My new BMW Z4 28i M Sport

[GrantB5]

I like it!

[SteveS Cup]

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!

[f1nn]

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.

[SteveS Cup]

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.

[Prinny]

SteveS Cup said:

... (snip) I'm going to have the lower middle bar of the bumper wrapped in black as well...

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)

[SteveS Cup]

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)

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.

[Prinny]

Oh, I don't drink, so the offer was in no way alcohol fuelled! I will admit to being partial to the 'frequent' mince pie though (sad as I am, I bake them year round)

Would be great if you can get to the barge meet. As 0a & M. CdG say, it's about liking cars, everyone is welcome, sign up on the thread...

I do indeed have the speakers. Got this:
2x 65133428196 - MINI mid-range
2x 65139220750 - BMW tweeter

Nice that you can get the springs changed out for a song, if they're as you describe, that's something I need to look into. That said, are you still on R/F tyres? Changed mine out for 235 & 265 section Goodyear Asy2, that helped a fair bit, but ultimately there's what I consider to be a lot of road noise in the cabin, and if making the ride more compliant helps that, then I'm all for it. I don't think it's 'bad' for the type of car,- it's not at elise level! - just not ideal for longer journeys, which is where the 7-series comes in.

[SteveS Cup]

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]

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

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

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!!

[f1nn]

fking hell, it was all going so well...

You're screwing bits of plywood to your bumper?

[SteveS Cup]

That is the reaction I was expecting!

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

[stuart-b]

SteveS Cup said:

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&...

[SteveS Cup]

stuart-b said:

SteveS Cup said:

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!

[SteveS Cup]

I think I'm going to do exactly what has been suggested and use this as a mould and get it made using fibreglass. Seems ideal.

[Prinny]

SteveS Cup said:

I think I'm going to do exactly what has been suggested and use this as a mould and get it made using fibreglass. Seems ideal.

Naaa, some black hammerite and a few tie wraps - that'll have it looking perfect!

Anyway, onto more pressing business, the excitement of the ply purchase obviously meant you didn't make the barge meet. PM me address/ phone/ whatever & I'll get the speakers sent off for you. (unless you really need a road-trip!)

[SteveS Cup]

Hi all,

Happy New Year!!

It looks like I've found a company who will use my Ply template to create it in 9mm thick gloss black plastic. They'll also finish the edge so it's perfect and I then just have to fit it!

I'm now very hopeful that this is going to look fantastic!

Good things are happening in 2017!!

Side repeaters will be sprayed white in the first week of Jan.

Eibach springs will be fitted by the end of Jan and I can then look at some spacers once I know where the car is sat.

And I'll hopefully get the front splitter sorted too!


Next will be some form of remap. I'd also like the BMW Performance brakes !

[stuart-b]

SteveS Cup said:

Hi all,

Happy New Year!!

It looks like I've found a company who will use my Ply template to create it in 9mm thick gloss black plastic. They'll also finish the edge so it's perfect and I then just have to fit it!

I'm now very hopeful that this is going to look fantastic!

Good things are happening in 2017!!

Side repeaters will be sprayed white in the first week of Jan.

Eibach springs will be fitted by the end of Jan and I can then look at some spacers once I know where the car is sat.

And I'll hopefully get the front splitter sorted too!


Next will be some form of remap. I'd also like the BMW Performance brakes !

Hi Steve, I'd be interested in one of these - can you enquire about potential group buys? I can then post on Z4 forum to see what we can gather. Might reduce your price too

[ruggedscotty]

Have had my Z4 for a few years now, brilliant cars, driven more with roof down than roof up. And not had much bother with other people on the road. As they say let the haters hate.

Its a well balanced car although the original 19' wheels were as strong as egg shells, prone to cracking, a set of 18' sorted that out and of course change the tyres to non run flats and get a breakdown recovery membership. Normal tyres improve the handling no end.

[SteveS Cup]

stuart-b said:

Hi Steve, I'd be interested in one of these - can you enquire about potential group buys? I can then post on Z4 forum to see what we can gather. Might reduce your price too

Thanks for your interest!

I wasn't surprised by the initial reaction to the Ply wood but I knew what I had in my mind and I know it will work!!

I have posted something on the Z4 forum about this but it was on my progress thread so I don't think it's had much attention.

I'm awaiting to hear back from 2 places regarding them manufacturing this for me using my Ply template. Once I know prices I'll let you know. I did think these would be popular if they can be bought for under £200... currently the CF option is over £300 and imo not as smart / OEM looking.

[SteveS Cup]

ruggedscotty said:

Have had my Z4 for a few years now, brilliant cars, driven more with roof down than roof up. And not had much bother with other people on the road. As they say let the haters hate.

Its a well balanced car although the original 19' wheels were as strong as egg shells, prone to cracking, a set of 18' sorted that out and of course change the tyres to non run flats and get a breakdown recovery membership. Normal tyres improve the handling no end.

Looks lovely!

I wouldn't mind going down to 18's from a comfort / handling point of view but I love the 326 wheels!

The RFT's will be off as soon as I wear the rears out!