Now, my wallet will regret this... But...

S

ShineyT

Member
So I have had my Z for almost a month now ('03 2.5i in Sapphire Black) and am now starting to get the urge to mod it, especially seeing as I turned 20 a few days ago and feel like I owe myself a birthday present :driving: .

Question is: Where to start? Bare in mind I have done no work on a car at all before really, before the Z I owned a 1.6 Focus that was left enirely standard. However thats not to say I wouldn't be open to trying certain things myself providing it wasn't too difficult.

So far I have identified a few things that need to be done -

Gearknob is worn, previous owner presumably wore a ring so the finish has rubbed away. Probably get a ZHP.

Third brake light is chipped on the right hand end. Not a big deal but I know it is there, so it must be replaced :roll:

The alloys are only 16" just waiting to find the right set before I replace. I also feel like I should use the tires that are on it currently (Potenza Runflats sadly, the ride really is as bad as people say. The one annoying thing about the car so far). Can't decide what style to go with, but will definitly change the tires when I change the alloys. I presume people just take a can of that tire goo stuff if they swap to non-RF's?

The wheelnuts and calipers are also very rusty all round so will replace the nuts and am probably going to get the calipers reconditioned and painted by a bodyshop nearby (friend of the parents, cheap work :thumbsup: ).

SO all that aside, what else should be on the "to do list" as it were? This question has probably been asked a thousand times but it would be nice to get the opinions of what was worth doing from people that have actually done it before :)

One final thing, I haven't been here very long but the forum really is fantastic. Great help when I was purchasing the car and I am sure it will be a great help for many years to come!

Edit - Some (very bad) pictures.

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I will get some better ones at some point, promise.
 
Welcome! But you do realise what you've started don't you? That stampede noise you can hear is half the forum heading your way about to shout "Stubby" and other strange words at you...
 
Ah now you see, I predicted that response!

So as we speak I am trying to extract a very poor group of pictures from the phone.
 
ShineyT

My one piece of advice woudl be to think what you want to achieve with the car and the style, before you do anything.

Is it minor cosmetic, improvement on OEM look, track theme, etc. Having a direction means that all you mods max their value and make sense. My worst nightmare is random slapped on mods without real cause or logic.

Simple for instance - replacement red brake light or will it be clear? Red suits black well, but clear is more modern and actually cheaper

Search and see some of the dozens of awesome cars for inspiration.
 
My suggestions....

I think the M wheels really suit the non-M models as the offset imediately gives the car some stance without the need for spacers. See if you can find a second hand set and wrap them in low profile rubber.

Also as you dont have the M suspension (-30mm drop) that 3.0's do then maybe some replacement springs. (not that hard to DIY)

Painting the Calipers is an easy DIY to, you can do them in situ. I went for Glossy black hammerite paint with white BMW decals on them. Very smart and SUBTLE (note - all you red caliper people :poke: :P ) with a touch of detail to pick them out.

Other than that a stubby aerial and tidy up anything that has become worn over the years.
 
Added a couple of awful pictures :wink:

@Cj10jeeper. I think what I am after is just minor cosmetic things for now, as honestly I will probably change the car to a newer/3.0/M in the future when I can actually get insured on one. So I don't want to throw too much money at it. I did notice the clear is cheaper but I quite like the red, so will probably go with another red unit.

@Dreamer. I was actually leaning towards red calipers as with black I think they look lovely :p My problem is with DIY work is the complete lack of space at the front of our house, as you can probably see. I was assuming I would have to do the springs at some point however, as from the reading I did it does seem it's a case of when they go on the rears and not if they go. With a stubby, which ones are usually used? Had a quick search and it seems most are Peugeot? units.
 
ShineyT said:
Added a couple of awful pictures :wink:

@Cj10jeeper. I think what I am after is just minor cosmetic things for now, as honestly I will probably change the car to a newer/3.0/M in the future when I can actually get insured on one. So I don't want to throw too much money at it. I did notice the clear is cheaper but I quite like the red, so will probably go with another red unit.
Click to expand...

Good - so you hav an idea and plan to change - then frankly just tidy it up and save money for your next one - the 3.0i

Now you have added this then it's obvious to me not to change springs and if you do change rims make sure they are something you'd keep for the next Zed and replace with yours.

Do general tidy up and easily reversible mods. If not you'll find you sink money in that's better saved.

Red/white light was an illustration - I agree on yours keep the red.

Can I suggest you go to the rear of the Zed. Crouch down low in line with the brake light, then just pull that annoying dandelion out the grate :lol:
 
cj10jeeper said:
ShineyT said:
Added a couple of awful pictures :wink:

@Cj10jeeper. I think what I am after is just minor cosmetic things for now, as honestly I will probably change the car to a newer/3.0/M in the future when I can actually get insured on one. So I don't want to throw too much money at it. I did notice the clear is cheaper but I quite like the red, so will probably go with another red unit.
Click to expand...

Good - so you hav an idea and plan to change - then frankly just tidy it up and save money for your next one - the 3.0i

Now you have added this then it's obvious to me not to change springs and if you do change rims make sure they are something you'd keep for the next Zed and replace with yours.

Do general tidy up and easily reversible mods. If not you'll find you sink money in that's better saved.

Red/white light was an illustration - I agree on yours keep the red.

Can I suggest you go to the rear of the Zed. Crouch down low in line with the brake light, then just pull that annoying dandelion out the grate :lol:
Click to expand...

Haha, don't you think the flower gives it personality?

The whole drive is being ripped up in the next month or two anyway so it won't be there much longer! It is being completly paved over so me and the old man can both have our cars up out the way of the main road. He is currently relegated to there (until he sells the current car and picks up his Merc :headbang: he has his heart set on)

Yeah the rims will be something I will almost certainly keep for the next one. I just can't decide what design I like, or even what colour (yes I am half tempted to go with black on a Sapphire black car :P )
 
cj's advice is sound. I'd suggest a stubby, though mine is not too stubby as it is the BMW 'sports' antenna - search on the eBay BMW shop, about £22 IIRC. Keep the whip for resale though... I have an auto, but ZHP is a worthwhile replacement for driving experience from what I have read, as is the Clutch Delay Valve removal if the 2.5 has it. If that looks challenging, see if there is a member near you who can help - i would have to ask, that's for sure :D Other than that, give it a good wash and polish and get out there and drive it :thumbsup:

Oh - and welcome to the forum :wink:
 
Hi and welcome!
Nice to see original tail lights :thumbsup: . Yes, red 3rd brake light looks better in a black car. If you're already thinking of changing to another Z, save your money and real mods for the next one. But... the STUBBY :lol:.

Cheers

Dice
 
ZHP gear Knob is a great starting mod and if you keep your original easily transportable to another zed or easily sold on.
 
ZHP and clutch delay valve removal will work really well together. You'll feel like you're driving a different car :)

Bigger rims (whichever you prefer) is a good move.... and if you choose non OEM wheels you can transfer them to the next zed you buy.

Bin the runflats....

That should keep you busy, and all mods can be transferred to your new car :thumbsup:


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Spoke to the chap about the calipers today and he said they are so rusted there is no point cleaning it back and painting over it as it will just come back through.

So he has advised a new set of calipers, which means I will be on the lookout for a decently priced set I think. Also going to order the ZHP today, getting the ball rolling :driving:

Thanks everyone!
 
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