Looking for help with my new (second hand) E85

[Dr. Zed]

Hi all!

Quite new here but been reading some interesting topics/posts over the last few weeks.
I bought a Z4 recently. I got a decent deal on it but as with any second hand car of this age it does have some issues I'd like to fix.

Apologies in advance if this post is long!

Firstly, the passenger window won't go down. I've read a few things on here about regulators etc and I'm looking at getting a repair kit but thought someone might point me in the right direction anyways. I can hear the motor working, and sounds good. I had a window come off the rails in an old Renault of mine years ago. Could this cause it?

The previous owner was kind enough to fork out the cost for a new set of angel eyes which is lovely. However, they were never wired up and so currently it's still operating standard halogen bulbs and no angel eye function. I have zero knowledge or confidence with electrics so does anyone know where I might get this down in and around the Swindon area? I'd like to get the Angel Eyes working (I believe they're LEDs) and also add a HID kit.

And lastly, has anyone got any experience in re-trimming the steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake? I've read a few posts on this forum, unfortunately many of these How To guides have now no longer got images so it's difficult to follow a guide. The same applies to wrapping the centre console and dashboard in carbon fibre. I'm not a fan of the brushed ali look. Any recommendations of where to get this done or where best to get wrap and re-trim kits would be much appreciated!

Thanks for the help. Hopefully it all makes sense. Just really want to get the car more in line with my taste for it

 

[kis]

And lastly, has anyone got any experience in re-trimming the steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake? I've read a few posts on this forum, unfortunately many of these How To guides have now no longer got images so it's difficult to follow a guide.

http://royalsteeringwheels.com/bmw-z-series/
They'll be able to re-trim your steering wheel, gear gator, and handbrake.

The same applies to wrapping the centre console and dashboard in carbon fibre. I'm not a fan of the brushed ali look. Any recommendations of where to get this done or where best to get wrap and re-trim kits would be much appreciated!

I'd avoid wrapping as eventually it will start to peel or bubble. Unless you plan on changing every few years?
I'd go down a piano black route or even leather (but these don't come up that often). Theres someone in Bristol that will swap your dash for you. https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=104283

Sorry I can't be of more help with the others.... oh and welcome 8)

 

[Dr. Zed]

Thanks for the reply kis. Much appreciated!
I've come across that company a few times on this forum (and from my own research). I was looking for something a little closer since driving to Aylesbury is quite a while when you factor in that the car will need to be left there more than likely. I get that it's not that from Swindon but I'm hoping to find some forum members that know people even more local. But I will definitely keep them mind. The fact they keep coming up on this forum must surely be a good sign.

I've never seen leather personally. Piano black would be nice but I'm not a fan of the shiny-look, also it scratches easily. I hadn't thought about it bubbling, surely this wouldn't be an issue if it was done correctly though would it? I've contacted Alan regardless though, so thanks for the link.

You've provided plenty of information, thanks! And thanks for welcoming me

 

[patriot66]

Like many other forum members I chose to wrap mine in carbon effect. I used quality 3M wrap back in April'16 and it shows no sign of peeling or bubbling

 

[HinesBeans]

Like many other forum members I chose to wrap mine in carbon effect. I used quality 3M wrap back in April'16 and it shows no sign of peeling or bubbling 20200611_201902.jpg

Looks good that mate, I’ve been quoted £160 for the full interior in Carbon.

 

[patriot66]

Like many other forum members I chose to wrap mine in carbon effect. I used quality 3M wrap back in April'16 and it shows no sign of peeling or bubbling 20200611_201902.jpg

Looks good that mate, I’ve been quoted £160 for the full interior in Carbon.

Why not do it yourself ? You can strip the dash and centre console out, wrap them and refit in a day or over a weekend easily. Plenty of variety in wraps on Ebay...for a lot less than £160 !

 

[HinesBeans]

Like many other forum members I chose to wrap mine in carbon effect. I used quality 3M wrap back in April'16 and it shows no sign of peeling or bubbling 20200611_201902.jpg

Looks good that mate, I’ve been quoted £160 for the full interior in Carbon.

Why not do it yourself ? You can strip the dash and centre console out, wrap them and refit in a day or over a weekend easily. Plenty of variety in wraps on Ebay...for a lot less than £160 !

