7 years (Updated, Aero Skirts, M Rear Bumper)

The wealth warning is so true. I'd have been happy with a 3l engine but oh no, thanks to the forum I found myself driving an M...then buying csl wheels even though the existing ones were perfectly fine and expensive enough...then the detailing started. Oh dear. Glad to hear your 7 years have been so rewarding and equally financially unsound...the car looks great by the way!
 
tomTVR said:
My 3.0i has been such a great car in every way. Fast, great handling, reliable, superb MPG for the sort of car, big boot, stunning looks for an 8 year old design. I bought it for £8300 in december 2008 and looking at the classifides i should easily get £6500 now, £1800 depreciation in 29 months of ownership represents pretty good residuals in my book, particularly compared to the cars i listed above.

So i'm trying to decide between 3 options. Supercharge mine, upgrade to a Z4M or save for another couple of years and get an M3 CSL (my dream car)

On a side note. 103's + eibach springs = looks awsome, the roadster doesn't need big wheels IMO.

Same feelings here.

There is nothing I want really. I'd love to try a Tamora, and a VX220 Turbo, but they will all cost more to get, and come with trade-offs that I'm not sure will be worth the swap.

I'd love a CSL too. When I finish renovating the house more, and have money surplus, and maybe a kiddy or two running around, then a CSL will be on the cards I think. Just budget for it, get it, and enjoy it :D

Supercharger would be ace, just not sure it'd not need to then have a clutch, a decent LSD, and maybe other work. Could be expensive and work out similar money to an M all said and done... just can't be sure. I'd need to drive a 3.0i TS2 and a Z4 M and decide from that I think...


Or, just do what I'm doing. Upgrade with the best bits from OEM. M-sport seats, tweak the standard exhaust to get more 'fruit' from it, maybe gonna get some CSL reps and sell the 107's and 108's I have... also have my old seats/door cards to sell to cover the upgrade.

Just not sure if I'd want to lower the car with 19" staggered CSL reps. People say you have to, but I'm not sure... really need to see CSL reps on a standard 3.0i to get an idea :D

Dave
 
Off topic. Dave have you considered 18" CSL reps + eibach springs? As i mentioned above, i am of the strong belief that the roadster doesnt need any more than 18" wheels max and they would look particularly flush in the arches with a 15mm drop.

You also get better handling, cheaper tyres and shadow chrome CSL's + silver car = heaven!
 
18" reps might just look a bit naff.

What I really need to do is have access to all the combos and try them out :D

Eibach springs, hmmm. Would probably go for just some good adjustable dampers if anything. Lowering would make the car unusable in most day to day situations. It already scrapes and bumps it's nose when driving spiritedly at times on more interesting roads. Last thing it needs is being lower imo :D

Dave
 
Had mine three years was going to get rid,then i came across forum,now do i move up the ladder or put my stamp on it,woluld like to mod engine but keep the outside quite so no one no's, :poke:
 
great story and congrats on the 7 years :D

so many things ring true here too...

I had never modified a car in any way before I found this Forum.... it is dangerous :D :evil:
 
Thanks for all the positive comments, good to see I'm not alone with my affliction. These cars do seem to have a habit of getting under your skin.
Now where's that search button for modifications..............................
tomTVR said:
Fantastic writeup Richard. I'm really pleased you managed to restore the bumper i sold you :thumbsup:
Can't take any credit for it I'm afraid, I dropped it off with the guy who refurbed my wheels, he filled in all the holes including the washer jets, sprayed it tried three different types of carbon wrap and all for £180 absolute top bloke. So if anyone in SW Scotland wants any work doing I can't recommend Mark at Colourworx in Dumfries enough, just don't be in rush for anything as he is swamped at the moment.
 
Hi, my first post, although I have had my 3i for a month now. I have had loads of cars, including 5 Porsches. When my 996 when in for some accident repairs they gave me a Z4 loan car. To be honest, although it wasn't finished to such a high standard, it was so much better to drive. My wife said she liked it better, not that she knows anything about cars of course. So I am now the happy owner of a Z4, the funny thing is that I have had three admiring comments from passage by so far, that never happened with any of the Porsches. I agree with all of the posters comments, and can see me keeping mine for 7 years too!
 
Lovely write up and post Richard - my idea when buying the zed was as a toy for a year or two - that idea is already shelved with some long term plans/trips/developments - all down to this forum and meets to date....good luck for next 7 years and beyond !
 
I know this is bumping an old thread, but this is a fantastic story, and I really enjoyed reading it! :thumbsup:
 
Really nice story, that is one fantastic looking roadster! I have just joined and hope to have the same experience! :D
 
Glad you did bump this IK as I missed this great write up by RichardG first time round..... :thumbsup: she's a stunning car and I have yet to see the latest editions .. hopefully 2012 .

I am a serial car changer but the Z4 is a keeper ..... I'm convinced that it's a future classic and am sadly keeping my orange headlamps in the garage should i need /decide to swap back to original guise as she gets older.
 
Just entering my 6th year of ownership from new and have to say, helped by being a 4-pot, its been the best, cheapest, most trouble-free ragtop motoring I've ever had.....all hail the Zed :roundel:
 
I was going to launch a new thread called 'Does My Bum look Big In This' but then thought it would nice to continue this thread and show what I've been up to in one place.

So here goes.

Just picked up my Zed from having a bit work done and these are the results. It's not finished yet as the exhaust conversion still needs to be done but I can't get that done until June.
And as I'm missing all the upcoming runs due to work I thought I'd share a few pictures of what has been done.

DSC00753.jpg

DSC00756.jpg

DSC00757.jpg

DSC00758.jpg

DSC00754.jpg

DSC00760.jpg


So as you can see I've had the front cross member on the front bumper sprayed Satin Black, Aero Skirts are on, and a rear M bumper has been modified to accept Pre-facelift lights.

Here's how it was done.
Remove bumper
DSC00734.jpg

Mark out sections to remove.
DSC00735.jpg

Offer up bumper.
DSC00737.jpg

'New' fill in pieces offered up.
DSC00741.jpg

Hot staples then hold the two pieces together.
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Getting ready for spraying.
DSC00749.jpg

Primed ready to go.
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I'll admit I have nothing to do with the process beyond signing the cheque at the end.

The exhaust is being done at the same place Ranski and a few others have had their conversions at, so if anyone knows a cheap B&B in the area and what I can do to kill 2 days without transport round there please let me know.
 
Wow!

that bumper project is briliant. You would never know it was not an original part - top marks!!

and, loving those wheels.
 
Loving the 'signing the cheque' line

Looks great, a real head turner

You still thinking of using the exhaust place down Mansfield way?


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Why didnt you just source some facelift rear lights?

I have a pair, just no rear bumper yet. I think they freshen up the rear somewhat.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2
 
ranski said:
Loving the 'signing the cheque' line

Looks great, a real head turner

You still thinking of using the exhaust place down Mansfield way?


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Errrrrrr.....................
RichardG said:
The exhaust is being done at the same place Ranski and a few others have had their conversions at, so if anyone knows a cheap B&B in the area and what I can do to kill 2 days without transport round there please let me know.
:poke:

T2FFN said:
Why didnt you just source some facelift rear lights?

I have a pair, just no rear bumper yet. I think they freshen up the rear somewhat.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

Quite simply because I didn't want to.
I prefer the original lights be it in Quad Spot form.
 
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