UPDATED 10-11: Lights, Maintenance, Alps!
Trip No. 2, this time the classic annual Alpine trip. Before that, I decided to treat the Zed to some preventive maintenance as well as a much needed light upgrade. Read on here.
UPDATED 06-10: NC500 Adventures & ZedFest 2023
A trip Max, Joël and I had been looking forward to for the better part of a year was finally here. The NC500 and Zedfest 2023, what a trip it's been. Read on here.
UPDATED 06-06: Aero and Automotive Appreciation; Good updates come in Threes
Life's all about ups and downs, and how you deal with them. While the aero adventures related to Thomas aren't going well, there's still plenty to enjoy. Read on here.
UPDATED 26-04: Project PDM
12 Months from now, I'll start on what is no doubt the biggest project I've ever undertaken. So in celebration of that to-be milestone, I've bought myself another headache! More on that here.
UPDATED 13-02: Zandvoort Stumble, Seating Arrangements & Nosejobs
Didn’t quite manage to end 2022 on a high, with a reverse-expedition into the tyres at turn 12 on Zandvoort. More on those repairs, a final phase 2 interior upgrade and a whole new look here!
UPDATED 01-12: Aero Adventures, Muddy Hoons & Zandvoort Trackday
While I got my personal fill of aero parts, it seems more were yet in order! I also took the Zed to Zandvoort for a 30-minute blast around the GP track. Want to see the coupe the dirtiest it's been so far? Click right here
UPDATED 23-09: Como Revival, Croatian Capers & Wiper Woes
My first furore into Z4 ownership was a trip to Como. This year, it was the stepping stone to a week in Croatia. In preparation, the Zed got a little TLC, a CDV delete as well as new callipers. The trip was fun, although I did have one failure… Read it right here!
UPDATED 25-07: Aero Upgrades and the start of Interior Phase 2
Aero skirts and related components have become something of a treasure these days. I'm happy to say I've managed to strike gold, thanks to the help of one of this forum's greats. The interior has also undergone further work. Read more here!
UPDATED 01-05: Interior Phase 1 now complete
It's been a long time coming, but finally all the right parts came together in what is now officially the biggest job I've ever taken on for one of my cars. So far... Check it out here.
UPDATED 20-03: New Boots
Finally fitted and by popular demand: bronze CSL's on a green Z4... Classic combo, take a look.
UPDATED 22-12: Interior Madness
While the cream and wood may look good in an XJ or classic 7-series, I never fancied it in the Zed. So off on a slightly mental daytrip to fix that! Read more here.
UPDATED 23-11: Full Detail Results
Having a detailing studio comes with the perk of being able to really go all-in on your own car. The results can be found here.
UPDATED 27-09: Take Two
See that lovely white Z4 below? That was, by quite some margin, the shortest car-ownership experience I've been involved in thusfar. Check out this post for what came next...
Introduction
After my introduction in the newbies section, I figured it's now time to introduce not just myself but the car as well: a white E86 3.0Si coupe. I've always wanted an Z4 coupe but never had the A) means or B) chance. That is, until now!
Just over 2 weeks ago I went to see a white Z4 3.0Si. Individual interior spec, auto-box and in decent shape. Technically well-looked after, but in need of some visual improvement. Fortunately being the owner of a detailing studio has its perks, so we'll put her through the full process some time this winter. As this takes between 60 to 100 hours total, it won't be a quick job!
I picked up the car on Friday evening, 13th of August. That Saturday was a long work day, so didn't get to drive the car at all. Normally, that would have been somewhat disappointing, however... Sunday morning at 04.00, I set off on an 1100km drive to lake Como in Italy with a few car-minded friends. What better way to get to know your new car than to take it to the Alps 8)
Testdrive
Over the course of last week, I've added a total of around 2700km to the 151.500 already on the clock, including two 1100km trips on the autobahn and Swiss motorways (oh soooo smooth). What I've learned: I can't get enough of that straight-six howl when you go past 5000rpm. Which, on the autobahn, requires you to go well past 200kph if you want to sustain the noise :evil:
The car ran like an absolute dream- eventually. When I first got it, it rattled like a bag of spanners due to it having been stationary for a few weeks. Nothing a long drive couldn't fix though, as after the first 10 minutes it started to quiet down and when up to temperature it purred like a kitten. The rattle never came back either, so I've put it down to the lifters not being oiled up properly. As for consumption: not a drop of oil, but plenty of fuel. The motorway blast (cruise at 160-200kph) led to a consumption of roughly 9 litres per 100km. Not bad for such a big lump, especially compared to my previous 1750 Alfa 159 which used 11 litres per 100km. Heavy right foot in a heavy car and all that.
