Hi,
I am not new to the forum but this is my first post. I have been a member since 2013 when I first got my Z4. I have benefitted so much from all the knowledge on the forum. Over the last 6 years I have been working slowly but steadily to bring my Zed up to scratch, and I think the car is now at a point where I won’t feel ashamed to show it against all the other amazing cars people have posted pictures of.
So here is the story. It’s a pre-facelift E85 in Black Sapphire with red leather sports seats, manual transmission and the 2.5 litre M54 engine. She wasn’t in good shape when I got her, she had been rather neglected.
So here’s what’s been done:
Mechanical
New gearbox seals (she was leaking gearbox oil when I got her). I had the gearbox oil changed.
Full lubrication of steering and suspension
Sticking steering mod (what a difference that made - thanks forum!)
Vacuum leak was fixed (rubber boot below DISA)
Lower control arm bushings changed
New ABS sensors
New tyres all round
New rear brake discs and pads (including getting the handbrake sorted)
DISA modification to stop the engine blowing itself up
I can’t remember the part name exactly but an airbag warning light showed that she needed a new electrical cable that went right through the car from back to front (had to take a lot of the cabin apart to do it)
Fixed a broken window regulator
Replaced the front headlamps with angel eyes as they were misting up
Fitted a performance air filter
Changed the oil every year
Repaired the wiper linkages
New spark plugs
Coolant changed regularly
Differential fluid changed
Brake fluid changed (obviously)
New brake calipers on the front
Fixed two buckled/distorted wheels
AC cleaned and recharged
Cabin filter changed
Drain holes cleared to make sure my hood motor stays nice and dry rather than becoming aquatic
Tracking/4 wheel alignment (obviously).
Cosmetic work/upgrades
Front bumper re-sprayed
Calipers painted in red and the hubs painted in silver
All wheels refurbished
New badges everywhere
New headlamps
Chrome exhaust tips added
Silver parts of the dashboard rubbed down and resprayed in back sapphire metallic
New gearbox and handbrake leather gaiter fitted with red stitching
New handbrake leather handle with red stitching
New OEM upgraded gearbox handle fitted
BMW cup holders added - don’t know why as they are useless
New OEM mats
Side skirts purchased from a breakers yard as the ones on the car originally were badly scuffed by close encounters with curbs by the previous owner who, apparently, did not know how to drive
Professional detail including machine polishing and ceramic coating (CarPro CQuartz UK 3.0)
Stubby fitted.
Still to to
Upgrade the speakers
Would love to change the suspension to make it less firm/crashy on B roads (you can tell the car was designed for the American market). She is not on runflats, which helps, but a more progressive set up would be great (any advice welcome).
Vanos kit
Re-colour hood
That’s pretty much it. Hope you like it.
It would have been much harder and mistakes would have been made without all the info on the forum so thanks a lot!
