YanYang's E86 Tracker

[YanYangC]

Manual Stratus Grey E86 with Individual Champagne Extended Nappa Leather Interior



This will be my ownership tracker for my new to me E86 Z4, purhcased with 119,400 miles on the 30th Jan 2026, for £6,600 (not sure if the price was good or not, but it seemed reasonable). It was previously sold via auction to Challenge Cars, and then onwards to the owner I bought it off. The auction listing is available for viewing here.

Whilst I've only owned it for a short time as of writing (4 days) I have a long list of things I want to do, inspired by many other builds on this and other forums!

My end goal is to turn the Z4 into a GT cruiser that is still competent on a twisty road.

The Good

1. Late production model - circa June 2008
2. Champagne individual nappa leather trim - I believe this is the extended leather option with full leather door cards and leather sunshades, however the a pillars are standard. Gloss back dash and centre trim
3. Thermostat and expansion tank were replaced in the last year
4. No noticeable dents in bodywork - the collecting cars listing noted two points which I could not identigy personally - perhaps this was resolved at some point. The closest I got was regarding some trim for the taillights and the bonnet isn't perfectly flush (slight tilt, lower on driver side)
5. Heated memory M-sport seats work
6. Auto dim rear view mirror works

The Bad

1. I get kangarooing when moving off in first gear. I have been driving an auto for the last few years but I don't think my clutch control is that bad. At first I thought it might be a worn clutch or DMF, however further reading suggests this could also be caused in part by the CDV.
2. Corrosion / bubbling is visible on both rear quarter panels - whilst early stage there are three distinct areas, present on both sides.
3. Mismatched tyres, same across axles but different sets front and rear
4. The driver side door handle required a firm tug upwards to open - this only affects the outer door handle and not the inner door handle, so I suspect it's a stretched cable

The Ugly

1. Sunglasses holder was stuck shut on inspection - further removal reveals someone just screwed the thing shut and called it a day!
2. No autofold or dim wing mirrors - I constantly get blinded at night! If anyone has a full retrofit set with wiring looms and control unit please let me know
3. Leather seats are worn - passenger seat has a minor tear

To do list

• Door handle fix
• Removal and inspection of all quarter panels for rust
• Rust treatment and respray of front engine bay
  • note to self - 80 grit sandpaper or wirebrush -> isopropyl wipe -> Rust Treatment (Hydrate 80 or Deox C/Gel followed by Electrox) -> primer -> paint
• Retrofit autodim autofold side view mirrors (Bought 07/03/2026)
• Removal of rubber finish from steering wheel trim
• Refurb of headlights and fog lights
• Polish headlights
• Sound deadening (CLD -> CCF -> MLV)
  • note to self - wipe clean with isopropyl -> avoid seams with CLD / redo seam sealer -> CCF -> template and cut MLV. Fill bulkhead gaps with foam / bubblewrap
• N52 preventative maintenance
  
  • VANOS solenoids
  • PVC vacuum tube failure (back of valve cover, can route into catch can and into SC if installed
  • Oil pan gasket, requires new aluminum bolts
  • DISA Valve rebuild (both small and large, aluminium kits)
  • Crankshaft seal protection plate (stops serpentine belt being sucked into crankshaft and damaging crankshaft seal
  • Oil filter gasket
  • Valvetronic actuator
  • Valvetronic actuator gasket
  • Valvetronic eccentric shaft sensor, requires crows foot adapter and valve cover seal
  • Check valve
• Pre-lci bumper
• Sunglasses Latch Holder (need to check but looks the same) compare to these photos here
• CDV delete
• Tighten door card leather trim with a heat gun - whole door card is leather so arm rest shouldn't melt
• Recolour and repair leather trim
• LED swap dials?
• Install seat springs to msport seats
• Install upgraded sound system (no clue so any suggestions taken)
• Replace fading badges
• Refurb 108s or replace - apparently these are hard to maintain
• Refresh paint - Scholl S20 -> LSF -> Fusso
• Replace window and door seals 09/03/2026 Use Gummi-pflege to restore rubber trims and re-adhere where possible
• Tyres with sound insulating foam? Not sure what the go tos are on this car
• Fit Mekede dudu7? E46 only need to investigate. Want a system that has 360 camera support
• Fit quad exhaust? Remus vs Eisenmann
• Antenna delete
• Angel headlights / LEDS + projectors (requires level sensors, wiring, control module, and coding for base halogens?)
• Rear duck tail?
• Boot seal light install (have this in my mini and makes the boot much more usable as night!)
• Wire in second rear fog light
• Bilstein B4 with Eibach progressive springs (?) Looking for comfort over road feel, any other suggestions taken!
• Redo all bushing and suspension components
  • Front Suspension
    • Peen blast, epoxy, powder coat subframe and subframe mounting points
    • Meyer HD front lower control arm
    • Replace front sway bar
    • Replace front sway bar links
  • Rear Suspension
    • Peen blast, epoxy, powder coat subframe and subframe mounting points
    • Rogue Engineering rear shock mount upgrade
    • Replace end links
    • Replace rear sway bar?
• Engine and transmission mounts
• Quaife LSD with 3.64 final gear ratio
• Modify rear centre console compartment to be more usable (additional lighting / two shelves instead of 3 / heated or cooled compartment? (could use rear bulkhead voids to exhaust cool/hot air
• Code
  • triple blink on tap
  • welcome lights
  • comfort entry/exit
  • beep on lock
• Supercharger? M-style isn't the best installer from what I've read but I can't remember who is

