Questions for those of you who have done anything similar with a BMW. I've followed such a process on a Ferrari 360 on ferrarichat.com so similar principles may exist (i.e. in terms of removing sound deadening), but not having done this on a BMW, various things will be of course be different. The intention is to basically create a "mini Challenge Stradale" - as close as possible to the viscerale thrill of a track car on the road, enhancing the already wonderful aspects of the car for the Strad type experience in a Z4M - which as some of you will know is a road version of the track car (360 Challenge) of the race car (360) which gives you an idea of the fact it needs to be rawer but not quite as raw as a track car.
- Removing carpets is easy but what about the sound deadening underneath. Having owned a Strad (which has no sound deadening on the floor), the sound from the stones on the road hitting the wheel arches is fantastic. I have nightmarish scenario of removing the carpets and finding 2-3 inches of hardened stuff underneath that will be a nightmare to get off. Any idea on process/time for this to get down to flat metal (which will then be painted black).
- Changing seats is easy (something either fixed back or rake on runners), but what about fitting 4 point harnesses - are there any mounting points behind the driver one could use with slots made into the back wall?
- Trimming. My intention would be to have alcantara trimmed and fitted to all non leather surfaces - the pitted plastic on the doors, upper and lower dash and centre section. Reason being alcantara smells fantastic and would look much better. Any idea on time/cost (initial impressions are around £1000 for the whole job which is mostly labour).
- CSL wheels and changing exhaust boxes is easy (would pick something that picks up noise with the revs like a SuperSprint or whatever) - NOT rpi which I have on my current Z4MR which would be insanely loud without the sound deadening. Only other performance boost would be airbox in the engine (something to enhance the raspy sound), but nothing more as the increases in the viscerle experience should make her feel even faster anyway. Would possibly lower on new suspension (again not rocket science) and fit a few track inspired details (hook eye in front and possibly a complete wrap in orange which would look sick with a black interior).
Not sure at this stage if this is a "go-er" - I'm just toying with the idea and welcome any feedback or suggestions from those who have actually undertaken such a project. Budget would be around £6k over cost of the car which would be tight but any more and I'm concerned I'd never stop. Most of the cost will be labour but I'd like to do as much as I can myself to enjoy the project not just the result
- Removing carpets is easy but what about the sound deadening underneath. Having owned a Strad (which has no sound deadening on the floor), the sound from the stones on the road hitting the wheel arches is fantastic. I have nightmarish scenario of removing the carpets and finding 2-3 inches of hardened stuff underneath that will be a nightmare to get off. Any idea on process/time for this to get down to flat metal (which will then be painted black).
- Changing seats is easy (something either fixed back or rake on runners), but what about fitting 4 point harnesses - are there any mounting points behind the driver one could use with slots made into the back wall?
- Trimming. My intention would be to have alcantara trimmed and fitted to all non leather surfaces - the pitted plastic on the doors, upper and lower dash and centre section. Reason being alcantara smells fantastic and would look much better. Any idea on time/cost (initial impressions are around £1000 for the whole job which is mostly labour).
- CSL wheels and changing exhaust boxes is easy (would pick something that picks up noise with the revs like a SuperSprint or whatever) - NOT rpi which I have on my current Z4MR which would be insanely loud without the sound deadening. Only other performance boost would be airbox in the engine (something to enhance the raspy sound), but nothing more as the increases in the viscerle experience should make her feel even faster anyway. Would possibly lower on new suspension (again not rocket science) and fit a few track inspired details (hook eye in front and possibly a complete wrap in orange which would look sick with a black interior).
Not sure at this stage if this is a "go-er" - I'm just toying with the idea and welcome any feedback or suggestions from those who have actually undertaken such a project. Budget would be around £6k over cost of the car which would be tight but any more and I'm concerned I'd never stop. Most of the cost will be labour but I'd like to do as much as I can myself to enjoy the project not just the result
