2006 3.0si Journey and Chronical Begins

MSGGrunt

MSGGrunt

Member
 Western Massachusetts
Well, the journey actually started a month ago with my first Z4, a 2008 3.0si with 120,000 miles, non-working top, non-working AC, but I only paid $6,500.00 for the car. I loved the Z4 so much I sold it within a month and spent good money on a one owner 2006 with only 51,000 miles.

So now the intro and chronical of this car. 2006 with only 51,000 one owner miles. Enthusiast owned and a BMW person who also owned a BMW motorcycle. Everything works, even the top.

Car is in Black Sapphire Metallic with black leather and automatic (my preference).
Premium Package
Sport Package
Heated Seats
Xenon Headlights
Style 108 wheels in mint condition

Original Window sticker shows final price of $49,345.00

Shipped to Vista Motor Company in Coconut Creek Florida. Car was always a Florida car until my purchase.

The previous owner did a few mods, mostly cosmetic:

- Drilled and slotted rear discs
- Black 3rd brake light
- Blacked out kidney grill
- Red rear directional mod
- AFE Cold air intake
- Carbon fiber look badging
- Passenger compartment wind deflector

The small things that make it that much more special in my eyes:

- Original window sticker
- Original complete tool kit
- All original manuals
- Original sales brochure from 2006

My initial plans for the car will be base-line maintenance. Engine oil and filter, transmission fluid and filter/pan, new belts, coolant flush, and brake fluid flush. I don't see any signs of oil leaking from the valve cover, oil cooler, oil filer housing or vanos seals, so that is a plus.

I would like to do something with the style 108s, but not sure what. My initial thoughts were to have them powder coated a gloss black to go with the rest of the car, but I am not sure how that would look. Maybe a dark grey?

And now the pictures...

IMG_9317.jpgIMG_9319.jpgIMG_9291.jpgIMG_9343.jpgIMG_9342.jpgIMG_9307.jpgIMG_9297.jpgIMG_9277.jpg
 
It doesn't have Sports seats? Did the SI come with an SE seat option? Thought all SI's had sports seats
 
tomscott said:
It doesn't have Sports seats? Did the SI come with an SE seat option? Thought all SI's had sports seats
Click to expand...
Those are what BMW called Sport seats! The desirable ones are M-Sport seats and were only standard in facelift Sport models in the UK, the SE had those "Sport" seats.

Anyway MSGGrunt seems to have found a gem of a Z4 with just one owner and 51k miles. As for the 108s maybe a dark centre and silver rim would look good, although a refurb can get expensive if bolts snap when separating them.
 
I noticed the steering wheel that way after I moved it to get a clear picture of the odometer. Oops...

The only other seats I have seen as an "upgrade" are the M-Sport seats. Not exceptionally common for sale and not inexpensive. There is a set on FB Marketplace for $1,800.00. I don't desire them that badly just yet.

I am still undecide on what to do with the 108s. I have an extra set that I am disassembling and have unbolted two of the centers with no issues. No heat or penetrating oil and all the bolts seemed to let loose at the same force/torque. Now that I said that I have probably jinxed myself. I like the idea of original wheels as I know the ET is correct and I do like the looks of the style 108s. I got an estimate of $2,000.00 US to strip them and powder coat them.

Preventative maintenance will come first of course.
 
Welcome, enjoy your zee 4.
I’d leave the alloys as they are imho, and put the funds towards M sports seats. 👍🏻
 
RMB said:
I’d leave the alloys as they are imho, and put the funds towards M sports seats. 👍🏻
Click to expand...
Exactly that.

And $2000 to powder coat wheels? Wow, I thought we had insane prices in the Netherlands compared to the UK (where everything seems dirt cheap!), but that's something else. I had mine done not too long ago for around €720 or $850 converted; full strip down, clean, repair, and powder coating.

Super nice car by the way, and a steal with that mileage. Only thing I'd change is the pedals.
 
At those prices I think I'd be getting the M-Sport seats before the wheel refurb, unless your wheels are really scruffy.
 
Yes, the pedals are not to my taste. The difficult thing in deciding what to do with the wheels is the ones on the car are in mint condition and they don't look bad on a black car. The M Sport seats I found are 8 hours away, if they were closer I would be owning them.
 
Look what arrived today from the UK... Now I need to paint the OEM roll bar covers I ordered a matching satin black.

IMG_9357.jpgIMG_9358.jpg
 
Maintenance. What am I missing?

Water pump and thermostat at 51,000 miles and 19 years as preventative maintenance?
Brake flush?
Diff oil?

IMG_9361.jpg
 
Hate to say it, but the covers are probably the biggest waste of time and money. Dont forget to take them off before you put the roof up as they will pop off and more than likely scratch a panel as they do.
 
The covers weren't inexpensive, but I feel when installed they just make the top down look more complete, cleaner.

You think the BMW ones are bad, you ever install the 3 large plastic covers on a Saab 900 convertible? The BMW ones are nothing compared to those.
 
True, but it turns the Z into a Porsche speedster-type experience. The Zs roof is very quick considering how old the design is.

You cant see them while driving and you have to get out of the car and physically remove them to put the roof down. If using them at a show to complete the look its not like they are locked and expensive. Very easy for someone to help themselves.

I have BMW originals and apart from when I first got the car I never use them super inconvenient.
 
Another purely cosmetic addition. In the US a company named Coco Mats makes top quality floor mats out of several different materials. I have used them in just about all my cars. The ones I chose for the Z4 are made out of Sisal. The originals will be retained of course.

I still need to remove/replace the pedal covers.

IMG_9645.jpgIMG_9644.jpg

CocoMats.com - Custom Car Floor Mats. Hand-Made in USA

Custom Made floor mats Hand Crafted using the Highest Quality material. Made in America, by American Workers. Coco Mats Hide Dirt, while adding a Classic Style to any vehicle. Available in 20+ Colors
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The M-sport seats are visually much nicer and have a lot more lateral support, but try before you buy. They do not suit persons with a broader beam, which is probably why they are less common in the States.
 
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