My First Zed Thread (2003 E85 3.0)

[Timmyboybunter]

Tweaked the roof today following the '5mm gap at the rear' advice, and all seems fine - quick test drive is noticeably quieter than when collected (you think?) but there is still a small gap on the left front which I inagine will let in water as before.

Pretty sure this is just the seal being squashed for 16 years of soft top use; I've seen people bring their seals back to life with various products so will do that over the summer ready for roof use next winter.

I have left marks on the back of the car where the hard top was fitted too tight but hopefully they'll polish out. Good lesson for newbie roof owners there, the locks should need very little force to engage.

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1433&p=20314&hilit=hard+top+adjustment#p20314

 

[Timmyboybunter]

Fitted facelift center vents, so they now match the colour of my updated head unit. I'll now sleep easier at night.

 

[Timmyboybunter]

Fitted uprated DISA valve internals from X8R. Fairly straightforward to do.

There was zero play in my DISA valve though, but preventative maintenance makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

For some reason, my DISA valve unit was missing the sealing o-ring, but a new one is supplied in the X8R pack.

 

[Timmyboybunter]

Both velcro patches on the drivers floor were hanging off when I bought the car, so the floor mats would move with every journey - very annoying. They have clearly tried to be glued back down at some point.

Used a staple gun last week and they've not moved since. Not the most attractive repair, but they are both obviously out of sight.

 

[Timmyboybunter]

Following the M3 seat disappointment, I now have an irrational dislike of the standard black seats. Recently picked up a pair of standard cream leather seats in good condition (thanks to Maxman), gave the driver side a clean, leather treatment and condition in the week and fitted to the car today.

The seats didn't come with seatbelts or the block yellow connector thingy under the seat, so I had to swap everything over from my existing seat - I've also kept the black control surround and seat back from my original seats - and I'm very pleased with the result

Passenger side to do.

 

[maxman]

You don't let the grass grow under your feet,the seat has come up a treat

 

[Timmyboybunter]

I like to keep busy

Very pleased with the result - I think the contrast between cream seat and black everything else looks great.

Going to get my rear coil springs sorted out then it's time to tackle the headlights!

 

[R60BBA]

Nice thread, subbed

 

[Mr Tidy]

Those cream seats look so much better than the black!

I'm not a fan of black seats - maybe because with some "lesser" manufacturers if you want leather, black is the only option (thinking of my Seat Leon Cupra).

Pearl Grey leather was part of the attraction for me on both my Z4s. Especially as Sport models have a black headlining. :roll:

 

[Timmyboybunter]

I was on the fence actually, until getting them in the car - cream/beige can sometimes be a bit 90's Volvo

My Dad has red seats in his black E85, another combo that works well.

Attached for amusement is the 'inverse' of this experiment on its way to the loft: black seats, cream seat backs and control surround. Barry's nose is there too as it is a good colour match to the cream!

 

[wonkydonkey]

Barry is hilarious

 

[Timmyboybunter]

Hard top stand arrived today, assembled in about 20 minutes. Bought from ukcustomcovers.com (via Amazon, £10 cheaper than their website strangely).

Not the best quality item build quality wise, but the hard top does feel rock solid in the upright position. £80 though? Feels a bit steep but there are few alternatives.

Gratuitous picture of my Daytona included. Owned for 2 years now and I still catch myself just staring at it.

 

[Timmyboybunter]

Also gave the roof a clean at the weekend just with Milton and a nail brush - has got rid of *all* the green mould specs with just a single 20 min clean, so I'd highly recommend this as a solution.

I have the Autoglym twin set of products ready to use at some point, hoping this will remove some of the crease lines.

 

[paulc_bkk]

Congratulations on the hardtop! I also managed to pick up one that matched my car (sapphire black) on the weekend.



I also noticed marks as the fitment is too tight at the rear - the marks that were made polished out, but for now I’ve lubricated the seals and put painters tape in the contact areas since it was too dark and difficult to see properly to adjust the height. It looks like the roof fitment is slightly skewed on mine so the right needs to move forward slightly as well as being raised to 5mm

I’ll have a better look at it over the weekend.

I also pulled out the hardtop stand from my old E36 convertible and I’m curious to see if it will suit this hardtop - mine was home-made using measurements I found online. It only cost about £20 to put together over here in Thailand

 

[Timmyboybunter]

Great looking car - the hard top really suits black I think. Nice wheels too

Fairly sure your hard top stand will work - I'd imaging the Z4 hard top is shorter than the E36 one, so as long as the base section is deep enough (which it looks like it is) then it should be stable. Give it a try and see what happens - ideally with 2 people just in case the fit is not very good and you need to lift off in a hurry.

 

[wonkydonkey]

Guys, if your hardtops are rubbing on painted bodywork, I would get straight in there with some PPF (paint protection film). It costs peanuts, is practically invisible and will prevent any scuffing of your paint.

 

[Timmyboybunter]

Guys, if your hardtops are rubbing on painted bodywork, I would get straight in there with some PPF (paint protection film).

Good tip James - they shouldn't rub though. Rubbing only occurs if the fit has not been properly adjusted to leave the required 5mm gap at the back - the concern is for newbie owners like me who rock up to buy these things 2nd hand and expect them to just fit correctly. I'm actually thankful that mine was initially fitted INcorrectly and wasn't locked down tight - I dread to think what a mess it what have made, rubbing directly on both rear quarters for near enough 100 miles

Take an adjustable spanner along and something easy to quickly guage a 5mm gap e.g. a rawl plug. The locking pins are very easy to adjust - when you know this is needed anyway.

 

[wonkydonkey]

Happy days. The hardtop looks great

 

[Timmyboybunter]

Ta - they do look nice don't they. That black one above looks proper menacing - mini batmobile :evil:

 

[Timmyboybunter]

Cream passenger seat fitted today - very pleased with the overall result.