MyMCoupe.com
    a site dedicated to
     Scatha, a 2007 BMW Z4 ///M Coupe

Z4 M Coupe, Z4M, Z4MC, Z4MR, BMW MC
   Power            Chassis         Brakes and Wheels            Exterior     Interior            Gallery

Exterior Mods

     I never intended to alter the appearance of my M Coupe. It's a great looking car right off the showroom floor! But after studying it's design, and getting to know the beast within, several changes have been made. In every case I have tried by best to keep the aesthetic concepts of the original car intact, and perhaps build upon them with design concepts from BMW's history. Other exterior mods have been made for aerodynamic enhancement.

IE users: Mouseover any thumbnail for a caption of that picture, click to see it full size.
 

Mod # 65, Side Marker Vent

     This mod was developed to increase airflow through the engine bay, and conversely through the cooling surfaces. It has shown an oil temperature drop of about 10F, or more, depending on track details and ambient temperature. I incorporated the stock turn signal lamp, which still lights up.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		N/A
0:10
0.25lbs
Self		                   
     

Mod # 62, Front Splitter

     Designed by a guy who never quite brought it to market, this splitter was fitted and installed by BMS. I later replaced the fastening hardware with 100% stainless. It works very well, and I need to research methods of increasing rear downforce to better balance the aero load at higher speeds.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$450
2:00
2.84lbs
Na		                
     

Mod # 58, Removed Headlight Warning Stickers

     During installation of the CFR500 kit I noticed that these warning stickers detracted from the visual cleanliness of my M Coupe's engine bay. They are difficult to remove, as they are sliced into sections by BMW. I used brake cleaner and my fingernails to peel off the sections.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$0
0:15
0.00lbs
Na		 This picture shows one of the BMW warning stickers.    This picture shows the radiator cover after the sticker has been removed.
     

Mod # 55, Grill Trim Swap

     With the graphite grill insert a success I thought it would be worth while to go back to chrome grill trim. The combination echos the shine and depth of the Coupe's RG-R wheels, and also brings out the headlight reflectors' color. The pictures show the grills with silver trim, 1/2 and 1/2, and chrome trim.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$75
0:10
0.00lbs
BMW		 This picture shows my M Coupe with both grill trims in silver.    An exterior shot of my M Coupe with one silver grill trim and one chrome grill trim.    This picture shows my M Coupe with both grill trims in chrome.   
     

Mod # 53, Graphite Grill Inserts

     This mod fell into my lap as a fellow Z4 M Coupe owner had them on his Interlagos Blue MC and thought that black inserts would look better on his Coupe. I was curious how the graphite inserts would look on my multi-layered silver MC, so we swapped inserts. I like the effect.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$70
0:10
0.00lbs
BMW		 This picture shows my M Coupe with one black grill insert and one graphite grill insert.    An exterior shot of my M Coupe with both graphite grill inserts.    A distance shot of my MC with the graphite grill inserts in full sunlight.    An elevated picture of the MC with graphite grills.    A 3/4 angle view of my M Coupe with the new grills.
     

Mod # 51, Carbon Fiber Roof

     This carbon fiber roof was developed by BMS as a direct replacement roof for all Z4 Coupes. It is of the highest quality possible and fits great. It features a BMW-style 1x1 weave, much more sophisticated than common aftermarket carbon parts. Installation is pretty straightforward. You remove the headliner, remove the four roof bolts, cut the glue to release the BMW roof, clean the glue residue from the frame, apply new glue, mount the roof, secure and locate it with the roof bolts, weight the roof while the glue dries if necessary.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$1700
3:00
-12.00lbs
 BMS		 A close-up of the BMS carbon fiber Z4 M Coupe roof, highlighting the BMW-like 1x1 weave.
     

Mod # 47, Aluminum Oil Filler Cap

     I thought a brushed aluminum oil filler cap would compliment the other aluminum surfaces in the engine bay. I was wrong. Despite all logic, and great quality of the part, it just didn't look right. So I switched back to the stock black oil filler cap. Below are pictures of the engine bay with and without the aluminum filler cap.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$40
0:05
0.23lbs
Bimmian		 The engine bay of my Z4 M Coupe with brushed aluminum oil filler cap.    The engine bay of my Z4 M Coupe with brushed aluminum oil filler cap.
     

Mod # 46, Painted Coil Cover

     BMW's M engines, like the S54, serve a similar purpose to Ferrari's original Testarossa V12s. Testa Rossa in Italian means "red head". One of the most famous BMW colors is Imola Red, the color of my M Coupe's interior. As a low-weight way to dress up the engine bay I decided to paint the coil cover (often mistakenly called an engine cover) Imola Red. This was done with traditional automotive prep and paint, obtained through California Auto Body Supplies in Santa Ana, CA. The final step was to buff the clearcoat with 0000 steel wool to remove some of the clearcoat's shine. The resulting luster very closely mimicked the sheen of my M Coupe's Imola Red leather. Unfortunately after a lot of driving the gloss has come back. Some time in the future I may remove it and buff it again. Until then, it still looks good.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$70
2:00
0.0lbs
Cal. Auto Body		 My Z4 M Coupe's engine bay with the coil cover removed.    My Z4 M Coupe's coil cover, primed for painting.    My Z4 M Coupe's coil cover, after painting and buffing with steel wool.    My Z4 M Coupe's engine bay with the painted coil cover installed.

