My midlife crisis purchase; E86 BMW Z4 Coupe
Discussion
Court_S said:
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.
Just seen your email, and happy to assist. I'll reply further when I'm a bit more awake!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.
Mr Tidy said:
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.
Yeah, I came across that website and had a nose through it. It is a relatively rare car. It’d be interesting to know how many of those that were sold on this spec are still on the road. I see quite a few roadsters locally but not many coupes (just the one in the car park near work). 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.
It is a very different experience compared to the 330i which has been mapped to similar power levels. They’re quite a lot more raw in terms of noise etc. I think the foam may have already been removed because it’s quite noisy when you rev it out. I certainly won’t be looking to add any more noise this time around.
I’ve seen / heard the horror stories of the 108’s and whist mine are in decent condition, it’s probably not a bad time to try and move them on.
The 261’s from a 1 series coupe suit these well and there appear to be a few sets available that aren’t totally shagged.
Court_S said:
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! 
I turned around and collected her again(I was only gone for about a minute), and it seemed to fix the problem that was for sure! Now everytime we pass that lay by she'll go..."can you remember dad when you dropped me off there and drove off without me?!". Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind I reckon, and being a parent can be a bit of a test occasionally for sure.
The youngest is far better behaved overall, but even she still has her moments. Apologies for the parenting derail, and now back to cars!
cerb4.5lee said:
I did that with my eldest once on the way to Skegness Sam. Her behaviour/attitude was completely doing my head in, so I pulled over in a lay by, got her out and drove off without her for a bit!
I turned around and collected her again(I was only gone for about a minute), and it seemed to fix the problem that was for sure! Now everytime we pass that lay by she'll go..."can you remember dad when you dropped me off there and drove off without me?!". Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind I reckon, and being a parent can be a bit of a test occasionally for sure.
The youngest is far better behaved overall, but even she still has her moments. Apologies for the parenting derail, and now back to cars!
O/T, but I once kicked out an ex half way down the A46 to Leicester, because she had an attitude problem. She hadn't cooled down much when I went back for her half an hour later. I gave her the option 'do you want to wind your neck in and get in the car, or not and walk home?'I turned around and collected her again(I was only gone for about a minute), and it seemed to fix the problem that was for sure! Now everytime we pass that lay by she'll go..."can you remember dad when you dropped me off there and drove off without me?!". Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind I reckon, and being a parent can be a bit of a test occasionally for sure.
The youngest is far better behaved overall, but even she still has her moments. Apologies for the parenting derail, and now back to cars!
Fermit said:
O/T, but I once kicked out an ex half way down the A46 to Leicester, because she had an attitude problem. She hadn't cooled down much when I went back for her half an hour later. I gave her the option 'do you want to wind your neck in and get in the car, or not and walk home?'
Relationships/parenting can certainly be fun and games at times for sure. I remember having a big bust up a bit similar to that on the way to York with my ex missus years back as well. She was constantly moaning about my driving, so I pulled over on a dual carriageway, got out and got her to drive instead! I always remember it. We definitely weren't really right for each other though, because all we seemed to really do is fall out with each other. Court_S said:
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.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...
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.
Lovely motor there chap - I'll admit I was trying to guess what you'd bought after your cryptic posts on the BMW thread (6 cylinder BMW with cheaper parts than the E9x) but for some reason didn't guess a Z4 - must work on my BMW beard 
Re: the wheels, I do like those split rims on it at the moment, but if you wanted to change, the BBS LM Replicas look stunning.
Style 261s from the 1 Series M Sport could be an option? Must be loads about and a classic wheel design in my (completely) unbiased opinion.
Re: the wheels, I do like those split rims on it at the moment, but if you wanted to change, the BBS LM Replicas look stunning.
Style 261s from the 1 Series M Sport could be an option? Must be loads about and a classic wheel design in my (completely) unbiased opinion.
As everyone else is sharing their Z4 pictures...
BMW Z4 by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
This was my mate's 3.0 Roadster, and one of my favourite car photos.
BMW Z4 by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
This was my mate's 3.0 Roadster, and one of my favourite car photos.
Craikeybaby said:
As everyone else is sharing their Z4 pictures...
BMW Z4 by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
This was my mate's 3.0 Roadster, and one of my favourite car photos.
Where did you take that? Car looks nice 👍BMW Z4 by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
This was my mate's 3.0 Roadster, and one of my favourite car photos.
christhreadgill said:
Sea Suckers are great, I have the Talon also. No issues with it on any of my cars to date - my favorite being the current daily Fiesta ST as it has the glass pano roof, so I can see the bike above me whilst driving!
That’s good to know. I’ve not used it in anger yet, hopefully it’ll get used this weekend.helix402 said:
I wouldn’t recommend the PU rtab bushes. They change the way the rear arm moves quite substantially. I used to fit M3 rtab bushes to my E46s.
They do seem to be quite a devise subject having read lots of threads (and arguments) over the last few days. I’ve ended up with the Heritage ones which are supposed to be a bit softer. I spoke to Spires who said that he’s generally not a fan, but that’s the one place he’d fit them.I’ll pop them in and see how I get on. If they’re a pain, I’ll chuck in some M3 ones.
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