Coupe modifications so far .............Latest update - Severn Tuning ECU Tuning Sessions

[1536Z4]

Drilling a couple of holes and putting in some ‘non critical’ fixings for the lock shouldn’t be too bad.

That`s what I need to hear

[1536Z4]

Removed the tailgate yesterday . Only bit that was a bit tricky was removing the third brake light . It didn`t want to budge after removing the nuts and springs . There are also 2 clips holding it in but even with them squeezed together it still didn`t want to move so I used an extension piece and a small hammer to gently tap on the end of the bolts moving from the outside edge in and they gradually started to give until it finally came loose. Today I weighed the tailgate without the trim and all hardware removed and it was 21.45 kg . I don`t know how much the spoiler weighs but lets say 1kg ?? so a total weight of 20.45 kg . The new carbon tailgate was weighed and came out as 7.9kg . The polycarbonate window weighed at 3.0 kg . Total weight saving then is 20.45kg - 10.0 kg = 10.45 kg . Not as much as I was hoping but still a fair amount .

Next to work out where I need to cut holes to fit the lock and how I am going to fix it all back together

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[Barty]

Nice work that! Still quite a chunk high up gone. Would you be able to bond the original window back into the carbon?

[1536Z4]

Would you be able to bond the original window back into the carbon?

I could do but I have got a polycarbonate one which is part of the weight saving .

[Barty]

part of the weight saving .

Makes sense! In my case, I’d replace the rear hatch at some point to “future-proof” my car, so it’s less about the weight for me

[1536Z4]

“future-proof”

It was also part of the decision with the bird bath design

[Matt Scarbro]

Oh my word... just catching up on the recent updates...

I love the CF parts!! Are they both going body colour?
I bet that amounts to a really significant weight saving nice and high!

Great to see further progress on the drivetrain too, this is going to be such a superb Z4!

[1536Z4]

I love the CF parts!! Are they both going body colour?

I did think about doing the tailgate body colour but have decided to just get it clear coated .

[j3nks79]

This looks very purposeful. Good work

[1536Z4]

I have now cut out the areas that needed doing and drilled the holes for the trim clips etc . It is now waiting to be flatted back and clear coated . If you are going to work on the carbon tailgate yourself it is fairly straight forward as the areas that need cutting can be seen on the molding . I did make up some quick templates for the lock area just to check first though . I used a rotary tool with a carbon disc to cut the lines and then sanded using rotary sanding discs of different sizes which does create a lot of dust and releases a strong epoxy smell so be sure to wear a decent mask and glasses . Holes drilled with just a normal for metal drill bit . It looked much better by the time I had finished sanding it all correctly rather than wobbly lines

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[j3nks79]

Have you thought about having Montego blue fade into the carbon on the edge?
Like this

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[1536Z4]

Have you thought about having Montego blue fade into the carbon on the edge?
Like this

I hadn`t but I quite like the idea of mixing both colours up a bit . I want to keep it carbon around the window up to the spoiler lip but wasn`t so sure about the sides and the back where the lock is as it will break up the Montego Blue flow . I will mull it over .

[AdyBish]

Some great work being done here. The car looks magnificent and the carbon is epic - love it.

How are you finding the BC coilovers? I’m considering lowered springs or coilovers myself atm.

cheers, Ady.

[1536Z4]

Thanks Ady,

Coilovers are fine and very easy to adjust . The only thing I would say against them is that I have to go round them every few months to tighten up the lock rings as they don`t seem to want to stay tight and then the coilovers knock . I have seen people tightening lock rings with a hammer and chisel but don`t really want to do that . Seriously thinking about applying some thread lock . I also specified 10kg rear and 7 kg front springs instead of standard 8kg rear and 5 kg front and I am now thinking I should have gone standard as the local roads are horrendous ( pot holes etc ) Apart from that I am happy with them

[AdyBish]

Thanks Ady,

Coilovers are fine and very easy to adjust . The only thing I would say against them is that I have to go round them every few months to tighten up the lock rings as they don`t seem to want to stay tight and then the coilovers knock . I have seen people tightening lock rings with a hammer and chisel but don`t really want to do that . Seriously thinking about applying some thread lock . I also specified 10kg rear and 7 kg front springs instead of standard 8kg rear and 5 kg front and I am now thinking I should have gone standard as the local roads are horrendous ( pot holes etc ) Apart from that I am happy with them

Ok thanks for the advice. A bit more pondering for me to do on the subject. The state of the nations roads affects us all, especially here in the South East. I can live with a firm ride,. I just don’t want to be crashing and bracing myself for drain covers etc. Those days are back in my youth!