Third Time's the Charm - A Mystical Adventure

[05Imola]

I have a serious issue. Car ADD is known in the community and it only seems to get worse with age. If you feel like you have car ADD, please get help before it gets out of hand. This is a small chapter of my life living with CADD.

It all started a few months ago...actually lets go back to car number 7. My first ZHP, a 2005 Imola/6 speed/alcantara/sedan which I picked up in 2015. My first BMW, not first RWD car, I totally fell in love with it. Brought it back to life and went through the whole car including paint, full suspension rebuild, the works. You can find the thread HERE (http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?16318-05Imola-Maintenance-and-Mod-Ledger).

Unfortunately the car had to be sold once I left the country to go get my Graduate degree.

Upon my return in 2018 I bought another 2005 Imola (http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?21397-05Imola-s-second-05-Imola-HPDE-AutoX-Daily) (had to live up to the username right?). This time it was a coupe/leather/manual. Due to a new job/location/life, I just didn't bond with the car and after 6 months I had moved on to a 2018 GTI...I said bye-bye to BMWs for a while.

Of course I had sold the GTI after a year and moved onto a few other cars but we'll skip to the one that got me back into BMWs. During the pandemic I found a 2008 Z4 Coupe with only 14k miles. I truly intended to daily the car but I felt bad putting on the miles and decided to sell it, especially considering the crazy market.

The stable had trimmed down to my fun project 1992 Miata and an A5 coupe which is my daily. I had toyed with the idea of building an M3 wagon and even picked up some silver cube trim in case I did find the perfect platform. I was happy with that until one evening when I saw a 2004 Mystic blue ZHP while scouring FB marketplace. The car was pending sale but a quick message to the owner meant my name went to the top of the list if the sale would not go through. A week later I was flying to MI to pick up the car....


Here she is. A 2004 Mystic blue ZHP with 110k miles, alcantara interior and a full maintenance history. Once I have the vehicle fully sorted I will update the pics here :).

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51277698558_7e0120218b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m8eBi1)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m8eBi1) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr

I will edit the list of completed maintenance items with dates and miles but until then, I will focus on what I will do to get the car ready for summer.


In Progress:


Oil Change - Completed
Spark Plugs - Sitting on shelf
New driver side fender liner - Completed
Front Stabilizer Links - Completed
Rear Stabilizer Links - On shelf
Fuel Filter + Fuel System Cleaner - On Shelf
Ceramic coated refinished Style 135 - Completed
Continental Sport Contact Tires - Ordered
PDR - Scheduled
Cobywheel Steering wheel & Arm rest - Ordered
Depo Turn signals & side lights- On Shelf
New rear Ashtray - On shelf
15MM spacers - Once new wheels installed
Brake Flush- Completed



Crossed 110k as I was driving the 8 hours home.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51278252724_644f88a0d5_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m8hs2A)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m8hs2A) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr

[05Imola]

Car went up on jacks as soon as it got home. Main reason is that I picked up two nails and had a flat tire as soon as I pulled up in the driveway. Pretty lucky I say. New tires are on the way.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51278252809_20375cedc8_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m8hs44)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m8hs44) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr

New OEM Fender Liner

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51278553450_9ec28234ea_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m8iZqw)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m8iZqw) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr

Fender liner in place. Brakes and full shocks all around were replaced by previous owner. SCORE!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51277532636_8e053856c3_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m8dKYh)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m8dKYh) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr

New Lemforder sway bar links are the only needed refreshers for this old girl. Rears will go on once I am ready to install the wheels and tires. All other bushings were replaced or are in great condition from previous owner.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51276780462_a73153f2af_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m89UnL)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m89UnL) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr

[05Imola]

With the A5 out of the garage (old girls belong in the garage duh) the E46 looks and sits just right next to the Miata.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51277698423_9772cda27b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m8eBfF)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m8eBfF) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr

[fredo]

Welcome back, man ! Your ZHP looks very sharp.