 

[Meds]

Looking forward to the progress updates.
Plenty there to keep you busy!

If not known, schedule a waterpump change, they're a known and documented weak spot on the N52. Some go at 60k, most go by 100k, some hold on for thousands more.!!?!! So it's a bit of a gamble.
(I had one go at 90k, the other two I got changed preventative)

Also, while you're coding, enable the windows to be used while opening the door and the indicator flash on unlock. Both very helpful.

I used 6mm rubber/foam sticky sheets, they absorb/deaden noise rather than the silver foil bitumen sheets that are designed for vibration dampening rather than sound insulation (it also weighs a tonne!)

 

[Mr Tidy]

Some progress made already and a great list of plans.

The kangarooing may not be helped by the CDV, but I'd get it removed anyway.

If you don't know whether it has ever had fresh gearbox fluid I'd get that done despite BMW's claim they are filled for life.

Agree about the water pump. I had one fail on my first E86 at just 60K miles, but my 2nd was still on the original when I sold it on 91K. Then my 325i needed a new one at 135K. Just don't buy from BMW as they charge over £500 for them. You can get the same Pierburg parts for about £300 elsewhere. When it dies the engine will overheat within a mile, so like Meds many people replace them as a preventative measure to avoid being stranded.

On the coding I also had mine done for "beep on lock" as I don't always notice the indicator flash.

Anyway good luck working through it all.

 

[Mr_Reeves]

I kind if want to to do a few similar things to mine.

• Add a couple of OE speakers like Meds has done.
• Add a Bluetooth receiver of some sort
• Do the cruise control retro fit
• Add some sound deadening in the rear
• Get the steering wheel re-trimmed and remove the black rubber finish

 

[YanYangC]

Summary of paperwork suppled with car

Service booklet

Date	Mileage	Checked boxes	Garage	Notes
26/03/2009	Pre-delivery check	N/A	BMW Fawdington LTD No.12113, NE2 4LE	First Owner B4MCE
26/04/2011	Engine Oil Brake Fluid Micro Filter	17,139 miles	BMW Fawdington LTD No.12113, NE2 4LE
06/02/2013	Engine Oil Inspection I Brake Fluid Micro Filter	36,316 miles	Lloyd Newcastle No.12113	Second owner G3BOK
10/12/2014	Engine Oil Micro Filter	54,713 miles	Lloyd Newcastle No.12113
27/03/2017	Engine Oil Inspection II Brake Fluid Micro Filter Air cleaner element	74,153 miles	Lloyd Newcastle No.12113
24/01/2019	Engine Oil Inspection I Inspection II	92,352 miles	Mistletoe Specialist Service Jesmond Newcastle
17/10/2019	Engine Oil Air Cleaner Element	104,395 miles	Shentons Garage Ashbourne	Third Owner SLZ661
06/03/2023	Engine Oil Air Cleaner Element	107,623 miles	Shentons Garage Ashbourne
13/08/2024	Inspection I	110,132 miles	Challenge Cars, WF7 8EH	Dealer
15/02/2025	Engine Oil Micro Filter	113,350 miles	Self Perform	Fourth Owner P7B00 Millers 05-30 Fully Synthetic
08/03/2026	Engine Oil Micro Filter Pollen Filter NS Dipped Bulb	120975	Self Perform // Zedshed Cymru	Me NJ09 DHE Millers Oils EE Performance C3 05W40 Fully Synthetic
28/03/2026	Air Filter Wiper Bllades	122500	Self Perform	Mahle Airfilter Bosch AeroTwin Wipers