In the Alps, the Z4 really managed to impress. The engine pulls smoothly and the box goes through the gears nicely. One thing I've noticed is a slight whine when rising through the revs above 2500rpm. Sounds like it's coming from the front, so unlikely to be the diff. If anyone has any common pointers, feel free to share.
The steering feel is somewhat vague and at speed it feels planted yet twitchy. An adjustment of the excentric ring on the steering column is in order it seems.
Funny (afterwards) incident on the way home: a final push to hit 250kph resulted in a loud THUMP and a black piece of plastic going for a hard right. As it turned out, the headlight service hatch in the right wheelarch decided to eject at 70 metres per second. When in Italy, I noticed it was missing one of its two lips as well as a twist-lock. New item on order, since this one is now scattered across half a kilometer of German autobahn :?
Updates and Upgrades
Any plans? Short answer: loads! First things first, a stubby. I've already got it lying around waiting to be fitted, however the old one snapped off when trying to remove it, so a new antenna base is on order. Meanwhile, I've retrofitted LED indicators in the sides and rears giving a nice and crisp on/off cut-off. Fronts will have to wait, as I can't quite get to them through the service hatch (even when it's gone missing). Nice little touch by the seller: they fitted weighted hub caps which stay upright while the wheels turn. A gimmick which so far has proven highly entertaining when stuck in traffic, as you can frequently see people do a double-take when rolling by slowly
Also, new kidney grills were fitted under the Italian sunshine; gloss black to contrast nicely with the white paint. The roof and mirror-supports will be painted gloss black this winter (preferred over wraps), and I'll be upgrading to a set of M-bumpers as well. Interior? While I do like the two-tone leather, I've always lusted after Amarone extended leather. So maybe I'll be putting the current interior into vacuum storage and overhaul the entire interior. Fun winter projects...
I'll use this thread to keep track of my progress. If you want to see more pics: @bartsbimmer on Instagram
Trip No. 2, this time the classic annual Alpine trip. Before that, I decided to treat the Zed to some preventive maintenance as well as a much needed light upgrade. Read on here.
UPDATED 06-10: NC500 Adventures & ZedFest 2023
A trip Max, Joël and I had been looking forward to for the better part of a year was finally here. The NC500 and Zedfest 2023, what a trip it's been. Read on here.
UPDATED 06-06: Aero and Automotive Appreciation; Good updates come in Threes
Life's all about ups and downs, and how you deal with them. While the aero adventures related to Thomas aren't going well, there's still plenty to enjoy. Read on here.
UPDATED 26-04: Project PDM
12 Months from now, I'll start on what is no doubt the biggest project I've ever undertaken. So in celebration of that to-be milestone, I've bought myself another headache! More on that here.
UPDATED 13-02: Zandvoort Stumble, Seating Arrangements & Nosejobs
Didn’t quite manage to end 2022 on a high, with a reverse-expedition into the tyres at turn 12 on Zandvoort. More on those repairs, a final phase 2 interior upgrade and a whole new look here!
UPDATED 01-12: Aero Adventures, Muddy Hoons & Zandvoort Trackday
While I got my personal fill of aero parts, it seems more were yet in order! I also took the Zed to Zandvoort for a 30-minute blast around the GP track. Want to see the coupe the dirtiest it's been so far? Click right here
UPDATED 23-09: Como Revival, Croatian Capers & Wiper Woes
My first furore into Z4 ownership was a trip to Como. This year, it was the stepping stone to a week in Croatia. In preparation, the Zed got a little TLC, a CDV delete as well as new callipers. The trip was fun, although I did have one failure… Read it right here!
UPDATED 25-07: Aero Upgrades and the start of Interior Phase 2
Aero skirts and related components have become something of a treasure these days. I'm happy to say I've managed to strike gold, thanks to the help of one of this forum's greats. The interior has also undergone further work. Read more here!
UPDATED 01-05: Interior Phase 1 now complete
It's been a long time coming, but finally all the right parts came together in what is now officially the biggest job I've ever taken on for one of my cars. So far... Check it out here.