Haha, I wouldn’t know where to start :? .. I thought that was a decent price for dash trims, centre console and door trims plus the removal. I may give it ago 8)

 

[Dr. Zed]

Like many other forum members I chose to wrap mine in carbon effect. I used quality 3M wrap back in April'16 and it shows no sign of peeling or bubbling

Looks really good mate. I've seen it done on a few and that's what made me want to do mine in carbon. If I was doing it myself I'd definitely us 3M stuff that's for sure. Where did you get your wrap patriot? And how much of it did you need? I'm thinking 1.5x1.5 m should do it, no?

[/quote]

Haha, I wouldn’t know where to start .. I thought that was a decent price for dash trims, centre console and door trims plus the removal. I may give it ago

This is the issue I have too. There's some guides online, and on this forum, but I've found maybe have broken links to videos/pictures and so I'm a little cautious of just going prying at the dashboard. I know how that'd go - I'd get maybe a clip or two out and then start snapping clips from not fully understanding what to do, especially if there's screws that need to be removed beforehand.

 

[Zed Baron]

Thanks for the reply kis. Much appreciated!
I've come across that company a few times on this forum (and from my own research). I was looking for something a little closer since driving to Aylesbury is quite a while when you factor in that the car will need to be left there more than likely. I get that it's not that from Swindon but I'm hoping to find some forum members that know people even more local. But I will definitely keep them mind. The fact they keep coming up on this forum must surely be a good sign.

I've never seen leather personally. Piano black would be nice but I'm not a fan of the shiny-look, also it scratches easily. I hadn't thought about it bubbling, surely this wouldn't be an issue if it was done correctly though would it? I've contacted Alan regardless though, so thanks for the link.

You've provided plenty of information, thanks! And thanks for welcoming me

Hi, Royals do an exchange service, so that you don't have to be without the steering wheel or the car. I've just had a steering wheel refurbished by them, excellent service (and cheaper than other trimmers Ive looked at)

 

[Dr. Zed]

Hi, Royals do an exchange service, so that you don't have to be without the steering wheel or the car. I've just had a steering wheel refurbished by them, excellent service (and cheaper than other trimmers Ive looked at)

I've fired them an email yesterday asking for their replacement service. We'll see what they say

 

[HinesBeans]

This is the issue I have too. There's some guides online, and on this forum, but I've found maybe have broken links to videos/pictures and so I'm a little cautious of just going prying at the dashboard. I know how that'd go - I'd get maybe a clip or two out and then start snapping clips from not fully understanding what to do, especially if there's screws that need to be removed beforehand.

Exactly mate.. don’t want to spend more in the long run replacing what I could potentially damage. Might just leave it to the experts 8)

 

[kis]

Forum is full of helpful people. Someone will be more than happy to help. You can easily pick up a second hand set of dash trims, get them wrapped, then someone can help you fit - if that's the route you want to go down

 

[Dr. Zed]

Exactly mate.. don’t want to spend more in the long run replacing what I could potentially damage. Might just leave it to the experts

In theory, I'd like to do it myself. I did a lot of work on my old car myself but that was over the course of me owning it so it was a lot of research. I'm a little older and (unfortunately perhaps?) have a little more disposable income which means I'm very impatient

Forum is full of helpful people. Someone will be more than happy to help. You can easily pick up a second hand set of dash trims, get them wrapped, then someone can help you fit - if that's the route you want to go down
Rare '15 Plate E85 Z4 3.0i SMG

That's actually a fair point mate. Hadn't thought of that. Wrap a replacement one and then sell my old one. Well this is why I decided to start this thread to see if there were any Zed owners in the Swindon area that would happily spend an evening giving advice etc (after the world has ended that is of course).
The dash I could wrap if I really took my time with it but the angel eyes is definitely never going to happen. I hate electrics!

 

[patriot66]

Dr.Zed, you should be fine with 1.5 x 1.5m. I bought a big piece maybe 2m x 2m just in case I fouled it up and I've got enough left to do it again probably. It was a while back now but got it on Ebay. I just looked for genuine 3M matt carbon with a good customer star rating

 

[Dr. Zed]

Dr.Zed, you should be fine with 1.5 x 1.5m. I bought a big piece maybe 2m x 2m just in case I fouled it up and I've got enough left to do it again probably. It was a while back now but got it on Ebay. I just looked for genuine 3M matt carbon with a good customer star rating

Sounds good, I don't want to leave myself short either (or even worse, not have enough to physically cover the long part of the dash and have to order more).
I've gone to 3M's website and found some local resellers so that might be my best best. 2x2 m sheet is 55 odd quid if I remember. Don't have a standard but for the amount it should do, I can live with that.

