In November 2006 I took delivery of the 2007 Z4 M Coupe now named "Scatha". She is named after the warrior maiden who taught the fabled Irish hero Cuchulain. Scatha was also a dragon of the Third Age in Tolkien mythology, which is in keeping with our habit of naming our BMWs after dragons: Tiamat (M5), Ancalagon (540iT), Scatha (Z4 MC). You can see the first pics of the Coupe in my first thread HERE
In the other thread I listed the first few mods, but I now realize that it would be more appropriate to start a new thread to serve as an ongoing chronicle of Scatha's trials and tribulations. Speaking of which, my buds at BMS and I have some serious plans for performance mods, some of which may become products suitable for other Z4 M owners.
My goal with Scatha is to better the already stellar performance of a great sports car without sacrificing reliability or comfort. While it is close to perfect, there are some features the Z4 M Coupe did not come with that I would like. There are also performance increases that for cost reasons are not suitable for mass consumption. The Coupe mods will be kept in the vein of BMW's original design; a comfortable, semi-luxurious sports car equally at home on the track or commuting.
As Scatha is modded I will update this thread (so bookmark/add subscription) with pics and descriptions of the mods. I am also continuously updating an Excel spreadsheet that tracks her weight, parts cost, hours invested, suppliers and part numbers. I will post that later on once there are a sufficient number of mods.
On with the show...
Mod 01
11-13-06
I swapped the dealer plate for one from a shop that understands customer support!
Mod 02
11-15-06
I changed out the plain silver OEM valve stem caps to OEM "M" caps.
Note: Thanks to Ron Stygar I was alerted that 2007 M Coupes MUST use the plastic caps instead of the brass-core ones. Part number for the plastic ones: 36 11 0 421 543
Mod 03
11-16-06
I added a calculator to the inside of the waterfall storage compartment door. I keep a fuel log, so having a calculator in the car is quite handy.
Mod 04
11-18-06
BMS hardwired my Valentine 1. If you don't already have one, go to www.valentineone.com now!
Mod 05
11-21-06, revised 1-19-07
iPod integration. My relatively frugal setup uses a Monster car charger with a 3mm/3mm cord mounted to a ProClip mount and holder. It outputs to the factory-installed 2007 Aux input. Pictured is the most updated setup, I plan to have the power hardwired and the wires shortened.
Mod 06
12-22-06
I added a www.bmsracecars.com sticker to the Coupe's rear glass. They work on all my BMWs, so all of my BMWs have the sticker as a way to say thanks.
Mod 07
1-19-07
BMS installed my Zeckhausen CDV today (http://www.zeckhausen.com/CDV.htm). I was surprised to feel that the difference is actually noticeable. The clutch travel is more linear and you can "feel" the clutch engage more precisely. I highly recommend this mod, which only costs about $40 shipped (+ labor, or DIY)! Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of this one, but you can see pics on Dave Z's website.
Mod 08
1-22-07
I added a 4" micro antenna. I think it looks a little better than the stock piece and will cut down on wind resistance
Mod 09
1-23-07
I installed (with a little help from BMS) the OEM nav tv retrofit kit. The instructions say it should take about 3 hours. This is accurate, IF you've done it before. I also took some extra time removing interior pieces from the trunk out of curiosity. There were some oddities during installation: The tv unit bracket already existed in my car, and the replacement carpet pad is not remotely close to fitting the Coupe. I suspect it was designed for the Roaster, as my stock piece still fits mine after installation. More irritatingly, there is no ideal place to tie down the antenna wires to the rear bumper. I tied them to the license plate light clips and I think that will be ok. Also, the two studs to which the antenna tips should mount didn't exist on my car! So I found two other studs used by another antenna (AM?) behind the bumper foam and mounted them there. The reception is as good as the same kit in our two E39s, so I guess it worked! I also got the TvFree cable so the system doesn't shut off over 3mph. Later will come a DVD player and remote IR eye.
The trunk, stripped:
Now with the bumper and battery removed:
All the panels that I pulled out:
It is necessary to remove the waterfall trim in order to pop out the DVD player to connect the new wires. This isn't actually difficult to do, but very tricky to figure out how it's held in when you are sans ETK:
The new tv module, now located next to the Premium Package amp:
It works! I know, the traffic report isn't very exiting. FYI: The picture quality is MUCH better when stationary or with a DVD playing through the systems Aux input.
Mod 10
1-24-07
I noticed a few weeks ago that the roundels and M badges on the sides of my Coupe were not installed correctly by the factory. Their horizontal lines, on BOTH sides did not line up. Figuring that I had to remove them to fix the problem I might as well see what the car looks like without the M badges. To my surprise I think it looks much better - cleaner. I AM leaving the trunk M badge on, and I plan to add another badge back there later on...
Residue from the logo. This rubs off fairly easily:
A poor quality indoor shot of the Coupe without the badges. Look for better pictures in future posts:
When I parked her at BMS to work on the NavTv project we decided that now was as good a time as any to see about replacing the huge OEM battery with a smaller race battery that would free up a lot of trunk space. This mod is not yet finished, but here is a pic of the cardboard template they are going to use to create a prototype billet aluminum battery tray:
I will also be relocating the M Mobility Kit and BMW Tool Kit. Here is a pic of the air compressor and an old MkIII nav DVD player where I plan to install a Microvision DVD player:
I will also have to fab up a trunk lining system to cover the new contours. I don't know how to do that, but I look forward to figuring it out. Btw, the new battery setup isn't by any means finished yet, but the battery weight difference is 34lbs! That's quite a weight savings, and it should free up about 2cu' of trunk space too :thumbup: I'll post more as these mods develop.
And speaking of weight, we weighed it last week on the BMS's scales. This was pretty much bone stock, with all my "stuff" out of the car, and 7/8 of a tank of fuel. She weighed in at 3277lbs - pretty much right on for the expected curb weight (full fluids/fuel) of 3303lbs. Front weight was 1649lbs (50.3%), rear weight was 1628lbs (49.7%). These percentages flipped when I was in the car, and of course would change as fuel burns off. To-date I have added 17.33lbs (net) to the car, but that doesn't count the unfinished battery relocation mod. That would bring the car's curb weight down from 3303lbs to 3289lbs. We have some plans to cut that number down a bit more too
Monday I'll be taking her to StopTech's headquarters to be used as a measurement/fitting mule. StopTech has not yet confirmed that they will in fact produce brakes for the Z4 M Coupe, but I think it's likely. Stay tuned for more...
In the other thread I listed the first few mods, but I now realize that it would be more appropriate to start a new thread to serve as an ongoing chronicle of Scatha's trials and tribulations. Speaking of which, my buds at BMS and I have some serious plans for performance mods, some of which may become products suitable for other Z4 M owners.
My goal with Scatha is to better the already stellar performance of a great sports car without sacrificing reliability or comfort. While it is close to perfect, there are some features the Z4 M Coupe did not come with that I would like. There are also performance increases that for cost reasons are not suitable for mass consumption. The Coupe mods will be kept in the vein of BMW's original design; a comfortable, semi-luxurious sports car equally at home on the track or commuting.
As Scatha is modded I will update this thread (so bookmark/add subscription) with pics and descriptions of the mods. I am also continuously updating an Excel spreadsheet that tracks her weight, parts cost, hours invested, suppliers and part numbers. I will post that later on once there are a sufficient number of mods.
On with the show...
Mod 01
11-13-06
I swapped the dealer plate for one from a shop that understands customer support!
Mod 02
11-15-06
I changed out the plain silver OEM valve stem caps to OEM "M" caps.
Note: Thanks to Ron Stygar I was alerted that 2007 M Coupes MUST use the plastic caps instead of the brass-core ones. Part number for the plastic ones: 36 11 0 421 543
Mod 03
11-16-06
I added a calculator to the inside of the waterfall storage compartment door. I keep a fuel log, so having a calculator in the car is quite handy.
Mod 04
11-18-06
BMS hardwired my Valentine 1. If you don't already have one, go to www.valentineone.com now!
Mod 05
11-21-06, revised 1-19-07
iPod integration. My relatively frugal setup uses a Monster car charger with a 3mm/3mm cord mounted to a ProClip mount and holder. It outputs to the factory-installed 2007 Aux input. Pictured is the most updated setup, I plan to have the power hardwired and the wires shortened.
