What have you done to your car today?

[Gebbly]

Thanks for the advice [ref]Dubbedown[/ref], several others such as [ref]Mr Tidy[/ref] have mentioned deliberately disabling their headlight washers as they are trouble. Cars seemed to work ok before headlight washers were a thing and I think someone mentioned that on a car of my age (2006 Z4M) they arent a MOT requirement. So since the pump seems tidily sealed off and with your suiggestion I am leaning towards just leaving it.
In which case the next job will be the replacement of belts and idler pulleys.

 

[AndyBeech]

Thanks for the advice [ref]Dubbedown[/ref], several others such as [ref]Mr Tidy[/ref] have mentioned deliberately disabling their headlight washers as they are trouble. Cars seemed to work ok before headlight washers were a thing and I think someone mentioned that on a car of my age (2006 Z4M) they arent a MOT requirement. So since the pump seems tidily sealed off and with your suiggestion I am leaning towards just leaving it.
In which case the next job will be the replacement of belts and idler pulleys.

Leave those washers off as said. Not an MoT fail and worse than a leak, the covers can come flying off in which case you’ll need a new cover and get it painted. Just make sure they definitely don’t pop up, can pull fuse 40 to make double sure.

 

[enuff_zed]

Thanks for the advice [ref]Dubbedown[/ref], several others such as [ref]Mr Tidy[/ref] have mentioned deliberately disabling their headlight washers as they are trouble. Cars seemed to work ok before headlight washers were a thing and I think someone mentioned that on a car of my age (2006 Z4M) they arent a MOT requirement. So since the pump seems tidily sealed off and with your suiggestion I am leaning towards just leaving it.
In which case the next job will be the replacement of belts and idler pulleys.

Leave those washers off as said. Not an MoT fail and worse than a leak, the covers can come flying off in which case you’ll need a new cover and get it painted. Just make sure they definitely don’t pop up, can pull fuse 40 to make double sure.

Went one stage further with wifey's as the bumper had damage. Fitted a non-washer bumper, pulled fuse 40, sealed and tied back the pump plug and fitted a single pump washer bottle.

 

[enuff_zed]

You might be quite busy then!

Not sure if you're implying I do a lot of zed fixing, or have a lot of holidays?
I'll check back when we return from Jamaica.

 

[Gebbly]

Ooh good tips [ref]AndyBeech[/ref] and [ref]enuff_zed[/ref]. I'll remove fuse 40 and then test washers ASAP.

 

[Neens76]

You might be quite busy then!

Not sure if you're implying I do a lot of zed fixing, or have a lot of holidays?
I'll check back when we return from Jamaica.

Not that I wouldn’t like to be the same, but you and Val have been away more than Judith Charmers

 

[1536Z4]

but you and Val have been away more than Judith Charmers

I would say Charles Manson

 

[Ergellegre]

But I'm not sure yet which rotors to go with. I was thinking about some perforated Brembos Xtra. I already have experience with perforated Zimmermanns, I wonder if Brembos are any better in terms of noise, braking power and rust proof. Can anyone recommend or not the Brembos?
If not, which rotors would you recommend then? I don't need racing stuff however. And about standard Ate discs I have second thoughts, they tend to warp quickly.

I'd always go with dimpled or grooved rotors. Perforated discs are more likely to crack or deform after multiple heat cycles. Dimples and grooves are enough to allow gases to expand under aggressive braking, and look just as racey as perforated

 

[x-driver]

But I'm not sure yet which rotors to go with. I was thinking about some perforated Brembos Xtra. I already have experience with perforated Zimmermanns, I wonder if Brembos are any better in terms of noise, braking power and rust proof. Can anyone recommend or not the Brembos?
If not, which rotors would you recommend then? I don't need racing stuff however. And about standard Ate discs I have second thoughts, they tend to warp quickly.

I'd always go with dimpled or grooved rotors. Perforated discs are more likely to crack or deform after multiple heat cycles. Dimples and grooves are enough to allow gases to expand under aggressive braking, and look just as racey as perforated

I'm aware of tendency to crack but my rotors will only be used for street driving and good looking k So I'm not really concerned about it. And drilled rotors are the best looking rotors to me

One more question: does anybody know a brand that makes rear drilled discs for e85 Z4 non-M? Brembo and Zimmermann only offer plain rear discs.

