Hey!
So I went ahead and bought a Z4 2.5i (manufactured in 2003, but hit the streets in late 2005) with 112.000km on the clock. The car didn't see enough love from its previous owner, but I plan to turn that around. The car is good at its core but needs a lot of polishing around the edges to get it into the pristine condition it deserves to be in.
Here´s the birth certificate:
So, all in all, pretty much a basic Z4 that packs a decent amount of power.
Some images:
Z4 by Steini DJ, on Flickr
Z4 by Steini DJ, on Flickr
As you can see on these images, it doesn't look great. The alloys are, in my opinion, an insult to all things good and nice. However, the "to-do" list is of a demanding nature that puts new wheels on the shelf:
Quite the list. Thankfully, I knew all of these fault before I bought the car (had it thoroughly checked). The biggest items on the list will be changed in less than a month or so, and that leaves the non-essential factors such as the soft top motor and audio system. Some might (and have) call me daft for taking on this project, but I'm determined to bring the car to its former glory, if you will.
My plans, after the to-do list up here, aren't fancy but as follows:
That's all for the Z4. This isn't my first BMW, I'd like to list some of the other cars I've had through the years:
E39 M5
Great car. It wasn't so great when I bought it (much like the Z4), but today I'd like to say it's one of the better M5s on the streets of Iceland (and we have quite a few, per capita).
E39 M5 During night by Steini DJ, on Flickr
E39 M5 by Steini DJ, on Flickr - Wheel caps went missing.
E24 635CSi
This car is a hobby that me and my father have had for the last years. We bought it in its original condition and have simply maintained it since then. The car was imported from Germany in 1997 from an estate where it had stood unmoved for a few years after its previous owner passed away. The car is in mint condition and is a blast to drive, and quite the headturner. We're the third owners after it rolled out of the factory.
1986 BMW 635Csi by Steini DJ, on Flickr
E46 320ci
A lovely car and my second BMW. It didn't have any power to speak of, but it was a fantastic looker and a great ride.
Taken during night outside the capital area. I love that road; always vacant outside business hours, long and straight. Also a great place for photographs!
I sold the car a few days after I took this shot. I see it every now and again and it always manages to bring up some regret and a longing to have it back. Who knows what will happen in the coming years?
E46 318i
My first BMW! A very basic car that got the job done, and I like to think it did that in style. Certainly not a BMW powerhouse, but one of its building blocks to be sure. I sold it to an older couple who still have it today and it still looks great.
Taken at the same place as the coupe, just outside the capital. It's an ancient lava field and a 20 minute trip down this road will leave you at a geothermic hot spot.
So, I guess that's it for now. I'm sorry for the wall of text I've laid on you, but hope you enjoyed some of it. Take care!
So I went ahead and bought a Z4 2.5i (manufactured in 2003, but hit the streets in late 2005) with 112.000km on the clock. The car didn't see enough love from its previous owner, but I plan to turn that around. The car is good at its core but needs a lot of polishing around the edges to get it into the pristine condition it deserves to be in.
Here´s the birth certificate:
So, all in all, pretty much a basic Z4 that packs a decent amount of power.
Some images:
Z4 by Steini DJ, on Flickr
Z4 by Steini DJ, on Flickr
As you can see on these images, it doesn't look great. The alloys are, in my opinion, an insult to all things good and nice. However, the "to-do" list is of a demanding nature that puts new wheels on the shelf:
- Brakes - It needs new front rotors and pads. Getting fixed this friday.
- Control arms - The right side control arms are worn out, but I'm having both of them replaced.
- Bushings - New bushings to go with the new control arms.
- Sway bar end links - Driver side end link was worn out, so they're both getting replaced.
- Springs - Classic Z4 problem, I've heard. Both of them have snapped and they'll be fixed ASAP. Most likely going with OEM Sachs springs, unless someone could suggest a better alternative.
- Soft-top motor - I'm not sure what's wrong with it. I'll have to remove my top and take a better look, but as for now it doesn't open. Unlocks and locks the top (when manually operated), but doesn't move it. It *sounds* fine though, but that might not be an indicator of anything good. Going to look at the drains ASAP.
- Fan drive belt - Starting to make annoying noises at low rpm's.
- Ash-tray - Someone managed to break it, I guess I'll be scrounging eBay for this part every now and then. The interior trim is a bit shabby, I'd like to change it ($$$) but I might go ahead with wrapping it. Have heard that removing the trim is a pain in the rear to accomplish.
- "Glove" box - That tiny thing had its handle snapped off. I have a new handle, but it seems like the entire box will need replacing.
- Powered mirrors - I can align the mirrors to the left and down, but not to the right and up. I believe it's something in the controls (perhaps water damage?) that's off, but I don't think it'll be too serious.
- Seat belt - The passenger side (this is a LHD car, of course) seat belt has torn a bit, so I'll have to get that changed out ASAP. Sadly, they seem to be a bit hard to come across and the US part dealer (Pelicanparts) that I've been doing business with for the last years doesn't seem to supply the EU version of Z4 seat belts.
- Trunk brake light - The upper one. I'm debating whether or not I should get a clear light or a red one. Would eventually like to change out the head- and taillights to clears, since I'm not much of an amber man. That remains a low-priority at the moment though.
- Air-bag mat /belt tensioner - I think that is the cause. Just noticed it this morning, but it complains that my apparently hidden passenger needs to fasten his seat belts while I'm driving. My mechanic said that the seat-belt tensioner was broken, and this might be the cause of the air-bag light as well.
- No sound from the radio - I haven't tried a CD, but the radio is silent so I'm thinking it might be the amplifier. I'll have a radio technician look at it. From what I've read, I've got a more expensive HiFi sound system that has a DSP amplifier. I'll have to remove it and take a look at it.
- Polishing - It needs some polishing love. A lot of it. Previous owners used dubious methods to clean the car and it really, really shows. It pains me to look at the car, to be honest. I'm a nut that uses two buckets along with a mitten to clean the car and I've kept mine relatively scratch and swirl free. This one isn't.
Quite the list. Thankfully, I knew all of these fault before I bought the car (had it thoroughly checked). The biggest items on the list will be changed in less than a month or so, and that leaves the non-essential factors such as the soft top motor and audio system. Some might (and have) call me daft for taking on this project, but I'm determined to bring the car to its former glory, if you will.
My plans, after the to-do list up here, aren't fancy but as follows:
- New wheels - I'm an OEM man, so I'd love to get my hands on a set of 107s or 108s. They're not readily available in Iceland (with only 4 - 5 Z4s here, I believe), so I'll have to get them from the motherland or the UK. Either way, it'll be expensive!
- iPod integration/AUX plug - This'll probably be the first thing I do after I get the amplifier fixed.
- Clear corners / light conversion - I'm not an amber man. Eventually I'd like to switch out my old lights for a set of clear ones.
- Hardtop - The car came with the preparation kit (I'm not sure if its still there), and if the cost of a new soft top motor is similar to that of buying a used/new hardtop, I'll go with that option. I might even take a trip to Germany in order to save money in shipping. :roll:
That's all for the Z4. This isn't my first BMW, I'd like to list some of the other cars I've had through the years:
E39 M5
Great car. It wasn't so great when I bought it (much like the Z4), but today I'd like to say it's one of the better M5s on the streets of Iceland (and we have quite a few, per capita).
E39 M5 During night by Steini DJ, on Flickr
E39 M5 by Steini DJ, on Flickr - Wheel caps went missing.
E24 635CSi
This car is a hobby that me and my father have had for the last years. We bought it in its original condition and have simply maintained it since then. The car was imported from Germany in 1997 from an estate where it had stood unmoved for a few years after its previous owner passed away. The car is in mint condition and is a blast to drive, and quite the headturner. We're the third owners after it rolled out of the factory.
1986 BMW 635Csi by Steini DJ, on Flickr
E46 320ci
A lovely car and my second BMW. It didn't have any power to speak of, but it was a fantastic looker and a great ride.
Taken during night outside the capital area. I love that road; always vacant outside business hours, long and straight. Also a great place for photographs!
I sold the car a few days after I took this shot. I see it every now and again and it always manages to bring up some regret and a longing to have it back. Who knows what will happen in the coming years?
E46 318i
My first BMW! A very basic car that got the job done, and I like to think it did that in style. Certainly not a BMW powerhouse, but one of its building blocks to be sure. I sold it to an older couple who still have it today and it still looks great.
Taken at the same place as the coupe, just outside the capital. It's an ancient lava field and a 20 minute trip down this road will leave you at a geothermic hot spot.
So, I guess that's it for now. I'm sorry for the wall of text I've laid on you, but hope you enjoyed some of it. Take care!
always nice to have your sibling in your debt :evil: 
