E86 Z4M DIY - Must read for all Mcoupe owners

[HellfireZA]

What great thread!

I'm wanting to in the near feature get my first BMW and I'm torn between the e46 m3 and a n54 135i. I'm a DIY guy so all the preventative maintenance I see you should do on the e46 m3 is no issue to me and personally I love to do it, I get to learn and understand the car far more.

So I just have 1 question, who in CPT is a total e46 m3 guru and can help me out? I'm down in the Southern Peninsula.

 

[Andy1GP]

What great thread!

I'm wanting to in the near feature get my first BMW and I'm torn between the e46 m3 and a n54 135i. I'm a DIY guy so all the preventative maintenance I see you should do on the e46 m3 is no issue to me and personally I love to do it, I get to learn and understand the car far more.

So I just have 1 question, who in CPT is a total e46 m3 guru and can help me out? I'm down in the Southern Peninsula.

E46 M3 is the better all round package. However will cost more money to keep running in tip top shape. The Rear subframe is also an issue that needs to be addressed on most of them. DIY's available for that as well.

The S54 is a legendary piece of engineering.

 

[Peter@AEW]

Legendary-iconic-breath taking -awe inspiring and lest we forget some 15 years old.

 

[BrettRuthnam]

Blady Brilliant tread!!!!
Too many lekkkerrr!!raise:

 

[Andy1GP]

Brett feel free to add to this thread with any of your findings

 

[Sirhan]

I added stainless steel nuts to my strut after noticing that the mild bolts are a waste :thumbdo:

The mild loosen every 1000 km

Its a must do for everyone.

 

[Andy1GP]

I added stainless steel nuts to my strut after noticing that the mild bolts are a waste :thumbdo:

The mild loosen every 1000 km

Its a must do for everyone.

Very interesting observation. Thank you!

 

[Daaf Vader]

So I decided to add a couple of things I did to my car to Andy's already great thread. First off is some pictures of a Turtle Wax kit I used to clean the head lamps. The covers get very small chips on as well as a yellowish layer. The kit provides different grades of sanding papers which you use in opisite directions (the finer it gets) with a liquid which is used in the process as well a protective coating applied at the end.

Sorry for the photo bomb of my friend doing the same to his 911 in the background. :withStu:

A picture of my daughter trying to take my door off while I am working. As soon as she gets a tool I have to run after her so that she does not scratch anything.

This is the same as done before in the thread by redoing the trim on the steering weel. I works great all you need is mat black rattle can, thinners and I used wet 1000 grit sanding paper to flatten the surface a bit.
Some tips on this is I used a kebab stick which can not do major damage but can reach the small places to remove the coating (once dipped in thinners). I would also recommend something with a larger flat area in the front to disconnect the airbag like a torx T10 as it does not slip off the spring.
The torx screws holding the trim is T15

I replaced the left front bumper bracket as well, just need to find the pics.
Now just waiting for Andy's promised updates... :tiptoe: :rollsmile:

 

[Andy1GP]

Not too much to update on the Z4M. Aside form the great vanos work that Axis works and Peter did on it. I'll have to get the pics resized and uploaded when I have more time.

My attention is being drawn into too many directions at the moment. I need to refocus, sell the M3 fix the house and settle in at the new job

Just because I'm not posting doesn't mean I've forgotten. The pics are all on the hdd

*Edit

And the Polyurethane mounts that Sean from Axis supplied is fitted to the car. I'm quite chuffed with them, despite the vibration at idle the car feels more "race car" and raw and the gear changes does seem to have improved (but not completely fixed) the gear grinding to 2nd. I also have the poly gearbox mounts, just haven't fitted them yet.

 

[Peter@AEW]

Here to get you going..............

The oil cooler was cleaned with a toothbrush........and it was neither I nor Alexander that did the cleaning.

---

 

[NavZ]

I want to hear more about the poly goodies.
Prices & reviews please

 

[Andy1GP]

Thank you Peter. I always carry a toothbrush in every car, you never know when you might need it

NavZ The prices are very decent hey, PM Moranor on the forum, I forget what they cost but I remember it being a relatively cost effective upgrade. The reason I opted for them was to eliminate 2nd gear grinding. So far I can say it is improving. Once the gearbox ones are In I can give a proper review...

 

[splintheter]

You are an absolute legend for this thread mate.

Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk 2

 

[NavZ]

My E90 had the same grinding gear problem so I'm pretty much used to it.
I still grind occasionally but hardly ever :tiptoe:

 

[Andy1GP]

I don't think I posted this but I acquired a fair amount of spares for my lovely E86 Z4M coupe. Needless to say I am now married to it.

The new (spare) goodies

I then proceeded to update my car with the best of the trimmings I had to my disposal It took me a fair amount of time swapping out the parts and trims but I am happy with the results.

 

[Peter@AEW]

I see half of Oscar's car there.....

 

[Andy1GP]

That is correct

 

[moranor@axis]

what you going to do with all that build another one?

 

[Peter@AEW]

what you going to do with all that build another one?

One never knows hey.

 

[Daaf Vader]

So glad I have a spares shop so close to me...
Andy I see you got the cargo nets in the back, I think this this was only introduced later and is not fitted on my car although I enquired and it is about R500 for the net only.