A side view of my Z4 M Coupe's engine bay with the painted coil color.
     

Mod # 45, Titanium Silver Grill Trim

     My earlier attempt at matching my grill trim to the shadow chrome of my BBS RG-Rs ended badly when the Duplicolor clearcoat could not withstand dirt impacts from driving and chipped frequently. I could not return the grills to their pre-Duplicolor state to try again, so I decided to sand them smooth and paint them to match the Titanium Silver of my M Coupe's body. The end result is very nice, but I still long for my custom shadow chrome. Perhaps I will buy another grill trim set in the future and try the shadow chrome approach with better clearcoat.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$70
1:00
0.0lbs
Cal. Auto Body		 My Z4 M Coupe's grill with Titanium Silver-painted trim.    My Z4 M Coupe with Titanium Silver-painted grills installed.
     

Mod # 44, Satin Black Rear Bumper Trim

     After the trial-by-vinyl I was convinced that the M Coupe's rear bumper looked better with the bottom portion blacked out. I used the same satin black trim paint as on the mirrors. I did all the prep and paint work in my garage, which presented no significant problems.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$25
2:30
0.0lbs
Cal. Auto Body		 The rear bumper of my Z4 M Coupe with the initial tape line.    The rear bumper of my Z4 M Coupe, masked for paint.    The rear bumper of my Z4 M Coupe, painted with satin black trim paint.    A low 3/4 view of my Z4 M Coupe's rear bumper, after painting.
     

Mod # 43, Satin Black Mirror Housings

     Aside from the effort to remove and reinstall the Z4's external mirror housings, this project followed the same procedure as #44. Again, the vinyl wrap convinced me that this was the look I was going for. The black trim paint exactly matched the color (yes, "black" can vary a lot) and sheen (satin finish) of the BMW trim around the mirror. The trim paint also did an excellent job of settling on the mirror housing surfaces. So far it has stood up to rocks well with no clearcoat. I occasionally touch it up with a little Ivory Black acrylic paint.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$40
2:30
0.0lbs
Cal. Auto Body		 My Z4 M Coupe's mirror housings and grill trim, sanded, ready for primering.    One of my Z4 M Coupe's mirror housings, after painting.    One of the mirror housings, reinstalled after painting.    One of the mirror housings, from the rear.
     

Mod # 41, RPI Skid Plates

     RPI has developed a great, light, inexpensive solution for driveway-induced scraping of the Z4 M's two front "fangs". Every Z4 M needs these! Installation is easy and installation is completely reversible.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$65
0:10
0.8lbs
RPI		 RPI Z4 M skidplates, prior to installation.    RPI Z4 M skidplate, installed (look closely at the bottom of the "fang")
     

Mod # 40, BMS Oil Filter Cover

     This lovely machined aluminum oil filter cover will fit most BMW engines, not just the S54. It has machined bosses for tapping oil temperature and pressure sending units. I haven't done this yet, but may.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$80
0:10
Not weighed
BMS		 BMS oil filter cover.    BMS oil filter cover, going well with the aluminum BMW strut bar and Dinan supplemental strut bars.    Close-up of the BMS oil filter cover.
     

Mod # 36, Side Marker Mod

     I learned of this brilliant idea through Bimmerfest's Z Forum. It's not for the faint of heart. First you remove the side marker (also called the hamburger or hockey puck). Then you take a Dremel cutting wheel to the clear plastic, cutting just inside the 1/2 mark. Break the remaining clear plastic from the base, and clean up the base as well as possible. Sand the bottom of clear plastic on the roundel side so it will seat well on the base. Then glue it on. I recommend epoxy or a good thick silicone adhesive. After the glue completely cures, remount the side marker. Everything will work as when it was stock, but it will stick out much less and look better.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$0
1:30
-0.02lbs
None		 The side of my Z4 M Coupe, with stock side marker.    The side of my Z4 M Coupe, with the shaved-down side marker.    Rear 3/4 view of my Z4 M Coupe, with shaved side markers.    Anther view of the shaved side marker.    High angle view of my Z4 M Coupe with the shaved side marker.  
     

Mod # 35, Deer Whistles

     I know it sounds hokey, but I swear they work. I mounted mine on a support behind the grills.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$15
0:10
0.06lbs
WalMart		 The deer whistles, on my small scale.    The deer whistles, installed on my Z4 M Coupe.
     

Mod # 31, Custom License Plate

     Even before I owned my M Coupe I thought it would be cool to turn it into the CSL version I knew BMW would never make. So I ordered the BMS CSL license plate. During development of the car the design changed away from a pure CSL concept. After the ESS supercharger was added UBER Z4 was suggested to me, so now Scatha wears that license plate.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$40
0:05
0.0lbs
DMV		 My Z4 M Coupe's new license plate.
     

