#ZedShed Z4 Coupe Journal

[Lee]

Finally all of the parts have arrived to make the rear subframe a quick turn around. Just a few more bushes to order.

also finished fitting the new coilovers last weekend followed by nearly 3 hours of alignment.

now the springs have settled I’ll need to raise the car 10mm all round. Also went for a very neutral geo this time, I’ll make adjustments after the first track day.

 

[Lee]

Small update. The track day after all this work went really well, the car was way more planted and balanced. I had an evening at Donnington which was bags of fun.

As always a nice big group of us went. Shake down beforeour ring trip.

Gaz also came along.

And some action shots. First photo is me hot on the heels on Luc in his 300bhp Stage 4 tuned Fiesta.

Friend Joe in his Boxster holding a slide.

Coupe looking all majestic as per norm.

Ed managing to get his brakes to glow.

Really good session roll on Nurburgring.

 

[Lee]

Before I went over to Germany I wanted to make sure the brakes were on point. It was time to switch out the Si disc for the E46 M3 disc which is 3mm thicker.

Quick coat lacquer to keep the surface rust at bay.

chunky

Much better look.

Ring ready!

 

[Lee]

Now I’m back from the ring I got the car in the air and gave everything an inspection. Was also a good time to refresh a few things.

Front brakes held up well.

The rears I got my moneys worth.

Used this as a good opportunity to refresh a few things. I stripped the front knuckles down and replaced with a powder coated set.

stripped

re assemble with new shinny bits

Then the other side got the same treatment

Need to keep on top of all these jobs. She’s now approaching 160k miles

 

[Lee]

I’ve now got the dilemma of so many cool photos to choose from. Here are some of my fav’s.

 

[Dino D]

Ooof that car looks epic on the ring.
Seriously good looking

Looks like you got to stretch its legs - did you max out in 6th anywhere?

 

[TaffDaddy]

You need a 'picture of the ring' voting thread...although you may want to think of another name for it

 

[Lee]

Ooof that car looks epic on the ring.
Seriously good looking

Looks like you got to stretch its legs - did you max out in 6th anywhere?

Using the ring telemetry app I topped out at 130mph, On the autobhan on the way home I found the 155mph top end It stopped me like hitting a wall she was pulling so well then.

 

[Rha]

Some great pics of the Beast, really love that front end now. Will keep looking for my fav and down load it to my already loaded Beast album. Here's my fav rear end one/ plus front from when I owned it. Still believe it's one of BMW's best looking cars of the last 17yrs. So glad I sold it back to you after seeing your last outing to the ring, don't think anyone else could've got what you and the Beast obviously have together, certainly not me even though I regard it as the best car Ive ever owned and possibly driven.

 

[Lee]

Another tiny update. Getting the car ready for the next track session. The oil was very well used at the ring so its
Only fair to give it a change. As always I give it a dose of engine flush.

Thought this time I would do the cabin filter. Very funny as it’s been a long time since it’s been changed.

I also finally bought some ring photos.

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

Glad your ring photos weren't what I feared!

 

[t-tony]

Glad your ring photos weren't what I feared!

I agree Andy, it could've been much worse.

Tony.

 

[Lee]

Last track day was a blast. Shame Gary never made it out of Basingstoke

Car was faultless on track but did really notice the lack of camber up front, I lost so much of my corner speed so will be sorting that for the next outing.

Few little jobs done while it’s been quiet in the shed. Got my rear handbrake shoes changed, think these might of been originals

Old flaky drum shoes.

now all fresh.

and a quick wipe down. Quick check on pads and bearings all round.

Now it was also a good opportunity to try out some of these exhausts on the market. I need to quieten down the backbox chop as I get black flagged occasionally. I bought a gravity exhaust, goes from 2.5” pipe up to 3” and really gives it a deep tone to it. Pops n bangs are still there just not as in your face.

Personally this is really good value for money, £280 for this full stainless system.

took some fettling to get the 3” pipe through the support plate.

tail pipes lacking so I have some new ones on route.

First impressions are good. Will report back once I have a few more miles on her. Another little toy to fit is a shiny RTD shifter, really looking forward to this.

Watch this space. Just waiting on my two wheels to come back after I caught them on my Ring trip

 

[Nodzed]

And the shifter??

 

[Lee]

And the shifter??

What about it mate ?

 

[GazHyde]

Shame Gary never made it out of Basingstoke

 

[Nodzed]

What about it mate ?

Wondering if you fitted it?

 

[Lee]

Wondering if you fitted it?

Not yet mate.

All in good time

 

[Lee]

Last few days I’ve been doing a few jobs I’ve been meaning to get done. I had a small vacuum leak on the rocker cover, big job for a 50p seal.
I also test fitted some custom 6 branch manifolds but clashed with the steering linkage.

Rocker work:

the manifolds was quite a big job, more than I realised but actually very simple with loads of access.

fitted ok

but clashed With the linkage

nice to see she’s relatively clean with 160k on the clock.

 

[Dino D]

The stock exhaust outlet and cat must sap a fair bit of HP and torque judging by how it looks - quite a fat pipe but a chuncky cat after that!

those branches you got a re are for LHD suppose?