2006 Z4 Sport 2.5si Project (SOLD)

[tadekk]

61,320 - 10 Mar 2019

The thread had gone quiet for a while but Z4 project continued After seeing a piano black dash in a beige leather E86 last year at Ace Cafe meet, I decided the brushed aluminium had to go. Luckily, Number5 was able to help and I think the car looks much better for it. I also fitted the ZHP knob, OEM black mats and black door scuff plates at the same time, and I'm very pleased with the overall effect. I think the only thing letting the interior down are the slightly yellow door pulls and handles, but that can wait for now.

 

[srhutch]

Yep, that interior looks much better. Not a fan of light interiors. But being only two colours now is much better

 

[tadekk]

61,525 - 22 Apr 2019

As interior is pretty much done, I focused on the wheels and suspension. The old MV2s had to go (way too common on E46 BMWs for my liking), so I replaced them with newly-refurbed 108s. I will not be doing that again though, it took way too long with two snapped and rounded off bolts Since I bought the alloys with 7mm Goodyear Eagle F1s, I got rid of the RFTs in the process too.

I was also not happy with high rear ride height, so replaced all 4 springs for Eibachs (which you cant tell on the pics below as the driveway is sloped) and added 12mm front and 15mm rear spacers to push the wheels out a bit. Overall, the changes are subtle, but better than OEM in my opinion.

 

[Mr Tidy]

I really don't like the brushed aluminium trim either - your Piano Black looks so much better.

And your car looks so much better on the 108s (even if they were a PITA to get refurbed).

My car had 108s when I bought it and they were in pretty good shape so I wanted to get something else before they started getting grotty and ended up with some 295s from an E89. I like how they look, but even better with the E89 offsets they sit 18mm further out at the front and 10mm at the back - no need for spacers!

 

[earthdweller]

Interesting read Tadekk

Your car certainly looks good in the flesh and goes well enough

 

[tadekk]

62,190 - 9 May 2019

When preparing for the long drive to Scotland, I have realised it's been long overdue to retrofit the wind deflector and the cruise control (seeing as I got all the parts nearly a year ago!). I have bit the bullet and between BMW pdfs, srhutch's instructions and Marlon's topic https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=105656 got the jobs done.



Amazingly the CC works fine, and the painted hoops are pretty close to the M black ones. I have also realised that my original car might have been assembled on a Friday, as the hoop cover on either side were slightly different shade! Pesky Americans

 

[tadekk]

Yep, that interior looks much better. Not a fan of light interiors. But being only two colours now is much better

I really don't like the brushed aluminium trim either - your Piano Black looks so much better.
And your car looks so much better on the 108s (even if they were a PITA to get refurbed).

Your car certainly looks good in the flesh and goes well enough

Thanks guys, I'm really happy how it is coming along. The to-do list is certainly shrinking - not sure what I will do when it's done, half the fun so far has been the tinkering

 

[tadekk]

62,573 - 16 May 2019

One last preventative maintenance item before the NC500 was to replace the water pump as I didn't fancy getting stranded nearly 700 miles from home Hopefully money well spent but I will never know. While under the car, I got the gearbox oil replaced and CDV removed to improve the 1st to 2nd shift with excellent results.

I also had the “infamous” DLV backbox fitted and I really enjoy the new noises coming from the back, particularly on the liftoff. Silly fun



After coming back, I have taken a stab at ChrisFix's method of restoring the headlights. I have used kits before but the headlights would always yellow/haze over just in time for next MOT, so I hope the clear UV-proof lacquer will protect them for longer. I think the results speak for themselves




[youtube]UEJbKLZ7RmM[/youtube]

 

[srhutch]

Looking good

Enjoy the NC500. I look forward to doing it again one day.

 

[tadekk]

65,428 - 24 Aug 2019

Because of steering wheel wobble getting worse and the fact they were fitted wrong way round, I have bit the bullet and replaced warped front disc and pads with Textar ceramic epads. While everything was out I took the opportunity to paint the OEM caliper in unassuming silver as there is nothing to boast about I think it’s a massive improvement, but the rears will have to wait until spring.

 

[tadekk]

Happy to report new front brakes cured the wobble so I have no more issues with it.

As the project has somewhat completed, my car situation/needs have changed so I have put this car up for sale https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=120809

 

[tadekk]

66,309 - 19 Apr 2020

Just because I decided to sell it does not mean I don’t care about the car anymore! As planned, I went ahead and refreshed the rear brakes. Since the rotors and pads (both Mintex) were in good shape, I did not change them unnecessarily.

Instead, the disk and caliper carrier were derusted with BH Deox-C, and I have sanded and painted brakes in silver to match the front. I have also used the surface cleaning tool (Laser 7411) to clean up the hub and all mating surfaces. Looks good to me!

 

[tadekk]

Fresh MOT, just in time for the new owner