Receipts
17/10/19

Date	Receipt work	Cost	Location	Notes
17/10/2019	2 Tyres Drumstick (?) Track rod end Oil Filter Engine Oil Air Filter Bulb	£228.12 £30.59 £33.02 £16.42 £54.72 £20.60 £1.19	Shentons Garage LTD DE6 2BN	225/40R18 front 225/35R18 back
22/01/2020	MOT Test Waxoyl Underside of vehicle Waxoyl	£54.00 £69.60 £27.00	Shentons Garage LTD DE6 2BN	Nice
20/07/2020	Deposit for Power Flow	£62.50	Mr Tyres LTD 153 Normanton Road
04/08/2020	Powerflow Exhaust Labour Deposit 2 x Stainless Steel Box Twin Tailpipe Tube 50x2x6100 Tube 57x2x6100	£562.50 -£62.50	Mr Tyres LTD 153 Normanton Road	304g/m This exhaust drones at motorway speeds and I believe has a leak
18/08/2020	Powerflow Stainless Steel Box	£51.60	Mr Tyres LTD 153 Normanton Road
11/07/2022	Napa Battery 5 years	£144.00	Protyre Ashbourne
06/03/2023	MOT Test Labour Engine Oil Oil Filter	£54.00 £57.60 £46.52 £16.78	Shteons Garage LTD DE6 2BN
21/02/2024	MOT Rear Lamda Sensor + Rear Headlamp washer + Poor starting Lamda Sensor High Pressure Solenoid Battery Workshop Consumables Lambda Sensor	£54.00 £810.00 £74.26 £89.51 £125.72 £189.00 £4.80 £102.00	Dovedale Garage Ashbourne DE6 2AT	Related to exhaust leak?
10/04/2024	Refurb 108s Callipers in Ferrari Red	£312.00 £120.00	Painttech DE21 4BE
23/10/2024	Replacement of bank 2 post cat Lambda sensor	£323.98	Munich Legends	Was causing intermittent EML light due to faulty oxygen sensor on bank 2 cat. Adapted and road tested
10/12/2024	Diagnostic and welding of exhaust system	£164.92	Southern Motor Developments BN9 0DH	Related to exhaust leak?
31/01/2025	Oil Filter	£15.03	BMW Group 1 Brighton
06/02/2025	Rocker Cover Gasket and Actuator Motor Gasket Replacement	£269.23	TLS Garage Services	Removed rocker cover & found oil in the connector for variable valve camshaft sensor (suspect sensor may be passing oil but sensor very expensive over £300 + vat) Resassembled with new rocker cover gasket & actuator motor gasket, clean off oil oil & road tested. All ok.
07/02/2025	Set oil-fil B11.42.7.953.129 B11.42.7.512.300	£15.03	BMW Group 1 Brighton	Oil filter?
27/02/2025	B17.13.7.553.919	£28.84	BMW Group 1 Brighton	OEM Coolant expansion tank with sensor
24/07/2025	Gear selection issue Fit coolant level sensor in expansion bottle	£53.00 £20.40	TLS Garage Services	Clutch operation feels good Road tested - no issues on road test Carried out visual inspection of clutch circuit, fluid level is good and fluid looks clean. No signs of leaks/weeping from hydraulic components Checked for excessive. air in clutch fluid. All ok. Fault is intermittent & not evident at time of testing Could this be related to the Clutch Delay Valve?
09/12/2025	Cool Leak warning light investigation Driver side door not opening even through lock button on door	£51.00 £10.25	TLS Garage Services	Pressure test & found coolant leak from electric water pump - Water pump & coolant will require renewal Fault with the drivers door handle. Will require further investigation to confirm if handle, cable, or latch at fault Seller informed me of the issue and said he thought it was a 40A fuse, however invoice states latch or cable... My diagnosis is the cable, as door operates fine from inside handle.
10/12/2025	Electronic Water Pump with Mounting Kit	£300	GSF Car Parts BN7 2FB	PIE 7.02851.20.0 PIERSBURG
11/12/2025	2 x B83.51.5.A6C.DD7	£26.30	BMW Group 1 Brighton	2 bottles of BMW OEM radiator engine antifreeze (1.5L)
12/12/2025	B83.51.5.A6C.DD7	£13.15	BMW Group 1 Brighton
16/12/2025	Replace water pump & thermostat housing Fit customer supplied coolant expansion bottle and tank	£334.16	TLS Garage Services	I guess this was just sorted Meds!

