Thought it was time i did a Progress Thread

billz

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Z4 3.0si Individual Ruby Black Last one produced in this colour combo
Well after been a zed owner for the last 6 years i thought i would put a thread of our progress.
The Zed bug caught hold back in March 2010 with the purchase af our Z3 3.0 sport in Titanium Silver
2011-01-09 12.54.51 HDR.JPG

We then purchased our Ruby Black Z4 in June 2013 from a guy on the Z4 Forum
Car Specification.jpg

2013-06-30 08.29.45.jpg

We did keep both the Z3 and Z4 for around a year but not having any where to park them comfortably it was with regret the Z3 had to go. It did however go to a Forum Member on .net
2013-09-28 16.07.36.jpg
It did take us a while to find the combination we wanted but the Z4 did come with lots of swirl marks and a scuff on the bumper and the Alloys needed refurbing but we got it for a bargain price of £11500 with 30000mls on the clock and was a 2008 model. Take into account i could probably get 9k for it now then you can see what a bargain it was 3 years ago.
The first thing to go was the Alloys we swapped these for the Cades Tyrus that were on the Z3 and put the Z4 wheels on to the Z3 when we sold her.
2013-07-18 17.23.15.jpg

The wheels in 2014 really started pitting and we had them refurbished and i was not happy with the colour so i changed them for the ones we are still running today the 3SDM
20160528_181127.jpg

In 2015 i decided to upgrade the brakes to Drilled and Grooved and have new pads and shoes fitted all round
Me and the wife had agreed we would not do anything regarding the swirls and bumper scuff till before we sold her, which was due to be next month. Due to this i was never happy with the car and could not bond with it as it had too many issues.
But after deliberating over our next Z4 we decided to keep her as the E89 Model prices are dropping quite rapidly while the 3.0Si ones are holding there own. To get the same comparison i factored in we wanted a Z4 that had around the same performance and economy which brought us to 2 models the 28i and 35i i decided the only one we would have would be the 35i but to get one 5 years old and with around 30k on the clock as that would be the equivalent of when we bought the Z4 we would have to shell out 20k.
So onto the present day.
2 weeks ago we decided to get the body work sorted so off it went for a front end respray. Bumper, Bonnet, Wings and the sill skirts. The remainder of the car had a 3 stage machine polish.
P1030136.JPG

The Engine bay has always been quite tidy but last weekend i gave it a good going over
20160522_190735.jpg

So this weekend i decided to give her some pampering and i have to admit i am now once again getting pleasure from polishing her which i had lost over the last 3 years.
I do now feel i am starting to bond with her for the first time since we have had her.
The next items on the agenda are the Interior.
 
Last edited:

t-tony

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Cheers Bill, nice to hear your really liking the car now mate.

Tony.
 

billz

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Z4 3.0si Individual Ruby Black Last one produced in this colour combo
They are really nice to drive and handle the road very well, ask a few on here who i have been on runs with :ymdevil:. The trouble was because the body work was not very good i was never that bothered about polishing it too much, it got its regular weekend wash but that was as far as it would go as i hated to polish it and it look as though it had just come from an auto garage car wash. But now when i polish her you can actually see what you have done. Trouble is now i hate to see her dirty. Washed and polished yesterday and because she kips outside there were dew marks all over so out i went again and used the waterless wash and wax to clean her again.
 

Bozzy

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Great start on your progress write up @billz,enjoyed reading it.
Your zed looks the business I love them wheels as well :cool:.
It's great when you get that feeling of bonding with a car,I got that from the very start with mine tbh,I just feel as one when driving,especially when I don't have a passenger :whistle::coolsteer).:D.

Steve
 

t-tony

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E89 Z4 23i Auto
Couldn't agree more Bill, but it does look great after all the tlc. You've pushed me to get the under bonnet done on mine as soon as I get chance. Like to see clean under there !

Tony.
 

billz

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Langley Mill
Model of Z
Z4 3.0si Individual Ruby Black Last one produced in this colour combo
Today i decided to tackle the seats as the bolsters were quite bad
Before
20160529_124332.jpg

After
20160529_150325.jpg

I have only done the back rest so far and you can tell the difference in these photos
20160529_151441.jpg

20160529_150248.jpg

Not 100% perfect but 90% better than it was
 

t-tony

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Looking good Bill. Dave, Brian and I were looking at mine and the bolster on the driver's seat is getting ready for some treatment. It's had 1/3 as much use these past 9 months than the whole of its previous life so I will get it done. What product are you using please?

Tony.
 

Antm72

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billz

Zorg Expert (II)
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British Zeds
Joined
Dec 4, 2011
Points
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Location
Langley Mill
Model of Z
Z4 3.0si Individual Ruby Black Last one produced in this colour combo
Looking good Bill. Dave, Brian and I were looking at mine and the bolster on the driver's seat is getting ready for some treatment. It's had 1/3 as much use these past 9 months than the whole of its previous life so I will get it done. What product are you using please?

Tony.
I am using the stuff from the Furniture Clinic. Really a comprehensive kit. About £80 for the full colourant kit.
 

billz

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Z4 3.0si Individual Ruby Black Last one produced in this colour combo
Looks great its a great process and a rewarding one the car will be transformed top man !:scorecard:
Yes you can really see the difference especially as i have not started on the seating bit yet. Mind it is time consuming i even had to buy a Hair dryer to do it, Kim would not let me use hers =))
 

Antm72

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Yes you can really see the difference especially as i have not started on the seating bit yet. Mind it is time consuming i even had to buy a Hair dryer to do it, Kim would not let me use hers =))
I used the wifes whilst she was away :whistle::whistle: on the seats and the vinyl wrapping what she does 't know doesn't harm =))
 

Antm72

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With the little knicks on the bolster you could sand them down lightly and get a filler it will remove them completly its only a few quid.i had the odd split and it fixed them it stays flexible and moves with the leather you apply it and sand flat.
Any heavy creases can be filled too it works well :thumbsup:
 

billz

Zorg Expert (II)
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British Zeds
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Points
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Location
Langley Mill
Model of Z
Z4 3.0si Individual Ruby Black Last one produced in this colour combo
With the little knicks on the bolster you could sand them down lightly and get a filler it will remove them completly its only a few quid.i had the odd split and it fixed them it stays flexible and moves with the leather you apply it and sand flat.
Any heavy creases can be filled too it works well :thumbsup:
I should of got some 1000 grit but forgot. What is the filler called and was your kit the Furniture Clinic one ?
 

Antm72

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Got it off ebay came in a tiny tub hardly used it will see if i can find it if its still usable you can have it :thumbsup:
 

billz

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Z4 3.0si Individual Ruby Black Last one produced in this colour combo
I think the next time i do this it will be a section at a time i think i made the mistake of trying to do too much all at once. The good thing with the Z4 is it has a lot of sections i can do bit by bit.
 

billz

Zorg Expert (II)
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British Zeds
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Dec 4, 2011
Points
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Location
Langley Mill
Model of Z
Z4 3.0si Individual Ruby Black Last one produced in this colour combo

billz

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 4, 2011
Points
226
Location
Langley Mill
Model of Z
Z4 3.0si Individual Ruby Black Last one produced in this colour combo
I am now going to have a well earned Couple of Desperado's
 
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