What have you done to your car today?
- Thread starter Buckz
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CrazyBaptie
Member
PDJ said:
I am about to fit a replacement one next week - not all newly painted however - what have you used to keep the engine up?
Not fitted to the car yet but I am working on the following small OBD display to display a whole bunch of vehicle parameters in real-time. (The values are fictitious- with the needle just sweeping up the gauge to test the movement). You will be able to step through different parameters as can be seen.
Not sure if there will be much interest for these but if it works well I anticipate selling these to interested parties
(long way off yet!)
Not sure if there will be much interest for these but if it works well I anticipate selling these to interested parties
(long way off yet!)
MrPT said:
What is the purpose of this? How does binding/slap manifest?
Darkangelv2 said:
The spring coils come into contact when driving over bumps and this used to make a quiet clinking sound. I understand that this is relatively common for progressive springs but mainly affects heavily lowered cars on coilies.
What is more rare, and probably only happens as the coating on the springs rubs away, is that the coils bind together momentarily under hard compression and then release with a loud “bang”. Installing the V3s involves removing the rubber from between the top spring perch and the body, so it’s quite an alarming noise until you know what’s going on!
Not sure how long it will last but it’s a mega cheap fix and has now made the car brilliant for fast B road use. Never thought I’d say that about an old Z4.
MrPT said:Darkangelv2 said:
The spring coils come into contact when driving over bumps and this used to make a quiet clinking sound. I understand that this is relatively common for progressive springs but mainly affects heavily lowered cars on coilies.
What is more rare, and probably only happens as the coating on the springs rubs away, is that the coils bind together momentarily under hard compression and then release with a loud “bang”. Installing the V3s involves removing the rubber from between the top spring perch and the body, so it’s quite an alarming noise until you know what’s going on!
Not sure how long it will last but it’s a mega cheap fix and has now made the car brilliant for fast B road use. Never thought I’d say that about an old Z4.
Thanks very much for the explanation!
I shall keep my ears open!
Darkangelv2 said:Thanks very much for the explanation!
I shall keep my ears open!
It was all new to me too - forums are great.
Think you’ll be fine with those BCs. Looks like they put a section of rubber sleeve on all their progressive springs (which interestingly KW only do for the fronts on the V3).
Got my Z4MR back yesterday. My god there was a lot seriously wrong with my car and it was flipping dangerous, as a previous owner had cheap pads on the front and they had delaminated!
In the end the bill came in over £3300
and seems the dealer knew how bad it was, as the specialist said there was evidence of work being attempted. It shouldn't have past the MOT in 2018, as I only did over 4500 miles this last year and the cars been garaged in my ownership.
I had 3 new springs (couldn't find an OEM front left spring, but thankfully it was the only one not rusted or snapped) , Also the top mounts etc were replaced all round. My two rear springs were snapped and I should have realised something was not right from day one. I am really embarrassed I didn't realise they were broken!
Track-rod ends for the front replaced
New BMW pads all round. Front left pads were delaminated!
New front rotors/discs (the old ones were not in a good state)
New rear brake lines, as the old ones were rusted really, really badly. The brake fluid that came out was BLACK! The lines were flushed through several times before it started to come out clean for bleeding.
New rear pilot sport tyre to match my others. Will be getting new wheels next year, as there is corrosion on all 4 wheels.
New silver plastic cover for my door handles inside, as my drivers one has a nasty sharp bit I kept catching myself on.
The car had a full service, which was done properly this time. Seems the dealer I got it from (possibly) never serviced the car for me and just reset the computer (aledgially) :roll:
Tracking was done
New MOT
A lot of the bolts got replaced underneath and on the suspension, as they were in a sorry state. Thing is, there's no rust anywhere else on the car, which is one reason the mechanic ( Mark Purcell and my folks decided without asking me, that it was worth saving, as trying to sell my Z4M and getting me another car would have cost more money).
There was a lot of other smaller bits replaced to do with mounting the springs etc (rubber/plastic parts were worn and/or perished)
Mark only billed us for 19 hours of labour, but you can tell he put more in on my car, but he wanted to help my folks and I keep the cost down). He had the car up on the ramps and walked Poppa and I through everything he done, so we could see he done the work. He answered my questions and didn't make me feel like a total twat for not knowing that much about mechanical stuff.
