New Beginnings

"B_dol" (bdolan40) 10/12/2015 at 15:58 • Filed to: None

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49

The king is dead, long live the king! FR-S is sold after 49,500 miles and tons of smiles. The empty garage space didn’t last long, enter the newcomer. 2007 Z4M Coupe

I’ll miss the FR-S, an amazing platform and an intro to the automotive obsession.

Justin Hughes > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 16:01

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Punk_Girl_98 > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 16:05

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Wow that’s a beautiful car!

wiffleballtony > Justin Hughes 10/12/2015 at 16:09

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Shop smart, shop S Mart.

wiffleballtony > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 16:09

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That’s a great color.

bob and john > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 16:10

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This is much nicer though.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 16:10

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Good choice on the E86.

Wanna buy a set of front track pads? Performance Friction 01 compound

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 16:12

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Like the wheels, what are they?

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 16:17

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I want a Z4 M Coupe so bad!

MonkeePuzzle > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 10/12/2015 at 16:18

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I’ve got some blinker bulbs for an E86 too, barely used, like new #BMWJokes

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > MonkeePuzzle 10/12/2015 at 16:23

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penis

MonkeePuzzle > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 10/12/2015 at 16:23

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I recommended your post *wink*

DrScientist > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 16:25

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great looking car.

does the Z have rear seats?

TractorPillow > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 16:32

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Such a gorgeous car. I have always loved these. Enjoy and post more pics!

Tripper > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 16:33

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Congrats man! M Coupe is sweet!

Cherry_man1 > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 16:37

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Tell me how it is because these just popped up in my car radar but the sound of them kinda killed it a little for me. are they better then they sound?

Tohru > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 10/12/2015 at 16:55

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Your post topic is pretty short. You have my condolences.

B_dol > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 10/12/2015 at 16:57

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Car is getting tracked at the end of the month, all set on consumables.

B_dol > Cherry_man1 10/12/2015 at 17:01

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Car is fantastic to drive, I highly recommend taking one for a spin (Sport Mode on). Sound is a bit “meh” for a sportscar, easily remedied with an intake/exhaust combo or stock muffler modification.

It beat out all other <$30K cars I was shopping (incl. 987.1 Cayman S) but that’s just my personal preference.

B_dol > TractorPillow 10/12/2015 at 17:03

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Thanks! I figured you like saloon style GT cars (a la Viper). Addt’l pics courtesy of the previous owner, need to get some of my own.

B_dol > wiffleballtony 10/12/2015 at 17:04

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Agreed, it was Interlagos Blue or nothing at all (to me)

B_dol > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 10/12/2015 at 17:05

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Advan RS, aftermarket but subtle enough to look almost OEM.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 17:05

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Huge upgrade, there.

Very nice. The last real BMW M.

Before BMW Motorsport betrayed it’s own mantra of preferring the pure response of a well-tuned, power-efficient atmospheric smooth inline 6. No turbos, no drastically un-necessary weight...

And it is a 2-seat 3-door fastback coupe, to boot.

Arguably this may be closer to the old Z-cars, Merc I-6 SL, Jaguar E-type, than the newer V6 Nissan Z-cars.

Monte Carlo blue is also the best color choice.

Just needs Style 69 wheels, and black headlights.

Although, to be honest, I would seriously consider the front half of the Z8 replica kit for Z4... a Z8-look fastback coupe could be awesome.

TractorPillow > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 17:07

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So classy. I thought about one of these as a replacement for the elise for a little, still browse for them occasionally. Definitely a classy choice.

Cherry_man1 > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 17:09

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Well I’ll be going from a Coyote Mustang GT to one of those. If I can find one with a stick and then tracking it.

B_dol > Cherry_man1 10/12/2015 at 17:12

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Added bonus, the /M versions only come in stick. Monsters on the track as well.

B_dol > TractorPillow 10/12/2015 at 17:15

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Thanks, I’ll be sharing some more content in the future no doubt. First impressions, how I ended up here (shopped a lot of cars).

I am already thinking of what small, efficient and MT vehicle would pair well in the garage... that’s 1-2 years out though.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 17:16

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Excellent. I have no need for those pads on my M3 since I changed to a Porsche caliper

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 17:18

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Which pads and tires are you running?

Sam > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 17:19

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Nice!

You should do the M stripes in vanes of the kidney at some point.

CaptDale - is secretly British > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 10/12/2015 at 17:45

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Oh god yes!!!!!

CaptDale - is secretly British > DrScientist 10/12/2015 at 17:45

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Nope, like a proper 2 door ;)

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 18:08

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Yeah they’re not too flashy but you can tell they’re nicer than stock.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 18:34

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Very nice car (and an excellent step up from the FR-S). Where did you get the car? I’ve seen one that looks very similar in the San Jose, CA area.

