Pops, crackles and fun

[coupedoup]

Evening, I posted a couple of months back but without pic (doesn’t count).

I’m about 4 months into 2006 3.0si coupe ownership. Love how rare it feels, the unique looks and the pops and crackles.

I’ve got through first MOT and fixed up the suspension advisories-farewell creaking!

Next stop is get tatty bumper resprayed.

Not sure I’d change much else. Stereo is a bit tinny but hey, I turn the music off most of the time so I can hear the engine and exhaust!

 

[inkey$]

Nice colour/wheel combo too; a classic.
How bad is the bumper and what sort of cost do you think thats going to be? Is the exhaust standard for pops and crackles?

 

[Mr Tidy]

Your car is looking good especially with those all black kidney grilles, but then I do like an E86 (or 3). :lol:

I know what you mean about the standard stereo though. But even though my 1st and current ones have the top-end DSP HiFi I hardly use it (other than on Motorway trips) because I'd rather hear the engine and exhaust!

 

[coupedoup]

Thanks Inkey and Mr.Tidy, much appreciated. I’m really pleased with her. First service with fixes added up to 1300 and the car came back with a non-working fob (garage said it needs charging - I hardly drive it) oh and the starter motor failed shortly after, then my boiler needed replacement, I did question how sensible the purchase was. But then I get in it and I forget all that and can’t wait to tart up the bumper to give a cleaner front look. Inkey the bumper was sprayed by a previous owner badly and from a distance is ok but I’m fussy. Up close it’s too tatty for a car like this as far as I’m concerned so been saving the reddies for it. I got a quote for 1300 including roof and boot respray too but now realise the roof and boot blemishes I can deal with so I anticipate about 600 perhaps just for the bumper and touch in to quarters.

Haha Mr.Tidy, exactly the same here... why bother with radio when you’ve got that sound to play with. Sports mode /paddle often engaged to ensure extra pop.

Inkey the exhaust I think is standard but it’s quick growly so I wondered if it had had some mod. Last garage I took it to seemed to think it was standard but need to go to a BMW specialist next time.

Oh and here’s a cheeky little upgrade a previous owner did:

 

[coupedoup]

I gave the exhaust a bit of a scrub up as well. Not really an expert in these matters but used some relatively fine wire wool and some product and they came up much better - were looking tatty before as you can see.

 

[inkey$]

Wow, those rear tailpipes were in need of attention! Looks like you rescued a good car at the right time
Maybe start a build thread to document your jobs and history with it?

 

[Mr Tidy]

The keys charge in the key-slot when you drive the car, so can go flat if you don't use them much. So if you only use one all the time the 2nd one will suffer.

But they can sometimes be revived if you put them next to an induction charger like some electric toothbrushes use (Braun springs to mind).

Even with a standard exhaust the N52 engine in the Z4s sounds pretty good, although my 2nd one had a custom cat-back system fitted by a previous owner that sounded even better. My daily 330i has the same engine, but you can hardly hear it.

Still my MC with after-market back-boxes makes up for that!

That cheeky upgrade looks good.

Solvol Autosol works well for gettting some shine on exhaust tips.

 

[coupedoup]

Ooh Mr. Tidy those tips look tasty. Nice job and like the rounded effect, and set off the classy paint colour nicely. Yeah mine were so manky looking and when I saw them I assumed I’d be replacing them but they’re really solid, just neglected so came up pretty nice and shiny as in the first photo. Not pristine but good enough to not warrant upgrade for now - paint and any mech first.

Thanks for the keys tips. I drove it about 60 mins and still not working so using on the key. I need to give it a proper run somewhere perhaps - after the big C.

Inkey haha a build thread. Now I love that idea but I only worry that I’ll start looking for jobs to do I’m obviously not going to get any discouragement here

This is my second BMW by the way. I had a remapped 330d wolf in sheep’s clothing estate a while back which was so punchy but my Z4 sounds a lot better and is a lot more unique.

 

[M340]

Lovely looking motor, enjoy it! In the long run you’re unlikely to lose much in it. Demand is strong.

. I got a quote for 1300 including roof and boot respray too but now realise the roof and boot blemishes I can deal with so I anticipate about 600 perhaps just for the bumper and touch in to quarters.

Just had my bumper done, £350 including repairing a dink to the bottom. Silver Grey is a nightmare to match right but £600 sounds strong!!

 

[coupedoup]

Just had my bumper done, £350 including repairing a dink to the bottom. Silver Grey is a nightmare to match right but £600 sounds strong!!

Nice motor my friend. Good taste in wheels and colour

Yeah the 600 was a guess since I was quoted for 3 jobs in one but the place I went to is quite pricey though very good from what I gather. Looking forward to just getting it done and smartening up.

 

[CryptoWhale]

Lovely looking motor, enjoy it! In the long run you’re unlikely to lose much in it. Demand is strong.

. I got a quote for 1300 including roof and boot respray too but now realise the roof and boot blemishes I can deal with so I anticipate about 600 perhaps just for the bumper and touch in to quarters.

Just had my bumper done, £350 including repairing a dink to the bottom. Silver Grey is a nightmare to match right but £600 sounds strong!!

Those wheels are stunning. Thinking to get mine done like that. What colour are they?

Welcome OP btw, car looks lovely

 

[M340]

Those wheels are stunning. Thinking to get mine done like that. What colour are they?

Welcome OP btw, car looks lovely

Well thanks! Actually I bought it like that. They’ve had an Anthracite grey refurb at some point, works way better than black. There’s some for sale here...split rims are costly to refurb so buy those and sell yours

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=126329