The rear exhaust was bodged on the right side, where the flanges were rusted and the clamp rotted away. I will put a new mid/rear and right backbox on the car in the late spring next year. I want to put a new set of wheels on the car and Falken tyres (since the mid 2000's I always put Falken's on my car. My '85 E30 Alpina C2 2.5 was so much nicer to drive when I went over to them and my P1 which I had put Continental Sports Contacts on when I got it, has so many punctures with them, that I replaced them with Flaken's and I found them to be quieter on the motorway and better in the wet and yes, I am a big Falken fanboy!)
The car feels so different now. The steering has more weight to it, which just improves the feel of my inputs and the rear end which use to skip so much on bumpy roads at speed, is now planted more and is very predictable (and manageable). The balance and ride is now drastically better and the rattles I thought were a loose heat shields, has gone (it was the snapped springs). I am really happy with how the car feels and I am ashamed that I never realised my car was in such bad shape. Also my poor mum put up with so much with the constan big bills my Poppa's old E46 M3 Cab caused/had. She was weary me getting not only a BMW again, or one of the same age/era as his, but a car that shares so much with the E46 M3's.
I will admit, I have thought (am thinking) about letting my Z4MR go and making up the difference to either try and find a good Z4MC (I will be getting it inspected by the RAC or AA) or get a Subaru BRZ that has had a Rocket Bunny body kit and a turbo conversion done. Or even getting myself a Nissan S30 Fairlady Z and do a "Devil Z" conversion on it (from the Manga/Anime and video games called "Wangan Midnight"). As I was driving my car this evening to go to a good friends 40th dinner with his family earlier, I really love how improved my car feels and after not having it for about 3-4 weeks, I've sorely missed it!
In the end the bill came in over £3300
and seems the dealer knew how bad it was, as the specialist said there was evidence of work being attempted. It shouldn't have past the MOT in 2018, as I only did over 4500 miles this last year and the cars been garaged in my ownership.I had 3 new springs (couldn't find an OEM front left spring, but thankfully it was the only one not rusted or snapped) , Also the top mounts etc were replaced all round. My two rear springs were snapped and I should have realised something was not right from day one. I am really embarrassed I didn't realise they were broken!
Track-rod ends for the front replaced
New BMW pads all round. Front left pads were delaminated!
New front rotors/discs (the old ones were not in a good state)
New rear brake lines, as the old ones were rusted really, really badly. The brake fluid that came out was BLACK! The lines were flushed through several times before it started to come out clean for bleeding.
New rear pilot sport tyre to match my others. Will be getting new wheels next year, as there is corrosion on all 4 wheels.
New silver plastic cover for my door handles inside, as my drivers one has a nasty sharp bit I kept catching myself on.
The car had a full service, which was done properly this time. Seems the dealer I got it from (possibly) never serviced the car for me and just reset the computer (aledgially) :roll:
Tracking was done
New MOT
A lot of the bolts got replaced underneath and on the suspension, as they were in a sorry state. Thing is, there's no rust anywhere else on the car, which is one reason the mechanic ( Mark Purcell and my folks decided without asking me, that it was worth saving, as trying to sell my Z4M and getting me another car would have cost more money).
There was a lot of other smaller bits replaced to do with mounting the springs etc (rubber/plastic parts were worn and/or perished)
Mark only billed us for 19 hours of labour, but you can tell he put more in on my car, but he wanted to help my folks and I keep the cost down). He had the car up on the ramps and walked Poppa and I through everything he done, so we could see he done the work. He answered my questions and didn't make me feel like a total twat for not knowing that much about mechanical stuff.
The rear exhaust was bodged on the right side, where the flanges were rusted and the clamp rotted away. I will put a new mid/rear and right backbox on the car in the late spring next year. I want to put a new set of wheels on the car and Falken tyres (since the mid 2000's I always put Falken's on my car. My '85 E30 Alpina C2 2.5 was so much nicer to drive when I went over to them and my P1 which I had put Continental Sports Contacts on when I got it, has so many punctures with them, that I replaced them with Flaken's and I found them to be quieter on the motorway and better in the wet and yes, I am a big Falken fanboy!)