[johnrando]

Nice werk.

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[sillieidiot]

looks good

[05Imola]

Thank you all!

I gave the car it's first wash to get a feel of all the minor dents in prep for PDR. Paint is super dry and has 0 wax on it which is great because the before and after of the paint correction will be incredible.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51284566117_f5a90231f9_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m8QNMc)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m8QNMc) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr

Spark plugs were changed as well and they might be originals. Surprised to see that since the valve cover was replaced about 7k miles ago yet the plugs were not changed. Went from Bosch to NGK.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51284566172_605a0f5d7d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m8QNN9)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m8QNN9) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr

Some minor interior changes was the new rear ashtray from ECS which I picked up on sale woohoo.
New Continental Extreme Contact Sport were installed on refreshed wheels but the mobile installed nicked one of them so no pics of them on the car yet :facepalm

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51286037434_414426d4d2_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m8Ym9J)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m8Ym9J) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr

Now on the search for some Euro tails, hoping there might be some 4th of July sales!

[t.er]

Nice pickup! Mystic really pops when it's polished.

Lol what's up with that fender liner? Looks like someone dremeled it

[05Imola]

Nice pickup! Mystic really pops when it's polished.

Lol what's up with that fender liner? Looks like someone dremeled it

I must've ran over something on the way down from Michigan when I purchased the car as I drove through 2 thunderstorms. The tire was chewing up the fender liner for some time, lucky it didn't rip out the ambient temp sensor.

[racer2086]

Very nice pick up. Our cars are twins! Now I know 2 of the 80 made.

[Will]

Congrats on the pick up, it looks great.

[05Imola]

Long overdue update...

July was a busy month. Installed the refinished Style 135s with new Conti ExtremeContact tires with 12mm spacers all around. Wheels were ceramic coated for easy cleanup.
Well in July I started detailing the car and I finished it last week. Crazy huh? PDR guy came and took out all the door dings this car had which was surprisingly a lot. The hood has been repainted at some point due to rock chips and was never wet sanded since there were still fish eyes in the paint. Having never wet sanded before, I asked myself how hard could it be? Well... I started by hand and that took too long so I ordered some sanding discs and slapped it on my Rupes polisher without a sanding backing plate. What a mistake that was...back to hand polishing...result are about 85% better since I put some deep pig tails with the buffer/sandpaper combo.
I'll try and get some pics of the outcome but it is what it is.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51555960411_509668a664_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2mxPLRa)Zhp (https://flic.kr/p/2mxPLRa) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr

Rest of the car came out great! M105/M205 combo finished with a rupes ultra fine polish. I used AMMO Reflex Pro coating for the first time which is an eye watering $150! Results are impressive but not sure it's worth the premium over CQuartz UK 3.0 I've been using for years.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51555172837_d5bc09fff2_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2mxKJJi)Zhp (https://flic.kr/p/2mxKJJi) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr


During the summer I also ordered OEM Euro tails, OEM replacement headlight covers and DEPO corners and side markers. Finally got around to installing them tonight. Exterior "mods" are done.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51555960871_1c43da6daa_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2mxPLZ6)Zhp (https://flic.kr/p/2mxPLZ6) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51555172712_1ccc93aa71_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2mxKJG9)Zhp (https://flic.kr/p/2mxKJG9) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51556197908_a7b3a8df3f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2mxQZrW)Zhp (https://flic.kr/p/2mxQZrW) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr

I will take actual pics hopefully this week so sorry for the poop snaps in the meantime. Just needed the motivation to document this a bit better.

[johnrando]

[emoji1360]

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[cakM3]

If you feel like you have car ADD, please get help before it gets out of hand.

too late! :biggrin


nice pickup by the way! I also have a 2004 Mystic Blue/Alcantara ZHP :cool

[BADCLOWN]

the results of that exterior paint refresh turned out great, nice to continue to see people bring these cars back to life

[Vas]

Noticed you are in Virginia. Who did the wheel refinish?

