Z4MC refresh

[grannyknot]

I got the strut brace back from the powder coaters today, I'm okay with it for now but I may have another stab at it later. Not sure I like the add on modification, it would be nicer to have a more unified look. I'm certainly open to suggestions.

[grannyknot]

The bearing puller/pusher arrived today, everything is good quality except the threaded rods, those pointy threads are going to gall and wear out quickly I think.
Just in case that happens I bought some acme threaded rod and nuts to replace any stripped rods.

[grannyknot]

The headlight lenses that ordered off of ebay arrived today, I thought I needed them so went ahead and ordered but ended up re sanding and polishing the original lenses.
Quite surprised to find they are very well made, exact copy as far as I can tell, same thickness.
Not sure if the material is the same but looks to be. Up onto the not needed BMW shelf they go.

[Steeler]

Originally Posted by grannyknot

The headlight lenses that ordered off of ebay arrived today, I thought I needed them so went ahead and ordered but ended up re sanding and polishing the original lenses.
Quite surprised to find they are very well made, exact copy as far as I can tell, same thickness.
Not sure if the material is the same but looks to be. Up onto the not needed BMW shelf they go.

I fitted a set of these headlight lenses to my lights, originals were punked, quality was good with no visible distortion in the clearness of the lens.
Fit the headlight buckets perfectly.

[grannyknot]

Originally Posted by Steeler

I fitted a set of these headlight lenses to my lights, originals were punked, quality was good with no visible distortion in the clearness of the lens.
Fit the headlight buckets perfectly.

If you don't mind I'll use your quote in my for sale ad

[Steeler]

Originally Posted by grannyknot

If you don't mind I'll use your quote in my for sale ad

It's out in the ether. Fair game

[JustinHEMI]

Originally Posted by Steeler

I fitted a set of these headlight lenses to my lights, originals were punked, quality was good with no visible distortion in the clearness of the lens.
Fit the headlight buckets perfectly.

Can you please share how you did that? I was considering buying his lenses but when I saw one video on the process, it was more than I can tackle. Maybe there's an alternative way that would be in my wheelhouse.

[Steeler]

Originally Posted by JustinHEMI

Can you please share how you did that? I was considering buying his lenses but when I saw one video on the process, it was more than I can tackle. Maybe there's an alternative way that would be in my wheelhouse.

It involves an understanding spouse and the kitchen appliances.

Not that difficult once you heat up the adhesive.
The original lenses were literally falling away from the headlight bucket when I opened the oven.
Be diligent cleaning out the old adhesive in the channel.

I followed this

And then this

Your results may vary.
Good luck.

[JustinHEMI]

Originally Posted by Steeler

It involves an understanding spouse and the kitchen appliances.

Not that difficult once you heat up the adhesive.
The original lenses were literally falling away from the headlight bucket when I opened the oven.
Be diligent cleaning out the old adhesive in the channel.

I followed this

And then this

Your results may vary.
Good luck.

Hmm. Watching this seems way more doable than what I watched before. I'm going to have to seriously consider this. Could be a good winter project.

[grannyknot]

Originally Posted by JustinHEMI

Hmm. Watching this seems way more doable than what I watched before. I'm going to have to seriously consider this. Could be a good winter project.

They are sitting here ready to ship, I paid about $220 usd, sell for $100 usd plus shipping costs. I see you are just south of the border so probably wouldn't be too much.
Let me know, thanks

[KevinM]

Epic refresh! Reminds me of some E39 M5 projects on M5board.com.

This car won the owner lottery!

[grannyknot]

Originally Posted by KevinM

This car won the owner lottery!

I have been looking around the online dealers trying to find a new OEM D/S door seal, it's a bit of a unicorn.
Finally found one yesterday in Lithuania so I should have it in a couple of weeks.
The seal on the left door is working fine atm but there is wear hole where the drivers feet have worn through getting in and out of the car. Also, some sun damage on the upper part of the B pillar.
I can only see these kinds of things becoming harder to find so gathering them up now.

