Interlagos Z4M Roadster - The Spicy Meatball

[GazHyde]

So begins the progress thread, which actually is likely to be more about fettling than any of my previous progress threads. As you all know I bought a very well sorted forum owned Z4 M Roadster. Mechanically it's ready to roll, and in terms of any modifications I'd want to do - they're already done. So this thread may not get updated very often, but it's nice to keep a record!

First off, I haven't thought of a name for him/her yet. The first thing that came to mind was "Spicy Meatball" because it's rather spicy! No points for getting the film reference.

Interlagos Blue

Interior: Black
bbly end replacement (prop shaft c

Mileage at purchase: 122,5xx

Modifications at purchase:

• Supersprint exhaust boxes and x-pipe
• Gruppe M induction kit
• BC Racing BR Coilovers

Since purchase:

• Storm Motorwerks v1 gear knob
• Cupholders
• OEM Mesh Deflector
• Door membrane replacement
• S54 Conrod Bearing Shells
• S54 Chain Tensioner leak
• Braided clutch line / clutch delay valve removal
• Subframe refurbish super-thread @ 123,800. Complete subframe tear down, replace every bush, refurbish the diff and rebuild it all again! Plus a few extras - new chain tensioner, braided clutch line/CDV delete, Gruppe M cone filter clean.
• Power Steering Pump replacement - 126k
• Diff Oil Flush - 126k
• Front end rebuild - 127k
• Mr VANOS visit - 129k
• Prop coupling / battery issues 129k
• Power steering pump #2 (this time a new one!) 129k
• Oil service (129378)
• Bosch S5 008 battery (131k)
• Clonk, clonk, clonkety-clonk. Clonk. (131k)

 

[GazHyde]

Storm Motorworks V2 gear knob

Ok, maybe I can find one thing I wanted to change! I've fitted a Storm V1 to every Zed I've owned, this being the 5th (also had one fitted on the TT). This one was removed from my 3.0si I sold recently and stored safely, maybe I new I'd need it one day. Being the Titanium version it blends in perfectly to the black interior.

I won't bore you again with why this is the best gear knob you'll ever fit in a car!

 

[GazHyde]

Fettling day!

Spent a day at the 'shed looking over and cleaning here and there with @Rally who brought over a boot load of cleaning stuff. After giving the interior and under bonnet a good clean we may have had chance to take a few pics!

Day started at the usual roll van, we are for once all back in a Zed of some description! A nice mix of blues, Montego, Interlagos and Estoril with an Imola to add some colour to the palette!

Engine bay was only dusty so just needed a wipe over with a microfibre and an all purpose cleaner solution.

Interior and seats are in almost mint condition, so again just a clean with a cleaning pad, leather cleaner and buffed off with a microfibre.

Some obligatory pics with Rob's Imola Z4MR

 

[t-tony]

Looks very nice Gaz.

Tony.

 

[Bazza]

Mmmmmmm me likey very much

 

[hard top]

Smart bit of kit Gaz ....

 

[Dino D]

Oooh just seen it the Gruppe M induction kit as well

Cant wait to hear this beast!

bet you have a massive grin when driving this one!

 

[gookah]

That's a spicy meatball.....
call it 'Milo'

from the same film

 

[GazHyde]

Again with the theme of not much to do, I've fitted some cup holders. Now some people say sports cars don't need cup holders, but in these post apocalyptic times of drive throughs where am I supposed to put my decaf caramel macchiato with extra shot and whipped cream?!

Cheapo eBay copies this time, but I've fitted them before to replace broken OEM ones and they work exactly the same. Really simple to fit, 10 minutes a side if you take your time. Spent more time trying to find my screwdriver bits than actually installing them.

 

[Z Victor 1]

Two stonking cars there.

 

[Nodzed]

All looking very nice Gaz

 

[Brian H]

Again with the theme of not much to do, I've fitted some cup holders. Now some people say sports cars don't need cup holders, but in these post apocalyptic times of drive throughs where am I supposed to put my decaf caramel macchiato with extra shot and whipped cream?!

Cheapo eBay copies this time, but I've fitted them before to replace broken OEM ones and they work exactly the same. Really simple to fit, 10 minutes a side if you take your time. Spent more time trying to find my screwdriver bits than actually installing them.

View attachment 197957

View attachment 197959

Were these not standard equipment Gaz or were the ones in the car broken?

 

[GazHyde]

Were these not standard equipment Gaz or were the ones in the car broken?

Not standard equipment in the Z4 as far as I know, and this had the factory blanking panels. Don’t know if they were a dealer or factory option, or included as part of certain specs maybe?

 

[GazHyde]

Took a drive in to the office today, so here’s some gratuitous pics in our empty car park

 

[TaffDaddy]

Looks good Gaz

 

[t-tony]

Beautiful car Gaz.

Tony.

 

[Mark Gutteridge]

Lovely Gaz, your first proper car

 

[Paul Rice]

Love the colour, car looking good.

 

[hard top]

Great looking car Gaz ....

 

[GazHyde]

Just a couple of things to do while at the shed today.

First up was a wind deflector. I don't have a lot of hair, but it does get a bit blowy inside the cabin without one and I'll be driving this roof down all year round. Spent some time on eBay looking and then this one popped up with both sets of brackets for a bargain £155 delivered. Got the fixing screws direct from BMW at £1.51 a piece.

I also have the boot lid brackets for storing it when not in use, but I'll fit that later when I source some clips.

Fitting is much easier than the articles you find on various forums, the worst bit is unclipping the plastic roll hoop covers. Once the covers are off there are circular indicators on the inside so you know where to drill them for the screws to go through.

Roll hoops shown here with the plastic covers mostly removed.

The mounting holes are designed in to the inner roll hoop assembly ready for retrofitting.

Inside the roll hoop covers showing where to drill the holes.

Holes drilled line up perfectly for the bracket screws - apologies for both the blurred image and the bottom hole where the drill bit slipped.

Bracket fitted - adequately wide to obscure any issues with drilling the holes

That's that job done, ready for the winter weather!