Mod 06
12-22-06
I added a www.bmsracecars.com sticker to the Coupe's rear glass. They work on all my BMWs, so all of my BMWs have the sticker as a way to say thanks.
Mod 07
1-19-07
BMS installed my Zeckhausen CDV today (http://www.zeckhausen.com/CDV.htm). I was surprised to feel that the difference is actually noticeable. The clutch travel is more linear and you can "feel" the clutch engage more precisely. I highly recommend this mod, which only costs about $40 shipped (+ labor, or DIY)! Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of this one, but you can see pics on Dave Z's website.
Mod 08
1-22-07
I added a 4" micro antenna. I think it looks a little better than the stock piece and will cut down on wind resistance
Mod 09
1-23-07
I installed (with a little help from BMS) the OEM nav tv retrofit kit. The instructions say it should take about 3 hours. This is accurate, IF you've done it before. I also took some extra time removing interior pieces from the trunk out of curiosity. There were some oddities during installation: The tv unit bracket already existed in my car, and the replacement carpet pad is not remotely close to fitting the Coupe. I suspect it was designed for the Roaster, as my stock piece still fits mine after installation. More irritatingly, there is no ideal place to tie down the antenna wires to the rear bumper. I tied them to the license plate light clips and I think that will be ok. Also, the two studs to which the antenna tips should mount didn't exist on my car! So I found two other studs used by another antenna (AM?) behind the bumper foam and mounted them there. The reception is as good as the same kit in our two E39s, so I guess it worked! I also got the TvFree cable so the system doesn't shut off over 3mph. Later will come a DVD player and remote IR eye.
The trunk, stripped:
Now with the bumper and battery removed:
All the panels that I pulled out:
It is necessary to remove the waterfall trim in order to pop out the DVD player to connect the new wires. This isn't actually difficult to do, but very tricky to figure out how it's held in when you are sans ETK:
The new tv module, now located next to the Premium Package amp:
It works! I know, the traffic report isn't very exiting. FYI: The picture quality is MUCH better when stationary or with a DVD playing through the systems Aux input.
Mod 10
1-24-07
I noticed a few weeks ago that the roundels and M badges on the sides of my Coupe were not installed correctly by the factory. Their horizontal lines, on BOTH sides did not line up. Figuring that I had to remove them to fix the problem I might as well see what the car looks like without the M badges. To my surprise I think it looks much better - cleaner. I AM leaving the trunk M badge on, and I plan to add another badge back there later on...
Residue from the logo. This rubs off fairly easily:
A poor quality indoor shot of the Coupe without the badges. Look for better pictures in future posts:
When I parked her at BMS to work on the NavTv project we decided that now was as good a time as any to see about replacing the huge OEM battery with a smaller race battery that would free up a lot of trunk space. This mod is not yet finished, but here is a pic of the cardboard template they are going to use to create a prototype billet aluminum battery tray:
I will also be relocating the M Mobility Kit and BMW Tool Kit. Here is a pic of the air compressor and an old MkIII nav DVD player where I plan to install a Microvision DVD player:
I will also have to fab up a trunk lining system to cover the new contours. I don't know how to do that, but I look forward to figuring it out. Btw, the new battery setup isn't by any means finished yet, but the battery weight difference is 34lbs! That's quite a weight savings, and it should free up about 2cu' of trunk space too :thumbup: I'll post more as these mods develop.
And speaking of weight, we weighed it last week on the BMS's scales. This was pretty much bone stock, with all my "stuff" out of the car, and 7/8 of a tank of fuel. She weighed in at 3277lbs - pretty much right on for the expected curb weight (full fluids/fuel) of 3303lbs. Front weight was 1649lbs (50.3%), rear weight was 1628lbs (49.7%). These percentages flipped when I was in the car, and of course would change as fuel burns off. To-date I have added 17.33lbs (net) to the car, but that doesn't count the unfinished battery relocation mod. That would bring the car's curb weight down from 3303lbs to 3289lbs. We have some plans to cut that number down a bit more too
Monday I'll be taking her to StopTech's headquarters to be used as a measurement/fitting mule. StopTech has not yet confirmed that they will in fact produce brakes for the Z4 M Coupe, but I think it's likely. Stay tuned for more...