Hello S54 (Z4M Content)

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

I was bored yesterday so I decided I’d pull off the front kidney grills from the car and and paint the chrome section in black just to see how it would turn out.

This pic of a UK car was the inspiration behind the colour change from chrome to black.

So I removed the Grills and split them

This was where one of the grills had cracked prior to me removing it so now I could fix it while it was out. Started off by securing it with adhesive so it doesn’t split open completely.

Some of the Pitt marks on these old grills

More visible after some light sanding with 320 grit

So After sanding it was time to mix up some primer.

Always strain the paint before putting it in the gun

Ready to shoot

First coat of primer down

The repaired crack starting to fill up nicely

After a few more coats of primer to ensure that there’s enough left on the part after sanding.

Done painting primer now it’s ready to sand with 600grit

After some sanding , the crack is no longer visible

Sanding completed , ready to paint

Then painted them Gloss Black

End result looks great

Finished off late so couldn’t get any decent pics but here is on of them Fitted them to the car

Will get better pics when I can.

I’ll keep them like this for now while I decide if I want to redo them in Satin black or leave it as is for some time and later change the gray center section to Satin black with the gloss black outers.

 

[Soprano890925]

I was bored yesterday so I decided I’d pull off the front kidney grills from the car and and paint the chrome section in black just to see how it would turn out.

This pic of a UK car was the inspiration behind the colour change from chrome to black.

So I removed the Grills and split them

This was where one of the grills had cracked prior to me removing it so now I could fix it while it was out. Started off by securing it with adhesive so it doesn’t split open completely.

Some of the Pitt marks on these old grills

More visible after some light sanding with 320 grit

So After sanding it was time to mix up some primer.

Always strain the paint before putting it in the gun

Ready to shoot

First coat of primer down

The repaired crack starting to fill up nicely

After a few more coats of primer to ensure that there’s enough left on the part after sanding.

Done painting primer now it’s ready to sand with 600grit

After some sanding , the crack is no longer visible

Sanding completed , ready to paint

Then painted them Gloss Black

End result looks great

Finished off late so couldn’t get any decent pics but here is on of them Fitted them to the car

Will get better pics when I can.

I’ll keep them like this for now while I decide if I want to redo them in Satin black or leave it as is for some time and later change the gray center section to Satin black with the gloss black outers.

nice result and attention to detail sir.
An inspiration

 

[osiris]

That is looking great man. Love the red strut bar behind the bumper. Nice touch.

Have you considered painting the inside part of the kidney grills (The actual grill part) gloss black?

 

[SubLoaded]

Looks good. Thanks for documenting it :thumbs:

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

nice result and attention to detail sir.
An inspiration

Thanks Bud

That is looking great man. Love the red strut bar behind the bumper. Nice touch.
Have you considered painting the inside part of the kidney grills (The actual grill part) gloss black?

Shot, Thanks Nick... I have considered it but decided against it because i didn't want the front end all shiney black... if i get tired of this look though i may give it a go and see if it grows on me..

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Looks good. Thanks for documenting it :thumbs:

Thanks

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

 

[Peter@AEW]

I enjoy this look
Tasteful

 

[PLV]

Love it! Well done Clint!

:bravo::thumbs:

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

Thanks Gentlemen

The more I see it the more I’m feeling it .

 

[camzm3]

Looks sick !!!

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[Razz]

Looks menacing
If you do the centers won’t they get lost in the Black then?
Looks good now
Maybe the satin centers will look good


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[Clint@MMS AUTO]

Looks menacing
If you do the centers won’t they get lost in the Black then?
Looks good now
Maybe the satin centers will look good


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My sentiments exactly

 

[momo1]

Excellent stuff Clint :bravo:

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

Update:

So on my quest for more Grip/handling... i started with coilovers and now was time to look at Tires . the OEM 225/45R18|255/35/R18 setup is not bad at all but on the really tight circuits like VKC/Gymkhana.ect, the front doesn't have enough grip .

First i was looking into running a 235/35/R18 | 265/30/R18 which i was going to fit but was then lucky enough to find 2x Rear (9J) Z4M rims in great condition so i quickly grabbed them as i had the bright idea of running a 265/30/R18 square setup on 9J rims both front and rear.

