My new BMW Z4 28i M Sport

My new BMW Z4 28i M Sport

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SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Sunday 18th December 2016
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Couple of shots from a recent Hindhead tunnel run before the black hoops were fitted....





SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Monday 19th December 2016
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Wind deflector finally sorted!



I also bought some new pedals as I've been used to metal pedals in my Mini's and I just think it smartens up an otherwise dull foot well... I wasn't too sure about the ///M logo being a tad over used but hey, I like them!!


SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Tuesday 20th December 2016
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Black side repeaters fitted. Not sure at the moment, I'll de-badge the wings tonight and go from there.

Definitely need to fit the black front kidneys but the gf is making me wait until Xmas... maybe if I sneakily swap them over and put the standard ones back in the box she won't notice!!




SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Tuesday 20th December 2016
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V8A*ndy said:
From the pics I'm not feeling those side repeaters at all. Shame really as when I first saw them (not on the car) I thought they might look tasty fitted.

I prefer the original pre LCI side repeaters for some reason.

If you are chucking a bit of cash at mods, how about looking at a rear diffuser and a exhaust, front grills, ditch the runflats and perhaps a remap.

Don't tart her up too much. Beautiful cars IMO.
I think a de-badge will change it. I prefer the pre lci indicators but this is an lci so I had the chrome ones fitted. With everything else going gloss black I think it'll work in the end!

Front grills are ready to be fitted. I think these will help pull the black side repeaters off!

Remap and some Michelins are on the list. Not wanting an exhaust.

SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Tuesday 20th December 2016
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It's growing on me now. Really wasn't sure at first. Once the front kidneys are on and it's debadged it'll look good.

SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Tuesday 20th December 2016
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I got home and was really not happy with it, I very nearly put the chrome ones back and I would of sold on the black kidney's as well abandoning my "de chrome" mission. But after looking at photos of other Z4's I decided to de-badge the wing completely which is something I wanted to do from the day I bought it especially after de-badging the Z4 on the boot lid.

Best pic I can get at the moment...



I'm now very happy!

It just looks so much tidier and the black looks right as there isn't any chrome!

I really don't want to just add tat to the car or "tart it up", I think it's a lovely car and following the kidney grills, wheel bolt covers and new OEM centre caps (don't worry, I'm not going for black BMW roundels!) I will probably leave it alone cosmetically.

One day I'd like to get the front end sitting slightly lower, fit a splitter and possibly a lip spoiler but I've not come across any that I'd be totally happy with yet.

A remap is likely to be the next modification but I will wait until I'm bored of the current power. It's never felt lacking in power and it pulls so smoothly but more is always nice!

Anyway, I'm waffling, I'm loving this car more and more and it's far exceeded my expectations!

SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Wednesday 21st December 2016
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[quote="SteveSmith"]Slightly better pic...



I am now happy with it!

I literally cannot wait for Xmas morning so I can put the kidneys on!

I think I'm going to paint my calipers and disc bells gloss black too. Maybe a little job to do over Xmas!
[/quote]

SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Thursday 22nd December 2016
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Prinny said:
That's a really good photo OP! Not seen one at that particular angle before - it seems to de-emphasize the bonnet length (no mean feat), while also highlighting the rear-driven nature of the car.

Will have to try and get a matching one of mine in the same way. Also agree that the debadging made the difference with the side repeaters.

Hope you have fun fitting the grilles on Sunday! smile
Thanks! I'm no photographer!

I'm still not 100%. I might get the chrome ones painted in Alpine White and see if I prefer them colour coded!

SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Thursday 22nd December 2016
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For example...

http://www.bmw-syndikat.de/bmwsyndikatfotos/topic4...Z3__Z4Z8.html

I would fit the pre lci repeater but the problem I have is the LCI has a hole in the wind for a locating lug for the new type of side repeater! Changing the wing for the sake of an indicator seems a tad excessive (and ironic on a BMW!!).

SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Thursday 22nd December 2016
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3rd of January my chrome repeaters are being sprayed white to see what I prefer rofl


SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Sunday 25th December 2016
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Merry Christmas all!!

I'm waiting for the gf to wake up so thought I'd update this thread!

Whilst having a little look through the Z4 forum and upgrades etc I noticed a car with the professional sound system had more speakers than mine! I was sold mine with it had pro nav and pro sound system!

Turns out I have the standard 6 speaker system and having had HK in my last few cars the sound system really is lacking.

So I've found out exactly what I need and I'll be upgrading all speaker to MB Quartz initially.

Footwells... http://caraudiosecurity.com/mb-quart-qmw-165-bmw-3...

Doors and next / behind seats... http://caraudiosecurity.com/mb-quart-qm100-bmw-cus...

I'm hoping that will be a good improvement, if not, I'll add the 8" subwoofers behind the seats and a couple of amps!

I'll be fitting the black kidney grills later today!

SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Sunday 25th December 2016
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Thank you!

Yes, I sort of stumbled upon this car, I didn't know what any of the numbers meant apart from the 35iS to be honest. Never paid too much attention to these as I have always loved the look of them (personally thought the e89 was a good progression from the e85 especially with the folding hard top even though I love the e85) but thought it would be out of budget.

The 28i is the perfect mix of performance and economy for me!

Black grills fitted this morning! Looks great but I still think the side repeaters would look better in white!

SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Sunday 25th December 2016
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SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Sunday 25th December 2016
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Thank you!

Terrible photo but I'm going to have the lower middle bar of the bumper wrapped in black as well...



Side repeaters will be going white and then it will be put on Eibach springs and then I'll make a decision on what spacers I'll need to give it a slightly more aggressive stance.

I'd like to get the M359 (e92 comp pack 19's like the 1M wheels) but I really like these where I'll wait until I inevitably crack one and then replace!

SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Monday 26th December 2016
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f1nn said:
These have never appeared on my radar, it after reading this I think yours looks fantastic.

If it was mine I'd think twice about any more cosmetic mods...and that repeater surround would have to go white.
Thank you! As I've said before, I wanted a TTS but this was so much more car for the money I couldn't say no!

I appreciate the feedback, I really don't want to go tacky or make it look like it's been played with. The black side repeaters were a mistake and even with the black hoops and grills they just don't look right so they'll be coming off and I'll have the chrome ones spayed Alpine White and fitted in the first week of January hopefully ready for the meet at Brooklands!

A fellow owner is going for air ride so has offered me his Eibach springs for not a lot of money. It will only lower the front by 15-20mm and the rear 5-10mm but it should improve the stance greatly. Spacers will complete this look.

The bar on the bumper will be vinyl wrapped so if I'm not sure about it I can take it straight off!

Other than that, no other exterior mods will happen.

I'll be upgrading the speakers after the above.

SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Monday 26th December 2016
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Prinny said:
Hmm - I like that. Good contrast with the white of the body, wouldn't work without the black grilles though! Especially if just a wrap - go for it!

Springs/stance, I'm personally not too sure on, interested to see the result. Given the state of the roads here, I'm keeping mine standard (but vacillating).

As to speakers, yes, you can add more (I think it's a total of 11 with the top-level system), but a good upgrade for not much £ is to:
1 - add the door mirror tweeters if missing
2 - replace the door mids / seatbelt buckle mids with ones from the mini, as its the same size fitment, but a stronger speaker (much better magnet).

There's plenty of info on the z4 forum, & (IMO), for the £150 or so for the speakers, a worthwhile upgrade on it's own. I was happy enough with that, and don't feel I need to go further.

I can dig out the part #'s if you want? Fairly certain I've got spares - but not going to check out at 1am! In fact, if you can possibly make the barge meet on 29th in Duxford, I can bring them down for you (FOC - I have no further need for them, and BMW don't want them back! end of shameless barge meet plug) smile
Thank you for your reply!

I'm lucky in that our sister company is a vehicle hire / fleet management company with their own workshop and I get on very well with the mechanics! So they'll chuck the springs on for me and if I don't like it I'll swap them back. But I'm told the springs are no firmer than the M Sport setup and if anything, they're not as harsh. M Sport on 19's is a reasonably firm ride!!

I've had Eibach springs on a Mini before and thought they were great. I've also had cheap coilovers and I'll never do that again!!

Thank you so much for the offer re speakers! Maybe a bit too much Buck's Fizz, mince pies and festive cheer!! So do you have these Mini speakers that you mention? I was going to buy MB Quartz coaxial speakers so I don't have to mess around with extra wires for tweeters etc but interested to find out more about this upgrade you speak of so I shall start looking! I'll never turn down an extra Christmas present but I'm more than happy to donate some beer tokens etc!

I saw the barge meet and I'd like to come time permitting / hall pass from mrs! Lol.

SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Monday 26th December 2016
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I'll see what I can do regarding the meet, if I come the speakers sound great! Thank you!

I'm still on run flats, the bridgestones are new all round so need to wait until at least the summer to chuck something decent on!

235/35 and 265/30 is what I was looking at!

I want to go for the Pilot Super Sports!


SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Wednesday 28th December 2016
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Hi all,

Update on the front splitter! So, I want something along these lines...



Problem is there isn't one available to buy!

I've considered buying one of them and having it modified to fit, I've considered buying an LCR splitter but I just can't see either of these options working out.

So today, I was bored a decided to go and buy some Marine Plywood! Problem I then had was fitting it in my car rofl

So... dad to the rescue!!



I bought an 9mm 8x4 foot sheet of exterior plywood. Had it cut down to 2 6x2 foot sheets and an off cut of 4x2.

This way I can make 2 splitters or have a second piece if I mess up the first go!

After a lot of measuring and faffing I've ended up with this...





It fits absolutely perfectly and is flush with the side of the bumper and follows the line of the bumper. It protrudes ever so slightly in the middle but still follows the bumper.

I'm so happy to get to this stage so quickly!!

I now need to find out exactly how to get this sealed and the best way to get it gloss black and not looking like plywood rofl

Having never done anything like this before I'm still not holding my breath! If I fit it and it looks cheap and nasty it will come straight off.

If anyone has any advice please offer it!!

SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Wednesday 28th December 2016
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rofl

That is the reaction I was expecting!

If it works it'll look great. If it doesn't it'll go in the bin.

SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

161 months

Thursday 29th December 2016
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stuart-b said:
SteveS Cup said:
rofl

That is the reaction I was expecting!

If it works it'll look great. If it doesn't it'll go in the bin.
Use it as a template and get someone to do a carbon or fiberglass mould

https://books.google.hr/books?id=01nYsgoKeCwC&...
I was thinking of something like this, I just don't want CF as nothing else is CF... so wanted gloss black.

I can understand the reaction to the plywood... it's not something I'd normally think to do but I've seen quite a few people do it with various cars and I just want a plain, flat splitter!

If it doesn't work out then it will get thrown away and apart from some time, it's cost hardly anything to do but I've had a blast with my old man today tinkering with it which was really enjoyable!