Greetings from Bangkok!

[paulc_bkk]

Thank you all for the warm welcome

A major addition to the car was just completed... I added an aftermarket amp and sub to the oem 6 speaker system.










The amp and sub used to be in my old E36 convertible, so I needed to modify the sub box slightly to make it fit.



It has nicely filled out the sound without being an over-the-top bone-shaker

 

[paddy wright]

Welcome- love the e36!

 

[paulc_bkk]

Thank you all for the comments

I finally made some time to take a trip to the beach.... Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya



The car ran faultlessly, and quite economically too. I'm used to low mpg figures... my old E36 used to get between 16 and 22 mpg. The Z had been getting 22 on short runs to and from work, but managed an average of 31.5mpg on the expressways, although that included sitting in almost non-moving traffic for 1 hour as I was leaving Bangkok

 

[paddy wright]

Welcome- nice z and e36!

 

[paulc_bkk]

I've been a bit quiet recently - work has been crazy busy, but I've been a bit busy 'shopping' for modifications....

- I found a set of the (rare) roof cover trim
- I've grabbed a set of 2nd hand E46 coilovers - plan on getting them rebuilt before install
- I have a front brake upgrade consisting of Porsche Boxster S calipers, E46 M3CSL discs, and rear vented 3.0 discs & calipers - also being rebuilt before install
- I have some UltraRacing bits on order - strut brace, front and rear under-body braces. Eventually I may go for ARBs too.... not sure yet.

I've gone a bit retrofit crazy:
- I ordered and fitted the Cruise Control and the Sound 3.0 Generator. Both are great mods and I think all cars should have them!
- I ordered the Sport button and Passenger Airbag disable kit. Long story, but my car has a replacement ecu, and it seems it has the sport feature enabled, whereas my car wasn't originally specced for it - I plugged it in and it works.
- I got the aluminium center console piece with the arm-rest thing... I'll be getting the armrest covered in alcantara and have the aluminium painted piano black. Then I'll properly install the sport button and the passenger airbag disable
- I grabbed a pair of power-folding mirrors off ebay - family members from UK are coming to BKK in the next few weeks, so I'll get them painted and installed asap.
- I'm also on the lookout for PDC to retrofit

Anyway, here's some pics











And here's a couple of recent pics from yesterday....

 

[enzed4]

Wow - you've certainly caught the modifying bug :lol: . Car's looking great, nice work. Having just got back from Singapore/Hong Kong (and lived in Brisbane/Townsville) I know exactly what you mean by the weather being too hot to enjoy a convertible sometimes, but make the most of every opportunity you get to put the top down 8)

 

[paulc_bkk]

Wow - you've certainly caught the modifying bug :lol: . Car's looking great, nice work. Having just got back from Singapore/Hong Kong (and lived in Brisbane/Townsville) I know exactly what you mean by the weather being too hot to enjoy a convertible sometimes, but make the most of every opportunity you get to put the top down 8)

Thanks for the comment

I agree completely - according to the car's OBC it was 39.5 degrees yesterday morning, but luckily it had cooled to 32 degrees when I put the roof down. Anything above that is a bit uncomfortable for going roofless, but anything under that - as long as there's no sign of rain, the roof is off.

 

[jock156]

Welcome!

My brother is just about to leave Bangkok to move to South Korea and he has lived there for about 9 years teaching English!

 

[R60BBA]

BBS’ look mint.

Welcome

 

[Z4 COUPSTER]

Welcome. Could be one hell of a road trip to visit you.
Car looks amazing and them brakes..WOW!
Can't wait to see them fitted.
D

 

[Nanu]

All those mods and you have forgot to modernise that stubby

 

[paulc_bkk]

Been a while since my last update....

I got my brake upgrades all fitted.... I went with orange, as I’m embracing the overall orange indicator/turn signal visual.





Unfortunately not the best pic, but I’ll try to get some close-ups another day

I’ve also found a hardtop, so I went to check it out





Unfortunately it wasn’t the right shade of black, was missing the handle covers, needed a new front seal and was generally tatty - the seller wasn’t willing to negotiate so I walked away from it.

I’ve also started some of the installation prep-work for the folding mirrors and oem PDC systems.... modules are fitted and I’m piecing together wires for new looms.

Since I ended up not getting the hardtop I’m toying with the idea of getting some recaro seats

Oh, and I just noticed my status has changed from Newbie to Member.... but I’ll still post updates here as they happen

Thanks for looking

 

[paulc_bkk]

Bringing the thread back to life..... there are a few other upgrades I’ve added since the last time I posted in this thread


Ultraracing bars:




Piano black and alcantara:


I haven’t had chance to do much on the car recently as I’ve been sorting out some issues on my girlfriend’s R50 mini, but as I’m using that a bit at the moment I’ve got the interior apart again so I can finally sort out my power folding mirror retrofit


I’ve also got hold of some Renovo roof cleaner, colour restorer and waterproofer so I’ll aim to get that done before the rainy season starts again over here

Anyway, here’s a recent photo from before air-pollution/air-quality warnings were announced - I’ve been advised not to get the roof down until the air quality improves again:

 

[paulc_bkk]

A few people have left comments in some threads showing surprise at the fact I’m in Bangkok.... so I figured I’d point to this thread and give an update while I’m at it....

Since the last update I’ve added
- an alcantara steering wheel with piano black style spokes
- facelift (black) vents and head unit... I mostly wanted to be able to play MP3 cds since my iPod died
- a hardtop - this time in the right shade of black


Nothing else fitted yet, but many additional parts accumulated:
- Z4M steering wheel, which I’ve already had re-covered in alcantara
- front and rear bumpers and facelift rear lights (I’ve also got the facelift light module)

I am awaiting delivery of some Aero sideskirts which should hopefully arrive soon

And the biggest, craziest project is an auto to manual transmission swap - some of which were carried from the UK during a recent visit



Now I just need to find time to start getting bits installed

 

[Mr Tidy]

Nothing else fitted yet, but many additional parts accumulated:
- Z4M steering wheel, which I’ve already had re-covered in alcantara
- front and rear bumpers and facelift rear lights (I’ve also got the facelift light module)

I am awaiting delivery of some Aero sideskirts which should hopefully arrive soon

And the biggest, craziest project is an auto to manual transmission swap - some of which were carried from the UK during a recent visit

That's some serious modding!