2002 S54 BMW Z3 M Coupe

[odwyerracing]

Hi,

I just got a 2002 BMW Z3M COUPE (s54). I have various plans, first to get a PPF wrap and then fix the ride height and seating position, who knows after that.

[Randy Forbes]

Pictures didn't show up for me...







Wheels look awfully light for an 01-02 (refinished Hyper Silver instead of Chrome Shadow?) but the rest looks nice.

[KBH22102]

I can’t see images either. I just refurbished an 01 M roadster including the brakes. Even with track driving, the stock brakes are more than adequate as long as they are well maintained - fresh brake fluid, lines in good condition, appropriate pads, etc. At 87 k miles, I found that two of the four calipers were sticky so I just replaced with OE remanufactured units. After I returned the cores, it was actually pretty affordable. I installed Zimmerman rotors and Cool Carbon pads which dust a bit less than stock.


4127F66C-803F-447F-91B7-D8EA551512C0.jpeg

[odwyerracing]

I just got the car back from the following doing:

- Some paintwork fixing
- Paint correction
- Paint Protection Film wrap all over
- Carbon coating applied

Next plans are:

1. Remove the stupid looking number plate holder on the front. How do I do this?
2. I'm very tall and the seating position sucks, I read online about a seat tilt kit but cannot find this anywhere actually for sale :/
3. I've ordered this renown steering wheel to hopefully stop the wheel from touching my knees constantly https://blackforestindustries.com/pr...29696904265772
4. Fit suspension. I was thinking KW V3 with a 15mm spaced on the back and 12mm on the front.

[odwyerracing]

And here's a recent photo

[KBH22102]

Still no pics....

There is a thick piece of padding behind the carpet behind the drivers seat. You can trim some to give you more room to move your seat back further.

If the license plate holder is OE, then typically mounted by two screws along the top edge of the plate.

Seat tilt mod kit sold by Bimmerdiffs which is run by a forum member

https://www.thayermotorsports.com/co...ns/interior-z3

[mpire]

4. Fit suspension. I was thinking KW V3 with a 15mm spaced on the back and 12mm on the front.

You are wasting your money. Get some H&R sport springs and Koni Yellows.

You will be happier with the ride comfort in the long run and it will be better on your car's structure.

Replace ALL the bushings, especially the strut mounts. They are hard as a rock. Get new OEM strut mounts, stay away from camber plates if you value your investment.

You don't need a spacer up front, you can get 17mm spacers from RE that are cheap and good quality.

Seat tilt mods are just grade 8 coupling nuts with short grade 8 bolts.

[odwyerracing]

Still no pics....

There is a thick piece of padding behind the carpet behind the drivers seat. You can trim some to give you more room to move your seat back further.

If the license plate holder is OE, then typically mounted by two screws along the top edge of the plate.

Seat tilt mod kit sold by Bimmerdiffs which is run by a forum member

https://www.thayermotorsports.com/co...ns/interior-z3

This forum seems to break the images, here's a direct link https://i.imgur.com/lrM7heS.jpg

That kit amazon links say unavailable

- - - Updated - - -

You are wasting your money. Get some H&R sport springs and Koni Yellows.

You will be happier with the ride comfort in the long run and it will be better on your car's structure.

Replace ALL the bushings, especially the strut mounts. They are hard as a rock. Get new OEM strut mounts, stay away from camber plates if you value your investment.

You don't need a spacer up front, you can get 17mm spacers from RE that are cheap and good quality.

Seat tilt mods are just grade 8 coupling nuts with short grade 8 bolts.

Can you provide a link to "H&R sport springs and Koni Yellows."?

Also define "ALL bushings" as I asked powerflex a quote for all and its around £800...

Part Number	Product Description	RRP Each GBP	Qty Req'd	Total exc VAT	Total inc VAT
PFF5-301BLK	Front Lower Wishbone Rear Bush	£22.95	2	£45.90	£55.08
PFF5-310-23	Front Anti Roll Bar Mounting 23mm	£16.45	2	£32.90	£39.48
PFF5-4650	Engine Mount	£135.95	2	£271.90	£326.28
PFR5-300	Rear Diff Mounting Bush	£25.95	1	£25.95	£31.14
PFR5-306	Rear Trailing Arm Bush	£24.45	4	£97.80	£117.36
PFR5-311	Rear Beam Bush	£34.95	2	£69.90	£83.88
PFR5-504-19	Rear Anti Roll Bar Bush 19mm	£14.95	2	£29.90	£35.88
PFR5-5630-10	Rear Shock Top Mount Bracket and Bush 10mm	£36.95	2	£73.90	£88.68
					£777.78

Also, why don't I need a spacer upfront?

