Ernest
05-20-2016, 07:54 AM
Hello Mafiosos! I'm really pleased to join this fantastic group of knowledge sharing ZHP enthusiasts! Here's the book on my BMW experience so far... With the help of my 14 yr old son I purchased my first BMW last April and I'm really glad we ended up targeting a ZHP. Thanks to you guys I changed my search criteria from M3 to ZHP, for all the right reasons. When EAG snagged a nice 04 M3 with 23k on it less than 10 miles from me I knew the game was not in my favor so we switched to ZHP's :fistpump. I'm perfectly happy with our decision to buy a low mileage ZHP which was pretty well cared for by the original owner, who happened to be an hour away from me. Because of this forum, my son and I are learning pretty quickly that most of the maintenance and modifications can be done on our own, which I love since I've been told that I'm a little bit picky...:foottap
So, I have 2003 silbergrau metallic 6 speed manual with Alcantara and cloth interior, purchased with 45k on the clock from the original owner, as mentioned. Pirelli P Zero Nero's (decent tires) with 2k miles on them. Nicely tinted windows and not much else, no cold weather package or lumbar (the only thing I wish it had). Oil was changed every 3k miles or every year whichever came first. Also, regularly hand washed and waxed with the hi end Zymol so the paint is in great shape...with the exception of a 3/8 in square scrape on the passenger door. It's probably a 9/10 interior and 8/10 exterior. No rust to speak of. It's really a weekend/road trip/excursion car. I work from home and when I need to travel I use my '04 MDX. I'm pretty much using P21S exterior and Sonax interior care products and since the PO did such a good wax job over teh years I sealed it with Menzerna which is extremely easy and leaves a very nice, deep durable finish.
Upon purchase my PPI revealed that an early inspection II was needed so I elected to pay for that by having a well known M5 mechanic do the work....and like most first time owners I kind of paid thru the nose. :eyetwitch Once my nose got back into joint I started down the DIY path, and haven't looked back.
Work I paid for:
-Full Insp II w/ NGK Plugs, Fuel Filter, and all BMW fluids
-Belts, tensioners, pulleys
-Water pump (OEM I think Graf-mistake)
-TStat and Housing (Behr)
-Exp Tank (OE)
- -Hoses were not done for some strange reason
-PS reservoir, suction and return hoses
-Vanos Oil line
-FCAB's (OE-another mistake)
-CDV delete
-SS brake lines (Stop Tech)
All in all, the M5 mechanic did a good job but didn't offer up the better parts, so I will end up replacing them myself
Work my son and I recently completed over a long weekend:
-Koni Yellow front and rear on OE springs (did it right, credit to posting by BMW Curves, with input from Slater, Vas and others)
---OE Sachs struts were in ok shape, but the rear shocks had zero rebound...at 48k!!
- -Rogue Eng RSM's
- -Lemforder front mounts with BMW reinforcement plates
* looking for input on my front right spring picture. It went in exactly the same way it came out based on the placement on the spring pads. But, comparing it to the left front, the markings are obviously not on center and it looks somewhat off balance. Drive-wise I feel no difference. I thought William's - BMW Curves- looked about the same as mine from his pics.
-Motul 8100 exess motor oil change, Mann filter
-Redline MTL gear oil
-Redline 75W90 diff oil
Next on the list, hope to complete most of it in June.
- completing the suspension refresh- everything except subframe. thinking of Bimmerworld RTAB's
- Trans and Engine mounts, thinking of M3 OE (slight resistance going into 2nd gear)
- Diff bushings
- Shifter rebuild (UUC, a la slater method) (slight resistance going into 2nd gear)
- SS Clutch line
- Clutch stop
- Stewart Water pump
- Hoses, temp sensors
- Underdrive Pulley set
- Shark injector. Or AA. Or Evolve tune- both can be done within an hour drive. Really need help with this decision!
- AfE CAI or just a K&N drop in filter
Here are some pics, assuming I uploaded them correctly and they are sized properly, I think they are medium.
Jim
25913
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25918
So, I have 2003 silbergrau metallic 6 speed manual with Alcantara and cloth interior, purchased with 45k on the clock from the original owner, as mentioned. Pirelli P Zero Nero's (decent tires) with 2k miles on them. Nicely tinted windows and not much else, no cold weather package or lumbar (the only thing I wish it had). Oil was changed every 3k miles or every year whichever came first. Also, regularly hand washed and waxed with the hi end Zymol so the paint is in great shape...with the exception of a 3/8 in square scrape on the passenger door. It's probably a 9/10 interior and 8/10 exterior. No rust to speak of. It's really a weekend/road trip/excursion car. I work from home and when I need to travel I use my '04 MDX. I'm pretty much using P21S exterior and Sonax interior care products and since the PO did such a good wax job over teh years I sealed it with Menzerna which is extremely easy and leaves a very nice, deep durable finish.
Upon purchase my PPI revealed that an early inspection II was needed so I elected to pay for that by having a well known M5 mechanic do the work....and like most first time owners I kind of paid thru the nose. :eyetwitch Once my nose got back into joint I started down the DIY path, and haven't looked back.
Work I paid for:
-Full Insp II w/ NGK Plugs, Fuel Filter, and all BMW fluids
-Belts, tensioners, pulleys
-Water pump (OEM I think Graf-mistake)
-TStat and Housing (Behr)
-Exp Tank (OE)
- -Hoses were not done for some strange reason
-PS reservoir, suction and return hoses
-Vanos Oil line
-FCAB's (OE-another mistake)
-CDV delete
-SS brake lines (Stop Tech)
All in all, the M5 mechanic did a good job but didn't offer up the better parts, so I will end up replacing them myself
Work my son and I recently completed over a long weekend:
-Koni Yellow front and rear on OE springs (did it right, credit to posting by BMW Curves, with input from Slater, Vas and others)
---OE Sachs struts were in ok shape, but the rear shocks had zero rebound...at 48k!!
- -Rogue Eng RSM's
- -Lemforder front mounts with BMW reinforcement plates
* looking for input on my front right spring picture. It went in exactly the same way it came out based on the placement on the spring pads. But, comparing it to the left front, the markings are obviously not on center and it looks somewhat off balance. Drive-wise I feel no difference. I thought William's - BMW Curves- looked about the same as mine from his pics.
-Motul 8100 exess motor oil change, Mann filter
-Redline MTL gear oil
-Redline 75W90 diff oil
Next on the list, hope to complete most of it in June.
- completing the suspension refresh- everything except subframe. thinking of Bimmerworld RTAB's
- Trans and Engine mounts, thinking of M3 OE (slight resistance going into 2nd gear)
- Diff bushings
- Shifter rebuild (UUC, a la slater method) (slight resistance going into 2nd gear)
- SS Clutch line
- Clutch stop
- Stewart Water pump
- Hoses, temp sensors
- Underdrive Pulley set
- Shark injector. Or AA. Or Evolve tune- both can be done within an hour drive. Really need help with this decision!
- AfE CAI or just a K&N drop in filter
Here are some pics, assuming I uploaded them correctly and they are sized properly, I think they are medium.
Jim
25913
25914
25915
25916
25917
25918