My Red Zed thread

[Marlon]

An interesting read all of that. I have the exact same Royal steering wheel that you had, but always wanted an M wheel. Is it that much better-worth the extra cash?

In a word - yes.
Of course, it depends on what you're paying for the M wheel. I was lucky that Jamie_Z4 text'd me as soon as it went up - it was a bargain at £200 (you can easily pay double that for tatty eBay ones). Then I sold my Royal wheel for a decent amount so the upgrade to the M Wheel didn't break the bank :wink:
Keep a lookout for the M wheel, they do come up occasionally and you will easily sell your Royal wheel as they are a quality refurb and a huge improvement over the standard one.

 

[Marlon]

Thanks again for all the wonderful comments everyone

 

[SpiketheBike]

Lovely car mate.

 

[Chris_D]

Great write-up Colin!
Must feel very rewarding @ each mod.
I know i've felt hugely rewarded at resolving each small issue on my own zed in order to get it to base-level enjoyment. Mods, inc roof motor relocation, hard top and other minor mods have contributed hugely to the experience.
Enthused by ur m wheel and zhp knob mods and these will be next on my own list....

 

[MACK]

Any plans for any more mods (beyond the fore mentioned back box mod) or do you think your done now?

It's an interesting comment that you think there's such a noticeable difference between SE and M Sport Suspension. I wonder how much of it was the SE/M Sport springs/dampener specs themselves and how much was down to the M Sport being a 100k car and your replacement being on 35k. Done a good few of these mods myself and can certainly recommend the ones I have done. I did the spacers specifically from your recommendation so thanks for that.

Keep up the good work Colin!

 

[DMC63]

Thanks again for all the wonderful comments everyone

Where did you get the 'top down side covers' from. Never seen them before.

 

[MACK]

Thanks again for all the wonderful comments everyone

Where did you get the 'top down side covers' from. Never seen them before.

They are rare and you dont want to forget you have fitted them as they fly off if you hit the roof up switch!
I don't think they are still available from the dealers and if memory serves when they do come up second hand they cost a small fortune.

They do look nice though, but if you have the roof up and down a lot they can be a pain I imagine.

 

[Marlon]

Thanks again for all the wonderful comments everyone

Where did you get the 'top down side covers' from. Never seen them before.

As Mack has said, they are quite rare but second hand ones do come up for sale from time to time. I bought mine again off a forum member who wasn't using them. Not cheap - I paid £130

 

[Marlon]

Any plans for any more mods (beyond the fore mentioned back box mod) or do you think your done now?

It's an interesting comment that you think there's such a noticeable difference between SE and M Sport Suspension. I wonder how much of it was the SE/M Sport springs/dampener specs themselves and how much was down to the M Sport being a 100k car and your replacement being on 35k. Done a good few of these mods myself and can certainly recommend the ones I have done. I did the spacers specifically from your recommendation so thanks for that.

Keep up the good work Colin!

No more plans for any more major or expensive mods MACK, I've ticked off everything now apart from getting a better exhaust note. I drove with the M Sport suspension for 6 months and noticed a big difference swapping to the SE - its definitely easier to live with in a daily drive.

 

[mr.tourette]

You've done a grand job Colin...top bombing there fella

 

[DMC63]

Thanks again for all the wonderful comments everyone

Where did you get the 'top down side covers' from. Never seen them before.

As Mack has said, they are quite rare but second hand ones do come up for sale from time to time. I bought mine again off a forum member who wasn't using them. Not cheap - I paid £130

I'll have to keep my eyes out for a set. Not so much for the aesthetics but the practical element of keeping all the road and traffic dust out.
They're not listed in the oem catalogue. Are they made by BMW?

 

[Smartbear]

Where did you get the 'top down side covers' from. Never seen them before.

As Mack has said, they are quite rare but second hand ones do come up for sale from time to time. I bought mine again off a forum member who wasn't using them. Not cheap - I paid £130

I'll have to keep my eyes out for a set. Not so much for the aesthetics but the practical element of keeping all the road and traffic dust out.
They're not listed in the oem catalogue. Are they made by BMW?

Yep, supplied by bmw back in the day but now discontinued
Rob

 

[wingnut]

Great read lots of advice, all the mods are great improvement overall.

Your postings plus other members have been a great help whilst I have owned my Z, only problem is I think I tend to undertake more mods to my car having read other owners postings.

 

[MACK]

Great read lots of advice, all the mods are great improvement overall.

Your postings plus other members have been a great help whilst I have owned my Z, only problem is I think I tend to undertake more mods to my car having read other owners postings.

Don't we all! :rofl:

 

[Jollyjoiner]

Nice subtle mods you've done :driving:

 

[maxman]

Excellent write up.Modding is an addiction that is hard to give up once started.

 

[DMC63]

As Mack has said, they are quite rare but second hand ones do come up for sale from time to time. I bought mine again off a forum member who wasn't using them. Not cheap - I paid £130

I'll have to keep my eyes out for a set. Not so much for the aesthetics but the practical element of keeping all the road and traffic dust out.
They're not listed in the oem catalogue. Are they made by BMW?

Yep, supplied by bmw back in the day but now discontinued
Rob

I think they'd be good for the longer drives, but a lot of faffing around taking them on and off? Or do they simple come off with a turn of the knob in the centre?

 

[kis]

Great list of mods Marlon. Surprised I didn't notice this thread before!
Have you anything else in the pipeline?
Kis.

 

[kis]

I'll have to keep my eyes out for a set. Not so much for the aesthetics but the practical element of keeping all the road and traffic dust out.
They're not listed in the oem catalogue. Are they made by BMW?

Yep, supplied by bmw back in the day but now discontinued
Rob

I think they'd be good for the longer drives, but a lot of faffing around taking them on and off? Or do they simple come off with a turn of the knob in the centre?

Set were for sale the other day on ebay.
It's a simple twist lock IMO. Turn 90 deg anticlockwise to lock, then back 90 deg clockwise to unlock.

 

[MACK]

Yep, supplied by bmw back in the day but now discontinued
Rob

I think they'd be good for the longer drives, but a lot of faffing around taking them on and off? Or do they simple come off with a turn of the knob in the centre?

Set were for sale the other day on ebay.
It's a simple twist lock IMO. Turn 90 deg anticlockwise to lock, then back 90 deg clockwise to unlock.

They really are crazy money for what they actually are. I wonder how much they were originally from BMW?