TheDan's Z4R
- Thread starter TheDan
- Start date
Good stuff, looks great with the aero kit! I imagine it'll drive very differently once you complete the work 
Swampy1982
Member
Looks great mate, how does it ride?
Nothing quite like doing the work yourself and seeing the benefits.
Nothing quite like doing the work yourself and seeing the benefits.
Forgot to post at the time but got an alignment done after the suspension jobs. Apparently the rear was very difficult to get the camber achieved due to worn bushes (on the to-do list!). Here is the alignment sheet:
Not gonna lie, not looking forward to refreshing the rear bushes, I've heard its an arse to do. The alignment is good enough for now and it actually feels pretty good with neutral handling through the corners.
Not gonna lie, not looking forward to refreshing the rear bushes, I've heard its an arse to do. The alignment is good enough for now and it actually feels pretty good with neutral handling through the corners.
I've made some updates and not posted on this thread for a while so here goes.
I did the Z4's first track day on 22nd April at Bedford Autodrome. The morning was fantastic with a few great sessions getting familiar with the track and the car. Unfortunately I went through the front brake pads by lunchtime and that led to an early home time for me.
After these calamities and knowing I was going to do many more track days (the car is great so suited to them) I have decided to do a brake system overhaul. I found many options including big brake kits from K Sport, Stoptech and VMaxx, but in the end decided to go down the common route of upgrading to 325mm discs and a slightly less common route of Megane 3 RS Brembo 4 pots paired with Carbotech XP8 pads.
I got around to fitting all of this today in time for my next track day at Donington Park on 7th June. I noticed there were going to be caliper to wheel clearance issues (something I had foreseen).
So I fitted the 12mm spacers I bought and success, no more caliper clearance problems, however the bolts that were provided with the spacers were too long and were fouling the heat shield behind the hub. Doh! I can't get new bolts from them until Wednesday (damn bank holiday lol) so I guess this project will have to be on pause until then. Car is currently just sitting on stands.
I did the Z4's first track day on 22nd April at Bedford Autodrome. The morning was fantastic with a few great sessions getting familiar with the track and the car. Unfortunately I went through the front brake pads by lunchtime and that led to an early home time for me.
After these calamities and knowing I was going to do many more track days (the car is great so suited to them) I have decided to do a brake system overhaul. I found many options including big brake kits from K Sport, Stoptech and VMaxx, but in the end decided to go down the common route of upgrading to 325mm discs and a slightly less common route of Megane 3 RS Brembo 4 pots paired with Carbotech XP8 pads.
I got around to fitting all of this today in time for my next track day at Donington Park on 7th June. I noticed there were going to be caliper to wheel clearance issues (something I had foreseen).
So I fitted the 12mm spacers I bought and success, no more caliper clearance problems, however the bolts that were provided with the spacers were too long and were fouling the heat shield behind the hub. Doh! I can't get new bolts from them until Wednesday (damn bank holiday lol) so I guess this project will have to be on pause until then. Car is currently just sitting on stands.
Following on from the drama last week I have now successfully completed the brake upgrade, fitted the 12mm spacers and bedded in the new Carbotech XP8 pads. I will probably do another harder bedding in session during the first stint at the track evening on Monday, but even now it stops like it has hit a tree!
Thanks to [ref]Liam22[/ref] for the inspiration and advice when deciding what route to go down.
Thanks to [ref]Liam22[/ref] for the inspiration and advice when deciding what route to go down.
AndyBeech said:Good stuff mate and a good choice on the brakes! Shouldn't get any problems in future with those
I had another litre of ATE TYP200 (previously ATE Super Blue) left from when I replaced it a couple of months back. If its not good enough I can always flush it with RBF700 or Castrol SRF if I am feeling wealthy
Went to the track evening at Donington Park last night (07/06). Was great fun having never driven Donny before but been a spectator at various BTCC and British Superbike events. There were a lot of different cars there including 2 Porsche GT3 RSs and a McLaren 600LT. I was doing the National circuit (without the hairpin). The track is great, I especially love the craner curves into old hairpin section, very challenging when the tail goes light over the crest.
In terms of my car, it performed fantastically. The new Brembo 4 pots at the front combined with the XP8 pads are perfect, great pedal feel and amazing braking performance. I was even able to out-brake some of the much lighter track oriented hatchbacks (Civic Type Rs and supercharged Minis) despite the additional weight!
I could tell at times I was overheating the tyres towards the end of each stint as it would get a little squirrely under braking and on exit of some of the sharper corners.
