Z4/M Owners Thread
- Thread starter badgeruk
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It's an easy job and it's hard to mess it up
The kits are expensive if you've already got some sort of polisher, but could be useful if not.Mine were quite cloudy and pitted, so I started off with 800 grit paper, then went up through grades to 2500 or 3000, damp sanding the lights. Once they were all uniform and smooth, I just polished them up with megs 105/205. Make sure you protect them afterwards with a good UV resistant sealant. Another option would be to clear coat them after sanding flat, but it's more of a pain if you don't have a suitable clean space to spray and let them dry properly. I also took the bumper off to make getting fully in to the corners easier.
Caporegime
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so my drivers side light was full of water. spent 2 hours with a blow dryer getting all the water out.
then 4 days later it has even more water in it than before. i need a new seal. anyone know the part number or best place to buy? i also can't seem to turn my steering as much as youtube videos. so i think my steering needs lubed. apparently it's easy to get into from under the car not the top. so i'll need to ask a garage to do it.
then 4 days later it has even more water in it than before. i need a new seal. anyone know the part number or best place to buy? i also can't seem to turn my steering as much as youtube videos. so i think my steering needs lubed. apparently it's easy to get into from under the car not the top. so i'll need to ask a garage to do it.
You sure you've installed the cover properly? Might be worth putting some grease on..
Caporegime
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it's a well known issue. tons of threads on z4 forum about it. a small pinch on the seal and it's knackered. I remember reading somewhere you need to buy the whole backing can't just get a new seal. so i'm looking for a full new backing.
I couldn't get the full backing off either. seemed to be stuck on something. I could only move it enough to the side at an angle. i'll try another DIY fix this weekend. otherwise i'll need to order a full backing.
i think the last time i got bulbs changed they pinched the seal on 2 of the wires. so it's now got a gap there. when the headlight is on it gets hot and overnight with hot to cold it sucks moisture in through the air or it's the way the rain hits the headlight then goes over it with wind then into the back.
i'll try some grease and see what happens first. thanks for the tip.
Have one light that mists up as well, after a bulb change. I was looking on the bay for foam strip and was going to DIY a new seal into the cover.
Anyone changed the head unit? Looking at single DIN unit with fold out screen or perhaps just a decent Pioneer single DIN with BT, FLAC support (so i don't have to convert or re rip)
Anyone changed the head unit? Looking at single DIN unit with fold out screen or perhaps just a decent Pioneer single DIN with BT, FLAC support (so i don't have to convert or re rip)
Found a Pioneer AVH-X7800BT 7" Flip out screen for £364.62 (SAT NAV add on unit is extra) I guess I could just hook my iPhone up to it and use a Nav App.
As I have a TomTom unit a conventional single din like a Pioneer DEH-X8700DAB BT for £199.99, or a range of Kenwood and Alpine units from £170-200 may be fine I guess. Have the 6 disc changer, nice if that still worked.
Don't have any steering controls so should be simple install I hope.
Found National tyres selling Avon ZZ5 in the 18" 225 and 255 sizes, came to £376 which seems like a good deal. I collect a set of refurb BBS 108s on Friday. Going to need new tyres from the off as one of them on my old rims has been run flat and damaged the inside. Also found my local tyre dealer also does Powerflow custom exhausts.
Not that is much wrong with my Z, tempted to do a Car SOS on it and keep it a while, rather than selling and buying an E89 version, which will cost me 10K+ to change.
The list so far
Refurb 108 and Tyres (circ £800)
Head unit (£170 - 365)
Vanos overhaul kit (£100)
Suspension bushes and link arms overhaul kit (£200)
Exhaust (£300-400 ???)
Plus a fluid change service. Done 88K miles, its a 3.0i Auto
Issue will be do I have time, space and motivation to DIY the above or pay a local BMW specialist to do the work ..LOL
Waste of money or worth the effort?