 

[Micke]

Finally got INPA working, had some connection issues with the cable. Good that there are plenty of guides on the web

 

[caius]

Wired in a Garmin Mini 3 dashcam to the 3.0si, used two empty fuses (F2/F3 I think) for the ignition switch & battery live with the hardwired kit. Couldn't hide the hardwired box above the windscreen, pulled the cable up from the fusebox up the A pillar instead. Works like a dream, very fiddly in places.

Also took the 3.0si to Hansons Garage in Shawbury for a 4 wheel alignment this morning. They've managed to get everything but front axle toe spot on, the tie rods are too corroded to move so can't adjust that yet. Toe isn't that out of true, so will live with it for the next fortnight as I'm heading to Essex and Scotland in it. New parts ordered to finish that off in June.

 

[hollie040]

Had cruise control fitted today, which I've really wanted since my last few cars have had it, and I love it for long journeys across the country. Very pleased that I have it now, although getting a charge for 'coding' it on the bill hurt a bit now I know how cheap and easy coding things actually is.

I chopped out the hole in the trim myself and whilst not perfect, thought it was good enough for who it's for and not bad for a first attempt.

 

[x-driver]

This can be repainted and will look like new

 

[pp1600]

Got round to replacing the front struts...Seeing some struggle with the springs (compressors!)) the easy solution is to use a broken rear spring (weve all got one or two in the garage!) and slide it over the lower strut. The same spring angle keeps the compressors from slipping and pulls it down square.

The new B4's have a 7mm allen /22mm top setup... the originals have a 6mm allen /21mm top set up.. Is this right?

Carrying on with a all four corner refresh....

 

[Ergellegre]

Got quite tired of chasing misfiring coils (after cheaping out and buying used Bosch units), so treated my Z to a set of new Benchmark coils. My wife's 2010 Mini Clubman S tells me exactly which cylinder is misfiring on the Creator 310+, but no dice with E85. Also, the car sounded like it had a pops and bangs remap (it shouldn't), plus I had poor fuel economy, and codes for stiff exhaust cam which suggest VANOS exhaust solenoid was bunged up - and it was, so I replaced that with a new Febi unit, and cleaned out the inlet solenoid with carb cleaner as a precaution, but it seemed fine. No codes, more low end torque, and less popping and banging - but not none. Will see if my MPG returns to normal.

 

[Nick W]

Managed to squeeze in 10 days camping gear, chairs, clothes, tools and a bag of skittles. Now off to Monaco, back up through the Alps via Italy, a quick flip around the Ring and home. We're Buzzin.

 

[Usel]

Had cruise control fitted today, which I've really wanted since my last few cars have had it, and I love it for long journeys across the country. Very pleased that I have it now, although getting a charge for 'coding' it on the bill hurt a bit now I know how cheap and easy coding things actually is.

Hurts even more when no 'coding' is even necessary.

Congrats on getting the cruise added and working though

 

[Zedebee]

Last week - sound generator fitted (no foam). Goodness gracious I could hardly hear the motor before, now I’ve got the straight six magic back.

Unfortunately I’ve had to take it off again to get the manifold off. Hopefully intake side of the engine will be all cleaned up, and upgraded manifold back on tomorrow.

. . . All ready for cruise control next weekend.

 

[hollie040]

Congrats on getting the cruise added and working though

. . . All ready for cruise control next weekend.

Cruise control retrofit club! I know people will be all 'iT's meANT to Be A spoRtS CAr yOu Don't neeD CruIse coNTRoL', but it makes longer journeys where you're sitting on dual carriageways and motorways so much more comfortable. Helps MPG too in a way, I can push my 2.0 into the 40s quite easily just by holding it at ~70mph.

 

[Zedebee]

Congrats on getting the cruise added and working though

. . . All ready for cruise control next weekend.

Cruise control retrofit club! I know people will be all 'iT's meANT to Be A spoRtS CAr yOu Don't neeD CruIse coNTRoL', but it makes longer journeys where you're sitting on dual carriageways and motorways so much more comfortable. Helps MPG too in a way, I can push my 2.0 into the 40s quite easily just by holding it at ~70mph.

I like adding stuff to the car, but keeping it OEM-ish.
It also has the very practical benefit of preserving one’s licence on the motorway, or if you know cameras are about.