nfbr's 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Blog/Build-Thread

[nfbr]

So... A couple of my colleagues were staying behind at in the workshop tonight, so I took the opportunity to make my Z4 horny again!

Having ordered up a pair of so called 'Direct replacement horns' from Euro carparts, I found that they weren't exactly a direct replacement, but soon figured out a way to fit them on without chopping up the original wiring harness.


So, As you can see on the original horn, there's an electical contact designed to fit the O.E plug. Upon removal of this contact from the horn housing, You're greeted with something that can be used for a nice custom loom!


This 'Micky Mouse' shaped electical contact has two sockets inside it which fit the red 'bullet' connectors a treat!




Before going any further at this point, I plugged my new looms in and got a colleague to press the horn button whilst I checked with a multi-meter for voltage.
All was good, so now ready to fit!


Attached the horn to it's original bracket and bolted back up in position (this time with the horns facing away from the front of the car, so they don't drown again!!)


Now bolted up into position, covers re-fitted, tested and all working perfectly! Very happy that this didn't end up being a nasty job involving more intricate wiring.

And now... time for a couple of pictures of the car in our workshop (Sorry for how dirty it is... I'll be giving it a clean over the weekend!)



And if anyone's interested in the E46 M3, That's my colleague Mike's M3 - His build thread can be found here on M3 Cutters

It's been having a pair of these fitted...

[Z4M-2006]

What does it say about VAG's when you guys are driving BMW's...

[nfbr]

So, With Mike and John struggling for clearance with the manifolds on the E46 M3, I decided it was time to make a cup of thinking juice... Then get on to downsizing the foam in the intake resonator pipe.


Truth is, This stuff ^ solves more problems every day than money does!




Intake tube off...


Foam Removed. Now I didn't really want to make it too much louder than stock...


So, reduced the longer piece of foam by 40%, and the shorter piece of foam by 30%


All done, Back together and ready for a road test!

[nfbr]

What does it say about VAG's when you guys are driving BMW's...

It says a lot!
Firstly - That I've worked as a VAG Specialist since 19 years old in the parts trade right up to being close to 30 years old in the performance sector! Near 10 years is enough for anyone to get bored of anything!
Secondly - For the ~£10,000 price point, there just isn't anything that VW/Audi/SEAT/Skoda produce that makes my balls tingle!
Thirdly - I see the common problems of VAG cars day in day out, So can't look at a used VW car without thinking... this guys selling it cos it's f***ed

Love the Z4 so much already though!

[Z4M-2006]

You dont have to explain yourself to me.....lol..

I do the same job as yourself...

[nfbr]

Some more goodies have arrived today! Possibly a job for this weekend!

[simonlpearce]

Was that a cup of piss?

[DPG]

Good work.

Any exterior mods planned? Aero skirts, M front & rear, Quad pipes etc.

[nfbr]

Was that a cup of piss?

If you have Milky piss, then I think you might need to see a doctor

Good work.
Any exterior mods planned? Aero skirts, M front & rear, Quad pipes etc.

I've only just discovered the wonder of the Aero skirts! and love the M-Front bumper. I quite like the twin pipes and wouldn't want to make an Si look like an M though, so bodywork is probably gonna stay relatively subtle. Suspension and handling is more my thing.

[DPG]

Was that a cup of piss?

If you have Milky piss, then I think you might need to see a doctor

Good work.
Any exterior mods planned? Aero skirts, M front & rear, Quad pipes etc.

I've only just discovered the wonder of the Aero skirts! and love the M-Front bumper. I quite like the twin pipes and wouldn't want to make an Si look like an M though, so bodywork is probably gonna stay relatively subtle. Suspension and handling is more my thing.

Aero skirts do look good even on a black car.

[nfbr]

Aero skirts do look good even on a black car.

Oh wow! Now that does look really nice and muscular!
I wish I knew what BMW were thinking when they put those stupid reflectors on the sides of the si front bumper.

Also loving the M-Grilles. The chrome rim on black bars does suit a black car!

[Z4M-2006]

Have the side reflectors wrapped in body colour

I loved my 3.0si..... It was a minter...



But the M nudges it..

[nfbr]

Both absolute stunners! Must admit, I think only the 'M' can pull off the colour red. Having seen a couple of 'si' coupé in Red, I just feel they look as if something is missing.

[nfbr]

Saturday - I decided to tackle the job of fitting cruise control to the Coupé! It wasn't too hard a job. The bits I struggled with were releasing the lightswitch from it's housing. It seems BMW got a little bit over zealous with the loom cable ties on my particular car, stopping the lightswitch from moving out more than 1cm from it's home!
I also struggled a little with getting the cable from inside the electronics box, through the rubber tubing to it's final destination! Other than that, dead straight forward and didn't use the repair wires included. Just plugged directly into the grey connector.

Anyway here's some pics. Didn't get many as I was feeling pretty rough and it was very frosty that morning.





Whilst I was in this bit of the car, I changed the pollen filter for a brand new 'Mann Filter' Charcoal activated one The pollen filter housing was a bit tricky at first as the previous people to change the filter had litterally pushed it into place and not clipped it in, but overall a nice straightforward job!


Finally fitted


I really need to do something about the rubber coating on the steering wheel grips/buttons

[srhutch]

Both absolute stunners! Must admit, I think only the 'M' can pull off the colour red. Having seen a couple of 'si' coupé in Red, I just feel they look as if something is missing.

It's a different red on non ///M's CSL's help complete the look though.