Avityesboy
Member
Honestly just save up and get a 35i/s.
Me and my Z4 journey
- Thread starter awt
- Start date
Scotland 🏴
Ohio
Lots of satisfaction in doing all of that yourself, I'm sure. Looks good and thank you for the thread with pics...
Of course I'd rather have a 35i(s), but it's quite hard to justify spending that amount on a "weekend car". Also the 23i is quick enough for my use, and I still have my X4 that's just .2 seconds slower to 100kmh than a stock 35i. The stuff I've done so far could easily be needed on a 35i as well.Avityesboy said:
There's been a few hours spent.Zed Baron said:Excellent, a lot of hard work there.
Thanks!Christopher72 said:
Back to the roof lining.
Bought some alcantaraish fabric from a local reupholsterer.
...and glued on. I tried to remove the original fabric, but it was impossible without damaging something, si I glued the new fabric on top.
Bought a small boot lid spoiler. My first exterior mod except for the antenna.
Bought some alcantaraish fabric from a local reupholsterer.
...and glued on. I tried to remove the original fabric, but it was impossible without damaging something, si I glued the new fabric on top.
Bought a small boot lid spoiler. My first exterior mod except for the antenna.
Second exterior mod.
Sourced a set of LCI repeaters. Needed to at new adhesive on them.
Also changed the license plate lights, as the old ones had some difference in the light output.
Repaired a broken tab for the kidney grills.
...and new OEM grills.
And a rare sunny day here in Norway.
Sourced a set of LCI repeaters. Needed to at new adhesive on them.
Also changed the license plate lights, as the old ones had some difference in the light output.
Repaired a broken tab for the kidney grills.
...and new OEM grills.
And a rare sunny day here in Norway.
Next thing; radio. Norway is one of very few countries with DAB-radio (UK is another), and I think it's a hassle to find the right app on my phone and all that, so I sourced an OEM DAB+ radio from the X1.
Antenna behind the non existing speaker for now.
Just plug & play
My car is equipped with 6FL USB socket for phone connectivity, and in 2009 they used the Mulf2 bluetooth module for that part. As the new radio has a built in USB socket, there's no need for this one, and I can connect everything directly to the radio.
The radio from the X1 also had bluetooth handsfree, which I wanted to retrofit. New steering wheel cover with holder for the microphone, a mic and a few wires got that sorted.
...and some spring photos after the car is registered again.
Antenna behind the non existing speaker for now.
Just plug & play
My car is equipped with 6FL USB socket for phone connectivity, and in 2009 they used the Mulf2 bluetooth module for that part. As the new radio has a built in USB socket, there's no need for this one, and I can connect everything directly to the radio.
The radio from the X1 also had bluetooth handsfree, which I wanted to retrofit. New steering wheel cover with holder for the microphone, a mic and a few wires got that sorted.
...and some spring photos after the car is registered again.
Did a new oil change. On year and 4336 km since last one.
I'm not a fan of the yellow calipers, and since I wanted to change the rear discs anyway, I gave them a quick makeover.
No need to change the front discs, so the calipers was painted on the car.
...and some thorough cleaning
Second roof failure. Same place as the last time, just the other wire. Luckily it happened at my home this time.
OEM BMW roof support.
A new placement for the phone mount.
I'm not a fan of the yellow calipers, and since I wanted to change the rear discs anyway, I gave them a quick makeover.
No need to change the front discs, so the calipers was painted on the car.
...and some thorough cleaning
Second roof failure. Same place as the last time, just the other wire.
Luckily it happened at my home this time.OEM BMW roof support.
A new placement for the phone mount.
Got some 12mm spacers from a friend. I think that 15mm rear and 12mm front is the sweet spot on OEM BMW wheels, but this will do the job for now.
Before.
...and after.
A bit more aggressive than before.
Time for a small road trip.
The ferry to Denmark seems to be from a James Bond movie.
And off we go.
Denmark!
Deutchland!
Got a bit south of Hamburg before taking the night.
Next day.
Visited the Loh Collection in Germany. This is really a must see place. The cars that are on display here are simply amazing.
W16 Bugatti Chiron engine.
Maybach Excelsior, only one ever made.
I will not spam with all my pictures, but the amount and quality of the cars here are just insane.
Before.
...and after.
A bit more aggressive than before.
Time for a small road trip.
The ferry to Denmark seems to be from a James Bond movie.
And off we go.
Denmark!
Deutchland!
Got a bit south of Hamburg before taking the night.
Next day.
Visited the Loh Collection in Germany. This is really a must see place. The cars that are on display here are simply amazing.
W16 Bugatti Chiron engine.
Maybach Excelsior, only one ever made.
I will not spam with all my pictures, but the amount and quality of the cars here are just insane.
Our trip continues, and we reach our main destination; the Nürburgring. I've been here a few times, but not with the Z.
The view from my balcony.
Time for a lap. I'm not a frequent track driver, so I take the laps quite easy, but still quite fun.
