Ultimate Enthusiast Owner's Guide

3002 tii · 07-28-2019, 11:13 AM

As the years have gone by, Zpost has amassed tons of great info but I've found it increasingly more difficult to find that "great thread on A from X years ago." Search function gets the job done, but I think it'd be great if we had a consolidated *sticky* that contained links to preventive maintenance items, common repair DIYs, known failure items, etc... basically the ultimate Z4 Enthusiast Owner's Library

Ideally the thread could include:

Official factory maintenance schedules for all E85/E86 models
Suggested lifetime or preventive maintenance schedules
List of common failures or known weak points
List of BMW approved oils and aftermarket substitutes (including "lifetime" fluids)

The focus however is more about maintenance and less about mods. I'm happy to take a stab but would rely on folks here to send/review the info. Again, not looking to recreate the wheel (and write up new DIYs) but simply have a single source of pre-existing information, links and attachments.

3002 tii · 07-28-2019, 11:14 AM

*Work-in-Progress* - to be updated regularly

Owners Manual & Maintenance Related

Owners Manuals for 2004-08 models (attached)
Mike Miller's Maintenance Schedule v3.13 (attached)
mziggy16 's Maintenance Schedule Spreadsheet - link
Service and Warranty Book Search - link

Pelican Parts Repair Guides for 2003-08 Z4:

Approved Fluids
BMW LL-01 Approved - Jan 2008 (attached)

3002 tii · 07-28-2019, 11:18 AM

*Work-in-Progress* - to be updated regularly

1. Soft Top Care

Soft Top removal (attached)
Hydraulic pump replacement

2. Audio & Electronics

Bluetooth retrofit (attached)

3. Suspension & Alignment

Factory alignment specs (attached)

4. Braking

5. Interior & Lighting

Adjusting headlights
Replacing various bulbs

GyroF-16 · 07-28-2019, 02:05 PM

Excellent idea!

Finnegan · 07-28-2019, 02:22 PM

Great idea. I'll give it some thought and offer up a few suggested threads.

mziggy16 · 07-29-2019, 09:45 AM

When I bought my Z I beg/borrowed/stole from around the forums and created (or maybe I borrowed & customized

) a spreadsheet that I use to track maintenance. It's mostly based on the Mike Miller guidelines and can be accessed here.

You should be able to view and copy from that link as needed. Hope it helps.

3002 tii · 07-29-2019, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mziggy16

When I bought my Z I beg/borrowed/stole from around the forums and created (or maybe I borrowed & customized

) a spreadsheet that I use to track maintenance. It's mostly based on the Mike Miller guidelines and can be accessed here.

You should be able to view and copy from that link as needed. Hope it helps.

thank you!

wdb · 07-31-2019, 04:09 PM

+1 vote to sticky this.

Finnegan · 08-11-2019, 06:44 PM

Suggested topics to add, I'll add more links as search time permits.

Transmission and engine mounts. Full disclosure, one of these is mine. Link1, link2. And, why didn't I bookmark this, recently someone posted about a DIY exhaust side engine mount heat shield...
Firewall brace groan and fix (often sounds like the dash/inst cluster).
CDV delete, clutch stop
Performance pedals
Upgrade/strengthening of the from ARB mounting points
Easy peasy camber bolt addition
S54 essentials: bearings, VANOS rattle fix, exhaust hub, valve adjustment
SSK install
Weather strip replacement, other preservation steps
FCAB replacement, FC arm replacement

rockstar93 · 08-11-2019, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finnegan

...And, why didn't I bookmark this, recently someone posted about a DIY exhaust side engine mount heat shield...

This one? I've been meaning to do something similar.

https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1234185

I'll also try to find some links and posts for this, it's a great idea.

Finnegan · 08-11-2019, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockstar93

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finnegan

...And, why didn't I bookmark this, recently someone posted about a DIY exhaust side engine mount heat shield...

