Well have owned my great little z for a year now and thought it would be nice to have a progress thread.
She's not the first 2.8 i've owned by definitely the most cared for.
I brought the car early May 15 birthday present /wedding present from my wife.
Wasn't looking for one until having exhausted the search for a nice Audi TT moved to the Bmw market place.
Looked at loads and decided that for me it had to be an early 2.8 i love the curves of this car and think its one if the best classic lined cars made.
So here she is.....
A very tidy example in great condition picked her up for £2500 with full history and a new mot. I hadn't driven her far on the test drive and was smiling ear to ear and knew it was the right car.
I had at first thought to leave her stock a very tidy car and very honest but as with most things the itch started and i decided to start spending.
Had a private plate on retention for many years never finding a car worthy of putting it on but this was soon remedied along with the first mod which was an @Southernboy clear indicator change along with the rear lights and side repeaters ,a simple mod but one that cleans the car and makes it look fresher.
I aquired a clear perspex wind deflector from @TaffZee when he moved from his 3 in to his 4 makes roof down motoring alittle more plesant.
Attention them moved to the wheels at first was staying with what was fitted and spaced the rears to fill the arch out but as with those dam itches i had to scratch yet another one so purchased a new set and the aggressive look was good more suited to it in person than picture for some reason but she sat on her new shoes.
Enevitibly it had to be lowered, again i sourced some springs from a member @Alan Slade and the new look pleased the eye...
The next few mods where cosmetic i aquired some z3m side gills and an interior arm rest something i think the zed should have had as standard.
The interior of the car was in exception condition for its age but i longed for Sports seats along with the comfort and heating!
Looked along while and found a sensible priced set and although they where water marked thought they may clean up and as they where beige jumped in and snapped them up.
Again not in bad condition but a few repairs, i replaced a bit of stitching in the drivers bolster and repaired the heated lower section as when i tested them there was a fault.
Had a heat mat from a kit i brought to fix a seat in my previous car so cut it to shape and fitted it.
Although i had them all back together the cleaning never worked so after alot of research and question asking i plumped for a redye.
First crack at anything like this but nothing to loose so cracked on to get the look i wanted....
Enjoyed the process and after putting it all back together gave me a great result and one of the cars biggest transformations..
The next mod was the exhaust it was fine in condition but whether its just my ocd on all things zed or preference i decided on a change.
It wasn't the condition it was the tail pipe size and more annoying to me the fact that they pointed down
So £290 later a 2 box system cat back was fitted at custompipes in Doncaster.
The result was great not to loud but enough to enhance the gorgeous striaght 6's sound.
And staggered pipes to fit the bumper curve and fill the cutout in the bumper.
Having got air out i looked at getting air in and again i thought why buy what i maybe able to make so after inspiration from @Rha i made one. Found myself a bin that was the shape i wanted and modified it to house a 7 " filter and produced this..
Works well car pulls through the rev range in every gear 5th as good as 1st and a great sound to boot whilst not looking amis in the engine bay.
The strutt brace i added a while back again a forum member @Gizmozed sold me this and added to that under bonnet bling and functionality.
After all this change my favourite wheels appeared in a to die for staggered set up they fitted perfect and the zed gained the look it has today
Brought myself a da polisher and set about the body with it was always good but its definatly enhanced it and given the car a deeper shine.
The rest is as we say history.....
Now i have this written at least i can update it as it goes on its not an illness honest just a passion
Hope you enjoy my journey.....
She's not the first 2.8 i've owned by definitely the most cared for.
I brought the car early May 15 birthday present /wedding present from my wife.
Wasn't looking for one until having exhausted the search for a nice Audi TT moved to the Bmw market place.
Looked at loads and decided that for me it had to be an early 2.8 i love the curves of this car and think its one if the best classic lined cars made.
So here she is.....
A very tidy example in great condition picked her up for £2500 with full history and a new mot. I hadn't driven her far on the test drive and was smiling ear to ear and knew it was the right car.
I had at first thought to leave her stock a very tidy car and very honest but as with most things the itch started and i decided to start spending.
Had a private plate on retention for many years never finding a car worthy of putting it on but this was soon remedied along with the first mod which was an @Southernboy clear indicator change along with the rear lights and side repeaters ,a simple mod but one that cleans the car and makes it look fresher.
I aquired a clear perspex wind deflector from @TaffZee when he moved from his 3 in to his 4 makes roof down motoring alittle more plesant.
Attention them moved to the wheels at first was staying with what was fitted and spaced the rears to fill the arch out but as with those dam itches i had to scratch yet another one so purchased a new set and the aggressive look was good more suited to it in person than picture for some reason but she sat on her new shoes.
Enevitibly it had to be lowered, again i sourced some springs from a member @Alan Slade and the new look pleased the eye...
The next few mods where cosmetic i aquired some z3m side gills and an interior arm rest something i think the zed should have had as standard.
The interior of the car was in exception condition for its age but i longed for Sports seats along with the comfort and heating!
Looked along while and found a sensible priced set and although they where water marked thought they may clean up and as they where beige jumped in and snapped them up.
Again not in bad condition but a few repairs, i replaced a bit of stitching in the drivers bolster and repaired the heated lower section as when i tested them there was a fault.
Had a heat mat from a kit i brought to fix a seat in my previous car so cut it to shape and fitted it.
Although i had them all back together the cleaning never worked so after alot of research and question asking i plumped for a redye.
First crack at anything like this but nothing to loose so cracked on to get the look i wanted....
Enjoyed the process and after putting it all back together gave me a great result and one of the cars biggest transformations..
The next mod was the exhaust it was fine in condition but whether its just my ocd on all things zed or preference i decided on a change.
It wasn't the condition it was the tail pipe size and more annoying to me the fact that they pointed down
So £290 later a 2 box system cat back was fitted at custompipes in Doncaster.
The result was great not to loud but enough to enhance the gorgeous striaght 6's sound.
And staggered pipes to fit the bumper curve and fill the cutout in the bumper.
Having got air out i looked at getting air in and again i thought why buy what i maybe able to make so after inspiration from @Rha i made one. Found myself a bin that was the shape i wanted and modified it to house a 7 " filter and produced this..
Works well car pulls through the rev range in every gear 5th as good as 1st and a great sound to boot whilst not looking amis in the engine bay.
The strutt brace i added a while back again a forum member @Gizmozed sold me this and added to that under bonnet bling and functionality.
After all this change my favourite wheels appeared in a to die for staggered set up they fitted perfect and the zed gained the look it has today
Brought myself a da polisher and set about the body with it was always good but its definatly enhanced it and given the car a deeper shine.
The rest is as we say history.....
Now i have this written at least i can update it as it goes on its not an illness honest just a passion
Hope you enjoy my journey.....
Last edited:
bargain
