ClioSport.net
Register a free account today to become a member!
Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
-
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read more here.
E85 3.0 Z4 Roadster Project
- Thread starter Rob
- Start date
Christopher
ClioSport Club Member
Z4M
Re: E85 3.0 Z4 Roadster Project *Seat Pics #658*
Love the seats!
Love the seats!
Inferno 225 cup
E85 3.0 Z4 Roadster Project *Seat Pics #658*
Just seen the seat Rob, they look great, good choice.
Just seen the seat Rob, they look great, good choice.
Re: E85 3.0 Z4 Roadster Project *Seat Pics #658*
Good choice on the seats.
Good choice on the seats.
Rob
ClioSport Moderator
Re: E85 3.0 Z4 Roadster Project *Seat Pics #658*
It seems to be a trait with me and photographing seats, I always make them look really bad!
They're actually very tight, and there are methods to tighten them up further that have been done by others members on the zed forums so I may have a go at those.
Thanks you three, I'm more than happy with them.
It seems to be a trait with me and photographing seats, I always make them look really bad!
They're actually very tight, and there are methods to tighten them up further that have been done by others members on the zed forums so I may have a go at those.
Just seen the seat Rob, they look great, good choice.
Thanks you three, I'm more than happy with them.
Rob
ClioSport Moderator
Re: E85 3.0 Z4 Roadster Project *Seat Pics #658*
I decided to forefit paying BMW "specialist" prices this week and rectify a slight knock on the rear end myself (ish).
Fitted some powerflex rear trailing arm bushes last night (RTAB's) with Ant. Without the unit I could see BMW ownership being quite expensive on occasion, but thankfully its worked out cheap as chips.
Thankfully, Steve in the unit next door had an oxy acetylene torch and some metal plates, so we disconnect 90% of the rear arms and dropped the front of them down. We put some metal plates in places supported with some pieces of timber that would guard the fuel tank and bodywork etc and then set fire in a big way to the old bushes.
Then a quick hacksaw through the thick sleeves, a dash of sand paper and Ant's man strength fitted the new bushes, no press required. The mounting plate for the RTAB's even had clear silver bolt locations on (clean vs dirty) so we could bolt them back exactly where they were.
Quick breakdown in difference of costs..
Specialist:
Bushes: £50+VAT
Labour: 1 hour per side at £60+VAT
Alignment: £130+VAT
Total: £360
Unit Style:
Bushes: £46 Delivered
Alignment: £59 + possible £20 to equal rear camber up
McDonalds to keep us alive: £6
Total: £131 (That's maximum if the camber needs doing)
Actually not too far at all Laura.
I decided to forefit paying BMW "specialist" prices this week and rectify a slight knock on the rear end myself (ish).
Fitted some powerflex rear trailing arm bushes last night (RTAB's) with Ant. Without the unit I could see BMW ownership being quite expensive on occasion, but thankfully its worked out cheap as chips.
Thankfully, Steve in the unit next door had an oxy acetylene torch and some metal plates, so we disconnect 90% of the rear arms and dropped the front of them down. We put some metal plates in places supported with some pieces of timber that would guard the fuel tank and bodywork etc and then set fire in a big way to the old bushes.
Then a quick hacksaw through the thick sleeves, a dash of sand paper and Ant's man strength fitted the new bushes, no press required. The mounting plate for the RTAB's even had clear silver bolt locations on (clean vs dirty) so we could bolt them back exactly where they were.
Quick breakdown in difference of costs..
Specialist:
Bushes: £50+VAT
Labour: 1 hour per side at £60+VAT
Alignment: £130+VAT
Total: £360
Unit Style:
Bushes: £46 Delivered
Alignment: £59 + possible £20 to equal rear camber up
McDonalds to keep us alive: £6
Total: £131 (That's maximum if the camber needs doing)
Actually not too far at all Laura.
Rob
ClioSport Moderator
I'm going to do mine bit by bit all around I think Vein.
It's an expensive thing to have fitted for some reason, but they're never that hard to do yourself. The only thing I really don't want to pay for is those front wishbones (that have the balljoints on), they just seem extortionate!!!! You can polyflex the bush that the "front spike" of them goes into though which is supposed to be a good one to do.
It's an expensive thing to have fitted for some reason, but they're never that hard to do yourself. The only thing I really don't want to pay for is those front wishbones (that have the balljoints on), they just seem extortionate!!!! You can polyflex the bush that the "front spike" of them goes into though which is supposed to be a good one to do.
