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      03-28-2022, 03:23 PM   #1
grannyknot
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Z4MC refresh

I picked up a 2008 Z4MC last October and now she's finally out of storage.
I don't have a lot of history on the car so I thought I would freshen up/rebuild the car to as close to new as I could.
Looking to replace all bushings with fresh rubber except the RTAB, those I'm going to install Bimmerworlds mono ball bushings.

Also all bearings and seals, still have to determine the state of the engine but I have the parts to rebuild it if needed.
The day I got the car home last Oct. followed by the new wheels and some of the new parts that are going in.
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      03-28-2022, 03:40 PM   #2
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I head back to work next week so have been trying to get a few things done so the car is good to drive all summer.
All the major stuff I'll wait until this winter to tackle.
Please excuse the state of the engine bay, it's a mess at the moment and in need of some serious detailing.
I scrubbed the yellow warning stickers off the sun visors with some Methyl Hydrate and then some vinyl protector.
These are the replacement rubber grommets for the cowling, they are smaller than the originals but still cover well.
Also got the Afe intake/dry filter installed, I'm not expecting a power gain but it does sound better.
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      03-28-2022, 04:02 PM   #3
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The side markers I always thought stuck out a bit too far so I wanted to try for a sleeker look.
A few drops of Methyl Hydrate on the seam between the lens and base and half a minute to let it soften up the glue and they separate nicely with a bit of prying.
After measuring the amber bulb I calculated I could remove 5-6 mm at the bottom of the lens. A couple of minutes on the belt sander and I had all four surfaces ready for bonding.
I'm happy with the result and the light is still plenty bright for the signals.

I also got the engine oil and filter changed, the transmission oil changed, new coils and spark plugs installed.
Spark plugs were overdue but the colour is good.
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      03-28-2022, 04:08 PM   #4
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How many miles on the car ?
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      03-28-2022, 04:15 PM   #5
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How many miles on the car ?
91,000mi
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      03-29-2022, 08:34 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gds52 View Post
How many miles on the car ?
91,000mi
Great time to refresh things
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      03-29-2022, 09:10 AM   #7
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Awesome work, I will continue to follow as I will likely be doing most of this myself here shortly (have owned for 15 years and just did plugs and coils last summer but need to refresh bushings and some other items before they fail)
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      03-29-2022, 09:44 AM   #8
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Nice work on that side marker!
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      03-29-2022, 01:31 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gds52 View Post
Great time to refresh things
Agree, it's not a collector car, just a good driver and I don't see any reason why I can't have that brand new car feeling.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawkeye View Post
Awesome work, I will continue to follow as I will likely be doing most of this myself here shortly (have owned for 15 years and just did plugs and coils last summer but need to refresh bushings and some other items before they fail)
I've installed lots of polyurethane bushings over the years on other cars and although they do improve the handling at higher speeds they do nothing for a street car but add NVH, at least for me.
Fresh rubber bushings are good enough for my old back.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jwolf View Post
Nice work on that side marker!
Thanks, it was a fun project and surprisingly easy if you have a belt sander, I don't think I would attempt it without one.
One good thing about it, if you screw up there is enough wrecked Z4's now that you could p/u another set at the wreckers pretty cheap.
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      03-31-2022, 07:59 AM   #10
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I finally got the new tires and wheels put together and on the car.
There is still snow on the ground here so I can't take a proper photo of the car as a whole, but soon.
The front are Continental Extreme Contact Sport 245/40/18 on Apex EC-7 9"x18 ET31
and rears Contis 275/40/18 on Apex 9.5"x18 ET28, I may have to go with a spacer in the back to bring it out a bit.

There is a pocket in the trunk sill that looks like it used to hold something, RealOEM doesn't show anything that goes there.
Can anyone tell me what was there?
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      03-31-2022, 09:17 AM   #11
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Warning triangle.
https://www.bimmerworld.com/Gift-Ide...BoCsMwQAvD_BwE

You need two straps to hold it in. Part number 51478398113.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_6152

Looking forward to seeing the car outside again!
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      03-31-2022, 12:01 PM   #12
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Emergency kit for E85 & E86

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=71_0391
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      03-31-2022, 04:16 PM   #13
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We had a blast of warmth today and the snow melted so took her out for spin, it really needs a wash but our roads will be covered in sand and dust for another few weeks so will hold off until the roads are clean again.
These really are remarkable cars to drive, so capable!
So here is the stance withe new wheels.
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      03-31-2022, 09:30 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grannyknot View Post
The front are Continental Extreme Contact Sport 245/40/18 on Apex EC-7 9"x18 ET31
and rears Contis 275/40/18 on Apex 9.5"x18 ET28, I may have to go with a spacer in the back to bring it out a bit.
What made you decide on going 40 profile for both front and rear?
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      03-31-2022, 11:50 PM   #15
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Awesome!

