New member with a new to me Z4MC

[wdb]

Originally Posted by maupineda

You should have cut the bump stops inside the front struts. The ride gets too busy and harsh. Maybe you like it as is, but if not, that mods makes the ride much, much better. As is you are pretty much riding on them.

This doesn't make sense. The front struts appear to have come pre-assembled; wouldn't Bilstein put appropriately sized bump stops in there?

[maupineda]

You would think. I measured the actual bump travel when doing my suspension overhaul.

The Z4M stock only has about 55mm of bump travel and the stop is 40mm so there is only 15mm of free travel, the rest of the travel includes bump stop compression. Lower the car, and you do the math.

Silly enough, the original internal stops in the Bilstein shocks are even longer than the BMW OE ones. So even if not lowered, you ride on them. That and the fact they are high pressure gas filled is the reason why they ride so harsh.

If you want the car to ride well you need to make sure all components are matched to work together. Bilstein B6 must be used only with stock springs, yet they sell a kit that destroy the already bad ride quality by lowering the car eliminating the already scarce bump travel.

[07ImolaRot]

Originally Posted by maupineda

You would think. I measured the actual bump travel when doing my suspension overhaul.

The Z4M stock only has about 55mm of bump travel and the stop is 40mm so there is only 15mm of free travel, the rest of the travel includes bump stop compression. Lower the car, and you do the math.

Silly enough, the original internal stops in the Bilstein shocks are even longer than the BMW OE ones. So even if not lowered, you ride on them. That and the fact they are high pressure gas filled is the reason why they ride so harsh.

If you want the car to ride well you need to make sure all components are matched to work together. Bilstein B6 must be used only with stock springs, yet they sell a kit that destroy the already bad ride quality by lowering the car eliminating the already scarce bump travel.

hmmm how could they have messed this up? Bilstein is a very reputable brand !

[klaussca]

Very nice ride and I like what you are doing so far. I hope to be doing some updating and fixing up on my Z4 soon.

[Vanne]

Beaut PY e46.. love that car!!! . nice work btw mate, good on ya

[07ImolaRot]

Originally Posted by Vanne

Beaut PY e46.. love that car!!! . nice work btw mate, good on ya

thanks ! PY E46 was my first BMW and coming up on 10 years of ownership. High school dream car lol

[3002 tii]

Beautiful coupe. How much did ride height drop? I’ve always wanted to like the B12s but I’ve never sat in a car with bilsteins that actually rode comfortably. Now you got me thinking if the bumpstops was always the answer lol

[07ImolaRot]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Beautiful coupe. How much did ride height drop? I’ve always wanted to like the B12s but I’ve never sat in a car with bilsteins that actually rode comfortably. Now you got me thinking if the bumpstops was always the answer lol

I would have to measure it. The rear springs were certainly much shorter than OEM. The ride quality is not that bad. It is certainly more comfortable than the blown OEM shocks and the car feels planted and very stable. I was not expecting it to be a comfortable cruiser but it is certainly more comfortable than my E46 on eibach coilovers.

[racerbruce]

Originally Posted by 07ImolaRot

I would have to measure it. The rear springs were certainly much shorter than OEM. The ride quality is not that bad. It is certainly more comfortable than the blown OEM shocks and the car feels planted and very stable. I was not expecting it to be a comfortable cruiser but it is certainly more comfortable than my E46 on eibach coilovers.

I too upgraded to Bilstein B12's and Eibach Pro-Kit springs that lowered her appx 3/4 in rear and appx 3/8 in front; installed all new bump stops and bits @ 62K miles; the ride was firm and a bit bone-jarring over surface street irregularities but I loved the lower CG and unreal lateral "flat" cornering feel of this upgrade.

[07ImolaRot]

Finally got my hands on an E46 M3 strut brace. Got brand new shock tower nuts too. I think it finishes the engine bay nicely and the color matches the OEM firewall braces. Driven the car 100 miles so far without any issues !

[07ImolaRot]

Between my E46 M3, E92 M3 and the Z4M, the Z4 has quickly become my favorite of the 3. It is just a wonderful machine to drive and I have decided that it is definitely a keeper. So I decided to buy a brand new steering wheel for it while they are still for sale and before prices skyrocket even more. After the brand new shift knob, the old worn-out steering wheel was not doing it for me anymore.