Now if you've read all of that, then the elephant in the room will be my mention of an exhaust leak!

Took the car into work today to have the lads look at it, since we've got quite a few petrolheads at work.

Pros:
They said the clutch was fine and it was just a skill issue
They liked the car

Cons:
Pointed out my exhaust was blowing

I did notice on my way to work I did one pull up to 6000rpm after the engine got warm which caused some burning fluid smell in the cabin. Simple opening of the windows flushed the smell and it didn't come back, evening during a few short lunchtime joyrides.

On one of the final rides during lunch, however, I started hearing a louder tone from the passenger side window. I suspect this is the exhaust leaking mentioned. I wonder if the repair to the exhaust system undertaken by the previous owner in 2024 has failed...

Also, saw this thread re: the sunglasses holder and was wondering if anyone had any of these latches going~

S

Thread 'My thing has fallen off !'

Nov 1, 2017

My sunglasses holder will no longer shut. On closer inspection it appears as though the 'back bit' of the plastic catch has fallen off. I'm stumped as to where it has fallen and I am going to try to make a replacement. I have no idea what the original part looks like . Could someone please point me in the right direction ?

Cheers

• SeanConnor
• Replies: 13
• Forum: E85 - E86 Problems

 

[YanYangC]

Looking forward to the progress updates.
Plenty there to keep you busy!

If not known, schedule a waterpump change, they're a known and documented weak spot on the N52. Some go at 60k, most go by 100k, some hold on for thousands more.!!?!! So it's a bit of a gamble.
(I had one go at 90k, the other two I got changed preventative)

Also, while you're coding, enable the windows to be used while opening the door and the indicator flash on unlock. Both very helpful.

I used 6mm rubber/foam sticky sheets, they absorb/deaden noise rather than the silver foil bitumen sheets that are designed for vibration dampening rather than sound insulation (it also weighs a tonne!)

Good suggestions - I was thinking of doing everything you coded on your thread at a minimum!

Re the rubber foam sticky sheets, I did see that you reported better performance than simple CLD. I'm 5050 as I want to go the whole hog with CCF and MLV too (heavy) but I'm not sure if that would work with einbach pro springs. One reason I wasn't sure about the rubber foam sheets is how they are with moisture. To my understanding you want to avoid the seams in the interior as well as make sure the surfaces are clean and dry before CLD application, and the buytl is non-porous so when properly applied no moisture or condensation can get trapped under them. I'm not sure if your rubber foam has the same properties? Closed cell foam is specifically used over open cell foam for moisture reasons to my understanding - happy to be corrected as my knowledge is limited.

I saw you replaced your einbach pros with M Sport springs as they were too low for your area - I live in the countryside so I'm worried that Einbachs may be a bit low, but that set I'm looking to buy on the forums seems like a decent price.

 

[YanYangC]

Some progress made already and a great list of plans.

The kangarooing may not be helped by the CDV, but I'd get it removed anyway.

If you don't know whether it has ever had fresh gearbox fluid I'd get that done despite BMW's claim they are filled for life.

Agree about the water pump. I had one fail on my first E86 at just 60K miles, but my 2nd was still on the original when I sold it on 91K. Then my 325i needed a new one at 135K. Just don't buy from BMW as they charge over £500 for them. You can get the same Pierburg parts for about £300 elsewhere. When it dies the engine will overheat within a mile, so like Meds many people replace them as a preventative measure to avoid being stranded.

On the coding I also had mine done for "beep on lock" as I don't always notice the indicator flash.

Anyway good luck working through it all.

Sorry just catching up - the expansion tank and electric pump were replaced just last month (dec 2025) and it looks like the gearbox fluid is fine - previous owner had investigations for intermittent issues with putting in gear which I have only experienced once (details of investigation above). It was almost like I wasn't fully depressing the clutch pedal in behaviour, except I was fully depressing the clutch.