As I have a TomTom unit a conventional single din like a Pioneer DEH-X8700DAB BT for £199.99, or a range of Kenwood and Alpine units from £170-200 may be fine I guess. Have the 6 disc changer, nice if that still worked.
Don't have any steering controls so should be simple install I hope.
Found National tyres selling Avon ZZ5 in the 18" 225 and 255 sizes, came to £376 which seems like a good deal. I collect a set of refurb BBS 108s on Friday. Going to need new tyres from the off as one of them on my old rims has been run flat and damaged the inside. Also found my local tyre dealer also does Powerflow custom exhausts.
Not that is much wrong with my Z, tempted to do a Car SOS on it and keep it a while, rather than selling and buying an E89 version, which will cost me 10K+ to change.
The list so far
Refurb 108 and Tyres (circ £800)
Head unit (£170 - 365)
Vanos overhaul kit (£100)
Suspension bushes and link arms overhaul kit (£200)
Exhaust (£300-400 ???)
Plus a fluid change service. Done 88K miles, its a 3.0i Auto
Issue will be do I have time, space and motivation to DIY the above or pay a local BMW specialist to do the work ..LOL
Waste of money or worth the effort?
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I was looking at the AVH-X7800BT to replace mine but its missing some things mine has I think (makes sense being a model number or two below). I am waiting to see if they update it at any point then I might get it as I fancy a change and I do miss having a touch screen ( had a double din in both Ibizas), even more so I now have one in the LXX Turbo.
Ordered the last of the suspension replacement parts for the foreseeable future today, already replaced front control arms, drop links and anti roll bushes, so today the following were purchased:
Rear drop links and anti roll bushes
Rear trailing arm bushes and tool to remove/refit
Full front track rods
Short of subframe/diff bushes and struts, that should be everything sorted, and enough to keep me happy this year!
Also going to order some gearbox and diff oil and get them changed some weekend soon
Rear drop links and anti roll bushes
Rear trailing arm bushes and tool to remove/refit
Full front track rods
Short of subframe/diff bushes and struts, that should be everything sorted, and enough to keep me happy this year!
Also going to order some gearbox and diff oil and get them changed some weekend soon
Caporegime
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i think my suspension requires a full overhaul. the guy i bought it off had the front done but he just pointed and said i had to do them recently so i'm guessing he was pointing to front. or should i just wait for it to wear out then come under MOT? what does a full suspension overhaul entail. would want parts which are as good as OEM or slightly better but value for money being important too. ,y Z4 only does 2K miles a year so I don't want to drop loads of money on it as time will get it before wear does.
i think i'll just buy a new backplate for my headlight. i can't find the part number anywhere but people suggested they were only £20 about 5-7 years ago. i don't mind buying a new one if it's going to be <£30.
i think i'll just buy a new backplate for my headlight. i can't find the part number anywhere but people suggested they were only £20 about 5-7 years ago. i don't mind buying a new one if it's going to be <£30.
I'verreplaced both front control arms, lolipop bushes, drop links etc on my z4c
They were all fine but I wanted it to be as tight as possible.
Miele hd parts are better than OEM imo
Seems I'm on the same page as Grudas, I don't think anything NEEDS replacing, but I feel like it's a good thing to do on a 100k car running on factory parts!
Saying that, since changing the control arms, I've noticed the track rods are knocking slightly. Seems the play in the control arms and lollipops was masking this noise, so now I'm just doing everything except the subframe mounts and struts. (Don't have the gear to be dropping the subframes out, nor am I keen on fiddling with the diff)
Saying that, since changing the control arms, I've noticed the track rods are knocking slightly. Seems the play in the control arms and lollipops was masking this noise, so now I'm just doing everything except the subframe mounts and struts. (Don't have the gear to be dropping the subframes out, nor am I keen on fiddling with the diff)
Caporegime
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let me know how you get on with the misted headlight. mine looked amazing for the 3-4 days before it misted up again. brand new headlights are eye wateringly expensive. there is a third party option with halos for £400 iirc. OEM is around double that.
i changed the head unit in mine. I have the DSP carver system (10 speakers; 4 subs, 4 mids and 2 tweeters) and it was a right PITA. Cost me around £1000-£1500 to get it done.
