I found this most interesting and the pictures usefull. I had the dreaded sticky steering problem, the car became undriveable after about an hour, so I replaced the column with a later version out of a scrapped car. I still have the old column and have been tempted to dismantle it to see what I can find.
#ZedShed Z4 Coupe Journal
- Thread starter Lee
- Start date
Hi Ferron, I also wrote an in-depth article on the Z4 forum about how to adjust the motor ring. It will solve all your problems with steering and only takes 20mins or so.
Now the coupes back in my ownership I’ve already begun doing some preventative maintenance. I noticed last weekend when fitting some new plugs cylinders 3/4 had quite a bit of oil in them, so I ordered a rocker cover gasket.
Flying solo today
Valvetronic removed
rocker covered removed
in all her glory
Not to shabby at all for 146k and some 20 track days under her belt.
found this worked well for tight spaced female torx bolts. Used a 1/4inch socket.
Few hours later and all cleaned up.
Just an annoying exhaust blow to sort once the bolts arrive.
Now waiting for an excuse to drive.
Flying solo today
Valvetronic removed
rocker covered removed
in all her glory
Not to shabby at all for 146k and some 20 track days under her belt.
found this worked well for tight spaced female torx bolts. Used a 1/4inch socket.
Just an annoying exhaust blow to sort once the bolts arrive.
Now waiting for an excuse to drive.
. . . . . . and some petrol? 
Tony.
Tony.
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Good to see you back on here mate.
Tony.
Tony.
Ah I wondered where the coupe went.
I knew Tony had got a new zed and roy bought his old one.
Good to see
It's so long since I've been on here I've lost touch with everything.
Good to see you back Bozz, I'm sure I'll see you in a tea cafe again in the near future
Thanks mate I appreciate thatGood to see you back Bozz, I'm sure I'll see you in a tea cafe again in the near future
.And yes no doubt I'll be out and about zedding again so hopefully see y'all soon.
Got to give my poor old zed some love as it's been neglected for too long.
Hope you and the family are doing good.
Got some more time on the coupe today. We had a full team and a visit from @Dino D who I let drive the coupe, shouldn’t of done that
First job we did was refresh the exhaust gaskets and bolts, I started to get a little blow at idle that sounded like an old kettle whistling.
We also noticed some oil running down from the rocker over the water pump. It was clear the rocker gasket didn’t seat properly so it all had to come off.
With some grease to hold the gasket in place and additional hands it was made far easier, I did struggle on my own trying to tuck the rocker under the loom.
We also let @GazHyde loose with a hammer again to straighten out my lower shield, I had a fight with a large rock in a car park in the new forest it had made a right mess of the under tray.
Then finally fitted some draft excluder for more fake lows. We also gave her a quick service with some Millers oil and some fresh Febi gearbox oil. Now reading 142,000 miles she’s ready for winter.
still so clean for a high mile Zed.
First job we did was refresh the exhaust gaskets and bolts, I started to get a little blow at idle that sounded like an old kettle whistling.
We also noticed some oil running down from the rocker over the water pump. It was clear the rocker gasket didn’t seat properly so it all had to come off.
With some grease to hold the gasket in place and additional hands it was made far easier, I did struggle on my own trying to tuck the rocker under the loom.
Then finally fitted some draft excluder for more fake lows. We also gave her a quick service with some Millers oil and some fresh Febi gearbox oil. Now reading 142,000 miles she’s ready for winter.
still so clean for a high mile Zed.
Very soon there’s big plans going ahead for the coupe. Always been wanting to take her to the next level.
Step 1 LSD
Step 1 LSD
Finally got round to dropping the diff today. Straight forward job removing on the z4. Get the exhaust and under trays out the way first. Unbolt the drive shaft with prop shaft. Disconnect the roll bar and unbolt the diff. Tilt the whole diff backwards and she falls out.
Some snaps from playing today.
various bits disconnected
tool of choice for lowering.
nice big hole, she’s not bad for 150k miles at all
the open diff gears
I’ll get some photos of the new unit installed.
Some snaps from playing today.
various bits disconnected
tool of choice for lowering.
nice big hole, she’s not bad for 150k miles at all
the open diff gears
I’ll get some photos of the new unit installed.
Can’t believe I didn’t update this. LSD is in and it’s transformed the car in the corners. With two track days to get used to it 100% very good value for money.
Old unit vs LSD unit
transferring over the crown gear
new seals and bearings she’s ready to refit.
was a week till I drove it in anger.
next up the starter motor died, it screamed so loud when it gave up I thought something was in the engine bay. So a Lucus replacement bought from Euros that same afternoon. Luckily with the black top N52 engine you can fit them without having to remove the inlet manifold, if you have a silver top your PCV system will be in the way.
the Shenanigans didn’t stop there, I was getting some strange spikes in engine temps. We’ll aware this water pump is original this will very likely be the culprit. With the water pumps you can’t skimp due to it being Electic. I bought an OE pierburg pump and Meyle thermostat. Didn’t want that failing any time soon.
Looks like a turbo
under trays off to show the pump & thermostat.
only took an hour to swap over, notice the new design is plastic over alluminium
she’s looking tidy still for 150k
finally with all that lot done I could enjoy her again. Brands Hatch
so realising I was finding the cars limits in brakes and tyres it was time for some more upgrades. First up was the new PilotSport 5’s
the latest track day showed how much these tyres have really come on since the 4s. Next up I was always finding the brakes over heating after 4/5 laps. I found a relatively cheap Brembo upgrade. Brand new 4 pots and all the hardware for £700. These are from a Clio RS so easy to buy off the shelf.
fitted with Ferodo DS2500 pads. What a difference, can even use the current disc till it’s finished and you replace it with the floating E46 M3 disc.
So another track day was in order. Whooah! what a difference, bite point has come right up at one point I did 15 laps without the brakes even showing signs of heat.
There we go. All up to date
Old unit vs LSD unit
transferring over the crown gear
new seals and bearings she’s ready to refit.
was a week till I drove it in anger.
next up the starter motor died, it screamed so loud when it gave up I thought something was in the engine bay. So a Lucus replacement bought from Euros that same afternoon. Luckily with the black top N52 engine you can fit them without having to remove the inlet manifold, if you have a silver top your PCV system will be in the way.
the Shenanigans didn’t stop there, I was getting some strange spikes in engine temps. We’ll aware this water pump is original this will very likely be the culprit. With the water pumps you can’t skimp due to it being Electic. I bought an OE pierburg pump and Meyle thermostat. Didn’t want that failing any time soon.
Looks like a turbo
under trays off to show the pump & thermostat.
only took an hour to swap over, notice the new design is plastic over alluminium
she’s looking tidy still for 150k
finally with all that lot done I could enjoy her again. Brands Hatch
so realising I was finding the cars limits in brakes and tyres it was time for some more upgrades. First up was the new PilotSport 5’s
the latest track day showed how much these tyres have really come on since the 4s. Next up I was always finding the brakes over heating after 4/5 laps. I found a relatively cheap Brembo upgrade. Brand new 4 pots and all the hardware for £700. These are from a Clio RS so easy to buy off the shelf.
fitted with Ferodo DS2500 pads. What a difference, can even use the current disc till it’s finished and you replace it with the floating E46 M3 disc.
There we go. All up to date
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2014
- Points
- 181
- Model of Z
- Z4 coupe sport.
Some nice extras fitted there Lee she's about ready to get some fresh air me thinks. 
So another day another rocker gasket. In my time of ownership this must be number 4. Last one was a Febi/Bilstein gasket this time I ordered a BMW rocker gasket. Was £32 for the privilege. Leak was on the back corner dripping onto the manifold.
quite a big old task removing this cover.
ready for the next track day (Cadwell Park 4th Oct)
quite a big old task removing this cover.
ready for the next track day
(Cadwell Park 4th Oct)
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2014
- Points
- 181
- Model of Z
- Z4 coupe sport.
Every time I opened the bonnet of the beast I spoke to it very calmly and quietly saying if it ever leaked a top gasket I would send it straight back to its previous owner, I swear it used to shake just a little. Anyway it defo worked for me, no gaskets needed only a ABS pump and some rear tyres. Not sure it would work for you, if you do try it and your caught talking to it just say someone told you it defo works, not sure threatening it with previous owner will be enough though. 
After last weeks track day the coupe has earnt a well deserved break. She’s also getting a slight tweak to her look. Watch this space.
Track day
How she looks now
Track day
How she looks now
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I liked the wheels and the spoiler 