Added to the collection

[enuff_zed]

Well after many months swapping components, chasing rattles, doing preventative maintenance and generally faffing about, I am (hopefully) running out of ways to feed my hobby with wifey's 2.5i.
So thoughts turned to the looming winter months and how I'd keep busy. Started doing a little looking around and discovered this little beauty.
2.2i in Sapphire Black, owned for the last few years by an elderly couple who don't have a decent knee joint between them and have decided that rather than be found starved to death in their car, they'd better pass it on to someone who could look after it.
It's been garaged and maintained regardless of cost. New front suspension (struts, springs, top mounts, wishbones, drop links), front brakes (calipers and discs), clutch, CCV system, four brand new tyres less than 1000 miles ago, even put a brand new Bosch battery with 4 year warranty on it only last month!
To be honest, it felt more like I was mugging them!
The 65 mile drive home was a pleasure. What a well sorted little car!
I shall be looking to do a few little improvements, tidy up the interior, swap out the scratched and chipped door pull handles etc. I shall also do the DISA and VANOS, check out the ICV etc.

However, I have a slight quandary: I cannot decide whether I like the wheels or not.
They are genuine AC Schnitzer 18". Never seen them on a Z4 before. First sight I thought they'll have to go, but every time I look at the car they seem to suit it more.

So what's the general consensus from you lot? Like or hate?

I would not be averse to doing a swap if someone took a shine to them...............

 

[M1k3yC]

I can take or leave the wheels, to be honest. I've seen some good refurbs on 108s where the outer is a different colour to the centre star. If done right, that looks good and might also suit these. However, if these are rare and worth money then I would personally flog them and buy something different. At one time I was looking for split rims (108s) for my coupe but the more tatty ones I saw and issues I heard about with taking them apart, lacquer peel, and so on, the more I was put off. The same things would worry me about these.

Nice E85, though.

 

[enuff_zed]

I can take or leave the wheels, to be honest. I've seen some good refurbs on 108s where the outer is a different colour to the centre star. If done right, that looks good and might also suit these. However, if these are rare and worth money then I would personally flog them and buy something different. At one time I was looking for split rims (108s) for my coupe but the more tatty ones I saw and issues I heard about with taking them apart, lacquer peel, and so on, the more I was put off. The same things would worry me about these.

Nice E85, though.

Cheers.
I have similar concerns, and would not want 108s for exactly that reason.
These are actually bare polished outers, so it'll be out with the autosol and then seal them.

 

[bigwinn]

you know my views!

thats a great addition to the fleet

 

[Zulu4]

Well done
Sounds like there isn't too much to tinker with.

 

[enuff_zed]

Well done
Sounds like there isn't too much to tinker with.

Oh I'll find something. :wink:

And then, when I believe it to be sorted, I shall hand the wife the keys and she'll come back with a list of rattles and squeaks that my ears (after 30-odd years of jet noise) can't hear: and we'll start all over again. :roll:

 

[Smartbear]

They look ok but it’s the added aggravation when they start to corrode that would stop me from keeping them.
Sell them on & buy some elipsoids for it 8)

Rob

 

[enuff_zed]

They look ok but it’s the added aggravation when they start to corrode that would stop me from keeping them.
Sell them on & buy some elipsoids for it 8)
4D0E4CB6-9FBA-4B84-A38B-7DF0B64830D9.jpeg
Rob

More or less my thinking Rob.
Funnily enough, was talking to Stuart (Bigwinn) about ellipsoids only yesterday.

 

[Big Bad Boris]

Another vote for107 ellipzoids. Had them on my previous E85 20i.. undoubtedly the best part of the car

I believe.anything AC Schnitzer is pricey, so a swap out may not prove too expensive.

 

[bigwinn]

Dont forget that with a car of that build date, you can retrofit stuff...

Cruise, heated seats....

 

[enuff_zed]

Dont forget that with a car of that build date, you can retrofit stuff...

Cruise, heated seats....

It has the heated seats. Cruise? Hmm yes could do. So the loom is in there already? Apart from fitting the switch then, any other work needed?
I'm still chuffed by the fact it's a genuine Star Wars car................first registered May the Fourth.

 

[bigwinn]

Dont forget that with a car of that build date, you can retrofit stuff...

Cruise, heated seats....

It has the heated seats. Cruise? Hmm yes could do. So the loom is in there already? Apart from fitting the switch then, any other work needed?
I'm still chuffed by the fact it's a genuine Star Wars car................first registered May the Fourth.

Yeah loom is there

You just need a switch and a cowling- which I think you can dremel the hole pre-cut anyway

Memory seats….

 

[enuff_zed]

Dont forget that with a car of that build date, you can retrofit stuff...

Cruise, heated seats....

It has the heated seats. Cruise? Hmm yes could do. So the loom is in there already? Apart from fitting the switch then, any other work needed?
I'm still chuffed by the fact it's a genuine Star Wars car................first registered May the Fourth.

Yeah loom is there

You just need a switch and a cowling- which I think you can dremel the hole pre-cut anyway

Memory seats….

Ha! Just Ebay'd the cruise stalk! That might slip down the list a bit.

Memory seats? Oh yeah, forgot about them. :roll:

 

[BumpyZ4]

Dont forget that with a car of that build date, you can retrofit stuff...

Cruise, heated seats....

It has the heated seats. Cruise? Hmm yes could do. So the loom is in there already? Apart from fitting the switch then, any other work needed?
I'm still chuffed by the fact it's a genuine Star Wars car................first registered May the Fourth.

Yeah loom is there

You just need a switch and a cowling- which I think you can dremel the hole pre-cut anyway

Memory seats….

The cowl already has the outline of wear you need to dremel molded in to it. Color inside the lines and it's an easy install.

 

[Argyll Andy]

You’ve got too much bloody time on your hands :lol:

Congratulations on the new addition and the next round of earache from Val :wink:

 

[enuff_zed]

You’ve got too much bloody time on your hands :lol:

Congratulations on the new addition and the next round of earache from Val :wink:

Well thanks for the support....................... I think :roll:

 

[Argyll Andy]

You’ve got too much bloody time on your hands :lol:

Congratulations on the new addition and the next round of earache from Val :wink:

Well thanks for the support....................... I think :roll:

You always get support from me, especially with spending money :lol:

 

[Mr Tidy]

Looking good OP.

Not sure about the wheels - I think I'd prefer Ellipsoids too!

 

[enuff_zed]

Looking good OP.

Not sure about the wheels - I think I'd prefer Ellipsoids too!

Yup it's looking like the wheels may have to go.
They can stay for now though as I have a list of other stuff to do.
Though the old boy said the front suspension had been done, it seems new springs were fitted on the old original struts.
So the list is currently:
Front shocks & top mounts
Rear shocks & top mounts
ARB bushes and rear drop links (fronts done)
Vanos
Disa
Cruise control (if I can find the elusive wiring that I'm told is hiding there somewhere)
Foot-well lights (found that wiring)
Replace/repair the chipped steering wheel trims and inner door pulls.
Relocate roof motor
Plus all the usual small stuff that crops up.

That'll keep me out of mischief for a while. :roll:

 

[JamesClements]

Great looking car - I'm sure I saw those wheels (or similar ones) on Ebay for £250.00 a corner the other day and they were pretty tatty! Schnitzer parts seem to hold their value quite well, enjoy the project :roll: