JPB's Z4 3.0i 2003

[JPB]

Hey all,
Finally making a progress thread with the recommendation of a few people here.
I've got a Z4 3.0i 2003 which I've been upgrading for the past few months. I absolutely adore it and it's treated me extremely well.

I will update this on all the mods I've made in the coming weeks, but for now I'll leave my first pic here.
Thanks!
Jase

 

[JPB]

One of the first upgrades I made was changing the wheels. I swapped my 18" 108s for 18" Matt silver Fox Racing wheels and I just love the colour.

I spent several hours in Photoshop overlaying different wheel types and colours before settling on these new ones. I'm very happy with them.

 

[Madtoady]

Welome

 

[JPB]

After a lot of brand new parts and labour (control arms, bushes, multiple wheel alignments and much more) @Lee managed to sort my twitchy steering with a little tap of the steering column tension adjuster (technical name eludes me). After that it was 99% better, and then with a Hunter alignment it now sits true and steady on the road.
The steering can get a bit sticky when hot, but that's normal apparently and it's 100% better than before.
Thanks again to @Lee at Zedshed.

 

[JPB]

The headlights were yellow and foggy so I picked up an Autoglym headlight restoration kit with affixes to a drill. I wet sanded the lights until they were nice and clear. I finished off the last two fine grit sands with lateral motions to avoid swirl marks on the plastic. The whole process took 2 hours because I was being very particular.
Still, I can see my Xenon's much clearer now. I also used Simoniz carnuba wax to finish them off so they stay clean for longer.

 

[JPB]

I replaced the black door lock pins with carbon fibre and chrome pins I got imported from Latvia. They even have the BMW logo on. It's the first thing I look at when opening the door, so makes me feel good every time.

 

[JPB]

My front grills were all stone chipped so I grabbed some Matt black spray paint from Homebase and decided to spray them up. I masking taped the chrome to avoid overspray, but since realised they just come off. Oops! Just cost me about 10mins of time, no biggie. I gave them two coats and the small dimples are even filled in now.

 

[JPB]

I replaced the stock radio with a Sony instead which, alongside being a radio, has Bluetooth and NFC (near field communication) for quick phone connectivity. It even made the audio sound better. The fascia and radio I bought off a forum member on Z4 forums.

 

[JPB]

I upgraded the front and rear badge emblems. The rear didn't really need doing but I bought that one first for the front and realised I got the wrong size. So hey, rather than send it back I figured I'd fit it.

The front definitely needed changing.

 

[JPB]

I took the door cards off and installed Dynamat sound deadening. I spent hours cutting it all precisely to fill almost every empty space of the door without obstructing window movement and triple checked everything was stuck flat. The door now shuts with a deep thud, so much more satisfying than the tinny rattle I had before. It's added some weight to the door too, which makes it feel so much more high end. It's also made it quieter inside the cab. Brilliant! I stuck the remaining stuff on the underside of the parcel shelf to reduce the rattle, although it hasn't seemed to work. Yet to figure that one out.

 

[Lee]

Great write up Jase!

Just for info if you back off the steering motor ring very gently the hot sticking should go. It's marginally too tight.

 

[JPB]

Great write up Jase!

Just for info if you back off the steering motor ring very gently the hot sticking should go. It's marginally too tight.

Thanks mate Yes I think it is a bit tight, I'll give it a go but can't quite remember where the bolts are haha. Thanks again for all your help!

 

[JPB]

Ahead of a steering wheel refurb in a week's time I've decided on black trim on the wheel which I sorted tonight. Very happy with the results!

 

[t-tony]

I was considering doing exactly that too Jase when I did the wheel in my car. Luckily I found a wheel at a "local" breakers with the chrome effect and the audio controls on it. Before fitting it went down to Royals for the full treatment. Like you happy with the result.

The original,

and the refurbed, padded one after the Royals treatment.

Only difference now is that it has a carbon black/silver badge on it.

Tony.

 

[JPB]

I was considering doing exactly that too Jase when I did the wheel in my car. Luckily I found a wheel at a "local" breakers with the chrome effect and the audio controls on it. Before fitting it went down to Royals for the full treatment. Like you happy with the result.

The original,
View attachment 85667
and the refurbed, padded one after the Royals treatment.
View attachment 85666

Only difference now is that it has a carbon black/silver badge on it.

Tony.

Very nice, Tony! I was considering buttons - do you use them a lot?

 

[t-tony]

Very nice, Tony! I was considering buttons - do you use them a lot?

Yes mate, I find they're a God send. All pre wired etc. You just need a small wire from BMW to connect into the lights to illuminate the buttons.

Tony.

 

[JPB]

A quick update on my Zed build (or rather, TLC!) over the past year and a half.
Here's some videos I've made on some upgrades:
Gear knob upgrade:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OA2Hv9_5EE

Steering wheel upgrade:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE5ApxWNtLk

Cold air intake upgrade:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OZez8715Ls


Here's a list of the other upgrades I've done or have had help with, too:
Brand new shock absorbers all around
New coolant expansion tank
New track tie rod ends
New Droplinks
Custom made gear knob (561g of billeted stainless steel)
Royals refurbed steering wheel, double padded nappa leather with red stitching
Gap tech roof module
Roof motor relocation
New clear third brake light
Ramair cold air intake
Custom air scoop behind front offside grill

I think that's it for now. Photos to come

 

[Lee]

Welcome back Jase you beaded devil you!

 

[t-tony]

A quick update on my Zed build (or rather, TLC!) over the past year and a half.
Here's some videos I've made on some upgrades:
Gear knob upgrade:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OA2Hv9_5EE

Steering wheel upgrade:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE5ApxWNtLk

Cold air intake upgrade:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OZez8715Ls


Here's a list of the other upgrades I've done or have had help with, too:
Brand new shock absorbers all around
New coolant expansion tank
New track tie rod ends
New Droplinks
Custom made gear knob (561g of billeted stainless steel)
Royals refurbed steering wheel, double padded nappa leather with red stitching
Gap tech roof module
Roof motor relocation
New clear third brake light
Ramair cold air intake
Custom air scoop behind front offside grill

I think that's it for now. Photos to come

Well mate if you finally got a clear 3rd brake light it needs one of my decals.

Tony.

ps. Like the Ramair

 

[JPB]

Well mate if you finally got a clear 3rd brake light it needs one of my decals.

Tony.

ps. Like the Ramair

Yeah mate! Send me a pic in PM?