I am looking to put a few dollars into the used Z4 I just bought. I was thinking about the following:

- increase flow / cold air intake system
- performance increasing chip

- new brake pads (althought the car on the whole is in great shape, the pads on the brakes were rusty and look terrible)

Aany other ideas or advice on what else I should be focusing on? I have never made any modifications to prior cars so I have no idea what is a good idea and what is a waste of money.

Well you're on the right track as you are not considering exhausts. Although I like exhausts on the Z4 many here have said (through using the search function) that it is not a worthwhile mod, unless you enjoy the sound (I admit I do).

Most use the AFE intake, however I have heard that there are fitment issues; specifically rubbing with the hood. You can find them on ebay for around 325. You can also look at Dinan, but it is pricey although it fits like OEM (if you are within a warranty period then I would go Dinan, but otherwise no reason to).

As far as chips go I would look at Dinan tuning. I am not sure who on here has tried the Shark Injector for the Z4.

Looking for new pads then look at Axxis Ultimates as it dusts less than stock, has good initial bite, and doesn't seem to fade under heavy braking. If you are looking for a more track oriented pad then I suggest Hawk (there are many more brands which escape me at the moment, but I like the hawks).

There are some mods that can give you a more vesceral experience. For instance removing the foam in the sound generator (use search to find out more). Upgrding plugs (most likely they have never beeen changed). New fuel filter (most likely never been changed also). All of which will restore performance (except the foam, that's for more noise).

Best upgrade for the car would be some sort of performance driving school (not joking its what others have said on here and its true). After that look for suspension pieces.

Best of luck.

all depends on how much money you want to spend...

I bought have done a few mods... here and there... in the past few months... most of which i was able to PASS BY THE WIFE with out her noticing any money missing from the checking account.

Cold air intake... WILL definatly make the car much louder when on a hard acceleration. BUT your fuel milage will definatly GO UP!!! also a quick note, remove the driverside grill, and inside you will find a plastic air scoop, which points straight up... remove that, it actually seems to make a difference on the highway, as it helps air increase air flow when removed. ALSO, note just a side note, when you install the CAI your going to get a metallic rattle noise that you can hear around town when your at cruising speeds neither accelerating or decelerating... supposedly its normal valve noise...

I went with a COSMO system, filter and Heat Sheild (fiberglass) cost about 170 or so... make sure you repaint it, otherwise its kinda ugly.

I did remove the foam in the air generator... removed both peices... both removed, it was a little on the annoying side for the wifey, so i put one in... Honestly with the CAI and the top down... The sound growls pretty loud anyways.

here is a quick list of what i have done... with prices:

COLD AIR INTAKE BOX & FILTER (cosmo racing) ***repainted & installed*** ~ $175.00 ~

RAM AIR INTAKE (unrestrict) ***complete*** ~ $ 0.00 ~

RESONATOR REMOVED ***complete*** ~ $55.00 ~

SOUND GENERATOR FOAM REMOVAL ***complete*** ~ $ 0.00 ~

CLEAR BRA INSTALL (opt'd out this at the stealership, will install myself) **ORDERED/RCVD - ebay** ~ $35.00 ~

ANTENNA - 3" black rubber stubby ***installed*** ~ $14.00 ~

FOG LIGHTS/DRL BULBS (H7 & H11 4300k) ***installed*** ~ $30.00 ~

OEM CHROME EXHAUST TIPS ***installed*** ~ $63.00 ~

SHARK MOUTH SILVER GRILL ***installed*** ~ $135.00 ~

CHROME BMW VALVE STEMS & CAPS ***installed*** ~ $ 17.00 ~

BMW SEATBELT PADS ***installed*** ~ $ 15.00 ~

REAR MESH WINDSCREEN ***installed*** ~ $ 0.00 ~

Great help! Thanks, I know this won't give me huge hp increase. But it seems like a good start.

Any other ideas on how to find a good shop to help install as I am mechanically challenged

Great help! Thanks, I know this won't give me huge hp increase. But it seems like a good start.

Any other ideas on how to find a good shop to help install as I am mechanically challenged

honestly... mechanically challenged or not... your definatly not going to need a mechanic to install a cold air intake... i think the entire assembly is held on with 2 little bolts... bolt off... pull off... then screw off... put the tube through the hole on the heat shield, slide air filter on tube, screw hose clamp, and install 1 bolt on heat shield...

to remove the air shield in the grill... unsnap the grill, and pull little platic tab... and the shield just comes right off the car... resnap grill on.

sound generator... no tools needed... just pull on plastic tube, look in it, you will see foam, pull foam out... put tube back on...

antanea... just unscrews and rescrews

resonator... let any muffler shop do it... takes them about 15-30 mins

also if you want step by step how to do's... i did a write up on this forum... here:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=735071&highlight=z4+mods