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by grannyknot

I have been looking around the online dealers trying to find a new OEM D/S door seal, it's a bit of a unicorn.
Finally found one yesterday in Lithuania so I should have it in a couple of weeks.
The seal on the left door is working fine atm but there is wear hole where the drivers feet have worn through getting in and out of the car. Also, some sun damage on the upper part of the B pillar.
I can only see these kinds of things becoming harder to find so gathering them up now.

Wow, I'm surprised that parts are becoming rare given the cars are not that old. I haven't been challenged with finding parts for my 2002 E39 M5, but now you have me worried about the Z4MC...

[wdb]

Originally Posted by grannyknot

I have been looking around the online dealers trying to find a new OEM D/S door seal, it's a bit of a unicorn.
Finally found one yesterday in Lithuania so I should have it in a couple of weeks.
The seal on the left door is working fine atm but there is wear hole where the drivers feet have worn through getting in and out of the car. Also, some sun damage on the upper part of the B pillar.
I can only see these kinds of things becoming harder to find so gathering them up now.

Wow! I was able to easily source one a couple of years ago. Same issue, lazy entry/exit tore the gasket at the bottom. Installation is straightforward although a bit fussy along the back edge.

[grannyknot]

Originally Posted by wdb

Wow! I was able to easily source one a couple of years ago. Same issue, lazy entry/exit tore the gasket at the bottom. Installation is straightforward although a bit fussy along the back edge.

I had a look around the usual online dealers, most of them say "back ordered" and a few say NLA. Ebay is always my last option.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by grannyknot

I had a look around the usual online dealers, most of them say "back ordered" and a few say NLA. Ebay is always my last option.

I have a 996 Porsche 911 with high miles and I'm putting a lot of parts on it. I am seeing supply issues. I found a really good European source which I have found to be useful when the stateside folks say "backordered". Sounds like I should try to find one for the zed too.

[grannyknot]

Originally Posted by wdb

I found a really good European source which I have found to be useful

Care to share?

[wdb]

Originally Posted by grannyknot

Care to share?

Gert Carnewal, but he's a P Car person only I think. Amazingly fast shipping; remember that there will be import duties to factor in to the final price.

http://www.carnewal.com/

[grannyknot]

A few things came in the mail, the OEM D/S door seal, some LED lights for the interior and the new speakers for the doors and behind the seats.
The LED bulbs are brighter than the incandescent stock bulbs and run much cooler, while I had the roof lights out I found this bundle of wires stuffed up in the headliner, there are telephone connectors on it for an in car phone I guess.

The midrange and tweeters are of the Bang-Olufsen design that are used in the new BMW cars but although I have to assume that they are knock offs the construction and sound quality are excellent, better than the stock units.
They are labeld Made in Germany but arrived from China, $40 a piece for the midrange, $28 for the tweeters
The 4" midrange are drop in replacements for the doors and above the subwoofers behind the seats, the tweeters are a bit larger so some modification of the tweeter mounts was necessary. In the pics the stock units are on the left.
I'll wait until the winter when I pull the seats out to replace the rear speakers but everything sounds good now.

I'm still trying to eliminate the smell of the PO cologne so am keeping a open bag of BBQ charcoal in the car when not in use, so far it seems to be helping.

[wdb]

Maybe the wires were for a radar detector?

[racerbruce]

Originally Posted by grannyknot

I got the strut brace back from the powder coaters today, I'm okay with it for now but I may have another stab at it later. Not sure I like the add on modification, it would be nicer to have a more unified look. I'm certainly open to suggestions.

This looks nicer than most....clean, simple lines - very bespoke.

[grannyknot]

Every time I drive the car I noticed these smears of something on the inside of the instrument cluster lens. I found some time today to pull the cluster, dismantle to get the lenses out, looks like someone got carried away with spraying an interior protectant.

While I had it apart I was temped to black out that irritating flashing tire inflater light but I think I'll wait until I can find someone who is good with INPA get him to code it out.