This one? I've been meaning to do something similar.

https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1234185

I'll also try to find some links and posts for this, it's a great idea.

Yes!!!! That's it!

Thanks!

StickMon · 08-11-2019, 11:35 PM

I think it's still effective.
Due to my oil leak that area is such a mess I don't even want to look.
Also, the Bimmerworld mounts are such beasts compared to the VT it's probably fine.
The old girl just passed 195k miles.

07-28-2019, 11:13 AM	#1
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2280 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.20]	Ultimate Enthusiast Owner's Guide - Help Needed As the years have gone by, Zpost has amassed tons of great info but I've found it increasingly more difficult to find that "great thread on A from X years ago." Search function gets the job done, but I think it'd be great if we had a consolidated sticky that contained links to preventive maintenance items, common repair DIYs, known failure items, etc... basically the ultimate Z4 Enthusiast Owner's Library Ideally the thread could include: Official factory maintenance schedules for all E85/E86 models Suggested lifetime or preventive maintenance schedules List of common failures or known weak points List of BMW approved oils and aftermarket substitutes (including "lifetime" fluids) The focus however is more about maintenance and less about mods. I'm happy to take a stab but would rely on folks here to send/review the info. Again, not looking to recreate the wheel (and write up new DIYs) but simply have a single source of pre-existing information, links and attachments. __________________ Follow for latest mods Last edited by 3002 tii; 07-29-2019 at 11:23 AM..
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07-28-2019, 02:05 PM	#4
GyroF-16 Private 15 Rep 71 Posts Drives: Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Front Range area, CO iTrader: (0)	Excellent idea!
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07-28-2019, 02:22 PM	#5
Finnegan Dog Listener 701 Rep 7,850 Posts Drives: Z4M/. Z3M, E36/46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Teaching the dog to slalom iTrader: (22)	Great idea. I'll give it some thought and offer up a few suggested threads.
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07-29-2019, 09:45 AM	#6
mziggy16 Private First Class 31 Rep 135 Posts Drives: '07 Z4MC, '01 911 C4 Cabriolet Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: St. Louis, MO iTrader: (1)	When I bought my Z I beg/borrowed/stole from around the forums and created (or maybe I borrowed & customized ) a spreadsheet that I use to track maintenance. It's mostly based on the Mike Miller guidelines and can be accessed here. You should be able to view and copy from that link as needed. Hope it helps. __________________ CURRENT: '07 Z4 M Coupe /// ‘01 911 C4 Cab SOLD: '06 330i / '07 335i / '07 X5 4.8 / '13 335i
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07-31-2019, 04:09 PM	#8
wdb dances with roads 4717 Rep 4,094 Posts Drives: '07 E86, '02 996, '95 Seven Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: the perimeter iTrader: (4)	+1 vote to sticky this.
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08-11-2019, 06:44 PM	#9
Finnegan Dog Listener 701 Rep 7,850 Posts Drives: Z4M/. Z3M, E36/46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Teaching the dog to slalom iTrader: (22)	Suggested topics to add, I'll add more links as search time permits. Transmission and engine mounts. Full disclosure, one of these is mine. Link1, link2. And, why didn't I bookmark this, recently someone posted about a DIY exhaust side engine mount heat shield... Firewall brace groan and fix (often sounds like the dash/inst cluster). CDV delete, clutch stop Performance pedals Upgrade/strengthening of the from ARB mounting points Easy peasy camber bolt addition S54 essentials: bearings, VANOS rattle fix, exhaust hub, valve adjustment SSK install Weather strip replacement, other preservation steps FCAB replacement, FC arm replacement
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08-11-2019, 11:35 PM	#12
StickMon My other car is on Mars 636 Rep 3,124 Posts Drives: 2006 MR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lo-Cal iTrader: (1)	I think it's still effective. Due to my oil leak that area is such a mess I don't even want to look. Also, the Bimmerworld mounts are such beasts compared to the VT it's probably fine. The old girl just passed 195k miles. __________________ Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
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