Last edited:
130i
Hmm, if only I had the place, tools & skills.
Mine goes in Thursday. Ordered the bushes myself (£50), and fitting & alignment £160. So £210 all in, not too bad I guess.
Has it made any difference to tramlining... or were you not experiencing much anyway?
Mine goes in Thursday. Ordered the bushes myself (£50), and fitting & alignment £160. So £210 all in, not too bad I guess.
Has it made any difference to tramlining... or were you not experiencing much anyway?
Rob
ClioSport Moderator
Cheers CJ! I'm proper chuffed with them.
Can't say I get a lot of tram lining, I'd hope a proper alignment will sort your issues out even without the bushes.
I need to think about how much I want to change before going to get it aligned. I just don't know whether to go all out, then align, or just align it as it. I'll be annoyed if I decide to polybush something else though and have to pay again though. Catch 22.
Despite me being able to do things cheaper than most, it's quite often a hard slog, especially in the cold. I was laying on the floor under the car with a hacksaw blade sawing away for about 45 minutes total I think.
I really want to do the front wishbone rear bush but it's an awful lot of money once you've bought new arms with balljoints and then the poly bushes to press into to the old holder.
Are you just having the RTAB poly bushes fitted then? I've got some rear (and am ordering front) ARB bushes to do too as they're supposed to make a great difference. The back feels so much firmer already though.
Can't say I get a lot of tram lining, I'd hope a proper alignment will sort your issues out even without the bushes.
I need to think about how much I want to change before going to get it aligned. I just don't know whether to go all out, then align, or just align it as it. I'll be annoyed if I decide to polybush something else though and have to pay again though. Catch 22.
Despite me being able to do things cheaper than most, it's quite often a hard slog, especially in the cold. I was laying on the floor under the car with a hacksaw blade sawing away for about 45 minutes total I think.
I really want to do the front wishbone rear bush but it's an awful lot of money once you've bought new arms with balljoints and then the poly bushes to press into to the old holder.
Are you just having the RTAB poly bushes fitted then? I've got some rear (and am ordering front) ARB bushes to do too as they're supposed to make a great difference. The back feels so much firmer already though.
Last edited:
130i
Sorry, reading fail, it’s just the front wishbone rear bush I’m replacing.
As you say, it’s frustrating what to freshen up/replace before alignment. I was just going to align, but then I’d be p*ssed if bushes did need replacing and I had to get the alignment done again. Car has done 68k and bushes are notorious on the Z for going so I’ll just do them. I’ve decided against replacing the control arms or the bush housing for now, but I’ll get the guys to check them when they’re doing the bushes. If they’re buggered I guess it’ll be an expensive phone call to BMW parts. Or do I just order some Meyle ones now on a next day delivery!? Argh man, I need to check the bank account.
Tbh I don’t think I will replace the ARB bushes. Conversely to what you said, I read that they don’t make too much of a difference? Although they are cheaper and easier to fit aren’t they? Something I may be able to tackle myself. Maybe.
I'm pretty sure I' going to be buying one of these you kn*b! (That's right, I'm blaming you for no reason).
Set on it now. Damn you an your passenger rides. America was full of them as well which didn't help. They are cracking vfm at the mo.
Decided against the Z3 as it looks a tad dated and the standard pap seats in the Z4 and lack of LSD are bothering me less and less by the day.
Set on it now. Damn you an your passenger rides. America was full of them as well which didn't help. They are cracking vfm at the mo.
Decided against the Z3 as it looks a tad dated and the standard pap seats in the Z4 and lack of LSD are bothering me less and less by the day.
From my passenger ride the other night, they are actually a great quiet cruiser. My readings lead me to believe the soft top is double skinned, but to be honest, it was like having a slate roof over my head after the VX lol.
The chairs are naff, you're right lol. The new ones in Rob's are epic. So comfy and supportive. The diff thing I just can't help but think it would be forever spinning up it's inside wheel in the damp. The 130 I've been out in regularly with quaife atb fitted is so close to perfection when it comes to progressive handling (might have something to do with the driver though lol). Obviously the advantage of the zed is that you're basically sat on the rear axle, so it's easy to feel the tail end.
Rocket 3,CB-1,Yaris
ROFL is this a final answer
Scrooge
ClioSport Moderator
E55 AMG
It does spin up easy but the traction control really does a great job keeping the car in check. Tbh even with the traction fully off the car is very very controlable!
