Jono's Z4 Coupe
- Thread starter JDavis21
- Start date
MrPT said:What mounting hardware did you go for for the the SPGs and do they foul the door cards like Pole Positions do?
Car is looking great, btw.
Thanks!
I went for the Macht Schnell copy bases, but the seats came used with side mounts and runners (not sure on brand). Plus Burkhart Engineering seatbelt brackets to make my life easy!
On first install the door cards rubbed slightly, but I've had a play and managed to get the seats as close to the gearbox tunnel as possible giving about 5mm clearance to the door card at the worst point (far back on the runners). The seat sits perfectly in line with the steering wheel now without rubbing, just means the central cupboard between the two seats won't open far.
I'm surprised to hear Pole Positions rubbed the doors, as I measured up a friend's at around 40mm narrower on the shoulder pads than my SPG's - so I was going to look for a set of I couldn't shuffle the SPG's around to fit better.
Photo was of my first attempt to install them:
Looking good. Yeah, the PPs are widely reported to rub - the non-ABEs less so - but people have had luck doing similar to what you’re doing, e.g. elongating mounting holes to move the seat closer to the trans tunnel. In combination with the slight lift provided by runners, it seems to be enough to eliminate or remove the rub.
I’m hoping to do something similar in the future and have been looking at the PP ABE and Cobra Nogaro (which looks like a great fit but is a little heavier). What are the “Macht Schnell copies”? The genuine MS stuff looks great, but if the standard hole pattern isn’t quite right then it’s hard to justify their cost and the amount of redundant metal.
I’m hoping to do something similar in the future and have been looking at the PP ABE and Cobra Nogaro (which looks like a great fit but is a little heavier). What are the “Macht Schnell copies”? The genuine MS stuff looks great, but if the standard hole pattern isn’t quite right then it’s hard to justify their cost and the amount of redundant metal.
MrPT said:
I hadn't read that prior to fitting, in fact I could only really find pictures of people with Sparco Evo's or Pole Positions fitted with door cards when doing research.
First drive to work today with the adjusted position felt great with no rubbing. I didn't actually have to take a drill to anything when fitting.
The below link is the copies:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/174052209597
I do agree, now fitted and in a position I'm happy with there's a lot of redundant material - but they made fitting very easy.
Hoping to complete some jobs on the Z4 over the next few weeks.
- Fit CSF Radiator and flush coolant
- Tidy up crusty fog lights and colour match blanks
- Interior clean, steam clean all carpets etc.
- Detail exterior following months of winter grime
I've been meaning to fit the CSF rad for a while now, it arrived in January as an upgrade following my coolant system failure at Donington in September. This is a job I've been putting off for a while due to the weather as I currently have to do everything on my drive. I'll try take some pictures during the install as the rad is rather nice, seems a shame to have to hide it away!
I also unfortunately missed out on the 6 month MOT extension as it was due today (extension is as of 30th March). But did pass with only one advisory about a chip on the passenger side of the windscreen that I had gained over winter. I did have a replacement screen due to be fitted this weekend whilst I was working at Donington Park but that's now more likely to happen in July.
On the MOT ramp:
I hope everyone is staying safe in these difficult times, and making the most of having some time to self isolate under your cars.
- Fit CSF Radiator and flush coolant
- Tidy up crusty fog lights and colour match blanks
- Interior clean, steam clean all carpets etc.
- Detail exterior following months of winter grime
I've been meaning to fit the CSF rad for a while now, it arrived in January as an upgrade following my coolant system failure at Donington in September. This is a job I've been putting off for a while due to the weather as I currently have to do everything on my drive. I'll try take some pictures during the install as the rad is rather nice, seems a shame to have to hide it away!
I also unfortunately missed out on the 6 month MOT extension as it was due today (extension is as of 30th March). But did pass with only one advisory about a chip on the passenger side of the windscreen that I had gained over winter. I did have a replacement screen due to be fitted this weekend whilst I was working at Donington Park but that's now more likely to happen in July.
On the MOT ramp:
I hope everyone is staying safe in these difficult times, and making the most of having some time to self isolate under your cars.
CSF Radiator successfully installed today, along with fresh coolant. I always hate coolant jobs, but this was surprisingly easy. Took a little while to drain all the original coolant from the system, but the self bleed mechanism worked well for refilling to the correct level.