New Amp - £400
New Head Unit - £180 (top of the range pioneer with DAB, etc)
Manual crossovers - £50
Other bits and bobs - £100
Labour - £600, it was full day job by 2 people. required a full re-wire. they also mounted the new amp in a better location.
ended up selling the old amp on ebay for £200.
i'ts transformed the car. Music is an imprtant part of the experience and in a roadster you need to drown out all the road/wind noise too.
New wheels collected
Couple of mine had small buckled area from pot hole damage, one was very corroded and pitted as well, so was small extra surcharge. (I also know the bolts were well corroded in and one head sheared off, but they didn't comment that) Came to £468 in total from First Aid Wheels in London.
Just order 4 new tyres, Avon ZZ5- £372 inc mobile fitting at home next Friday..... Happy birthday Z !!
Couple of mine had small buckled area from pot hole damage, one was very corroded and pitted as well, so was small extra surcharge. (I also know the bolts were well corroded in and one head sheared off, but they didn't comment that) Came to £468 in total from First Aid Wheels in London.
Just order 4 new tyres, Avon ZZ5- £372 inc mobile fitting at home next Friday..... Happy birthday Z !!
Caporegime
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Fixed the rear third brake light today.
When it comes to tightening the bolt I did it all by hand. When it touched the spring so it was in place I gave it a couple of turns and left it at that.
Garage had the bolt 2-3 times the distance up the screw that I have now and it lasted a month tops. So I'm hoping that I never need to replace again as they haven't been tightened much at all.
When it comes to tightening the bolt I did it all by hand. When it touched the spring so it was in place I gave it a couple of turns and left it at that.
Garage had the bolt 2-3 times the distance up the screw that I have now and it lasted a month tops. So I'm hoping that I never need to replace again as they haven't been tightened much at all.
Big job incoming this weekend!
As I'm changing track rods and some rear bushes anyway, I figured I may as well just do the lot while I'm under there, so have ordered a set of Bilstien B4 struts and all associated mounts/pads etc... may as well freshen the whole lot up while I'm at it!
Rear springs were changed by BMW 5 years ago so not bothering with them currently, easy enough to change them anyway another time should they need it, but I am swapping the fronts as the strut will be off the car anyway.
Fun weekend planned then, I imagine lots of swearing and scuffed hands!
As I'm changing track rods and some rear bushes anyway, I figured I may as well just do the lot while I'm under there, so have ordered a set of Bilstien B4 struts and all associated mounts/pads etc... may as well freshen the whole lot up while I'm at it!
Rear springs were changed by BMW 5 years ago so not bothering with them currently, easy enough to change them anyway another time should they need it, but I am swapping the fronts as the strut will be off the car anyway.
Fun weekend planned then, I imagine lots of swearing and scuffed hands!
Big job incoming this weekend!
As I'm changing track rods and some rear bushes anyway, I figured I may as well just do the lot while I'm under there, so have ordered a set of Bilstien B4 struts and all associated mounts/pads etc... may as well freshen the whole lot up while I'm at it!
Rear springs were changed by BMW 5 years ago so not bothering with them currently, easy enough to change them anyway another time should they need it, but I am swapping the fronts as the strut will be off the car anyway.
Fun weekend planned then, I imagine lots of swearing and scuffed hands!
Good luck lol, I might be getting kw3s next year if I do keep the Z4c
To be fair, after my experience with the control arm ball joints I fear the track rods ball joints may be the worst part of the job! Adding penetrating fluid this week to hopefully break any seized joint before the brute force comes out on Sunday!
The struts look reasonably simple in comparison... I hope!