Strut Braces

t-tony

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It looks nice though, which is partly the aim of fitting both braces, the car isn't driven hard enough to get the full benefits.
If you use a soft top cover would you be able to see a rear upper brace? I agree about the bling factor though, my Z4 is braced from the factory but if I come accross a good used front upper one that I can afford I'll get it.

Tony.
 

Disca

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No clue, I don't have any covers for my car though. Sits outside come rain or shine!
 

t-tony

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No clue, I don't have any covers for my car though. Sits outside come rain or shine!
What I was referring to was the "tonneau" for when your roof is folded down. Just seems pointless buying "bling" that you might be covering ?:)

Tony.
 

Disca

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Ooohh yes I have one of those, don't always equip it though due to the fun it can cause if rain appears randomly! A point to consider though certainly :)
 

GazHyde

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You will only see it when the roof is up and you lean over and peer in the rear window. As soon as the roof is down it's hidden (irrespective of a tonneau cover being fitted)
 

t-tony

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You will only see it when the roof is up and you lean over and peer in the rear window. As soon as the roof is down it's hidden (irrespective of a tonneau cover being fitted)
Cheers for that Gaz, I had my suspicions but wasn't 100% sure.

Tony.
 

5harp3y

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yup it would have the least visual impact of any mod you could have on the Zed! especially if you have roll bars
 

Rha

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It looks nice though, which is partly the aim of fitting both braces, the car isn't driven hard enough to get the full benefits.
IMO Disca, anything fitted across the body above the wheel height has got to be beneficial in strengthening/bracing a convertadle car, so don't be put off by others opinions as to what it actually does, you may never feel the differance it makes and the jury is still out as to if it actually does, so only you will decide where your money is worth spending, you'll probably never see mine with the hood down at most meets so it's not for show. Most advice on here is top notch, especially if your trying to save money, if you've got money to spend on your car and not looking for the cheapest alternative good luck to you, (You've already guessed why I fitted mine no doubt) This is not advice to you but to encourage you to make your Z your own.:cool:
PM me for meet if your interested (when the weather gets better) and I'll take a run over to you for a chat.

RHA, Roy:happy:
 

hard top

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IMO Disca, anything fitted across the body above the wheel height has got to be beneficial in strengthening/bracing a convertadle car,
You might be right Rha but, food for thought, you get twatted (word I learnt from @t-tony) on one side of the car the strut brace will take out the other side as well......
 

Disca

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To be fair @hard top, if the Z3 got twatted enough to do one side in 95% of scenarios she would be a write off anyway. Joys of cheap cars.

@Rha I did notice you weren't too far from me :) Shall have to have a get together at some point when weather is nicer I agree. I spoke to Bertini yesterday about their braces, the front ones aren't available anymore however I could still get hold of the last rear set. So currently just trying to decide an alternative brand to go for at the front. Current forerunner in my mind is the Weichers because it has a nice shiny finish and I will enjoy keeping it that way...
 

Rha

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To be fair @hard top, if the Z3 got twatted enough to do one side in 95% of scenarios she would be a write off anyway. Joys of cheap cars.

@Rha I did notice you weren't too far from me :) Shall have to have a get together at some point when weather is nicer I agree. I spoke to Bertini yesterday about their braces, the front ones aren't available anymore however I could still get hold of the last rear set. So currently just trying to decide an alternative brand to go for at the front. Current forerunner in my mind is the Weichers because it has a nice shiny finish and I will enjoy keeping it that way...
Get whatever makes you happy Disca, but don't forget showing it off means youll be opening the bonnet and may have more work keeping the underbonnet area even cleaner to match it.:meh:...............=))

Roy.
 

Rha

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You might be right Rha but, food for thought, you get twatted (word I learnt from @t-tony) on one side of the car the strut brace will take out the other side as well......
Agree HT, and then it's time to kick yourself for not informing ins company, they'll be rubbing there hands together.
Isn't life a Tw@ sometimes.:whistle:=))

RHA, Roy.
 

Disca

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Engine bay was cleaned on the weekend ;) I rather enjoy doing that bit of cleaning, appeals more than the actual car washing =)) although I enjoy that also of course! I spent 2 hours polishing the exhaust tips on my old S5... the Z3 ones need some work in the summer when the ground is a bit nicer to lay on again.
 

Disca

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Few snaps







I need to find the best way to restore the stripes and BMW letters on the engine though as they are fading in places :/

Oh and also the best way to clean up the top of the radiator, used metal polish on it so far but there is still some crap left on it!
 

t-tony

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Few snaps







I need to find the best way to restore the stripes and BMW letters on the engine though as they are fading in places :/

Oh and also the best way to clean up the top of the radiator, used metal polish on it so far but there is still some crap left on it!
I beleive that is what the Americans call "Petina" ? In Pawn Stars and similar shows anyway.

Tony.
 

Disca

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I could find a google defininition for pAtina Tony, the urban dictionary for pEtina however was more amusing.. unless you meant that of course!

I do try @Grumpy :) needs another clean in the future with some more time spent to probably clean it but it's not in too bad of a state at least.
 

t-tony

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For your rad top you could use a scotch brute pad and some solvol autosol polish

Tony.
 

Paul Rice

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Oh and also the best way to clean up the top of the radiator, used metal polish on it so far but there is still some crap left on it!
Painted mine with heat paint (matching the blue valve cover, not sure about it yet? There was also someone on here selling carbon fibre inserts for the radiator top.
 

Disca

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For your rad top you could use a scotch brute pad and some solvol autosol polish
I've already used some autosol and some 0000 grade steel wool on it but don't have a full picture of the after effect, a quick 10 minute attempt did remove quite a bit of the junk but some still remains. Wondering if I just need to spend a lot longer going it or try a harsher compound such as the scotchbrite
 
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