Here is the new one. It is such a beautiful design. Looks better than the E46 and E92 and without a doubt feels much better in the hand too. It is overall thicker and I LOVE the thumb rests.




old one removed




new one installed ! I wish the airbag recalls affected the Z4M too because now I need a freshly clean airbag with a new emblem

[propkaPT]

Fun going through this thread. You defiantly are doing right by the car and hopefully enjoying driving it. With regard to the B12 suspension, Ive read a lot of people find the ride too harsh, mainly due to the amount of suspension travel. I plan on going with a single adjustable TC Klein kit for my roadster.

[07ImolaRot]

Had some time to finish another project... wanted to overhaul the mufflers to make them look nice. Did not want to opt for an aftermarket exhaust to increase noise and also I love the big boxy look of the factory mufflers. Decided to polish them and change the tips


got some single walled tips




compared to oem






polished the mufflers with machine sander and rotary polisher. started with 60 grit then 120 then 240 then 500, 800, 1200, 2500, 3000 then polish.

tips attached. holes were predrilled and you just rivet them on









Love the polished look but not sure if I am digging the tips. They are single wall and not as aggressive looking as the rolled double wall tips. Plus you can see the smaller tips in them which kinda bothers me. I should have cut them off

[maupineda]

To me the single wall is perfect, if you use double wall the tips tends to look smaller. That said, i do think you need to cut the excess pipe.

[07ImolaRot]

Originally Posted by maupineda

To me the single wall is perfect, if you use double wall the tips tends to look smaller. That said, i do think you need to cut the excess pipe.

yeah I should have cut them since theyre way too long. I got impatient and now regret it. Really dont want to take everything off again so Ill just let it be

[maupineda]

There will be other chances. I got 3in with offset piping, and though bigger, i liked yours more. I’ll post mine later

** edit **

Photos of mine







I made the same “mistake “ and did not cut the inner tube . Mine are not riveted so I can still do it, but have been lazy

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by maupineda

There will be other chances. I got 3in with offset piping, and though bigger, i liked yours more. I’ll post mine later

** edit **

Photos of mine

Attachment 3242721

Attachment 3242722

Attachment 3242723

I made the same “mistake “ and did not cut the inner tube . Mine are not riveted so I can still do it, but have been lazy

If it riveted, did you use set screws? Did you also go with burkhart?

[07ImolaRot]

Originally Posted by maupineda

There will be other chances. I got 3in with offset piping, and though bigger, i liked yours more. I’ll post mine later

** edit **

Photos of mine




I made the same “mistake “ and did not cut the inner tube . Mine are not riveted so I can still do it, but have been lazy

I honestly cant tell the difference. Looks the same but a little larger diameter. It looks like yours are clamp on.

[maupineda]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

If it riveted, did you use set screws? Did you also go with burkhart?

Mine are more like "El cheapo" ebay items, but they are stainless steel, clamped, with an offset design.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/262063057321

They are really well made, and would recommend. I did not go with Burkhart as it was too expensive in my book.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by maupineda

Mine are more like "El cheapo" ebay items, but they are stainless steel, clamped, with an offset design.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/262063057321

They are really well made, and would recommend. I did not go with Burkhart as it was too expensive in my book.

Got it, definitely seen those before but never pulled the trigger because wasn’t sure if the clamps would be visible? Over time do you find your yourself having to re-tighten?

[maupineda]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Got it, definitely seen those before but never pulled the trigger because wasn’t sure if the clamps would be visible? Over time do you find your yourself having to re-tighten?

No, after about 1k miles they have not moved at all. The clamps work really well and they have nylock nuts

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by 07ImolaRot

yeah I should have cut them since theyre way too long. I got impatient and now regret it. Really dont want to take everything off again so Ill just let it be

I don’t suppose either one or you would know the exact diameters of these 2 sections of the pipe (i.e. the inner pipe that sticks out and the flared section of outer pipe that rivets onto the factory tip)?

Also while you’re at it, if you have the stock tips removed. What’s the outer diameter and length of those? I recall them being 63.5mm or 2.5” but my memory is shit post-kids lol.