Re: the seat kit I'd rather buy a kit with simple instructions as I'm not a mechanic.

[odwyerracing]

You are wasting your money. Get some H&R sport springs and Koni Yellows.

Is this the suspension setup you were referring to? https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/koni-sport-performance-suspension-kit-kon1140-3432/

edit:

also, they're not at all adjustable? if so, that's not what i want

[scenturion]

There is a thick piece of padding behind the carpet behind the drivers seat. You can trim some to give you more room to move your seat back further.

On the coupe, this piece of carpet goes all the way to the hatch. I still couldn't get access to the padding under the carpet even when nearly the whole interior was disassembled when I was doing the hear shock top mounts.
I think the center console, seats, and trim would all need to come out in addition.

[spikeisgr8]

I just got the car back from the following doing:

- Some paintwork fixing
- Paint correction
- Paint Protection Film wrap all over
- Carbon coating applied

Next plans are:

1. Remove the stupid looking number plate holder on the front. How do I do this?
2. I'm very tall and the seating position sucks, I read online about a seat tilt kit but cannot find this anywhere actually for sale :/
3. I've ordered this renown steering wheel to hopefully stop the wheel from touching my knees constantly https://blackforestindustries.com/pr...29696904265772
4. Fit suspension. I was thinking KW V3 with a 15mm spaced on the back and 12mm on the front.

KW V3 is definitely not for the faint of heart. And not ideal for the street. But that's how I purchased mine and it was newly installed when I purchased, so I'm not changing it. Definitely handles like a dream though.

[odwyerracing]

KW V3 is definitely not for the faint of heart. And not ideal for the street. But that's how I purchased mine and it was newly installed when I purchased, so I'm not changing it. Definitely handles like a dream though.

Know any alternatives? All I care about is:

1. They're adjustable so I can get the stance right
2. They're not too hard, i want stock-like feel
3. I can buy them in Europe

edit: ordering kw v2

[fmcfad01]

Almost everyone here will recommend TC Kline Coilover packages. DA if you can afford them.

[cyberman]

I want the stupid looking front license plate holder if you care to part with it. Here in Iowa it's needed for the stupid looking front license plate. I'll pay shipping and a reasonable price if you're interested.

[fmcfad01]

I want the stupid looking front license plate holder if you care to part with it. Here in Iowa it's needed for the stupid looking front license plate. I'll pay shipping and a reasonable price if you're interested.

If he's in UK, it's not going to be the US Size one. I have a Euro one, it's long and skinny like their plates, not a typical US rectangle plate mount.

Just go with a tow hook mount, go mini go or whatever people buy these days.

[cyberman]

Oh, thanks - didn't realize you have those really funny looking plates.

[awdonald]

To “fix” the seat for a tall person...
You use a sharp knife to access the area behind the seat.
Remove as much of the styrofoam bulge as you wish, push the cut “shut” ( don’t remove carpet...just cut to permit access to the bulge).
Refit the carpet.
You won’t see the cut once the seat is pushed back ....next raise the front seat mounts approx 1/2-3/4 “

[BimmerBreaker]

I want the stupid looking front license plate holder if you care to part with it. Here in Iowa it's needed for the stupid looking front license plate. I'll pay shipping and a reasonable price if you're interested.

You can just buy one yourself, look up tow hook license plate mount

[odwyerracing]

Minor update:

I removed the stupid looking front license plate holder, which did look like this:

https://www.grooms-cars.co.uk/wp-con...m-coupe-01.jpg

And just stuck the plate to the front directly, looks much better IMO

https://imgur.com/a/SFX7PJf

I did experiment with some vinyl front plates and they were too low quality to even fit successfully.

- - - Updated - - -

Also this week the car goes to a specialist to:

- Check out why my dash is full of warning lights..
- Fit new steering wheel
- Adjust the seat so I can fit in the car

KW suspension is still on order.

Once that stuff is done I'll be driving all around Europe in it for a month or so.