Seems such a shame that something so shiny gets tucked away though.
Fitted the last few bits of trim after taking this.
Job for tomorrow is to take all four wheels off to degrime the wheel arches after daily duties this winter. Then wishing to give the outside a full polish and coating of wax. If time permits I also have the steam cleaner ready for action on the carpets, but I might save this one to keep myself busy next weekend...
Seems such a shame that something so shiny gets tucked away though.
Fitted the last few bits of trim after taking this.
Job for tomorrow is to take all four wheels off to degrime the wheel arches after daily duties this winter. Then wishing to give the outside a full polish and coating of wax. If time permits I also have the steam cleaner ready for action on the carpets, but I might save this one to keep myself busy next weekend...
Got a little carried away when cleaning the interior a few weeks ago and ended up removing the three brushed aluminium trim pieces for a change. Luckily a friend had some Alcantara kicking around from a project so he posted some offcuts down for me to try use.
Ended up working very well after a lot of hours.
Before:
After:
Really happy with the interior, but I'm currently torn between fitting a momo wheel or getting the OEM one retrimmed, so I'll stick with the leather for now.
Ended up working very well after a lot of hours.
Before:
After:
Really happy with the interior, but I'm currently torn between fitting a momo wheel or getting the OEM one retrimmed, so I'll stick with the leather for now.
The alcantara looks really good! did you have fitment issues due to the added thickness of the material? Or was the process relatively straight forward.
where.is.lee said:
Fairly straightforward if I'm honest, just time consuming.
I used some sandpaper to remove some of the sharp edges of the aluminium around the radio etc, so the alcantara curved round the corners more easily. That probably helped a little with fitment too.
No pictures with this update, but fitted an exhaust with the centre silencer removed today. It was cheap and gets a little more noise before I can budget for something more exotic.
Thanks to Liam22 for helping me fit it in my little Twingo to get it home yesterday. His track build looks ace in person, excited to see some more on boards once testing begins!
Thanks to Liam22 for helping me fit it in my little Twingo to get it home yesterday. His track build looks ace in person, excited to see some more on boards once testing begins!
Swapped out my Recaro SPG's for some Pole Positions a couple of weeks ago. The SPG's were great and supportive, but I'm quite slim and not all my friends are so fortunate, and there's nothing more awkward than a mate jumping in to find out he doesn't fit...
The swap wasn't as straight forward as planned, as the Poles are narrower around the shoulders but wider at the base - so I still need to do some fettling to bring them closer to the centre console and more in-line with the steering wheel.
I still need to do something about my steering wheel now the dash is Alcantara, so I feel I may be contacting Royal Steering Wheels very soon. Although I hate the overall diameter of the stock wheel, so would love to fit a MOMO, but I'll wait until the car is more track focused and I have harnesses fitted for that.
I also have a K Sport BBK on it's way from a friend that's just purchased AP 5000R's for his E46 M3. I'll either need to design my own bracket, or swap my wishbones/hubs over with the M items I have stored to fit them.
The swap wasn't as straight forward as planned, as the Poles are narrower around the shoulders but wider at the base - so I still need to do some fettling to bring them closer to the centre console and more in-line with the steering wheel.
I still need to do something about my steering wheel now the dash is Alcantara, so I feel I may be contacting Royal Steering Wheels very soon. Although I hate the overall diameter of the stock wheel, so would love to fit a MOMO, but I'll wait until the car is more track focused and I have harnesses fitted for that.
I also have a K Sport BBK on it's way from a friend that's just purchased AP 5000R's for his E46 M3. I'll either need to design my own bracket, or swap my wishbones/hubs over with the M items I have stored to fit them.
Great update Jono.
I just put a deposit down on a 3.0si, so i'll finally be joining the club! I'd quite like to go down a similar route to you. Certainly the pole positions and BBK.
Got to say that photo really shows off how good your alcantara dash has turned out! Very nice. A royal wheel would certainly finish it off.
I just put a deposit down on a 3.0si, so i'll finally be joining the club! I'd quite like to go down a similar route to you. Certainly the pole positions and BBK.
Got to say that photo really shows off how good your alcantara dash has turned out! Very nice. A royal wheel would certainly finish it off.