Long time viewer of the forum but not as active on the post front, so thought I'd do a bit of a mini write up as I've now had the zed 3 years.
Completely standard when I picked it up but didn't take long after viewing this forum to want o start 'tinkering'.
Just after I picked the zed up:
Was unfortunately showing signs of have a small bump with a tow bar - so after consulting the great guides on here the bumper was off and in for a respray and repair - I did this relatively on the cheap and got it sprayed for £150 - although good at the time it didn't last as long as i'd of hoped and the stone chips took their toll again - more at end of post on this one!
Before the car arrived I had ordered a stubby! So this went on as soon as I got back home.
One of the first minor mods I did was to carbon wrap the door handles inside as well as around the gear stick - these have now lasted 3 years which isn't bad - no signs of wear/bubble.
Then followed a ZHP - much improved both the feel and look.
Aux in mod seemed an essential addition - cheap and easy. Also found the vents relatively easy to remove which surprised me! Added to this a Brodit mount for the iPhone and I was free of the cd changer.
I didn't like the lack of Bluetooth in a relatively high end car and after seeing a parrot CK3100 on here I picked one up for a few quid off ebay and got it installed and working. There probably better ways of adding Bluetooth but for the cost of £50 all in I was happy enough. I liked the way I could hide the unit itself in the ashtray - with the iPhone in the Brodit I had no need to see the unit itself.
I wanted an m steering wheel but cost was prohibitive - my sterling wheel was bog standard - no multifunction control - then I found on ebay a full set of the multifunction controls brand new with a starting price of £5. Nobody bid and thankfully no one ever linked to here! So £5 later and an improved wheel - plan to get this re-covered going forward to improve the thickness/feel.
Before:
After:
My 108's were in good nick so in order to try preserve them I sourced a second set from good old ebay. These had grey inners and a painted lip and I've used these on the car during the winter months to keep salt away from the polished lip 108's!!
The one thing that kept annoying me on the cars looks was ginger! So I purchased from BMW the clear side indicators and managed to pick up the de gingered rears off a member on here. Unfortunately the headlights had to stay a while. But in an attempt to improve the candlelight I fitted one aftermarket HID's - I did miss xenons - coming from a Clio 172 previously where they were standard. Took the opportunity at this time to upgrade the number plate bulbs and interior bulbs to led. While later the useless boot light was also upgraded to an led strip - could finally see what was in there!!!
Didn't do too much else then - kept an eye out for clear headlights but seemed like a set would never come up - but couple of months ago I managed to source some from a member on here. Couldn't wait to get these fitted so in they went. Much improved the font end and knocked years off the car. Unfortunately it highlighted further how shabby the front bumper had got - so respray time again - not quite that easy tho as then started thinking that if the bumper was coming off I might as well take the chance to facelift! I much prefer the front of the facelift so after a search on ebay a bumper was sourced. Combination of ebay/Sopers and I had all the component parts.
Last week in the bumper went for respray - took no time in getting it all fitted and here is how the zed currently looks - just need to source some new tyres and the summer 108's will be back on:
Currently sporting the resident machine monkey's exhaust tips also, cheers Mat!
Future plans?
Steering wheel re-trim.
Potential lowering.
Tempted by some anthracite CSL's as a few members have picked up from BMautosport. Would run these in the worse weather with the polished lip 108's on for summer.
But that's it ...... For now!
Some of the costs during ownership:
Roof motor & labour : £428
Supply and fit brake pressure sensor/inlet valve adjuster plus brake fluid change: £317
Inspection 2 : £275
All the above done via Pete at Autotech Performance in Telford - highly recommended!
Meyle HD lower control arm and lollipops £205 plus £78 labour to fit
Not too bad too run really - as most people find fairly economical for a 3.0.
Still puts a smile on my face and after face lifting the front and freshening the look I can't see me wanting to change anytime soon!
Completely standard when I picked it up but didn't take long after viewing this forum to want o start 'tinkering'.
Just after I picked the zed up:
Was unfortunately showing signs of have a small bump with a tow bar - so after consulting the great guides on here the bumper was off and in for a respray and repair - I did this relatively on the cheap and got it sprayed for £150 - although good at the time it didn't last as long as i'd of hoped and the stone chips took their toll again - more at end of post on this one!
Before the car arrived I had ordered a stubby! So this went on as soon as I got back home.
One of the first minor mods I did was to carbon wrap the door handles inside as well as around the gear stick - these have now lasted 3 years which isn't bad - no signs of wear/bubble.
Then followed a ZHP - much improved both the feel and look.
Aux in mod seemed an essential addition - cheap and easy. Also found the vents relatively easy to remove which surprised me! Added to this a Brodit mount for the iPhone and I was free of the cd changer.
I didn't like the lack of Bluetooth in a relatively high end car and after seeing a parrot CK3100 on here I picked one up for a few quid off ebay and got it installed and working. There probably better ways of adding Bluetooth but for the cost of £50 all in I was happy enough. I liked the way I could hide the unit itself in the ashtray - with the iPhone in the Brodit I had no need to see the unit itself.
I wanted an m steering wheel but cost was prohibitive - my sterling wheel was bog standard - no multifunction control - then I found on ebay a full set of the multifunction controls brand new with a starting price of £5. Nobody bid and thankfully no one ever linked to here! So £5 later and an improved wheel - plan to get this re-covered going forward to improve the thickness/feel.
Before:
After:
My 108's were in good nick so in order to try preserve them I sourced a second set from good old ebay. These had grey inners and a painted lip and I've used these on the car during the winter months to keep salt away from the polished lip 108's!!
The one thing that kept annoying me on the cars looks was ginger! So I purchased from BMW the clear side indicators and managed to pick up the de gingered rears off a member on here. Unfortunately the headlights had to stay a while. But in an attempt to improve the candlelight I fitted one aftermarket HID's - I did miss xenons - coming from a Clio 172 previously where they were standard. Took the opportunity at this time to upgrade the number plate bulbs and interior bulbs to led. While later the useless boot light was also upgraded to an led strip - could finally see what was in there!!!
Didn't do too much else then - kept an eye out for clear headlights but seemed like a set would never come up - but couple of months ago I managed to source some from a member on here. Couldn't wait to get these fitted so in they went. Much improved the font end and knocked years off the car. Unfortunately it highlighted further how shabby the front bumper had got - so respray time again - not quite that easy tho as then started thinking that if the bumper was coming off I might as well take the chance to facelift! I much prefer the front of the facelift so after a search on ebay a bumper was sourced. Combination of ebay/Sopers and I had all the component parts.
Last week in the bumper went for respray - took no time in getting it all fitted and here is how the zed currently looks - just need to source some new tyres and the summer 108's will be back on:
Currently sporting the resident machine monkey's exhaust tips also, cheers Mat!
Future plans?
Steering wheel re-trim.
Potential lowering.
Tempted by some anthracite CSL's as a few members have picked up from BMautosport. Would run these in the worse weather with the polished lip 108's on for summer.
But that's it ...... For now!
Some of the costs during ownership:
Roof motor & labour : £428
Supply and fit brake pressure sensor/inlet valve adjuster plus brake fluid change: £317
Inspection 2 : £275
All the above done via Pete at Autotech Performance in Telford - highly recommended!
Meyle HD lower control arm and lollipops £205 plus £78 labour to fit
Not too bad too run really - as most people find fairly economical for a 3.0.
Still puts a smile on my face and after face lifting the front and freshening the look I can't see me wanting to change anytime soon!