There was also a bit of brake judder as I was nearing the end of the evening. Since there was no steering wheel wobble, the rear pads and discs are still old and it very much felt like it was coming through the seat (from behind) I have deduced its the rear brakes not the new fronts. I was planning to replace the discs and pads (and refurb the calipers), but didn't have time before this track day.
Oh, and here are some pictures in the paddock and pitlane (track pictures to follow):
In terms of my car, it performed fantastically. The new Brembo 4 pots at the front combined with the XP8 pads are perfect, great pedal feel and amazing braking performance. I was even able to out-brake some of the much lighter track oriented hatchbacks (Civic Type Rs and supercharged Minis) despite the additional weight!
I could tell at times I was overheating the tyres towards the end of each stint as it would get a little squirrely under braking and on exit of some of the sharper corners.
There was also a bit of brake judder as I was nearing the end of the evening. Since there was no steering wheel wobble, the rear pads and discs are still old and it very much felt like it was coming through the seat (from behind) I have deduced its the rear brakes not the new fronts. I was planning to replace the discs and pads (and refurb the calipers), but didn't have time before this track day.
Oh, and here are some pictures in the paddock and pitlane (track pictures to follow):
North West Surrey
Finally got round to finishing the rear brake refurb including:
Look at that pad/caliper colour clash!!
Also, handbrake shoe replacement and adjustment is a
!
- New handbrake shoes and mechanism
- New brake discs (MTEC grooved)
- New calipers (badly painted red by yours truly)
- Refurbed carriers (again badly painted red)
- New EBC Yellowstuff brake pads
- 12mm spacers
Look at that pad/caliper colour clash!!
Also, handbrake shoe replacement and adjustment is a
!Great 3rd track day with the Z4 (2nd full day) at Bedford Autodrome and I'm pleased to say the car is holding up brilliantly to the continued "abuse" 
The car is now at a pretty stable "stock-ish" build where it can be driven to various track days throughout the year, have a great time with no issues and then be driven home again.
I do of course have some things I want to change after this last one which include (not limited to):
Oh and here are some pics
The car is now at a pretty stable "stock-ish" build where it can be driven to various track days throughout the year, have a great time with no issues and then be driven home again.
I do of course have some things I want to change after this last one which include (not limited to):
- H&R ARBs (front and rear)
- Adjustable rear camber arms (need more rear camber)
- LSD (my poor wallet)
- Maybe coilovers (again my poor wallet)
Oh and here are some pics
Car looks great. I have my first track day at Donnington in November, so I have a list of jobs to do and this thread is great reading
I've got the same Mégane setup as you, but with genuine BMW E46 M3 discs (two piece but not floating). Really pleased with it - what did you do about brake hoses?
I also fitted a set of H+R ARBs earlier this year and highly recommend them. With both on max stiffness the car tended to understeer particularly in long fast corners. Much better with the front on the less stiff setting.
I also fitted a set of H+R ARBs earlier this year and highly recommend them. With both on max stiffness the car tended to understeer particularly in long fast corners. Much better with the front on the less stiff setting.
nfo said:
Interesting, I really need to get some genuine BMW E46 M3 discs next time, I think the MTEC ones have warped slightly. Where did you get yours from?
Brake hoses wise, I am using HEL braided hoses in black at the front and stock ones rear currently. I may swap the rears out for braided at some point, but its not on the top of my list to do.
Having never heard of Blyton Park until a couple of months ago when I was invited along by a mate with an MX5 I can safely say its a brilliant little technical track!
Its very clear when battling with his turbo charged NA MX5 that puts out around 230 bhp that the Z4 struggles with weight transfer in the tight chicanes but excels during the medium and high speed corners.
Had 1 spin the entire day on entry into Jochen as I carried too much speed and went wide onto the oil spill powder. Spun me round just onto the concrete run off by the chicane, no harm done
Unfortunately I mullered the front right tyre by lunchtime due to overheating, not enough front camber and running wide onto the concrete too often. Luckily my mate brought a jack and I was able to swap front left and right to carry on for the rest of the day.
Here are the obligatory pictures (and video from my mate's MX5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knfsVBaMDPQ)
Its very clear when battling with his turbo charged NA MX5 that puts out around 230 bhp that the Z4 struggles with weight transfer in the tight chicanes but excels during the medium and high speed corners.
Had 1 spin the entire day on entry into Jochen as I carried too much speed and went wide onto the oil spill powder. Spun me round just onto the concrete run off by the chicane, no harm done
Unfortunately I mullered the front right tyre by lunchtime due to overheating, not enough front camber and running wide onto the concrete too often. Luckily my mate brought a jack and I was able to swap front left and right to carry on for the rest of the day.
Here are the obligatory pictures (and video from my mate's MX5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knfsVBaMDPQ)