Next up My brother purchased a Set of M3 rims with Semi Slick tires for his car so i figured i'd test the 265 square setup with his 2 rear M3 rims (265's) and my Rear Z4M rims (265's) on the front.. This way i can confirm the setup will work before forking out cash for 2 more 265's for the other two 9J's.

I fitted the M3 rims on the rears and wanted to run some 6mm spacers i had lying around but the standard wheel bolts weren't long enough so i've ordered a set of 10mm Spacers with extended bolts. hopefully they will arrive soon...

In order to fit the 9J rims and 265 tires in front, I had to adjust the camber to as -ve as it could go for the tire to clear the wheel arch when the shock is compressed. there's still enough space between the tire and the strut so thats not an issue... Maybe i can run a 275 square setup at some point in the future..

Once all was secure, I took the car for a test drive and my initial impressions are that the steering as lost some of its feel/sharpness with the bigger rim/tire in front but after i managed to get some heat in the semi's at the rear, i took the car on a few hard corners and the front end grip has improved drastically... it really gives the confidence to dive hard into the corner flat out! cant wait to try it out at the next event.

Next up - Paint the Z4 rims, put 265 tires on and fit it on the car...

 

[Andy1GP]

265 square setup should be really good for track times. Rather have it ever so slightly oversteer bias as you can easily control that and its more fun!

Just noticed you said oem rear is 255 35 its actually 40 profile. Z4M and M3. With 225 45 fronts. I agree the fronts could do with more grip. It has quite a bit of understeer when really pushing it.

Also what I found interesting is that the width isn't legally regulated. I found the toyo and Michelin 235 is actually 240mm wide and some conti and pirelli 255 are 250mm.

Theres an online tyre site which gives you ACTUAL tyre widths so its worth checking out before commiting to a whole set. You could find more grip on a certain set of 255s square than 265s for example.

For track and road (if you dont mind sacrificing powersliding ability) get the Yokohama advan neova ad08. Epic grip minimal road noise and good value.

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[Soprano890925]

Freakin awesome man:smilebounce:

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

265 square setup should be really good for track times. Rather have it ever so slightly oversteer bias as you can easily control that and its more fun!

Just noticed you said oem rear is 255 35 its actually 40 profile. Z4M and M3. With 225 45 fronts. I agree the fronts could do with more grip. It has quite a bit of understeer when really pushing it.

Also what I found interesting is that the width isn't legally regulated. I found the toyo and Michelin 235 is actually 240mm wide and some conti and pirelli 255 are 250mm.

Theres an online tyre site which gives you ACTUAL tyre widths so its worth checking out before commiting to a whole set. You could find more grip on a certain set of 255s square than 265s for example.

For track and road (if you dont mind sacrificing powersliding ability) get the Yokohama advan neova ad08. Epic grip minimal road noise and good value.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Sorry yes sir thats a typo on the 255 Profiles, it should have been 40..

Thanks Andy for the valuable info, will def look into it..

 

[PLV]

Awesome man!!!!

:bravo::thumbs:

 

[Andy1GP]

265 square setup should be really good for track times. Rather have it ever so slightly oversteer bias as you can easily control that and its more fun!

Just noticed you said oem rear is 255 35 its actually 40 profile. Z4M and M3. With 225 45 fronts. I agree the fronts could do with more grip. It has quite a bit of understeer when really pushing it.

Also what I found interesting is that the width isn't legally regulated. I found the toyo and Michelin 235 is actually 240mm wide and some conti and pirelli 255 are 250mm.

Theres an online tyre site which gives you ACTUAL tyre widths so its worth checking out before commiting to a whole set. You could find more grip on a certain set of 255s square than 265s for example.

For track and road (if you dont mind sacrificing powersliding ability) get the Yokohama advan neova ad08. Epic grip minimal road noise and good value.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Sorry yes sir thats a typo on the 255 Profiles, it should have been 40..

Thanks Andy for the valuable info, will def look into it..

You making me miss my Z4M so much. I enjoy tracking the M3 but the Z4M just feels so much more fun!!

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[Clint@MMS AUTO]

You making me miss my Z4M so much. I enjoy tracking the M3 but the Z4M just feels so much more fun!!

looks like its Time for another one :smilebounce: