B21 » Tue Jun 07, 2022 4:16 pm

Turns out ( I forgot with so many things going on)..that some Pagid pads were put in when the brakes were transferred to the 35is…

So that’s around 6k miles for a set of rear pads…
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Atacama Yellow 35is build thread

Post by Smartbear » Tue Jun 07, 2022 8:21 pm

B21 wrote: Tue Jun 07, 2022 4:16 pm Turns out ( I forgot with so many things going on)..that some Pagid pads were put in when the brakes were transferred to the 35is…

So that’s around 6k miles for a set of rear pads…
Wowser, those brakes must be active almost permanently! Think mine made it to 27k ish?
Rob
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e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
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Atacama Yellow 35is build thread

Post by B21 » Tue Jun 07, 2022 8:38 pm

Smartbear wrote: Tue Jun 07, 2022 8:21 pm
B21 wrote: Tue Jun 07, 2022 4:16 pm Turns out ( I forgot with so many things going on)..that some Pagid pads were put in when the brakes were transferred to the 35is…

So that’s around 6k miles for a set of rear pads…
Wowser, those brakes must be active almost permanently! Think mine made it to 27k ish?
Rob
I think the DSC unit is now working very hard trying to keep the wheels in line ..that’s the second set worn out, each about 6-7k miles … :driving: :tumbleweed: :thumbsup:
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Atacama Yellow 35is build thread

Post by Chippie » Tue Jun 07, 2022 9:35 pm

Smartbear wrote: Tue Jun 07, 2022 8:21 pm I think the DSC unit is now working very hard trying to keep the wheels in line ..that’s the second set worn out, each about 6-7k miles
Without having to read all 26 pages again, was it the 2.0 that had the limited slip diff and the 35is is relying on the ecu to try and keep the tyres in check?
I know the 35 needs a different diff from the other e89’s but couldn’t remember if you had fitted one to this or not.
E89 35is space grey Kansas coral red leather

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Atacama Yellow 35is build thread

Post by B21 » Tue Jun 07, 2022 10:39 pm

Chippie wrote: Tue Jun 07, 2022 9:35 pm
Smartbear wrote: Tue Jun 07, 2022 8:21 pm I think the DSC unit is now working very hard trying to keep the wheels in line ..that’s the second set worn out, each about 6-7k miles
Without having to read all 26 pages again, was it the 2.0 that had the limited slip diff and the 35is is relying on the ecu to try and keep the tyres in check?
I know the 35 needs a different diff from the other e89’s but couldn’t remember if you had fitted one to this or not.
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Both cars are running Quaife LSDs and I checked this afternoon that the e-diff option in the DSC is toggled off.

So it’s the DSC working as the tyres squirm when you boot it..

I think paradoxically that because I’m not a heavy brake-er with the weight and speed if gently slowing down the rears are working harder

1st world problems of hooning in the wide open spaces of Scotland..

Let’s see how the new. Brembo HP pads work out..
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Atacama Yellow 35is build thread

Post by B21 » Tue Jun 14, 2022 5:17 pm

Following on from the issues reference alignment and speaking to the Ohlins support in the UK ( which was very helpful) I decided to bite the bullet (again) and invest in some camber plates..the suggestion was to move from approx 0.5 degree front camber to somewhere 'at least two'..

So initially I'm going to set it up with 1.5 degrees of negative camber and 2.0 degrees rear negative camber.

Had to go to Lithuania to get some decent camber plates.

To do the rear camber you need adjustable rear camber arms so got some of these upmarket babies.

Not sure how good the front steeing arms so whilst I'm down there went with some Meyle HD parts..alledgedly superior to BMW OE spec.

I did find that the Ohlins had settled and the heights on the car are all over the place..so again..we will get them all up to the reference level on the car, not sat on the bench.

(Ohlins does one set of coilovers for all E89s, clearly big weight differences both front and rear between a 18i manual and a 35is)
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Atacama Yellow 35is build thread

Post by B21 » Tue Jun 14, 2022 5:19 pm

Like a squirrel continuing to buy likely items , ideally of better quality when the discounts strike..

So latest goodies are a new Pierburg all metal uprated water pump and a nice Mahle thermostat for the rainy day when it comes..which of course means it won't..
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Atacama Yellow 35is build thread

Post by Smartbear » Tue Jun 14, 2022 6:11 pm

After changing the electronic pump on my 3.0si i thought it would be just as easy on the 35is, boy was i wrong :cry:
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e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
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