E85 3.0SI - new project thread

[JPB]

Hey all, great to be back on the forum after so long. I just picked up a new BMW Z4 E85 3.0SI (2006, LA56 FZL, new name 'Derby') yesterday from twomorelaps and it's now living in the Cotswolds. Took it up for its first run up to Broadway under fantastic dry conditions and a beautiful sunset.

Plans are:
1. Freshen everything that's stock (it's in really good condition from the looks of it so not much to do there)
2. Make upgrades to necessary components (gaptech roof module, relocate motor to boot)
3. Have fun
4. Give it a beautiful exhaust (maybe valved to not annoy neighbours) to hear that gorgeous N52 engine sound (I actually love it and slightly prefer it over my old M54 3.0i)
5. Continued and loving maintenance as required. I may wrap it in one of my favourite colours.

Things I love about this Z4 3.0SI:
- Steering is spot on and has perfect sensitivity, nimble round corners
- Fatness of M steering wheel feels great in the hand, even better than my 3.0i Royals steering wheel upgrade with extra thick nappa leather
- Gearbox feels mint, no notchiness and smooth all the way through, even reverse is a dream to thread in
- Handbrake is perfect (my old 3.0i did need recabling)
- Noticeably speedier than the 3.0i. As much as I loved my old Z4 this one just has that edge that you only feel when you're overtaking or enjoying yourself.
- Roof motor is fast! Obviously been kept in good condition despite not being relocated, had my old 3.0i roof motor relocated and reconditioned by RBM (before Ross opened his workshop) and that was great, but this is even faster and smoother than that.
- Roof already goes down when holding key unlock button (I believe this was standard from factory)
- Wheels, tyres and brakes are in perfect condition
- Exhaust tips look beautiful, better than other aftermarket tips I've seen before
- Sports heated electric memory seats are comfy, in excellent condition for the age and toasty.
- Internal heating and air condition) are boiling and ice cold, respectively.
- There's no dated satnav that never works or needs upgrading, just a nice, gorgeous, spacious dash

Things I'm looking forward to upgrading:
- Swapping disc brakes and pads out for upgrades (Brembo/EBC yellowstuff probably)
- Swapping tyres for Michelin Pilot Sport 4s or better
- Gaptech roof module (roof goes down on key but you have to hold button and doesn't go back up on key)
- Improved sound system (including Bluetooth features)
- Maybe upgrading suspension to ST coilovers or better

 

[1536Z4]

Congratulations on your new purchase

 

[bigwinn]

Superb!

Get your signature updated!!!

Stuart

 

[pvr]

Good location for the Z, I am refularly in Broadway - some nice meets at the hotel as well for exotica.

You can program the key to go up as well as down, but you still have to hold the button.

I am on Michelin PS5, they are really nice on the car.

 

[enuff_zed]

Very nice!
If you are looking at preventative maintenance then take a look at my 'Project Spa' thread and read the bit about the two non-return valves in the side of the block that control the oil to the vanos units. I'd never heard of them before and the filters in them were minging!

 

[coldel]

Great buy. Such a bargain too. Crazy price really. I would have bought this car in an instant this time last year when I bought mine.

On the key and roof opening/closing, are you sure that wasn't a Carly mod? Mine goes down on the key, but I thought it wouldnt go back up. Until I tried it a few times, on the third long press of lock it then went back up. Check to see if you get the three indicator flashes with a partial move of the indicator, if it does its likely you have a Carly mod on the car.

 

[JPB]

Superb!

Get your signature updated!!!

Stuart

Thanks Stuart! Oh lord, didn't realise I hadn't done that. Will do that and the bio picture now!!

 

[JPB]

Good location for the Z, I am refularly in Broadway - some nice meets at the hotel as well for exotica.

You can program the key to go up as well as down, but you still have to hold the button.

I am on Michelin PS5, they are really nice on the car.

Good shout, hopefully meet up with you sometime! PS5s sound like a good option. Can't wait

 

[JPB]

Great buy. Such a bargain too. Crazy price really. I would have bought this car in an instant this time last year when I bought mine.