Next day was rather wet, but still fun.
Always something interesting to see at the Ring.
I managed to loose two(!) emblems on the trip.
After a few days it was time to head back home, and we went quite quick thru Germany, only some hold up around Hamburg.
Back on the Bond ferry.
And home. 1330 km and 19 hours later. Included two ferries and waiting time.
The view from my balcony.
Time for a lap. I'm not a frequent track driver, so I take the laps quite easy, but still quite fun.
Next day was rather wet, but still fun.
Always something interesting to see at the Ring.
I managed to loose two(!) emblems on the trip.
After a few days it was time to head back home, and we went quite quick thru Germany, only some hold up around Hamburg.
Back on the Bond ferry.
And home. 1330 km and 19 hours later. Included two ferries and waiting time.
North West Surrey
We continue the blogging.
After coming home, a wash was well overdue.
Found a sticker in my parts bin, so I could at least have a front badge.
...and after a family trip to Trumpistan
I took the Z4 for the last trip of the season.
Filled up with '98
And parked in the corner.
Winter comes and winter goes, and it was time for a spring wash. No big projects this winter.
I also did some cleaning of the carpets.
Oil change yet again, 6000km since last time.
...and enjoying the weather.
My tires was becoming a bit old (Michelin PS3), so it was time for a fresh set. Went for Michelin PS5.
Finally new badges. Was a pain to install.
...and a fresh MOT.
After coming home, a wash was well overdue.
Found a sticker in my parts bin, so I could at least have a front badge.
...and after a family trip to Trumpistan
I took the Z4 for the last trip of the season.
Filled up with '98
And parked in the corner.
Winter comes and winter goes, and it was time for a spring wash. No big projects this winter.
I also did some cleaning of the carpets.
Oil change yet again, 6000km since last time.
...and enjoying the weather.
My tires was becoming a bit old (Michelin PS3), so it was time for a fresh set. Went for Michelin PS5.
Finally new badges. Was a pain to install.
...and a fresh MOT.
I've installed CIC on my earlier cars (did the first one in 2012), but since CIC is now a twenty year old system, I just don't think it's worth the price and hassle. Especially on the e89, as the parts are quite costly. However, I like the idea of a screen, so I bought a universal cheap one from Aliexpress.
Test fit.
It sits quite well, and I plan to make some sort of cover surrounding it.
The DAB radio works fine, but the reception isn't always the greatest. Opted for a new one from BMW which mounts behind the bumper.
It was a pain the a**e to pull the cable thru the grommet, but I managed somehow.
Gave the bumper a quick wash.
Spacers back on. Had to remove them before the MOT.
...and sorted out the four best center caps to use.
Had to make a new connector on the DAB antenna cable, as it was no way in hell to get that thru.
And somehow managed to get the cable to the radio unit.
Success! The reception is as great, if not greater than in my X4 with DAB+ from factory.
Test fit.
It sits quite well, and I plan to make some sort of cover surrounding it.
The DAB radio works fine, but the reception isn't always the greatest. Opted for a new one from BMW which mounts behind the bumper.
It was a pain the a**e to pull the cable thru the grommet, but I managed somehow.
Gave the bumper a quick wash.
Spacers back on. Had to remove them before the MOT.
...and sorted out the four best center caps to use.
Had to make a new connector on the DAB antenna cable, as it was no way in hell to get that thru.
And somehow managed to get the cable to the radio unit.
Success! The reception is as great, if not greater than in my X4 with DAB+ from factory.
:worthless:
Trying to find a mod that you haven't approached yet -- and I think I succeeded! SmartTop? https://www.motivemods.com/Mods4Cars-BMW-smartTOP-p/m4c-stlfbw3.htm
And if you haven't installed spinning caps, you're just not on the level...
And if you haven't installed spinning caps, you're just not on the level...
BatmanReturns
Member
Wow! Great job! Your car looks great and you are making great progress on knocking things out. My dash has bubbled in several places, I know that repair is coming due, but holding out as long as possible.
Christopher72 said::worthless:
Sorry, I'll try to add more pics in the futureChristopher72 said:Trying to find a mod that you haven't approached yet -- and I think I succeeded! SmartTop? https://www.motivemods.com/Mods4Cars-BMW-smartTOP-p/m4c-stlfbw3.htm
And if you haven't installed spinning caps, you're just not on the level...
Regarding the SmartTop, I've looked into that many times, but the roof is a pain in the ass as it its, I'm not to keen to add some aftermarked electronics to it as well, but maybe some day.
As for the spinning caps, I actually have them on my X4
Thanks!RAYK47 said:
The dash was a real bummer for me. When I bought the car, I liked the leather dash, but when I know how bad they actually are, I think I'd rather have the standard one.BatmanReturns said:
It's quite neat to have when working and cleaning around the wheel areas, changing wheels, brakes and oil and that kinda stuff.simnew said: