My midlife crisis purchase; E86 BMW Z4 Coupe

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InitialDave said:

Ah, nice, I quite like the look of these, and could've been tempted when buying my E89. They look far, far nicer than the soft top variant in my opinion.

I agree on the feeling of being sat quite far back when you're coming from a 4 seater coupe or saloon etc, it's the same for me, does make visibility at junctions a bit of a pain if there's someone alongside you, or knobbish parking close to the junction.

On the wheels, see if Alloy Wheels Direct have anything for you, I got a set of 18" 276s from them for a really good price.

I think the soft top looks great with the roof down, less so with the roof up.

One t-junction I have to battle on the way to work is quite overgrown and I to a NSL road and it’s certainly a bit frustrating. I was a bit of a Doris the other day in a multi-storey car park. The yoof behind me in an Ibiza was getting a bit annoyed I think.

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MDifficult said:

Oh yes! I'm late to this particular party but absolutely fantastic purchase!

I'll join the chorus here and tell you that CSLs may be the default option but it's because they're simply the best on that car. Maybe (maybe) some genuine LMs but I'd be going CSLs all day long - yes.. I know I said that for your 335i but I was absolutely right then too

Either way, outstanding purchase and I think you'll get a huge amount of fun out of this once you get it handling right. Enjoy!

Cheers. CSL’s do look mint on these, I was just trying to explore a slightly different path and with the car being so small, I think it’ll sit well on 17’s.

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roadie said:

Really interesting move with all practicality for the family reliant on one car. There's no way my partner would allow me to completely abandon being able to carry people or things almost entirely!

Did you get a decent price for the 335i?

I have always wanted an E85 Z4 3.0si Sport in silver as a fun car in addition to something more practical. I'm certain roof down N52 noises would be epic!

I really look forward to reading about how you get on with this car and whether you can find a tyre/suspension setup that gives you what you want. I would 100% go with an aftermarket wheel if you are beyond keeping those fitted - how about something like this, albeit with more tyre?

I think it’ll be fine - we’ve got plenty of friends and family close if we’re ever really in a major bind. I think it helps that she really, really likes the car (it’s the nicest one that I’ve owned apparently).

I was happy with the price of the 335i in the end - the swap has cost me a few hundred quid.

I like Bola wheels in all fairness. I think for now, I might just bin the stty Dunlop tyres and keep the 108’s and focus on the suspension / handling. Most seem to really like the wheels as they are.

[DamnKraut]

OP, that's a great colour combination you got there.

Have always been a fan of Style 216 wheels on the E85/86. Here's an example for inspiration:
https://www.zacharylukecarslimited.co.uk/details/u...

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Gallons Per Mile said:

Ooh, good choice of replacement car! Only just seen this thread exists. Have fun with it

Thanks, it’s not an M3, it I’m hoping it’ll keep my interest more than another 3 series and I’ve never had a two seater, so it ticks that box as well.

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B'stard Child said:

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So, now it’s in the process of getting cleaned and looking good, what are my plans? Well I don’t intend to get to carried away with mods in this one, I’ll focus on maintenance and keeping it well looked after.

I mean this in the nicest possible way but the in bold bit

Looks like a good base considering it's age

I did say that I didn’t intend to get carried away….

I think there’s a really good car to be had with a few replacement bits and some tinkering (which is were the fun is).

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So, after seeing the state of the RTAB carriers, new ones were ordered from Sytner along with the relevant nuts and bolts…first of many parts collections no doubt. Powerflex bushes are on the way for the training arm. People seem to rate them as an upgrade and they look much easier to for.



The boot seems a decent size having had to pick up supplies for next weeks arrival (don’t ask)



Whilst at B&Q, I parked in front of a Model Three which bought home just how small it is and just how far back you end up sitting.



Once home, it was time to try out my new toy, a Seasuckee Talon bike carrier.







The first use will be nerve racking being just held on with suction.

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DamnKraut said:

OP, that's a great colour combination you got there.

Have always been a fan of Style 216 wheels on the E85/86. Here's an example for inspiration:
https://www.zacharylukecarslimited.co.uk/details/u...

Thanks, that was one of the selling points especially since the beige interior is very beige but the back is too much of a cave.

I love the 216’s (my wife has them on her E91)



There is a decent looking set I’ve found, but they’re miles away. Tempted though.

[Fermit]

This shape Z4, especially in the coupe form, is what I consider to be Bangle's finest. They just look sooo good. Love the colour too, not making it's mind up if it's blue or purple. Another vote for the bought with alloys, 17's, IMO at least, just look too small.

If you don't mind sharing, and no probs if you do, what did you get £ wise for the 335i? Not that it matters, as I've long decided I'm never selling the thing, but I'm just interested in real world 335i values.

Oh, and as an aside Sam, if you want a tutorial on how to 're-colour' the leather (your words) I'm your man (can't recall if you have my number?) My currently dormant company of 12 years was Leather Better Ltd, and I am confident to state that I can restore leather as well if not better than anyone in the UK. It's not rocket science, but there are basic things which you can fk up, it's an if you know you know thing.

[d_a_n1979]

That looks so cool with the bike mounted Sam...

I'll have somewhere to sit now Be a bit breezy mind

[cerb4.5lee]

d_a_n1979 said:

That looks so cool with the bike mounted Sam...

I'll have somewhere to sit now Be a bit breezy mind

I reckon that will be where his son will be sitting if he nips out with the missus in it as well!

[PepeelgordoTheFirst]

Good work on that car, it's lovely and the paint looks very deep. I know nothing about BMWs, but could you just swap wheels with your wife?

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Fermit said:

This shape Z4, especially in the coupe form, is what I consider to be Bangle's finest. They just look sooo good. Love the colour too, not making it's mind up if it's blue or purple. Another vote for the bought with alloys, 17's, IMO at least, just look too small.

If you don't mind sharing, and no probs if you do, what did you get £ wise for the 335i? Not that it matters, as I've long decided I'm never selling the thing, but I'm just interested in real world 335i values.

Oh, and as an aside Sam, if you want a tutorial on how to 're-colour' the leather (your words) I'm your man (can't recall if you have my number?) My currently dormant company of 12 years was Leather Better Ltd, and I am confident to state that I can restore leather as well if not better than anyone in the UK. It's not rocket science, but there are basic things which you can fk up, it's an if you know you know thing.

Thanks; I think it’s certainly one of the successfully striking designs of this era and I think it’s stood the test of time well.

I’ll drop you a line re values - it’s worth remembering that values have softened since I bought mine two years ago and I stuck just over 30k on it in that time which is a pretty good effort.

I might need to pick your brains re the leather. I’ve done a basic recolour of Dakota leather which is basically rhino skin. I’m a bit more wary of tackling this because it’s nappa leather and much softer. It’s been done before I think.

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d_a_n1979 said:

That looks so cool with the bike mounted Sam...

I'll have somewhere to sit now Be a bit breezy mind

Ha ha, it does look kind of cool doing practical things in an impractical car.

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cerb4.5lee said:

I reckon that will be where his son will be sitting if he nips out with the missus in it as well!

Judging by his behaviour/ attitude today, he’ll just be left at the roadside!

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PepeelgordoTheFirst said:

Good work on that car, it's lovely and the paint looks very deep. I know nothing about BMWs, but could you just swap wheels with your wife?

I need to check that the E9x version of the 216’s will fit this and not be too pokey.

That court be a good call side she likes the 108’s.

[Neil1323bolts]

Court_S said:

So, after seeing the state of the RTAB carriers, new ones were ordered from Sytner along with the relevant nuts and bolts…first of many parts collections no doubt. Powerflex bushes are on the way for the training arm. People seem to rate them as an upgrade and they look much easier to for.



The boot seems a decent size having had to pick up supplies for next weeks arrival (don’t ask)



Whilst at B&Q, I parked in front of a Model Three which bought home just how small it is and just how far back you end up sitting.



Once home, it was time to try out my new toy, a Seasuckee Talon bike carrier.







The first use will be nerve racking being just held on with suction.

The suckers will work just fine if used correctly, just be careful of dirt , like any small grain of dirt on the sucker or roof will scratch it , oh and be careful of low height restrictions I very nearly wiped out my 5 grand carbon road bike! , enjoy the new car looks great , rare car on the roads these days

[Mr Tidy]

Wow, the sale of your 335i came as quite a shock Sam, but your Z4 Coupe looks fantastic.

You probably looked at this database that a z4forum member compiled back when free VIN decoders were available:- http://perso.numericable.fr/tonyz4c/index30si.html... Which suggests your manual Coupe in Monaco Blue with Champagne leather and
Piano Black trim is one of 18 that came to the UK but probably fewer than that with Xenons and those heated M-Sport seats.

I fell in love with the shape of them and bought my first in 2014, but for most of 2019 I ran one alongside my E90 330i. And while they use the same engine they are a completely different driving experience. The Z4 just feels so much more urgent sitting low and just in front of the rear axle with a way more special a sound-track. If you do decide you want more sound you can take one or both of the foams out of the sound-generator (assuming they are still there).

Z4s use wheels with the same sizes and offsets as E46s, but 3.0Sis need at least 17s to clear the front brakes. The 108s look great, but deteriorate quickly because the titanium bolts react with the alloy rims which lifts the lacquer. I sold my 108s while they still looked decent and fitted a set of 295s from an E89 that have more aggressive offsets and are just as easy to clean! Refurbing 108s is horribly expensive because they need to be split for a proper job and will often result in sheared bolts.




I know CSLs'/Reps look great, but so many people have done that I sold the 19" Reps my current MC came with and went back to OE 224s, which seem to fit 3.0Sis too.

IMHO they are pretty special cars and hopefully you'll enjoy yours.

[mooseracer]

I'm nervous enough using my BMW bars and bike carrier, I think I'd have a meltdown with a SeaSucker

Possibly going against the grain but I don't like the current wheels and I think you're right, it would look lovely on some 216s. Slightly off topic but so many of them I see for sale are cracked - are they particularly prone to that?

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mooseracer said:

I'm nervous enough using my BMW bars and bike carrier, I think I'd have a meltdown with a SeaSucker

Possibly going against the grain but I don't like the current wheels and I think you're right, it would look lovely on some 216s. Slightly off topic but so many of them I see for sale are cracked - are they particularly prone to that?

I think I’ll drive round the block with it on first just in case!

The 216’s amongst 1 series owners seem to quite well thought of but those on the 3 seem quite prone to cracking…it really every set for sale at the moment is either cracked or has been repaired. They’re quite possible off the list for now.