2009 Z4 - 2.5 - Mods & Ideas

jackoz4 · Post by **jackoz4** » Mon Oct 09, 2023 8:05 pm

So pick up my first Z4 later this week

and as I bet most of us have done been thinking about what modifications or things I could do with it (or not knowing me) but what has anyone else done good or bad? Anything linked to reliability, making it more modern, or any subtle styling mods! It's good to see what you all think!

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Mon Oct 09, 2023 8:30 pm

I'm guessing going by 2009 that your Z4 will be an E89 23i?

They have an electric water pump which eventually dies which can cause overheating in less than a mile! So some people replace them as a preventative measure to avoid being stranded, but they cost around £300. I had one die after 60K miles and 10 years, another that was still going strong after 90K and 13 years so their lifespan seems to be a lottery. It's worth checking to see if it might have already been replaced.

And E89s have issues with Salmon relays for the roof - search on here for more info.

Others more familiar with E89s can probably add to that, but enjoy collection day.

matsmith749 · Post by **matsmith749** » Mon Oct 09, 2023 8:59 pm

LED conversion of the angel eyes is a good starter mod, freshens it right up & not expensive.

You can swap the side repeaters for the facelift swooshy chrome version easily.

If you have iDrive screen, getting an MMI box is also good (but not cheap or easy). Gives you google maps for nav & carplay/android auto integrations.

Put the speakers in from a mini cooper for a big improvement in sound quality for cheap (ebay them).

Consider a stubby antenna. Some hate them, but looks more modern to me.

Get a stick on knob for the idrive controller from amazon - bring the controller up to date with newer models.

Tyres changed to normal instead of runflats also a popular switch.

If it is a 2.3i 2009 forget power mods - but you can pep up the response with a pedal chip, makes a big difference to how it feels.

Buy a good code reader for £60 off amazon. Not a cheap £10 one. Thank me later.

E89s are horrendous for random electrical glitches of the battery isnt spot on. Check the age of it, if over 5 years old get it replaced & avoid months of pain.

Good wash & valet, maybe touch up the dye on the seats too.

Any money left? Get petrol, roof down, go for a drive somewhere nice.

Enjoy!

jackoz4 · Post by **jackoz4** » Mon Oct 09, 2023 9:15 pm

thanks, Mat, run-flats have gone! seems like that is recommended by all posts!

It does not have the idrive and to be fair was not on my want list, always use my phone these days. The stereo is something I want to look at as I don't think it has Bluetooth. Have a plug-in thing in my T5 that works but bit old-fashioned so do need to look at this one. Dont really want to stick a single DIN head unit in.

Seats are also something I want to look into, good condition for age but could do with a bit of TLC!

Silverstar · Post by **Silverstar** » Mon Oct 09, 2023 11:19 pm

Since you have the N52 you don’t really need to worry much on the reliability front, as has already been mentioned changing the salmon relays for the roof might help. If you have the auto box think about changing the oil.

Regarding making it more modern, LCI side indicators and LED bulbs for the angel eyes. Subtle styling mods and something I am currently considering, add a subtle boot spoiler, something I’ve already done carbon finer interior dash and door trims.

From there you can move to performance mods, as I’ve already indicated in your other thread, you can consider remapping the engine (forget what some might say about not to bother remapping an NA car) it will make it much nicer to drive since it alters the torque curve, not much additional outright power though but the difference is effective nonetheless, if you have an auto box remap that too with XHP Flashtool and add a throttle pedal box, I’ve done all those and all make a difference.

Suspension mods, M3 control arms upgrade for the front and some M3 components for the rear, helps with much better steering, also consider Bilstein B12 suspension kit or if you got more cash KW V3 or Ohlins coil overs.

Get more sound from that wonderful 6 cylinder with a sports exhaust. Speaking of sound, upgrade the audio system, better speakers amp subs etc.

I’ve done some of these and am considering the others.

Zed Baron · Post by **Zed Baron** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 12:22 am

I've had a 23i for over 8 years now, it's been very reliable. Mine always gets a regular oil and brake fluid change, it didn't come with sports seats, so I changed them. Mines an auto so I managed to get a newer steering wheel with the updated paddle shifters, then sent it to Royal Steering wheels for refurbishment to my specification. You can get a cheap grille upgrade, in the style of the new Z4 (some hate it/some love it) for not a lot of dosh, also spinning BMW wheel centres

. Also the new style side indicators and BMW stubby aerial. Anubis Zed will probably be along shortly to tell you what you can do on the hi-fi infotainment front.

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jackoz4 · Post by **jackoz4** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 8:02 am

Silverstar! Thank you LCI indicators!!!! I have seen these and wondered what the hell they were! and Zed genius wondered what they would look like on a white car! Great advice.

jackoz4 · Post by **jackoz4** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 8:04 am

May be a daft question, but where do you tend to get parts? Coming from the VW scene there are 1000's of suppliers! but not sure of the ones to look at for a Z4

matsmith749 · Post by **matsmith749** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 6:45 pm

Bmw dealership.

Knock off cheap parts from ebay / amazon

flybobbie · Post by **flybobbie** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 7:35 pm

Check the shocks, my cars rears were shot at 50k. Cheap looking things.
Replaced with Bilsteins, B4 not much difference from more expensive B6.
Tyres Goodyear or Michelins can't go wrong.

Silverstar · Post by **Silverstar** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 11:38 pm

jackoz4 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 8:04 am May be a daft question, but where do you tend to get parts? Coming from the VW scene there are 1000's of suppliers! but not sure of the ones to look at for a Z4

Autodoc but being in the EU I’ve also used Hubauer in Germany, they will ship to UK but you might have to pay duty VAT etc. in the UK you’ve also got ECP German & Swedish etc.

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