What have you done to your car today?

[Thrustyjust]

Changed the fuel cap O ring ( last of the big spenders) but was perished.
Also bought a set of torx sockets , as not had a need before. Sods law if I didnt have them , I would need them tomorrow :roll:
Painted the inner wheel arch edges with POR 15 paint and used some rubber trim to protect the edges from stonechips. Not noticeable from looking at the car , but something is better than nothing.
Best one is now sorted my hotels and B&B for taking the Zed on the NC500 for next June Can't wait !

 

[MACK]

Just had Hunter alignment done.

All ok but REAR left - the guy said he’s adjusted it to the maximum and said the cause may be worn RTAB bush.

Any thoughts?


53DFCC0A-7D38-41E0-A0B6-0EB1D03DA6B0.jpeg

Glad you didn't wait till 1,000 miles to get it done, modern springs dont need time to settle its a bit of a myth, the likes of eibach etc will confirm that if you ask (they did for me!). Usually if a car sits a little lower over time after fitting new springs its actually down to worn shockers. Frequently you get the opposite when you fit new shockers on the same springs as the old ones, the car actually raises ever so slightly, just ask Ben he found this when he replaced his knackered shocks with new B4's.

Looking at the end results Id say the rear trailing arm bushes may well benefit from replacement but Id be more suspicious the alignment place didnt know the rear camber was adjustable via a bolt at the bottom of the rear strut. Where the lower arm bolts to the hub, you can prove this yourself by whipping a wheel off and adjusting it yourself. You will see the disc noticeably move to a more vertical position if they haven't touched it. Ideally you want to get the rear camber to at least the M spec of 1 deg 50'. this will make the car feel more lively/sports car like on the road

 

[paulc_bkk]

I finally picked up a set of aero skirts

 

[saj77]

Just had Hunter alignment done.

All ok but REAR left - the guy said he’s adjusted it to the maximum and said the cause may be worn RTAB bush.

Any thoughts?


53DFCC0A-7D38-41E0-A0B6-0EB1D03DA6B0.jpeg

Glad you didn't wait till 1,000 miles to get it done, modern springs dont need time to settle its a bit of a myth, the likes of eibach etc will confirm that if you ask (they did for me!). Usually if a car sits a little lower over time after fitting new springs its actually down to worn shockers. Frequently you get the opposite when you fit new shockers on the same springs as the old ones, the car actually raises ever so slightly, just ask Ben he found this when he replaced his knackered shocks with new B4's.

Looking at the end results Id say the rear trailing arm bushes may well benefit from replacement but Id be more suspicious the alignment place didnt know the rear camber was adjustable via a bolt at the bottom of the rear strut. Where the lower arm bolts to the hub, you can prove this yourself by whipping a wheel off and adjusting it yourself. You will see the disc noticeably move to a more vertical position if they haven't touched it. Ideally you want to get the rear camber to at least the M spec of 1 deg 50'. this will make the car feel more lively/sports car like on the road

Thanks again Mack.

Looks like I’ll have to find another place to get it redone - will do a search on here for any recommended garages in the North East / North Yorkshire area.

 

[MACK]

Just had Hunter alignment done.

All ok but REAR left - the guy said he’s adjusted it to the maximum and said the cause may be worn RTAB bush.

Any thoughts?


53DFCC0A-7D38-41E0-A0B6-0EB1D03DA6B0.jpeg

Glad you didn't wait till 1,000 miles to get it done, modern springs dont need time to settle its a bit of a myth, the likes of eibach etc will confirm that if you ask (they did for me!). Usually if a car sits a little lower over time after fitting new springs its actually down to worn shockers. Frequently you get the opposite when you fit new shockers on the same springs as the old ones, the car actually raises ever so slightly, just ask Ben he found this when he replaced his knackered shocks with new B4's.

Looking at the end results Id say the rear trailing arm bushes may well benefit from replacement but Id be more suspicious the alignment place didnt know the rear camber was adjustable via a bolt at the bottom of the rear strut. Where the lower arm bolts to the hub, you can prove this yourself by whipping a wheel off and adjusting it yourself. You will see the disc noticeably move to a more vertical position if they haven't touched it. Ideally you want to get the rear camber to at least the M spec of 1 deg 50'. this will make the car feel more lively/sports car like on the road

Thanks again Mack.

Looks like I’ll have to find another place to get it redone - will do a search on here for any recommended garages in the North East / North Yorkshire area.

It's nuts how many alignment places don't seem to know how to adjust the camber on these cars. I could kind of understand it if the setup was zed specific but the rear axle is poached off the e46.

 

[ben g]

Gave her a rinse ready for Zedfest tomorrow. The weather is looking good now but it might be a bit soggy underfoot .
Brought a cheapo third brake light as mine was cracked. Total waste of money, the plug was different so I did a bit of a soldering job & fitted the plug from the cracked one. The fit was awful, sticking out a mile at each end & when I plugged it in it didn't bloody work . So, bought a pukka BMW clear, fitted it & works perfectly .
So I went from this..
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To this..
20190817_131713.jpg
Looks much better against the grey imo.
Also fitted two new struts to the boot lid. Opening & closing is so much smoother now so I'm hoping I'll avoid cracking the brake light for a while .

Looking forward to seeing some of you at Zedfest tomorrow .

Where did you purchase the boot struts from? Mine make a God awful creaking noise in hot weather, so I assume they need replacing.

Haven't looked how to remove the originals, do they just pull off?

Ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-New-...Struts-E004-/283287055396?txnId=2019390519018
3 year guarantee & I'm really pleased with them.
They're reasonably easy to change out. You need a small blade screwdriver to pull a clip outwards a little at each end. Then pull the strut off the ball end. Do the same with the new ones & when fitted simply push the clip on. Try not to remove the clip all the way as they're a pig to get back on. Ask me how I know

Thanks very much. Must order them as they've started making that awful noise again due to the hot weather. It's quite embarrassing in car parks :lol:

 

[redtailed78]

Finally got round to resetting the airbag light, cleared and hasn't returned. happy days

 

[enzed4]

Bought a 3mtr scaffolding plank, cut in half, angled the ends and hey presto, DIY ramp extenders. Now I can finally use my ramps with the Z4 :lol:

 

[DOOM]

Bought a 3mtr scaffolding plank, cut in half, angled the ends and hey presto, DIY ramp extenders. Now I can finally use my ramps with the Z4 :lol:

have you got those ramps, hinged to the ground in any way?
I almost had a heart attack once with my Vauxhall daily. Lesson learned.
I, too, have made DIY welded metal ramp extenders but -since that horrifying moment- with metal hooks to the ramps as well

 

[lucasxdiniz]

Bought a 3mtr scaffolding plank, cut in half, angled the ends and hey presto, DIY ramp extenders. Now I can finally use my ramps with the Z4 :lol:

have you got those ramps, hinged to the ground in any way?
I almost had a heart attack once with my Vauxhall daily. Lesson learned.
I, too, have made DIY welded metal ramp extenders but -since that horrifying moment- with metal hooks to the ramps as well

Made the mistake of lowering a Polo on a pair of those on a polished cement floor. I knew I wouldn't be able to drive up them without the ramps moving forward, but thought they had been designed so once the car was one them, the reaction force would make sure they stayed in place. After lowering the car on them and wiggling the car to make sure it was safe, I turned my back on the car to get my tools... 5 seconds later there's this huge noise, which I quickly found was the under-carriage hitting them as they had slipped from under the wheels. :thumbsdown:

Felt dumb as hell.

 

[jamie_z4]

Fitted coilovers

 

[enzed4]

Bought a 3mtr scaffolding plank, cut in half, angled the ends and hey presto, DIY ramp extenders. Now I can finally use my ramps with the Z4 :lol:

have you got those ramps, hinged to the ground in any way?
I almost had a heart attack once with my Vauxhall daily. Lesson learned.
I, too, have made DIY welded metal ramp extenders but -since that horrifying moment- with metal hooks to the ramps as well

The ramps are ok, don't know if you can see they are hard up against the raised edge of the garage floor, so they won't be slipping. The ramp extenders (unless this is what you meant?) are not currently hooked onto the ramps but it's on the plan once I figure out the best way to secure them to the ramps - any suggestions welcome....

 

[DOOM]

@enzed4
I drilled 2 holes in the cement floor for each ramp (about 4 inches each) so as to keep them in place, both lengthwise and widthwise. A steel metal rod with a something like a hook on its edge is inserted in each hole and keeps the ramps still.
Each metal ramp extender has 2 welded steel rods underneath (see pic) so as to hook to the ramp.
Cyan rods are placed diagonally (underneath the highest point to the lowest one) to keep the ramp in place. Green rods are placed underneath the extender.
Hope I made it a bit clearer, will take photo when vacations are over..

 

[g3org3y]

Today I washed the car. First time I've washed a car in 5 years probably (never ever washed my E36 328 Touring shed).



AG shampoo, SRP and Ultra HD Wax.

 

[ben g]

Today I washed the car. First time I've washed a car in 5 years probably (never ever washed my E36 328 Touring shed).

20190825_193719.jpg

AG shampoo, SRP and Ultra HD Wax.

Don't you just love a freshly washed Z4? 8)

I love when I finish washing mine. It's just a shame it either looks dusty or full of water marks most of the time due to being a commuter car

 

[g3org3y]

Don't you just love a freshly washed Z4?

Washed Z4s are quicker as well, fact. :lol:

I used Bilt Hamber Auto-Wheel for the first time, absolutely amazing product! Dubious smell though.

 

[ben g]

Don't you just love a freshly washed Z4?

Washed Z4s are quicker as well, fact. :lol:

I used Bilt Hamber Auto-Wheel for the first time, absolutely amazing product! Dubious smell though.

20190825_183642.jpg

Christ, that's a lot of iron reacting :lol: yes the smell is awful, which is why I don't use it. It makes me feel sick

My dad used that stuff on some recently installed grey Indian sandstone, which had started to go brown due to iron inside the stone coming to the surface. Looks perfectly grey again now it's great stuff, but as said, smells disgusting!

 

[MACK]

Fitted coilovers

What size are those wheels Jamie, they look like 20" but I dont know if its just bacause they got slim barrels and they're actually 18".

 

[jamie_z4]

Fitted coilovers

What size are those wheels Jamie, they look like 20" but I dont know if its just bacause they got slim barrels and they're actually 18".

19s Mark, don't plan on keeping them as I think they are a bit chavvy but they were cheap and had good tyres just fancied trying them 8)

 

[enuff_zed]

Fitted coilovers

Is it the camera angle, or have you gone for the old Ford Capri trick of a bag of cement in the boot.
Rear wheels look ready to set off in a completely different direction to the rest of the car :?