Recent content by carl

I have realized my Z4MC isn't going to pass its MOT with the rear tyres in the state they are in. I have previously used Yokohama AD08/AD08R/AD08RS trackday tyres but I'm not using the car on the track any more and thinking of going for something performance-oriented but is better in the...

I am thinking of getting the Bilstein yellow dampers with the stock springs. I use trackday tyres all year round, currently Yokohama AD08R on the front and soon to be AD09 on the back. What are the current thoughts over suspension alignment for mostly "fast road" with the occasional trackday? I...

I'm toying with selling my Z4MC having been the custodian of it for nearly 15 years and leaning towards an automatic, maybe an M240i. Not really sure how to price it though. It's sapphire black with the red leather interior, 61k miles on the clock. Good points: 1) Full main dealer service...

I'm assuming this difference in colour between my headlights mean that the HID bulbs are on the way out? Are the replacements D2S? How easy are they to fit? I'm thinking of getting the Osram Xenarc Night Breaker Unlimited at £94.99 a pair from Powerbulbs.

The badge on my boot has been badly affected by UV (surprising, as I'm in the UK...) What is the consensus? Get a new one or retain the old one for "patina"?

It's a lot harder to do on an M because of the big crease in the bumper under the headlight. I think I'll leave it like this for a few months, get the holes in the bumper filled and painted and then if I don't like it I'll just stick the plate in the middle.

So, upon investigation of a sticky caliper (replaced yesterday) it seems that both of my front discs are below the minimum thickness. How the dealer didn't spot this at the >£800 Inspection II service which was less than 2,000 miles ago I don't know. I'm thinking of getting the ECP Pagid discs...

Does anyone know the difference in ride height between the Z4 and the Z4M? According to my manual the M is actually taller overall (might be because of the roof bubbles) but it doesn't show the ride height measurement.

What (cheap) mods would I have to do to make it perform best on the track -- bearing in mind the tracks vary from the tight and bumpy like bits of North Weald to the open tarmac of Rockingham and Hethel. I'll be driving the car to and from the track and it will be my occasional daily driver too...

Isn't what you've put on the aluminium sheet effectively a Gurney flap? The ever-reliable Wikipedia suggests that the height of the flap should be 1-2% of the wing chord. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurney_flap

You know how when the battery goes completely flat, if you try to start the car you get a rapid clicking noise and the headlights flash? Well, I left my Z4M for 2 weeks while I was away on business, and whilst it starts every time and the lights come on, on starting (and sometimes on shutting...

It looks like SEMSEC are saying it's not financially viable to run any events (races or sprints) at Lydden or Brands Hatch next year. This is a shame -- I did Brands Hatch once and loved the circuit (even though I was first out and put it in the kitty litter on the first corner) but the price...

I can't comment on the noise as I haven't heard it, but that looks terrible IMHO. Sorry.

Looks like they're going to do a Jaguar F-Type Coupe V8. http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=28749 Trouble is they're all autos :( And I should imagine they'll want a fair bit of cash for them too.

Dug out the EVO CotY video from 2001 and the sound of the TVR Tamora is epic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt-_T2PTJEI&feature=player_detailpage#t=342 It's a straight 6 with similar bhp to a Z4 ///M so surely it should be possible to get the Z4 to sound like this?