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[05Imola]

too late! :biggrin


nice pickup by the way! I also have a 2004 Mystic Blue/Alcantara ZHP :cool

I have to admit I wasn't sure on the color when I picked it up but I am loving it now!

[05Imola]

Thanks! Saving them for the next generation is my excuse for the silly money I spend on cars haha

[05Imola]

Noticed you are in Virginia. Who did the wheel refinish?

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The car came with a second set of wheels but I actually had to get one redone as ASAP Tires damaged one of them when installing the tires. Wheels On Site came to my house and refinished it. Even replaced the M sticker and was a perfect match to the rest of the wheels.

[cakM3]

I have to admit I wasn't sure on the color when I picked it up but I am loving it now!

Wait till you see the car in direct sunlight... the blue reflects the rays very well... :)

[sum1orotha]

I'm in desperate need of a paintless dent repair myself, since you're in NoVa and sounds like the guy or company you used is a mobile situation do they service the Baltimore/Central MD area too? Happy with the results?

[05Imola]

I'm in desperate need of a paintless dent repair myself, since you're in NoVa and sounds like the guy or company you used is a mobile situation do they service the Baltimore/Central MD area too? Happy with the results?

Give him a call - +1 (703) 473-3880

Did impeccable work and would recommend. My Miata was peppered and he took the trunk home and did it over the weekend since I was in no rush. Also was super affordable compared to all the other prices I was getting.

[05Imola]

Realized I never updated my exterior *mods. I installed OEM Euro Tails, DEPO Corners and side markers as well as replaced the lenses with OEM ones.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51617202560_4529da28e2_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2mDeE1h)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2mDeE1h) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51555960871_5323ac4407_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2mxPLZ6)Zhp (https://flic.kr/p/2mxPLZ6) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51555172712_5f6a9f7045_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2mxKJG9)Zhp (https://flic.kr/p/2mxKJG9) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr

Passenger side airbag recall has been completed a few weeks ago. Took the opportunity of installing my Cobywheel steering wheel before taking it in and had the dealer readjust the airbag as I noticed a clip was missing. I put on a ZHP knob as well so it feels like a new car.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51556198328_49a80c672d_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2mxQZzb)Zhp (https://flic.kr/p/2mxQZzb) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr

Took the car out this past weekend and added some Liquimoly fuel system cleaner in preparation of me changing the fuel filter. Haven't driven the car much since the summer- probably 500 miles since I put the tires and wow they are so much better than the first couple hundred miles. I love this car so much...My A5 has the tech and speed but this is just a perfect balance of both and so much more.
Here are some recent poorly shot pics to document the nothing but happy miles.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51701968800_33bfc67c73_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2mLJ74b)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2mLJ74b) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51701361833_8673a83009_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2mLEZCe)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2mLEZCe) by Vr6 Hooptie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/109995012@N04/), on Flickr

I now run into the dilemma of selling this or the Miata (which I love equally btw) in the spring. Current lease ends and I'm looking to buy a place, unfortunately budget doesn't allow for a 2 car garage home. Heres to crossing my fingers on winning the lotto before March haha.

[BMWCurves]

Stunning.

Buy the Miata a car cover, park it on the street, problem solved.

[Will]

Car looks fantastic.

[05Imola]

Stunning.

Buy the Miata a car cover, park it on the street, problem solved.

The ZHP came with a car cover but that feels just wrong :biggrin


Car looks fantastic.

Thank you sir!

[johnrando]

Car looks fantastic.+1

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[cakM3]

Car is looking absolutely stunning! ! ! Keep the ZHP....

[BADCLOWN]

Car definitely checks out, is looking good as your fix things up on it.

The first ZHP I ever saw was probably 2006-2008 and was a mystic with leather interior, thought it was a pretty nicely equipped/cool color and car. Little did I know I would own one (gray/alcantara) and subsequently a second ZHP later down the road.

keep up the good work!