 

[Meds]

All my rubber foam is applied to the inside of the car, if the foam starts getting wet, then i have a much larger issue.! I store the car under cover, so all should be good.
I wouldn't use it on any exterior surfaces like in the wheel arches.

Personally I dislike cars that beep on lock/unlock, so the indicator flash was perfect for me. The locking is quite noisy, too, so easily audible I find. Sorry Mr T.

If the zorst leak is at the front, a common issue is the manifold to centre section gaskets. Mine failed on the rainiest day ever on a long drive to Ultimate BMW 2024 (suspected constant temp changes caused them to crack?) and made the car sound like a tractor.

Adding a thicker spring pad to the front solved my front being too low with the Eibachs, 95% of the time. It still rubs very occasionally over large undulations, when pressing on, though.

 

[YanYangC]

All my rubber foam is applied to the inside of the car, if the foam starts getting wet, then i have a much larger issue.! I store the car under cover, so all should be good.
I wouldn't use it on any exterior surfaces like in the wheel arches.

Personally I dislike cars that beep on lock/unlock, so the indicator flash was perfect for me. The locking is quite noisy, too, so easily audible I find. Sorry Mr T.

If the zorst leak is at the front, a common issue is the manifold to centre section gaskets. Mine failed on the rainiest day ever on a long drive to Ultimate BMW 2024 (suspected constant temp changes caused them to crack?) and made the car sound like a tractor.

Adding a thicker spring pad to the front solved my front being too low with the Eibachs, 95% of the time. It still rubs very occasionally over large undulations, when pressing on, though.

Sorry for my lack of knowledge - would swapping the centre section gasket be doable myself with a set of jacks or would I need to get it done professionally? Powerflow exhaust and haven't seen it in the air yet so I don't know what the modifications look like, but from the looks of it was just a backbox change so upper section should be stock

 

[Meds]

They usually need cutting out as the bolts are normally completely corroded.
A simple job for a shop or mechanic with a ramp. But laying on back with rust falling in your face, no thanks.
First of all, you need to locate where the leaks is.

 

[YanYangC]

First weekend on the Z4 in a while, took it to Colins garage (Zedshed Cymru) on Sunday 08/03/26 for some basic maintenance and a look under.

An initial scan revealed the following codes:

0C - LEW (Steering Angle Sensor) LWS CAN-Bus Communication Fault
3D - ZKE (Central Body Electronic) GM Drive for Rear Lid Unlocking
40 - Automatic Interval Control RLS: Optical Initialisation (Rain sensor)

Taking a look under the car on the scissor lift, the front end looks quite clean. There are a few bolts and fixings missing for the front bumper, and the oil drain plug cover is missing, but otherwise everything else is in good nick. The dampers and springs are barely corroded, if at all, with no major leaks. There may be a little leak from the oil sump gasket, but its hard to tell since the water may have been from the recalibration of the rain wiper sensor we had done earlier, as some of that water was also dripping down to the exhaust around the mid-section of the car (we had the hood up and sprayed the wiper fluid so it went down the cowling).

The rear end was a bit crustier, with the original paint peeling off the dampers and sway bar, although Colin determined that some wirebrush and lanolin should bring it right up. The rear subframe and diff are nice and crust, but all the other bits look good! I plan to at least replace the struts and springs with the eibachs I bought off the forum a few weeks ago along with some B4s, with ideas of stripping back and powder coating the subframe too, however Colin pointed out the difficult of dropping this on normal jacks or even a scissor lift!

18/03/26

Just received my millers oil analysis report back, everything looks in order with perhaps some minor rod bearing wear.



On another note, I've also had catalytic convertor obdII errors that cleared for both cats - I wonder if its due to the pressure change from the leaky exhaust or if the cats are dying...

 

[YanYangC]

Some fun with a new 3D printer at work! 3D printed washer jet cover and sump cover

 

[Mr Tidy]

Some fun with a new 3D printer at work! 3D printed washer jet cover and sump cover

Those headlamp washer jet covers are always going missing. I bought one in 2020 for £15 so if you do them a bit cheaper I reckon you'd sell quite a few on here!

Although not to me as I've disabled the troublesome headlamp washers.