BMW Z4 3ltr SI

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Discussion

Shenanigans

Original Poster:

2,964 posts

188 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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Back in February I waved goodbye to my swift sport which I loved. Was a cracking car and couldn't fault it one bit. I decided to sell it as felt I had done as much as I'd like to it, as I was hungry for more power. Also fancied something that I could love as standard, without getting stung by the insurance companies.


Whilst I was trying to sell the swift, I looked at escaping the jap scene as I knew if I get another I will find myself in the black hole again, that is modifying. I have a hunger for Subaru's smile

I spent ages looking at focus st-3's, Mazda 3 mps's, Evo 8's, Impreza's and the like all at reasonable prices but insurance quotes were well over my budget at over £1k. I then decided to seek advice on PH, after numerous suggestions went out the window, one hit me in the head, which was the Z4.

Jeremy Clarkson had one as did Jason Plato, so I thought it surely must be a hoot to drive! Which opened to idea of soft top motoring, I then looked at Mazda mx5, s2000 and old boxsters. Did the man maths and the 6 pot z4 was on top of the list.

I spent a good month researching the z4's engine's, specifications and faults to decide what I should be looking out for. Which was before I sold the swift

Anyway, after spending 2-3 months looking down the country on the PH classifieds, auto trader and the z4-forum, a very clean and well looked after z4 popped up not too far from me. It had had a great spec and history so I phoned up immediately to arrange a viewing. I sold the swift to a petrol head that travelled a good 300-400 miles to come view it then the next day I traveled 20 miles to view and eventually buy the Z4 smile


Few days after I bought it



Fast forward nearly 4 months

I have loved every minute of it, its somehow saved me money as Iam no longer buying parts for the swift. I get almost the same mpg, some cases better. I've had it at 40.3 mpg cruising along the motorway which is fantastic for a 3ltr straight 6!

I've taken it to a couple of piston head runs which I normally take the swift on. And I will be honest, I would rather be in the swift sometimes when it came to the narrow, bumpy and twisty roads. It still has the run flats fitted which I think is effecting my confidence in taking corners. I will probably see if Knockhill or other race track do a car handling course to get some tips.

Anyway, enough babbling. Heres a pictures of of the Z at some PH runs and meets and a few of my own.







Yeah, Daniel Craig can go fk himself!








IMG_2596 by brad_mutter, on Flickr

IMG_2600 by brad_mutter, on Flickr

IMG_2605 by brad_mutter, on Flickr

I have tried doing the sound mod, gave it a week and put the foam back in as I disliked the drone.
It had a K&N panel filter in when I bought it
I've also had straight pipes made up to replace the backbox whenever I feel like having an act of shenaigans havismokin
Stubby aerial fitted

End of the month I should hopefully have got rid of the run flats and swap them with some vred sessanta's (popular choice on the z4-forum).
As much as I love the 108 wheels, they are a pain for corrosion so I will probably look at getting some csl reps or the like, common choice I know but they looks great. Will get the 108's refurbed and put them away until the times comes to sell the car.

It has M sport springs, I'd like to get some Eibach pro springs ready for the original ones to snap as its a common occurrence.


Other than that, I will carry on enjoying the straight six noise as is and soak up as much of the sun as I can!

Blayney

2,948 posts

185 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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This isn't helping my desire for exactly the same spec car...

love it!

lewisf182

2,084 posts

187 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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Lovely! Great pictures too. Agreed that the CSL's are a common mod but they really are the best looking alloys out there and suit the Z4 so well.

These were top of my list when looking for my car, but I just wanted the extra practicality of the 1 series. One day I will definitely have to get the Z4 or stretch to Z4m.

CHIEF

2,270 posts

281 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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Great car, Love this colour and the grill really suits it.

Where was this hall in the pics, great location btw.

mak2503

110 posts

134 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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Great car. Love that you are using it the way it should be used.

Where is the Gulf petrol station? The background looks a bit like Fort William but I can't remember it being a Gulf.

I can't help but wonder what it would look like if you were to use the exhausts as the bottom of the pistons on your sticker.


Shenanigans

Original Poster:

2,964 posts

188 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
quotequote all
CHIEF said:
Great car, Love this colour and the grill really suits it.

Where was this hall in the pics, great location btw.
The location in the bottom pictures was Kinneil House. Comes with an interesting history! thumbup

http://kinneil.wordpress.com/


mak2503 said:
Where is the Gulf petrol station? The background looks a bit like Fort William but I can't remember it being a Gulf.
The petrol station wasn't far from Glencoe.

Nash_wrx

467 posts

182 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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stunning car

EuroFighter

154 posts

120 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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Great car and very nice pictures!

I am seriously thinking of buying a Z4. The coupé looks nicer in my opinion and certainly commands a hefty premium! But well worth the money.

MarvGTI

427 posts

124 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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I had Z3 3,0SI (the coupe version) in the same colour that I followed up with a Swift Sport ^^ didn't keep the Swift for long...

The drone with the foam removed is exhausting but it sounds so nice when you open the throttle :O

Good thinking on the springs as the left rear on mine broke after one week (!) of getting it.

Enjoy owning it and the CSLs are a very cool mod!

Shenanigans

Original Poster:

2,964 posts

188 months

Thursday 24th April 2014
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Got some time today to sort the marked steering wheel spokes. It had scratches from what I guess was the previous owners ring? (no sniggering)

Other folk have resorted to painting them or plasti dipping them in the past.

So I got some 4D vinyl from ebay for £4 and got too it!

Sorry for the crappy pictures
Before





After



dirtbiker

1,159 posts

165 months

Thursday 24th April 2014
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That looks very smart - nice one! May have to do something similar with my wheel (3.0si Coupe)

ally3601

47 posts

119 months

Thursday 24th April 2014
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Just wondering do you spend a lot of time in Bo'ness, remember sitting behind a car similar at the traffic lights and seeing the PH sticker

Very nice car would love to own one myself one day

Shenanigans

Original Poster:

2,964 posts

188 months

Thursday 24th April 2014
quotequote all
ally3601 said:
Just wondering do you spend a lot of time in Bo'ness, remember sitting behind a car similar at the traffic lights and seeing the PH sticker

Very nice car would love to own one myself one day
I live in Bo'ness wink

Shenanigans

Original Poster:

2,964 posts

188 months

Thursday 24th April 2014
quotequote all
ally3601 said:
Just wondering do you spend a lot of time in Bo'ness, remember sitting behind a car similar at the traffic lights and seeing the PH sticker

Very nice car would love to own one myself one day
I live in Bo'ness wink

NiceCupOfTea

25,277 posts

250 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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Very nice - would be looking at something similar myself if I didn't need 4 seats!

TallTom

208 posts

158 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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Was your previous car the swift Red? If so I might have been on a hoon with you last year!

Shenanigans

Original Poster:

2,964 posts

188 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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TallTom said:
Was your previous car the swift Red? If so I might have been on a hoon with you last year!
Was indeed. What run was it?

ally3601

47 posts

119 months

Sunday 18th May 2014
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Shenanigans said:
I live in Bo'ness wink
A car like that in Bo'ness your brave! wink

Shenanigans

Original Poster:

2,964 posts

188 months

Sunday 18th May 2014
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Managed to get a great deal on some DTM wheels, which looks great! £700 all in including tyres biggrin



And a picture taken at todays TT Meet, shows the concave rears quite nicely.



McSam

6,753 posts

174 months

Sunday 18th May 2014
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Mmmm lick

This is lovely, almost exactly the car I was toying with buying (even down to the colour), but eventually I decided I couldn't afford to have one and track it regularly. Great choice on the wheels, they finish it off very nicely!

You mentioning thinking about playing with the exhaust, but does a carbon airbox exist for these?