Dumb Question Thread - No Flaming Allowed

[BigRussia]

Awesome stuff, yeah that was the one thing I was looking at in pics to compare the two caliper types, the thinner looking seal on the ZCP/Z4M's bigger diameter 46mm piston. The seal looks thinner and closer to the caliper housing bore compared to the double lip look of the standard 42mm pistons, so thanks for confirming that! I am actually looking to rebuild a spare reman front brake caliper with new ATE seals as a project, so I will def hit you up if I run into any issues with that.

I'm convinced these eBay rear brakes I received are from a standard E46 M3 and a previous owner of them just did a good gloss black paint job. Dunno how the seller mixed them up as being E86 Z4M ones, but they seem to be a big junkyard business account so happens I guess. (pics attached from the ebay listing)

Following up on this, as I got another pair of Z4M rear brakes after returning that first pair from eBay.. and I'm wondering if there is misinformation or am I a dummy who isn't measuring the piston size correctly? Am i wrong to measure the piston face and the 4mm increase in piston size from 42mm to 46mm is behind the dust seals?
This new pair I bought on Zpost forum from a part out sale thread of a 2006 Z4M, so theres no doubt they're truly Z4M rear brakes, they have the bigger wrap over dust seals too along w being powdercoated black.. but the pistons again measure 42mm instead of 46mm at the face

[PSUEng]

Following up on this, as I got another pair of Z4M rear brakes after returning that first pair from eBay.. and I'm wondering if there is misinformation or am I a dummy who isn't measuring the piston size correctly? Am i wrong to measure the piston face and the 4mm increase in piston size from 42mm to 46mm is behind the dust seals?
This new pair I bought on Zpost forum from a part out sale thread of a 2006 Z4M, so theres no doubt they're truly Z4M rear brakes, they have the bigger wrap over dust seals too along w being powdercoated black.. but the pistons again measure 42mm instead of 46mm at the face

EDIT: I pulled some photos of my pistons when I cleaned them as part of my rebuild, and the piston is larger further back than where you are measuring. Mine too measure 42mm at the face and the old seals I pulled measure on the order of 46mm (hard to get them perfectly round to measure).

[Avedis]

If I want to delete the multi function steering wheel buttons on the upper steering wheel trim, can I simply swap in this blank upper steering wheel trim?

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...p/61318383366/

[r4dr]

Following up on this, as I got another pair of Z4M rear brakes after returning that first pair from eBay.. and I'm wondering if there is misinformation or am I a dummy who isn't measuring the piston size correctly? Am i wrong to measure the piston face and the 4mm increase in piston size from 42mm to 46mm is behind the dust seals?
This new pair I bought on Zpost forum from a part out sale thread of a 2006 Z4M, so theres no doubt they're truly Z4M rear brakes, they have the bigger wrap over dust seals too along w being powdercoated black.. but the pistons again measure 42mm instead of 46mm at the face

You need to use a pair of calipers and measure the diameter of the actual piston body.

[BigRussia]

EDIT: I pulled some photos of my pistons when I cleaned them as part of my rebuild, and the piston is larger further back than where you are measuring. Mine too measure 42mm at the face and the old seals I pulled measure on the order of 46mm (hard to get them perfectly round to measure).

Great, thanks again for confirming and the info! Now I can go ahead and clean these up without worrying I'm wasting my time cleaning the wrong brakes again haha. I guess it makes sense they use the same piston face as the standard non-ZCP brakes since they both use the same brake pads (good on BMW to not complicate things there).

[Cubieman]

Is there something I am missing I'm regards to a CSL style (Karbonius for example) center console installation?

I seem to have read something recently about its not just a simple swap, there are other parts or something one must get to properly use the CSL console.

[zzyzx85]

Is there something I am missing I'm regards to a CSL style (Karbonius for example) center console installation?

I seem to have read something recently about its not just a simple swap, there are other parts or something one must get to properly use the CSL console.

mirror adjustor relocation to the center console?

[Cubieman]

mirror adjustor relocation to the center console?

Ok, didn't know about that!

[fattycharged]

need to source the two bolts for the timing cover pointer/guide...halp

[heinzboehmer]

need to source the two bolts for the timing cover pointer/guide...halp

07119904527: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=11_2989

They're grade 8.8 M6x20 with a washer if you'd rather just run down to the hardware store.

[PSUEng]

Need some assistance confirming P/N for the clip in the engine bay holding the battery cable in place (see photo). I *think* it's 61138350836 but can't seem to positively nail this one down using RealOEM. BTW--should we have a thread dedicated to "I can't find P/N"? Might be useful ? Thanks!

[heinzboehmer]

Yeah 61138350836: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ip-61138350836

[PSUEng]

Man I love this thread....here goes another...

Why is my clutch pedal squeaking? And, what to do about it? I'm sure my trusty tube of Wurth True Glide can fix whatever is causing this...

[Tbonem3]

Bushings?

[CrisSilberGrau]

What is the standard break in procedure with installing new cams (schrick 280/72) on existing followers? Is there an observed general distance to be travelled and what rpm should nit generally be gone over?