Gordo's E85 Z

G

Gordo-B

Member
Hi there, I am a new register to the forum although I have been using it since I got my Z just under a year ago. I must say you are all a very Knowledgable bunch and have picked up some really great info.

So anyway lets get started. I have a 2003 2.5i Z4 I bought the car in june 2013 as unmodified with 50k on the clock.

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Then the mods began :evil:

Wheels: RIVa DTM 18's black with 255 rears and 225 fronts. Big rears was a massive improvement not only that they fill the arches a lot better but in the rain there is so much more grip back there.
Next up was a AFE intake, this was expensive but worth it to be honest and a new exhaust, built by Stainless creations really great guys and then got 3.0 injectors fitted with a remap car now makes 225bhp and 265nM
so not far from the 3 liter :D
I also picked up a hard top same colour as the car, and the z4M front strut brace, and fitted the cruise control unit... best thing you can do to your car for £60.

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So after all this I managed to get my car on track a couple of weeks ago with track day scotland round knockhil. Really great day only problem i found with the Z is BRAKES :o :?

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So after the day I have decided I am going to do the E46 big brake conversion, front and rear (325mm fronts and 320mm rears)
I have already picked up some new disks and pads and got some callipers front and rear from an e46 330ci so stay tuned for the progress. It sounds like the rear handbrake sounds a bit of a hassle but me and my pal who is frankly a mechanical wizard have a couple of ideas.
 
Ok so a bit of a update with the 330 big brake conversion. Fronts went on like a dream and were complete bolt on. Rears however are a definite no no :headbang: , Callipers need to be spaced to accommodate disc and handbrake is hugely off would take a massive amount of work to fit.
So if anyone is looking for callipers pads and disk I have a brand new set going cheap lol.
 
Do you have before and after of the front brakes? At the next track day let us know how much better the bigger brakes feel
 
Ye I have some before and after of the front brakes I will post up soon. I am a bit gutted about the rears to be honest, there is very little in terms of resources to find out about fitment so I thought try it for myself kind of thing... but the hat on the discs are completely different not to mention that handbrake so its stock rears for the time being. Also noticed I have a snapped rear spring :( common Z4 fault I suppose anyone got a part number for rear springs?
 
Yay! Another local! Looks like a cracking motor! Love what you've done to it.

Maybe it was yourself Greg from Stainless Steel creations was talking about.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
 
congrats.
Regarding the rear brakes, either install the full rear hub assembly from a 330i, or just buy the carriers off a E46 328i / Z4 3.0i and use your own calipers.
The front 325 mm's are a bit of a waste, you get a bit more bite, but not much extra fade resistance. You'll need a good brake pad, brake lines and fluid for that.
If the car is still a street cruiser for the occasional track day, you might consider Carbone Lorraine RC5+ or Performance friction 08 compound pads along with Dot 5.1 brake fluid like Castrol SRF(one of the best) or ATE super blue dot 4 which even though it's just Dot 4, exceeds fade resistance of many Dot 5.1 fluids. I've heard that the wilwood racing 5.1 fluid is very good as well.
Don't bother with Hawk HPS or HP plus, the bite is good, but it fades too easily.
 
Hey Thanks for all the replays. It was Graden I was speaking with at stainless creations, they are a really good outfit and really knowledgeable guys. Thanks Tommy for the brake info Ive had the front 330i brakes on for a week or so now and have noticed a bit more bite and definitely less fade on the country roads. I am now running performance discs and pads as well so im sure that has helped. Next brake mod will be sorting the rears... Am I correct in saying the 3.0si rears are a bolt on?
This wont be for a while tho as insurance renewal is next week and im 23 :(
 
Hey Thanks for all the replays. It was Graden I was speaking with at stainless creations, they are a really good outfit and really knowledgeable guys. Thanks Tommy for the brake info Ive had the front 330i brakes on for a week or so now and have noticed a bit more bite and definitely less fade on the country roads. I am now running performance discs and pads as well so im sure that has helped. Next brake mod will be sorting the rears... Am I correct in saying the 3.0si rears are a bolt on?
This wont be for a while tho as insurance renewal is next week and im 23 :(
 
UPDATE:

Treated the Z to some new suspension, Koni sport adjustable shocks and H&R springs :D In addition I fitted black series Polly bushes to the car and got a full fast road set up at Pro grip. Suffice to say the car now handles superb, I was worried it would be a bit to stiff but in all honesty due to the progressive springs there is not much difference in day to day driving but when you push on a bit it just make the car so much better :driving: :D

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