Buy some proper tyres.
PS: You can't buy one.
The coupés look better .. but the soft-top is too appealing on the 3 days a year it stops raining.
You simply have to buy one of each.
Last edited:
Rocket 3,CB-1,Yaris
Lol! The phrase I told you so springs to mind.
I agree "other Rob", the coupe looks better, but there's no chance I'll be spending that much on another car any time soon.
Ant, thanks for the info, pretty much what "espadrille Rob" said.
Rob
ClioSport Moderator
So, it's probably time to update this, if only to keep it in check...
Since the last update, I've been busy but most stuff has been randomly mentioned in other threads, or used as media, not put in here..
The car was detailed by Ant with his magical powers:
I've then fitted a brand new rocker cover gasket due to it doing the usual trick and letting by after 100k miles.
No pictures of this as I was gloved up and covered in oil, but it all went on no problems, I also popped off and had full four wheel alignment done as it was about time (this transformed the car).
It then went to the lakes:
The weather had been abysmal so it was neglected a little, then I gave it a good spring clean and took some photos:
Then I went impulse buying, a friend of TEG's picked me up some new wheels (with good tyres) and I put mine up for sale.
Slave at work by evil_giraffes_rule, on Flickr
New boots by evil_giraffes_rule, on Flickr
The Zed by evil_giraffes_rule, on Flickr
We also fitted a new Aux in a frankly awesome position, works wonderfully.
I'll take a photo tonight of that, it's very tidy.
Next on the list is a leather clean, some new interior mats (dying for these) and then onto the big stuff. Having the new brake brackets made up to fit, a new front bumper (possible //m or facelift) and I'm considering an exhaust.
All comments and criticism welcome, I fecking love this car so I'm really enjoying the modding (I've got the bug back).
Since the last update, I've been busy but most stuff has been randomly mentioned in other threads, or used as media, not put in here..
The car was detailed by Ant with his magical powers:
I've then fitted a brand new rocker cover gasket due to it doing the usual trick and letting by after 100k miles.
No pictures of this as I was gloved up and covered in oil, but it all went on no problems, I also popped off and had full four wheel alignment done as it was about time (this transformed the car).
It then went to the lakes:
The weather had been abysmal so it was neglected a little, then I gave it a good spring clean and took some photos:
Then I went impulse buying, a friend of TEG's picked me up some new wheels (with good tyres) and I put mine up for sale.
Slave at work by evil_giraffes_rule, on Flickr
New boots by evil_giraffes_rule, on Flickr
The Zed by evil_giraffes_rule, on Flickr
We also fitted a new Aux in a frankly awesome position, works wonderfully.
I'll take a photo tonight of that, it's very tidy.
Next on the list is a leather clean, some new interior mats (dying for these) and then onto the big stuff. Having the new brake brackets made up to fit, a new front bumper (possible //m or facelift) and I'm considering an exhaust.
All comments and criticism welcome, I fecking love this car so I'm really enjoying the modding (I've got the bug back).
A ANIMAL
Like the new wheels mate
Nickson
ClioSport Club Member
Rob
ClioSport Moderator
Dagenham market, here I come!
Rob
ClioSport Moderator
Oh, good choice, spec? Year? Colour?
Yep, upwards facing panel beneath heater controls, near invisible, shame as I installed it so neatly!
Yep, upwards facing panel beneath heater controls, near invisible, shame as I installed it so neatly!
Rob
ClioSport Moderator
Some pics of the aux:
Got a 2006 Facelift SE in black. 2.0l engine - I'm only 21 so trying to keep insurance down, but power is plenty for me coming from a Mini Cooper and still sounds awesome!
So far I have put black grilles and a ZHP gear knob - the standard one is a horrible shape to use. Also waiting for private plate to go on.
I'll get a picture for your other thread soon
So far I have put black grilles and a ZHP gear knob - the standard one is a horrible shape to use. Also waiting for private plate to go on.
I'll get a picture for your other thread soon
Well that didn't go to plan did it!
Those M wheels suit the silver well, need a few more photos to cast a proper opinion though that last photo looks great.
Good shout on the aux cable, is it good quality sounds though? I considered a dice kit but forgot all about it.
Oh, lose those silver french fries in the rear lights mate
Good shout on the aux cable, is it good quality sounds though? I considered a dice kit but forgot all about it.
Oh, lose those silver french fries in the rear lights mate
