The Random E46/ZHP Question Thread

[704sw]

My 22 year old miata has far less broken plastic and rubber bits than my zhp. And 40,000 more miles.

I’m already sold on adding a Miata to the stable, you can stop trying to convince me.

[holyc0w]

Fixed

[slater]

My 22 year old miata has far less broken plastic and rubber bits than my zhp. And 40,000 more miles.

weird. but it probably has far less plastic, anyway. also, you live in a much more consistent-temperature climate, it's the hot-cold-hot-cold-hot-cold that kills plastic.

[holyc0w]

Wrap is a lot thinner than most people realize—not much heavier than aluminum foil. If it’s not smooth as a baby’s ass, you’ll see the texture through the wrap.

I'm also reading that the adhesive could pull the coating off the trim if you need to re-adjust the wrap.

[fredo]

I want to refresh the suspension on my 2005 ZHP with 145k miles. I have most of the service recs since 2005, and I can see only this has been done to the suspension:

@ 90k miles : front control arm bushings (FCABs)
@ 126k miles : rear trailing arm bushings (RTABs)

I'm thinking this FCP suspension kit plus new FCABs should help my car big time:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...em-33500429577

Any thoughts or suggestions ?

[Sockethead]

Probably needs FCAB by now. I just did my front control arms at around 143k and the old ones were still in great shape same with the RTAB. You might want make sure they are truly worn out before spending the time and money for replacements.

[holyc0w]

+1

Some sort of inspection would be recommended. The swaybar could also be fine, though that should be checked along with the end-links. End-links are more likely to be worn and cheaper.

That kit also doesn't have the strut mounts and rear shock mounts. That would be recommended along with the reinforcement pieces.

[stephenkirsh]

weird. but it probably has far less plastic, anyway. also, you live in a much more consistent-temperature climate, it's the hot-cold-hot-cold-hot-cold that kills plastic.

Both cars are 100% California cars. Both spent plenty of time parked outside. One car is 2x older with 1/2 the frequency of plastic breakage.

[BMWCurves]

I want to refresh the suspension on my 2005 ZHP with 145k miles. I have most of the service recs since 2005, and I can see only this has been done to the suspension:

@ 90k miles : front control arm bushings (FCABs)
@ 126k miles : rear trailing arm bushings (RTABs)

I'm thinking this FCP suspension kit plus new FCABs should help my car big time:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...em-33500429577

Any thoughts or suggestions ?

I agree with the previous posters. As I said earlier, it depends how far you want to go for your suspension refresh. Personally, I'd do as much as I could at once so you wouldn't have to think about parts for another 50k miles minimum. Things you might consider:

• Shocks/struts: I have Koni Yellows and have nothing but high praise for them (except for the manner of adjusting the rear shocks is a bit tedious.
• If you want a top-adjustable Koni Sport rear shock, you can use the ones meant for the Porsche 911 (part no. 82101159SPORT). This means the shocks won't have to be removed to be adjusted. I'm not 100% if any modifications are necessary to get the shock to fit or not). They're currently set at 3/4 turn from full soft and in my opinion it's a great balance of performance and daily comfort i.e. much more comfortable than my completely worn factory Sachs shocks, yet still better at damping as well. Other members have the Koni FSDs, and I'm sure you can't go wrong with them either. Plus, Koni supposedly has a great warranty and they shouldn't wear out on you like Sachs shocks do after about 50k miles.
• Shock/strut mounts: Replace these while you're in there. For the rear mounts, I'd suggest the Rogue Engineering ones. They cost a pretty penny, but they're much beefier than OEM and once they're installed you don't have to rip up your trunk to replace the shocks in the future, they're accessible from the wheel well.
• Strut tower reenforcement/rough road plates: cheap insurance to help against mushroom tower deformation.
• Z4M FCABs: I like them for the extra castor and solid rubber. Factory-spec rubber would be fine, but they're gel-filled I believe.
• Z4M RTABs: paired with Vorshlag poly limiters. Peter will chime in and tell you about the Bimmerworld spherical RTABs. I was too lazy to wait for him to install them and give me his thoughts, but if I were to do it again, I'd probably go that route.
• Springs: wholely dependent upon your goals. I kept stock springs because they're the right mix of comfort and performance and as much as I'd like a bit of a drop in my car, where I drive has far too many driveways and things that I would scrape my front bumper on if I lowered my car.
• Front and rear sway bar end links
• Front and rear sway bar bushings
• Spring pads front and rear: mine were old and cracked. Worth replacing
• Dust boots front and rear: optional, just pieces of plastic. One of mine was ripped at 50k miles.
• Bump stops front and rear: I replaced them because I was in there, but mine were in perfectly decent shape at 50k miles.

I'm sure there are other items people will suggest, but that's my list. You can read more in my 50k miles suspension refresh here: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...miles-10-years

[danewilson77]

Has anyone ever seen a pulley with this kind of wear?



Sent from my S8+