Your 'must do' mods

theduck · Post by **theduck** » Sun 03 Apr, 2011 16:58

So for those of you that have done so, what would you say are your 'must do' mods, the ones that, if you were to have to start again, you would be doing first? The ones that made your zed look better? The ones that made it drive better?

So lets have them, what are they, how much did they cost, and what did they give you? Photos of styling mods required

Mike Fishwick · Post by **Mike Fishwick** » Sun 03 Apr, 2011 17:09

In order of effect:

Smaller steering wheel £300

Shorter gear lever £1 (DIY)

High level rear view mirror £10 DIY

Front boot lining without CD player bulge

Poly bushes £50 DIY

Butt Strut £200

Body Brace £200

Strut brace £50 second hand

Cold air intake £10 DIY

Rear crossmember bush inserts £25

Remap £200

hornel Z3M · Post by **hornel Z3M** » Sun 03 Apr, 2011 17:22

Simota air induction
Short gear knob
handbrake handle to match
M gear and handbrake gaiters
Hamann boot spoiler
chrome wheel bolts (20)
M chrome door pins
m pedal kit
racing steering wheel
chrome styling around air + heater vents, radio surround.
Braided clutch hose (ordered)
Engine bay strut brace

GazHyde · Post by **GazHyde** » Sun 03 Apr, 2011 17:36

First for me it was 18" alloys in a more flattering style. Just couldn't stand the 16" standard alloys fitted.

Then followed a strut brace. Don't currently have this fitted as my issue was dodgy shock absorbers. The brace masked this is a bit, and it drives as well now without it. Will probably fit it again at some stage.

De-tango! De-tango! De-tango! Started off with indicators, but have since fitted white LED bulbs in the side markers on the bumpers. Finished it off with a new set of angel eye headlamps.

Stubby aerial.

///M Seats. Just fitted, and they are so much more comfy and better looking.

PooBear · Post by **PooBear** » Sun 03 Apr, 2011 18:22

Mike Fishwick wrote:In order of effect:
Shorter gear lever £1 (DIY)

Cold air intake £10 DIY

Mike can you give me more info on these two?

Interested in both

hornel Z3M · Post by **hornel Z3M** » Sun 03 Apr, 2011 18:54

He used to be a keen fan of =Blue Peter=

wonderloaf · Post by **wonderloaf** » Sun 03 Apr, 2011 18:59

My only mod has been raising the front of the drivers seat by ~18mm using spacers. Best £5 I've ever spent!

Ekhangell · Post by **Ekhangell** » Sun 03 Apr, 2011 19:34

Shorter gear lever £1 (DIY)

Can you elaborate on that, please?

Vic-Z3 · Post by **Vic-Z3** » Sun 03 Apr, 2011 19:54

High level rear view mirror £10 DIY

Very interested in this myself, being 6' it means I have to crank the neck
sometimes when driving to see forward. Even though seat is at it lowest.

Bouldy · Post by **Bouldy** » Sun 03 Apr, 2011 20:01

See signature my mods

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Sun 03 Apr, 2011 20:03

I've kept mine standard

GazHyde · Post by **GazHyde** » Sun 03 Apr, 2011 20:12

Jonttt wrote:I've kept mine standard

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Sun 03 Apr, 2011 21:13

The best mod by far has been the smaller steering wheel

link HERE

The cheapest (ie free) is to check your getting WOT if you've got an accelerator cable and your tyres pressures are correct.

The next best is stainless steel clutch hose (c£20 + fitting) to smooth out the gear change.

swamper · Post by **swamper** » Sun 03 Apr, 2011 22:16

de-tangoed
front strut
pipperx induction
M coupe seats and matching door cards
ac splitters
chrome roll hoops
tonneau cover
rear spacers
staggered BBS wheels with contact sports

still wants new shocks and lowering with polly bushes fitting/BB throttle body/sports cat exhaust/body brace/rear brace/M mirrors inside and out/remove spare wheel/stereo upgrade speakers as well....off the top of my head thats all i can think of at the moment.....but i am drinking

KingCarl · Post by **KingCarl** » Sun 03 Apr, 2011 22:36

better alloys
tonneau cover
mesh wind reduction (for the missus!)

rest is standard!

Mike Fishwick · Post by **Mike Fishwick** » Mon 04 Apr, 2011 07:42

If you look in the Z3 Knowledgebase you will find full details of my method of shortening the gear lever and making a cold air intake - both being attributed to 'Guest' after I was hacked off the site a year or so ago:

http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15407

http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8918

maurice the martian · Post by **maurice the martian** » Mon 04 Apr, 2011 09:33

After spending and loosing quite a few quid on the Z3,i`m NOT spending a penny on the Z4,just going to drive and enjoy

Maurice

Lazzzydog · Post by **Lazzzydog** » Mon 04 Apr, 2011 12:07

In years to come the most sought after Z's will be the unmolested ones, so only carry out reversable mods and keep all the standard parts to return the car back to standard. In the bike world original GSXR750's and early Fireblades were plentiful just like Z3's but everybody fitted baubles and bangles and now unmolested examples are rare and fetching good money.

Z3cade · Post by **Z3cade** » Mon 04 Apr, 2011 13:03

Different alloys... mine were 16" standards and looked poo...

My best mod was by far the M// seats looks and more importantly Feels better to drive

Mike Fishwick · Post by **Mike Fishwick** » Mon 04 Apr, 2011 13:44

I didn't buy my Z3 to keep in original condition to satisfy the whims of some future pedant - Any changes I have made are to satisfy MY requirements!