On the key and roof opening/closing, are you sure that wasn't a Carly mod? Mine goes down on the key, but I thought it wouldnt go back up. Until I tried it a few times, on the third long press of lock it then went back up. Check to see if you get the three indicator flashes with a partial move of the indicator, if it does its likely you have a Carly mod on the car.

Hmm, perhaps? Tried the indicator, one flash only. Presuming not Carly mod then?

 

[coldel]

Ah ok. Usually people do a lot of coding with the Carly whilst its on and the indicator three flash is one of the common ones.
As I say, on mine, it needs you to hold down the lock button, release, hold, release, hold and on the third one it works. No idea why that is!

 

[pvr]

On mine, you need to press lock and hold it pressed. It will close the roof but not the windows.

Then release and press again, and the windows close.

Not sure what your third push is doing :lol:

 

[coldel]

First push did nothing, but someone suggested a second push will then activate the roof closing mechanism, the third the windows.

Not sure why, but it worked!

 

[pvr]

First push did nothing, but someone suggested a second push will then activate the roof closing mechanism, the third the windows.

Not sure why, but it worked!

And in that case, who cares

 

[ryushe]

Nice wheels, congrats!
I've got a very similarly specced car, only real difference is mine is LHD, has around 110k miles (~180k km) on the clock, and has a Oregon beige interior. It's my daily driver.

First things I did on mine after I got it was changing brake disks and pads, installing a new handbrake drum in the rear, getting new Bilstein B8s for the front (they were worn out), putting on some Michelin PS5s, installed a Gaptech module, and got a Bluemusic BT adapter plugged into the CD changer (which I wouldn't have used either way). Oh, and fitting my one off, home made aluminium shift knob which I had in my previous Z4 as well. And some other small bits and bobs.
Just little things, you know

And I'm fully with you on the sound of the N52 vs the M54. I prefer the N52 as well, it just rumbles and gurgles so very nicely, even fully stock.

Enjoy it!

 

[Mr Tidy]

That was a bargain. :wink:

The N52 is a great engine, so enjoy getting it up to the red-line sitting in that M-Sport seat. :driving:

Carly can do the 3 flash indicators and beep on locking that I really like.

If you are in the Cotswolds you might be nearer to Number 5 than Ross for getting the roof motor moved. Either way it's worth getting it done.

 

[Inspectorcluseo]

Just to say, love the car, I'll follow your thread with interest as I've just bought my first Z4, also a 3.0 Si, albeit a completely stock SE. I agree on the engine, it's really very good. I had an M3 E46 a while ago and for me this engine is up there, along with performance, given the lower weight of the Z4. I'm also lining up a few subtle mods... I like the sound of the gaptech, I've binned the runflats already for F1's, I'm getting a suspension assessment today as there's clearly some play where there shouldn't be.

 

[JPB]

That was a bargain. :wink:

The N52 is a great engine, so enjoy getting it up to the red-line sitting in that M-Sport seat. :driving:

Carly can do the 3 flash indicators and beep on locking that I really like.

If you are in the Cotswolds you might be nearer to Number 5 than Ross for getting the roof motor moved. Either way it's worth getting it done.

Thanks! Yeah loving those seats, they're so warm
Where is Number 5? I can't find it on google anywhere, but keen to check them out.

 

[JPB]

First upgrades
Yesterday (second day of ownership) I carefully removed and resprayed the kidney grills. I like the black and chrome combination, rather than grey and chrome that they previously were. I split them apart (no tabs broken, win!) and gave them five coats of black and five top coats of a clear, non-yellowing matt polyurethane for protection.


I also restored, polished and put four layers of clear coat protection on the headlights, so they should be perfect for many more miles.

 

[enuff_zed]

That was a bargain. :wink:

The N52 is a great engine, so enjoy getting it up to the red-line sitting in that M-Sport seat. :driving:

Carly can do the 3 flash indicators and beep on locking that I really like.

If you are in the Cotswolds you might be nearer to Number 5 than Ross for getting the roof motor moved. Either way it's worth getting it done.

Thanks! Yeah loving those seats, they're so warm
Where is Number 5? I can't find it on google anywhere, but keen to check them out.

[ref]Number5[/ref], someone is looking for you.
That should do it. :wink:

 

[JPB]

Day three of ownership and it's all trim restoration today. Gone are the drab and marked greys and in are the fresh, deep blacks!