 

[Penelope]

Like many other forum members I chose to wrap mine in carbon effect. I used quality 3M wrap back in April'16 and it shows no sign of peeling or bubbling 20200611_201902.jpg

Looks good that mate, I’ve been quoted £160 for the full interior in Carbon.

Does that include removal and refitting the trim as well as wrapping and the wrap material? If so it's a bargain! Did mine myself. Was thinking of offering it as a service as I know a lot of people don't want the hassle. I wouldn't do it for £160 though!

 

[Dr. Zed]

@Penelope

I got quoted 200 for the material and the wrapping but that quote was on the premise that I would remove the pieces myself, which having now wrapped my dash myself, makes me realise that the removal is definitely where they would be looking to charge more because the centre console is a pain but the wrapping itself I would imagine would be nothing to a pro.

 

[craig3.2]

Thanks for the reply kis. Much appreciated!
I've come across that company a few times on this forum (and from my own research). I was looking for something a little closer since driving to Aylesbury is quite a while when you factor in that the car will need to be left there more than likely. I get that it's not that from Swindon but I'm hoping to find some forum members that know people even more local. But I will definitely keep them mind. The fact they keep coming up on this forum must surely be a good sign.

I've never seen leather personally. Piano black would be nice but I'm not a fan of the shiny-look, also it scratches easily. I hadn't thought about it bubbling, surely this wouldn't be an issue if it was done correctly though would it? I've contacted Alan regardless though, so thanks for the link.

You've provided plenty of information, thanks! And thanks for welcoming me

Hi, Royals do an exchange service, so that you don't have to be without the steering wheel or the car. I've just had a steering wheel refurbished by them, excellent service (and cheaper than other trimmers Ive looked at)

2nd that,use their exchange service at Royals,very good price for great work/end product,circa £150?

 

[craig3.2]

Hi all!

Quite new here but been reading some interesting topics/posts over the last few weeks.
I bought a Z4 recently. I got a decent deal on it but as with any second hand car of this age it does have some issues I'd like to fix.

Apologies in advance if this post is long!

Firstly, the passenger window won't go down. I've read a few things on here about regulators etc and I'm looking at getting a repair kit but thought someone might point me in the right direction anyways. I can hear the motor working, and sounds good. I had a window come off the rails in an old Renault of mine years ago. Could this cause it?

The previous owner was kind enough to fork out the cost for a new set of angel eyes which is lovely. However, they were never wired up and so currently it's still operating standard halogen bulbs and no angel eye function. I have zero knowledge or confidence with electrics so does anyone know where I might get this down in and around the Swindon area? I'd like to get the Angel Eyes working (I believe they're LEDs) and also add a HID kit.

And lastly, has anyone got any experience in re-trimming the steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake? I've read a few posts on this forum, unfortunately many of these How To guides have now no longer got images so it's difficult to follow a guide. The same applies to wrapping the centre console and dashboard in carbon fibre. I'm not a fan of the brushed ali look. Any recommendations of where to get this done or where best to get wrap and re-trim kits would be much appreciated!

Thanks for the help. Hopefully it all makes sense. Just really want to get the car more in line with my taste for it

Re the Window regulator,rs very possibly the cause of it,as they tend to break...did 2 or possibly 3 on my first z in 6 years,and 1 on my current z in past 8 years.
Don't buy it from BMW,get it from Eurocarparts, as They Supply Exactly the same part that BMW do,or certainly have done whenever I have got them...first part was a BMW supplied part,from then on used eco,and was exactly same part,as I think only one company make these for the e85/86 z,or certainly that was the case until a couple if years ago, don't expect that to have changed much.
Eurocarparts were around £35 cheaper from memory.
Hopefully this helps

 

[Dr. Zed]

Re the Window regulator,rs very possibly the cause of it,as they tend to break...did 2 or possibly 3 on my first z in 6 years,and 1 on my current z in past 8 years.
Don't buy it from BMW,get it from Eurocarparts, as They Supply Exactly the same part that BMW do,or certainly have done whenever I have got them...first part was a BMW supplied part,from then on used eco,and was exactly same part,as I think only one company make these for the e85/86 z,or certainly that was the case until a couple if years ago, don't expect that to have changed much.
Eurocarparts were around £35 cheaper from memory.
Hopefully this helps

I actually ordered one from ebay. Did the job in the end eventhough the white wheel inside the mechanism was a completely different size. Took about 10 hours because I couldn't get the window to line up on the back runner in the door. All sorted now though. 15 quid part with postage so happy out.