As for value - don't kid yourselves, as there will be so many 'unmolested' and little-used Z3s around in future that - as now - they will be ten a penny. Like any other modern car, the Z3 will not appreciate until there are very few left, when they can join 'classics' such as Triumph Stags and Ford Capris etc - what a thought!

The trouble is that - particularly in the UK - they will be in shocking condition underneath, even if the paintwork shines and the carpets have never had feet on them.

John1950 · Post by **John1950** » Mon 04 Apr, 2011 14:46

GazHyde wrote:First for me it was 18" alloys in a more flattering style. Just couldn't stand the 16" standard alloys fitted.

Then followed a strut brace. Don't currently have this fitted as my issue was dodgy shock absorbers. The brace masked this is a bit, and it drives as well now without it. Will probably fit it again at some stage.

De-tango! De-tango! De-tango! Started off with indicators, but have since fitted white LED bulbs in the side markers on the bumpers. Finished it off with a new set of angel eye headlamps.

Stubby aerial.

///M Seats. Just fitted, and they are so much more comfy and better looking.

Hi
I have very recently joined as a new member after getting my 1st Z3 about a month ago.

I see you used to have an unused strut brace - I was wondering if you still have it and do you want to sell it?
Do give me a call.
Cheers
John Walker
M: 0781 281 0074

GazHyde · Post by **GazHyde** » Mon 04 Apr, 2011 15:15

John1950, you have a PM!

markrnorton · Post by **markrnorton** » Mon 04 Apr, 2011 15:47

I've kept mine standard, no mods for me

hornel Z3M · Post by **hornel Z3M** » Mon 04 Apr, 2011 16:29

Do you think people look after the top of the car and dont bother with underneath on this forum, i dont think so Mike

Wrinkley · Post by **Wrinkley** » Tue 05 Apr, 2011 06:05

97 2.8 73,000. Helrot Red

18" Beyern multispoke wheels.

Shocks and springs all round. (standard height)

Uprated discs and calipers

New clutch,dual-mass flywheel,slave cylinder,and braided hose.

Recovered seats, charcoal grey double red stitching.

Bespoke armrest,covered same as seats.

Accelerator cable.

///M gearstick and pedals

leather gearstick gaiter and handbrake cover to match seats.

Bespoke reinforced glass wind deflector (no roll-hoops)

Chrome heater and window control surrounds.

Woudn't mind but it's not even my car.

Good job Joanne intends to keep it.

Steve

Wolverine_1999 · Post by **Wolverine_1999** » Tue 05 Apr, 2011 08:28

18" Staggered Dish Wheels
M Mirrors
M Illuminated Short Gear Knob
M Lip Spoiler
Black Side Repeaters
Black Side Lights
Chrome Exhaust Tip
Detangoed Headlights
Angel Eye Rings
Angel Eye Fog Lights
Tonneau Cover
Rear Clear Wind Deflector

Things I've fixed:

Antenna Grommet
Centre Console Lights
Instrument Cluster Lights
Electric Driver's Seat

Mike Fishwick · Post by **Mike Fishwick** » Tue 05 Apr, 2011 08:52

Yes, Hornel - just look at any pictures of the underside of Z3s in this forum, never mind in the flesh - even at concours events - and you will see that anything further in than the odd painted brake caliper is usually left to rot, and they do!

It just never occurs to most enthusiasts that the hidden parts of their car are just as worthy of care than the visible parts. It's just a fact of life.

Even the BMW Car Club no longer judge the inner sides of the wheels/brakes/suspension/underside in their open concours class - yet paradoxically, they judge the cleanliness of the wheel arches!

c_w · Post by **c_w** » Tue 05 Apr, 2011 12:54

2.8 ratio steering rack (for Z3M)
H&R roll bars
Small steering wheel
Subframe bush inserts
Uprated pads and cooling ducting
Better dampers/springs

RodsZ3 · Post by **RodsZ3** » Wed 06 Apr, 2011 09:44

...nobody's mentioned Pink Swinging Dice, a nodding dog and those names transfered across the windscreen!!!

....ok ok...somebody had to so I thought it would be me to save others embarassment

Rod

hornel Z3M · Post by **hornel Z3M** » Wed 06 Apr, 2011 17:26

I would not argue with that statement Mike but i have had my M a couple of months and have had the underside cleaned and wax oiled when it had the inspection 11 so how keen are the others then.

Sorcerors Apprentice · Post by **Sorcerors Apprentice** » Wed 06 Apr, 2011 17:58

I have my underside cleaned oiled and waxed regularly so as to make sure that my leather seats stay in the best possible condition.

I never wait until inspection eleven.

hornel Z3M · Post by **hornel Z3M** » Wed 06 Apr, 2011 19:13

Obviously a smart arse then

Jamezee · Post by **Jamezee** » Wed 06 Apr, 2011 23:52

BMW dust caps x 4 (replica)
Little Tree Air Freshener-Vanillaroma (now worn out and in the bin)
2006 AA road atlas (with the latest safety cameras)

I am looking for new additions to these

-Chris- · Post by **-Chris-** » Thu 07 Apr, 2011 09:27

My only mod - passenger eject button

Diamondj · Post by **Diamondj** » Sat 09 Apr, 2011 17:57

I must admit i'd quite like a smaller steering wheel - what do people recommend?

zroadster.net

Your 'must do' mods

Your 'must do' mods

Mods

M

Re: Mods

m

Look!

Unmolested

Strut brace

m

Underside Rot

z

m