I'm just about to do all the suspension, diff, subframe bushings, arms and tie rods. OE or OEM everywhere except poly for the subframe mounts.

I see you went rubber everywhere except for monoball RTABs. What is your rationale for that?

Also, care to list the parts (in general, not part numbers, etc)? I'm starting to plan the next stage in my refresh and it would be great to know what else you did.
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      04-01-2022, 07:41 AM   #16
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Quote:
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What made you decide on going 40 profile for both front and rear?
The car came with H&R coilovers and springs, the ride especially in the rear is too jarring, the smaller diameter wheel, 18" allows for another 1/2" of sidewall providing a bit more cushion.
Also, I was born in the 60's and the thin rubber band tire stretched over the wheel look has never done it for me, the taller sidewall may cost me a couple of seconds at the track but I'm okay with that.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MBan View Post
Awesome!

I'm just about to do all the suspension, diff, subframe bushings, arms and tie rods. OE or OEM everywhere except poly for the subframe mounts.

I see you went rubber everywhere except for monoball RTABs. What is your rationale for that?

Also, care to list the parts (in general, not part numbers, etc)? I'm starting to plan the next stage in my refresh and it would be great to know what else you did.
The reason for fresh rubber bushings all around is the same as above, a bit more comfort. I've had lots of poly on other weekend cars and it was fun when my back was young, not so much anymore.
Besides, fresh rubber bushings, I find are quite crisp in their feel and response.
Okay, are you ready for this? It's a long list and there is more to come.
You will note some of the items are on both lists, I was going to order everything from ECS but the decided to split it with Bimmerworld.
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      04-01-2022, 08:45 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MBan View Post
I see you went rubber everywhere except for monoball RTABs. What is your rationale for that?
Ditto this question.
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      04-01-2022, 10:53 AM   #18
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Way to go grannyknot!
I've never seen a refresh of such detail; well done.

How is the S54 powered 240Z??
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      04-02-2022, 03:19 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wdb View Post
Ditto this question.
See post#16, 2nd quote.


Quote:
Originally Posted by racerbruce View Post
Way to go grannyknot!
I've never seen a refresh of such detail; well done.

How is the S54 powered 240Z??
Thanks, the 240///MZ has been sold to a couple down in Toronto, so I'll still get to see occasionally.
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      04-03-2022, 05:49 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grannyknot View Post
See post#16, 2nd quote.
Sorry, I meant why you decided to go with monoball RTABs instead of stock?

Also, what is the gear shifter in one of the pictures?
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      04-03-2022, 08:22 PM   #21
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Quote:
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Sorry, I meant why you decided to go with monoball RTABs instead of stock?

Also, what is the gear shifter in one of the pictures?
Gottcha, I get so use to defending my use of rubber instead of poly that I assumed that was what you are talking about.
The Bimmerworlds RTABs are, I think the best of all the versions available.
But I have to admit not from experience, just from an engineering stand point,
Spherical monoball bearings are tough and precise and the anodized aluminum shell limits all other movements and allows the trailing arm to only swing the way it is suppose to.
I'm looking forward to trying them out.https://www.bimmerworld.com/E46-E36-...aring-Kit.html


The shifter is from Garagistic, https://www.garagistic.com/collectio...32193868791907
and I pared that with UUC's DSSR.
Garagistic doesn't make a DSSR for the Z4 but so far from playing around with them I think the UUC unit will work well together.
But I won`t know for sure until this winter when I install it.
All the under pans, exhaust system, and drive shaft have to be removed to get in there.
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      04-09-2022, 03:46 PM   #22
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Hoping the badge Nazis don't come after me but I can't stand looking at those chromed plastic M's anymore.
I tried removing the black tint from the headlight lenses and it turned in to a disaster, the tint came off but all the glue was left behind.
After hours of washing it with alcohol I got frustrated and tried Acetone, bad move, big mistake. It removed some of the goo but melted the lenses.
So I went to ebay and ordered a set of new aftermarket lenses, second big mistake because I don't need them now. Anyone need a new set of headlight lenses for half price?

I started with 400 grit on the worst of the melted spots then went to 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 then buffing with compound.
They could still use a bit more buffing but I'll wait for winter when there is more time.
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