Winter Zed plans..

True-Blue · Oct 15, 2023

Post mainly aimed at uk owners, as we have a tendency to consider sorn’ing and ‘doing jobs’ in the wetter, darker, colder months.

I know many uk owners run their Zeds all year around, and I have before, but probably not this year with the Alpina.

My own car has had a fair bit of recent maintenance, so I think my main work with be a full ‘wheels off’ detail, with a gentle machine polish to remove marring and the current ceramic coating, followed by applying new ceramic coat.

I’m also considering a referb of the brake callipers . Everything works perfectly, but i fancy refinishing them and if I’m taking them off anyway it seems like a sensible precaution on 18 year old callipers.

Other than that, the car already has the only non-standard ‘mechanical’ modification I would consider in the B12 kit, and it was only fitted a few thousand miles ago with new top mounts etc. Then only other modifications I might consider relate to the audio, as my previous Si had a simple but very effective amp/speaker upgrade which made a big difference to sound quality.

So, what winter jobs, refurbs, upgrades have you got planned or are you considering?

pvr · Oct 15, 2023

Oil and filter change, de- rust the underneath and paint the callipers. Done the engine bay yesterday by removing the plastics and wiper area and using the vinyl and rubber care, and re-rusted the bolts everywhere. Now it looks like an engine bay and not a Scottish wreck.

Fitting the subwoofers and other upgrade bits I have bought.

Starter motor replacement as well.

Done the steering wheel spokes with alcohol as you suggested, so I now have perfect black spokes and bleeding fingers :lol:

TheDan · Oct 15, 2023

I never sorn in the winter, but my Z4 will be sitting still a lot this winter while I do a lot of mechanical TLC. Here is my list at the moment (but it grows day by day):

Stud conversion kit

New wheels (when they finally get delivered)

Adjustable rear camber arms

Polybush all rear bushes (including diff bushes but not subframe to body bushes)

Replace driveshaft flex disc

Replace driveshaft center bearing

Replace CCV

Refurbish rear calipers

Its not in a bad way now, just want to get these done in the winter so come spring its in a lovely condition mechanically.

SqerrNipz · Oct 15, 2023

Some nice over-winter plans there!

I’d like to get front wheel bearings done. No issues with them, but passenger brake shield is rattling and driving me mad so thought it would be a good plan to do both at the same time.

Possible wheel refurb too as they have staining from somewhere which is impossible to shift :roll:

Other than that, just waiting for any dry, sunny day, for an opportunity to go out for a blast with heaters, heated seats and heated steering wheel on! :lol:

True-Blue · Oct 15, 2023

pvr said:
Oil and filter change, de- rust the underneath and paint the callipers. Done the engine bay yesterday by removing the plastics and wiper area and using the vinyl and rubber care, and re-rusted the bolts everywhere. Now it looks like an engine bay and not a Scottish wreck.

Fitting the subwoofers and other upgrade bits I have bought.

Starter motor replacement as well.

Done the steering wheel spokes with alcohol as you suggested, so I now have perfect black spokes and bleeding fingers :lol:

Ah yes, technically easy but physically a bit of pain in the….fingers, the steering wheel spokes :rofl:

Zedebee · Oct 15, 2023

I don’t usually SORN, but my tax and MOT ran out in September and I had planned a major brakes and suspension refresh, so I have decided to take my time and put her back on the road when ready.

New top mounts, dampers, control arms, hubs and knuckles (yes, a nice powder coated set to replace the rusty originals).
New discs, refurb/repain callipers and give everything else a good clean and de-rust.
Replace front bumper brackets
Oil level sensor and thermostat (both throwing up codes)
Maybe VANOS refresh

Flappy paddles now installed and working

Mike6 · Oct 18, 2023

Put her to bed under dust covers for 6 months with the battery on trickle charge, once I have sorted the occasional eml light indicating an oxygen preparation problem . As it's a second car no point in paying the enormous road tax bill, my wife would probably divorce me if she knew what it was. And then I would have anyone to cook my dinner and iron my undies.

1536Z4 · Nov 27, 2023

TheDan said:
Stud conversion kit

I have been thinking about doing this myself . Which kit are you going with ?

Barty · Nov 28, 2023

“Couple” of jobs for the winter:

Replace all bushings and upgrade to poly where appropriate
Refurb diff subframe, diff and axles, and fit LSD
Refurb front subframe, replace control arms
Replace engine and box mounts
Convert to hydraulic PAS
Refurb struts and fit new mounts
Preventive maintenance hot side engine
Replace gaskets and cooling system

Build headlights and replace current ones
Fit new seats
Build bespoke dash solution for screen

Plenty of stuff to do, the first half is a must, the second nice to have

pvr · Nov 28, 2023

How long is your winter? :lol:

Barty · Nov 28, 2023

pvr said:
How long is your winter? :lol:

Never quite long enough :lol:

Ed Doe · Nov 28, 2023

1. Remove and weld up cracked exhaust manifold
2. Refurb Alloys (unsure whether to go for Bronze or bright silver)
3. New Tyres (Trying out Yoko AD09s!)
4. general clean / spruce up ahead of Spring

TOMGREEN413 · Nov 28, 2023

Restore seats, detail interior, new coil packs n plugs , possibly replacing the Disa valve

T_J_G · Nov 28, 2023

Gather suspension refresh items ready for spring and maybe some new wheels

TheDan · Dec 14, 2023

1536Z4 said:
I have been thinking about doing this myself . Which kit are you going with ?

I bought studs and nuts from PCD Parts. They seem good quality, but I am yet to install them as I have been away. When placing the order I only bought 16 nuts because I ordered a set of 4 open ended locking wheel nuts from Orranje Performance.

Below are the specs for everything I went with: