Z4 E85 Upgrade Ideas

[Jsomerville]

Did you notice much difference from the VANOS refurb and did you go for the rattle kit fix as well?
Was this a DIY or did you get this done somewhere?
Thanks

 

[Wookster78]

Thought about fitting facelift heater controls? Look a bit more up to date and have a nicer feel and sound to them.

Actually yes already fitted the facelift heater controls, agree they feel much nicer, changed the vents also whilst I was at it. Good luck with the power fold mirrors, pretty straightforward and if you are the same as me with the pre wiring it should only be two wires you need to install. Assume you have all the parts as I actually have a spare power fold module if needed?

 

[Wookster78]

Did you notice much difference from the VANOS refurb and did you go for the rattle kit fix as well?
Was this a DIY or did you get this done somewhere?
Thanks

I did not go for the rattle kit fix on mine just changes all the seals but yes it made quite a difference, much smoother idle and fuel economy was loads better, some runs improved to around 28mpg and that’s with me hammering the car :roll:

 

[lucasxdiniz]

You have a very comprehensive mod list. I think you are missing two things to make your car feel like a proper sports car: LSD and light-weight flywheel.

 

[Wookster78]

Interesting I had not thought about those upgrades but probably a good time to tackle the clutch and flywheel, do you have any recommendations on which one to get, is it still duel mass or solid conversion? Is the LSD off a z4M you were suggesting?

 

[g3org3y]

Great work. Have you documented this work anywhere?

Have you upgraded the stereo or speakers at all?

 

[Wookster78]

Great work. Have you documented this work anywhere?

Have you upgraded the stereo or speakers at all?

Thanks, to be honest all the how to guides to do the work can be found on the forum as lots of people have done them before sometime or other, I did post an update on retrofitting power fold windows for those that have the pre-wiring. As for the stereo the car is a weekend summer toy so I have stuck to the original factory nav unit however I am adding the Bluetooth cd changer option when it is back in stock so I can stream Spotify like factory and get the hands free mic installed for calls, did stick in the door card speakers and connected them up but it’s about as far as I got on that front, kinda prefer the roar of the exhaust

 

[CHIMV8]

Hi all,

I have a 2004 Z4 E85 that I have been doing a few upgrades in over the years and covered most of the suggestions in this forum but with the lockdown I have found myself tinkering again but starting to run out of ideas for any upgrades. Was wondering if anyone has some ideas on some cool upgrades they have done and I could have a go at?

I have the M54 3.0 variant roadster

Here is what I have done so far:
VANOS refurb
CDV delete
DISA valve refurb
Rocker cover gasket replacement
Filter housing gasket replacement
Water pump replacement
Radiator replacement
Plugs and coil pack replacent
New front wishbones and all bushes replaced
Rear diff upgrade to 3.23 ratio (replaced diff bushing and flex disk at same time)
Backbox delete and twin pipe mod
Drilled out old exhaust studs and replaced with through bolts so removing exhaust is easier in the future
Replaced PCV
Updated to clear lights all round
Retrofitted power wing mirrors
Retrofitted heated and electric sport seats in red
Added passenger air bag bypass switch
Retrofitted cup holders in dash vents
Replaced both window regulators
Relocated roof motor to the boot
Painted brake callipers red as well as struts behind grills
Replaced front grills to black gloss
Refurbed all alloys
Cruise control retrofit
Installed drilled and cross vented front disks
Added RM Design rear boot fin and bumper splitter
Installed adjustable Coilovers and reduced ride height

Reasonable list but I am sure there are some more ideas out there, pic attached to show how she is looking so far (before I changed out the interior for the red)!

You missed the replacement stubby aerial off your comprehensive list

 

[2-Pugs]

Thought about fitting facelift heater controls? Look a bit more up to date and have a nicer feel and sound to them.

Actually yes already fitted the facelift heater controls, agree they feel much nicer, changed the vents also whilst I was at it. Good luck with the power fold mirrors, pretty straightforward and if you are the same as me with the pre wiring it should only be two wires you need to install. Assume you have all the parts as I actually have a spare power fold module if needed?

Thank you, I believe I have the full kit of bits but will check and will tap you up if that module is missing

Back to your original question - another one I have thought of doing as I saw it mentioned on here once - is to replace the radio volume knob with that from another beemer, but I can’t find the thread now and/or work out which model it was from. The idea being that it gives a more contemporary look akin to the heater knobs. I’ve looked at some on eBay but don’t want to buy one without knowing it’ll fit. There is supposedly one which is a straight swap. Perhaps someone reading will be able to advise. Obviously this is only applicable if you have the original radio!

 

[Wookster78]

Sounds like an interesting idea, we’re both sides changed as I have never really liked those buttons on the stereo they have never really felt like much design went into them and mine have really faded in colour over the years. Let me know if you find out what the straight swap out is

 

[Wookster78]

Back to your original question - another one I have thought of doing as I saw it mentioned on here once - is to replace the radio volume knob with that from another beemer, but I can’t find the thread now and/or work out which model it was from. The idea being that it gives a more contemporary look akin to the heater knobs. I’ve looked at some on eBay but don’t want to buy one without knowing it’ll fit. There is supposedly one which is a straight swap. Perhaps someone reading will be able to advise. Obviously this is only applicable if you have the original radio!

I believe the knob is actually from an X3 after doing a quick search on the forum, will see if there are any on eBay