B_dol > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 10/12/2015 at 19:06

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Amen. I was not a huge BMW fan (prior to purchasing), however I can get behind the heritage and culmination of many great M platforms leading into the E86 /M. The S54 engine, the chassis and suspension. It’s a unique, and more importantly, fun car.

Michael Cohen > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 22:45

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Had the pleasure of driving that engine in an M3. As Bruno Mars would say, smoother than a fresh jar of skippy. Would be even better in a small coupe like that. Enjoy!

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > B_dol 10/12/2015 at 23:46

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I’m sure you may be aware but mind the VANOS bolts and the Rod Bearings.... On the S54B32, if you keep using the TWS 10w60, it’s not a matter of if but when (120k miles and you’re lucky) the bearings will show significant wear, yes even on a 2007 S54

B_dol > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 10/13/2015 at 00:02

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Thanks for the tip, had a PPI on the car and there are a few stellar independent BMW mechanics in the area. Crossing my fingers, knowing there will be some sizable maintenance in my future (hopefully preventative)

B_dol > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 10/13/2015 at 00:03

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Stock pads for now (last track day for the season anyhow). Running Michelin Super Sports for tires.

If i get more into autocross/track (I go about 2x a year now), i’ll get a dedicated set of track pads and wheels/tires.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > B_dol 10/13/2015 at 06:33

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did they pull the oil pan to look at the rod bearings? I doubt it.

Has the rod bearing recall been performed? I think the 2007 Z4M was a part of it. Still the rod bearings should be treated as a maintenance item, and even moreso on cars that get driven rarely and don’t give the oil a good chance to heat up and stayed heated up during long and regular drives

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > B_dol 10/13/2015 at 06:38

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sweet! may I suggest Performance Friction 08 compound? After all of the track pads I’ve used, it’s my favorite because of longevity, modulation, rotor life, and (this reason should never really be a consideration for track-only pads) levels of dust.

There are stronger initial bite pads but this one, and other PFC products are my favorites.

bear in mind the Z4M is a bit heavier than the Toyobaru, so you’ll definitely a fluid flush with a better performing one.

B_dol > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 10/13/2015 at 10:51

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The shop is no stranger to the S54, specializes in E46 M3s and runs a few race cars himself. Previous owner tracked the car 2-3 times a year.

Not completely out of the woods, but safe to say its a fine example of an 8 yr old car.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 10/14/2015 at 11:27

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Do you think the rod bearing issues that some S85 and S65 engines have had are attributable to these cars being driven for lots of short trips where the engine and oil can’t come up to normal operating temp? The last Blackstone reports on mine seem to show they’re in good shape.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/14/2015 at 12:32

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I seem to think so. That oil is ridiculously thick for a DD. I’d switch to 5w40

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 10/14/2015 at 13:46

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There are quite a few that have switch to 0W40.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/14/2015 at 14:43

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close enough, same difference

LJ909 > B_dol 01/22/2016 at 18:53

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What made you get rid of the FR-S if you don’t mind me asking.

B_dol > LJ909 01/22/2016 at 19:48

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The FR-S is a great car and proper introduction to the tuner community and canyon driving. I enjoyed it’s modded state but I wanted something with a bit more oomph and the ability to toss my head back during heavy acceleration. Admittedly, I could have gone with forced induction but I was staring down the face of engine, cooling and braking modifications and that is a slippery slope.

In the Z4M I chose a developed platform with more character/panache, a very different driving personality, less aftermarket possibilities and still very easy to wrench on myself. I don’t claim to be wise, but I am focusing more on driving the car and neat experiences (track, weekend drives, road-trips) than modifying.

I’m happier with the Z4M it will stick around, but hopefully it’s not the only car in my future garage. Eyeing a crazy project or two once the pockets are deeper.

LJ909 > B_dol 01/22/2016 at 20:46

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I’ve been thinking about getting an FR-S myself now that my son is about to be out of his car seat. Great choice on the Z4M though, even more kudos on finding one that clean. That smooth 6 should give you way more driving enjoyment and will probably make you forget about the FR-S.

B_dol > LJ909 01/22/2016 at 22:42

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To be clear, the FR-S is an awesome platform up there with the S2000 for sheer driving enjoyment. The seating position and shifter are superior the Z4M and it handles like a go-kart, boosting driver confidence. 28-32mpg is also a lot nicer than 18-21.

I would not be surprised to end up back in an FRS/BRZ if they offer a more hardcore model. The young kids may sour its community and reputation, still an excellent car.