UPDATED 20-03: New Boots
Finally fitted and by popular demand: bronze CSL's on a green Z4... Classic combo, take a look.
UPDATED 22-12: Interior Madness
While the cream and wood may look good in an XJ or classic 7-series, I never fancied it in the Zed. So off on a slightly mental daytrip to fix that! Read more here.
UPDATED 23-11: Full Detail Results
Having a detailing studio comes with the perk of being able to really go all-in on your own car. The results can be found here.
UPDATED 27-09: Take Two
See that lovely white Z4 below? That was, by quite some margin, the shortest car-ownership experience I've been involved in thusfar. Check out this post for what came next...
Introduction
After my introduction in the newbies section, I figured it's now time to introduce not just myself but the car as well: a white E86 3.0Si coupe. I've always wanted an Z4 coupe but never had the A) means or B) chance. That is, until now!
Just over 2 weeks ago I went to see a white Z4 3.0Si. Individual interior spec, auto-box and in decent shape. Technically well-looked after, but in need of some visual improvement. Fortunately being the owner of a detailing studio has its perks, so we'll put her through the full process some time this winter. As this takes between 60 to 100 hours total, it won't be a quick job!
I picked up the car on Friday evening, 13th of August. That Saturday was a long work day, so didn't get to drive the car at all. Normally, that would have been somewhat disappointing, however... Sunday morning at 04.00, I set off on an 1100km drive to lake Como in Italy with a few car-minded friends. What better way to get to know your new car than to take it to the Alps 8)
Testdrive
Over the course of last week, I've added a total of around 2700km to the 151.500 already on the clock, including two 1100km trips on the autobahn and Swiss motorways (oh soooo smooth). What I've learned: I can't get enough of that straight-six howl when you go past 5000rpm. Which, on the autobahn, requires you to go well past 200kph if you want to sustain the noise :evil:
The car ran like an absolute dream- eventually. When I first got it, it rattled like a bag of spanners due to it having been stationary for a few weeks. Nothing a long drive couldn't fix though, as after the first 10 minutes it started to quiet down and when up to temperature it purred like a kitten. The rattle never came back either, so I've put it down to the lifters not being oiled up properly. As for consumption: not a drop of oil, but plenty of fuel. The motorway blast (cruise at 160-200kph) led to a consumption of roughly 9 litres per 100km. Not bad for such a big lump, especially compared to my previous 1750 Alfa 159 which used 11 litres per 100km. Heavy right foot in a heavy car and all that.
In the Alps, the Z4 really managed to impress. The engine pulls smoothly and the box goes through the gears nicely. One thing I've noticed is a slight whine when rising through the revs above 2500rpm. Sounds like it's coming from the front, so unlikely to be the diff. If anyone has any common pointers, feel free to share.
The steering feel is somewhat vague and at speed it feels planted yet twitchy. An adjustment of the excentric ring on the steering column is in order it seems.
Funny (afterwards) incident on the way home: a final push to hit 250kph resulted in a loud THUMP and a black piece of plastic going for a hard right. As it turned out, the headlight service hatch in the right wheelarch decided to eject at 70 metres per second. When in Italy, I noticed it was missing one of its two lips as well as a twist-lock. New item on order, since this one is now scattered across half a kilometer of German autobahn :?
Updates and Upgrades
Any plans? Short answer: loads! First things first, a stubby. I've already got it lying around waiting to be fitted, however the old one snapped off when trying to remove it, so a new antenna base is on order. Meanwhile, I've retrofitted LED indicators in the sides and rears giving a nice and crisp on/off cut-off. Fronts will have to wait, as I can't quite get to them through the service hatch (even when it's gone missing). Nice little touch by the seller: they fitted weighted hub caps which stay upright while the wheels turn. A gimmick which so far has proven highly entertaining when stuck in traffic, as you can frequently see people do a double-take when rolling by slowly
Also, new kidney grills were fitted under the Italian sunshine; gloss black to contrast nicely with the white paint. The roof and mirror-supports will be painted gloss black this winter (preferred over wraps), and I'll be upgrading to a set of M-bumpers as well. Interior? While I do like the two-tone leather, I've always lusted after Amarone extended leather. So maybe I'll be putting the current interior into vacuum storage and overhaul the entire interior. Fun winter projects...
I'll use this thread to keep track of my progress. If you want to see more pics: @bartsbimmer on Instagram
North West Surrey