The car feels so different now. The steering has more weight to it, which just improves the feel of my inputs and the rear end which use to skip so much on bumpy roads at speed, is now planted more and is very predictable (and manageable). The balance and ride is now drastically better and the rattles I thought were a loose heat shields, has gone (it was the snapped springs). I am really happy with how the car feels and I am ashamed that I never realised my car was in such bad shape. Also my poor mum put up with so much with the constan big bills my Poppa's old E46 M3 Cab caused/had. She was weary me getting not only a BMW again, or one of the same age/era as his, but a car that shares so much with the E46 M3's.
I will admit, I have thought (am thinking) about letting my Z4MR go and making up the difference to either try and find a good Z4MC (I will be getting it inspected by the RAC or AA) or get a Subaru BRZ that has had a Rocket Bunny body kit and a turbo conversion done. Or even getting myself a Nissan S30 Fairlady Z and do a "Devil Z" conversion on it (from the Manga/Anime and video games called "Wangan Midnight"). As I was driving my car this evening to go to a good friends 40th dinner with his family earlier, I really love how improved my car feels and after not having it for about 3-4 weeks, I've sorely missed it!
Washed and hoovered.
Tyre pressure check
Trim cleaned
Good to go
Tyre pressure check
Trim cleaned
Good to go
bearded_ed
Member
Took the wheels off, today to take out the HID kit I fitted last weekend.
When I refit the headlight rear cover it seems that the gasket got messed up, because they were absolutely soaked! Very frustrating really given that they were bone dry before.
£30 of covers later and a very quiet afternoon at work out the back in the workshop I had dried them out and fitted the HID kit back in with new rear covers!
When I refit the headlight rear cover it seems that the gasket got messed up, because they were absolutely soaked! Very frustrating really given that they were bone dry before.
£30 of covers later and a very quiet afternoon at work out the back in the workshop I had dried them out and fitted the HID kit back in with new rear covers!
Attachments
The postie delivered some little bits yesterday 
Sun was out today so I fitted new led side light bulbs, new wheel centres, tidied up the drivers seat bolster and obviously went for a drive
Sun was out today so I fitted new led side light bulbs, new wheel centres, tidied up the drivers seat bolster and obviously went for a drive
Smartbear said:Spent a few hours with a machine polisher polishing out some swirls, managed to get a small tv in the bear-cave as well
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Rob
Agree can't have a cave without a TV
Washed the car in failing light. Couldn't remove a load of brown marks caused by dodgy washer fluid.
Removed the washer reservoir in the dark, cleaned out the plastic tank, struggled to replace the bugger but got there in the end.
Noticed the boot lid still letting in condensation, despite having fitted a genuine 3rd brake light last week.
Remind me why I bought a 16 yr old car again?
Removed the washer reservoir in the dark, cleaned out the plastic tank, struggled to replace the bugger but got there in the end.
Noticed the boot lid still letting in condensation, despite having fitted a genuine 3rd brake light last week.
Remind me why I bought a 16 yr old car again?
North West Surrey
Was planning to visit my Mum this afternoon, so as it wasn't too cold and the sun was shining my Z4 got an 80 mile round trip which reminded me why I love driving it so much (even if it is 13 years old). 
Although it did get wet on the way home.
Although it did get wet on the way home.
ErrErrminator
Active member
Started the Zed for the first time in a few weeks and let it sit on the drive idling until it reached full temp. Then went to put it back in the garage only to see a large ominous puddle where the car had been sat and yes, it smelled of coolant.
Looks like the expansion tank may have ruptured.... great! :| I’m sure a previous owner had replaced this known weak component. I started removing bits at the front end to get a closer look, but ran out of light, so it’s a job for another day. I did note that there is precious little space down there, so off to search the forum to see what useful advice there is about doing this job.....
Looks like the expansion tank may have ruptured.... great! :| I’m sure a previous owner had replaced this known weak component. I started removing bits at the front end to get a closer look, but ran out of light, so it’s a job for another day. I did note that there is precious little space down there, so off to search the forum to see what useful advice there is about doing this job.....
