California
After having my old 2001 Z3 3.0 declared a total loss by my insurance company (it was it great condition and only 66k miles), I picked up a 2014 Z4 2.8i a few weeks ago. My Z4 is an interesting one. It's a well cared for specimen in Mineral Grey Metallic with a 6-speed manual, the M Sport Package, and a variation of hyper orange interior package (no orange panels, but instead with black alcantara inserts with orange stitching on extended leather, and orange/silver stripes running in the center of the seats).
It's got 65k on the odometer. The prior owner had all the maintenance done at the local BMW dealer that I bought it from, so they had all its maintenance history. The front struts were replaced with OEM replacements at the dealer by the prior owner at 64k miles, so the struts/mounts and hardware are fresh. Still the car felt sloppy and loose when pushed, like the rear wheels in particular have unflattering steering input when on/off throttle mid-corner.
Well, since the struts had already been replaced, to further refresh the front end, I just had my preferred independent BMW shop (Bullet Performance, Costa Mesa, California) install the following:
OEM Sway bar bushings
Meyle HD sway bar end links
Meyle HD Steering rack tie rods
TRW E9X M3 upper & lower control arm/bushing kit
The shop made brackets to install the car's headlight level sensor rod to the M3 lower control arms.
Bullet Performance recommended I also replace the timing chain, chain guides and related stuff as a preventative measure, so I gulped a little and went with that too (12.5 hours labor!!! Yikes).
The front end feels substantially improved. Tighter, more accurate. But it also emphasizes that the rear suspension is seemingly worn out. So in the next couple of weeks, I'm going back to install OEM adaptive suspension rear shocks, new shock mounts and hardware. I will also replace the RTABs with E46 M3 RTABs and spacers, and new trailing arm ball joints.
It's got 65k on the odometer. The prior owner had all the maintenance done at the local BMW dealer that I bought it from, so they had all its maintenance history. The front struts were replaced with OEM replacements at the dealer by the prior owner at 64k miles, so the struts/mounts and hardware are fresh. Still the car felt sloppy and loose when pushed, like the rear wheels in particular have unflattering steering input when on/off throttle mid-corner.
Well, since the struts had already been replaced, to further refresh the front end, I just had my preferred independent BMW shop (Bullet Performance, Costa Mesa, California) install the following:
OEM Sway bar bushings
Meyle HD sway bar end links
Meyle HD Steering rack tie rods
TRW E9X M3 upper & lower control arm/bushing kit
The shop made brackets to install the car's headlight level sensor rod to the M3 lower control arms.
Bullet Performance recommended I also replace the timing chain, chain guides and related stuff as a preventative measure, so I gulped a little and went with that too (12.5 hours labor!!! Yikes).
The front end feels substantially improved. Tighter, more accurate. But it also emphasizes that the rear suspension is seemingly worn out. So in the next couple of weeks, I'm going back to install OEM adaptive suspension rear shocks, new shock mounts and hardware. I will also replace the RTABs with E46 M3 RTABs and spacers, and new trailing arm ball joints.
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Scottish Borders
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