Mod # 30, Shadow Chrome Grills

     Using Duplicolor's Metalcast spray I was able to accurately replicate the shadow chrome finish of my BBS RG-R wheels on my M Coupe's grill trim. Unfortunately Duplicolor's clearcoat is woefully lacking when it comes to protection and I had to repaint the trim - see Mod #45.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$15
1:00
0.0lbs
Pep Boys		 My Z4 M Coupe's shadow chrome grill next to the BBS RG-Rs.    My Z4 M Coupe's shadow chrome grill, next to a stock BMW grill.    The shadow chrome grills, installed on my Z4 M Coupe.    Another view of my Z4 M Coupe with the shadow chrome grills.
     

Mod # 24, Reflector Decals

     I got a set of cut-to-size silver vinyl stickers to cover the front and rear bumper reflectors from dansdecals. They very nearly match BMW's Titanium Silver, and are much less expensive than painting the reflectors. The rear reflectors will light up at night too, as the lights shine through the vinyl.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$5
0:15
0.0lbs
DansDecals		 A close-up on my Z4 M Coupe showing a front reflector covered with silver vinyl.
     

Mod # 23, Window Tint

     I got the windows tinted. The Coupe looks better, and the tint protects my eyes from developing cataracts.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$220
1:30
0.15lbs
Western Glass		 A layup of before/after pictures of my Z4 M Coupe.
     

Mod # 20, Track Map Stickers

     Scatha has a track map for every track she's been driven on. They go on easily and stay on very well.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$15
0:05
0.0lbs
TrackGraphic		 Some of the first track maps I installed on my Z4 M Coupe.
     

Mod # 19, Aluminum Roundel Stickers

     My M Coupe has brushed aluminum trim, fitting as there is a lot of aluminum used throughout the car. Because of this I opted for Bimmian's brushed aluminum roundel stickers instead of the more common carbon fiber stickers. I like the look and the individuality of the brushed aluminum.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$25
0:30
0.1lbs
Bimmian		 High side view of my Z4 M Coupe with brushed aluminum roundel stickers.    My Z4 M Coupe's interior with brushed aluminum stickers on the steering wheel roundel.    My Z4 M Coupe's engine bay with brushed aluminum roundel stickers.    The rear of my Z4 M Coupe, with brushed aluminum roundel stickers.
     

Mod # 17, BMW Roundel Swap

     I've done this mod on all three of my BMWs running BBS wheels (E39 M5, E39 540iT and E86 Z4 M Coupe). I like the way it dresses down the aftermarket statement of the wheels and better integrates them into the aesthetic of the BMW. In Scatha's case I then overlaid the roundels with brushed aluminum stickers cut from quadrants left over from Mod #19.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$25
0:30
-0.17lbs
eluka888, eBay		 70mm BMW roundels, mounted to BBS center cap backing plates.    A profile of my Z4 M Coupe with RG-Rs after BMW roundel swap.    A 3/4 rear view of my Z4 M Coupe with RG-Rs after BMW roundel swap.
     

Mod # 16, LaminX Headlight Protectant Film

     I recommend this product for anyone who owns a BMW. Headlights are expensive, and the film is fairly inexpensive, easy to install and protects very well. I got the clear 20mil film, but there are other colors and thicknesses available.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$50
0:30
0.35lbs
Bimmian		 My Z4 M Coupe's headlight, with 20mil clear film installed.
     

Mod # 10, M Badge Removal

     This mod is not in any way intended to disrespect BMW's M Division. The rear badge was removed in the process of fixing a door ding on my trunk. I didn't want to pay for a new one and liked the clean appearance. I removed the side badges because on every BMW Z4 M they are not level compared to the horizontal line of the adjacent side marker roundel. This really annoyed me, and I hope it annoys you too. I could have tried to re-apply the badges, but again I liked the cleaner look. And I don't need a badge to know my Coupe is an M.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$0
0:10
-0.03lbs
None		 Profile of my Z4 M Coupe, with M badge removed.
     

Mod # 8, Micro Antenna

     I don't consider myself to be too anal about appearances, but the huge whip antenna BMW saw fit to grace the Z4 with is a bit ridiculous. So I swapped it for a 4" antenna from Bimmian.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$20
0:05
0.0lbs
Bimmian		 The 4" Bimmian Micro Antenna on my Z4 M Coupe.
     

Mod # 6, BMS Sticker

     I have a BMSTUNING.COM sticker on each of my BMWs. It's how I reward a shop with extreme competence and honesty. I also designed the sticker and the logo it's based on.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$5
0:10
0.0lbs
 BMS		 BMSTUNING.COM sticker installed.
     

Mod # 2, BMW ///M Valve Stem Caps

     This is a small mod that suited the car when it was running the BMW wheels. Now the I'm running BBS RG-Rs I use the shadow chrome BBS valve stem caps.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$16
0:05
0.0lbs
BMW		 BMW M valve stem cap.
     

Mod # 1, BMS License Plate Frame

     Another form of advertising for a great shop.
M$RP:
Install Time:
Mass effect:
Vendor: 		$20
0:10
0.0lbs
 BMS		 BMS license plate frame.