BoxClever's Z3

BoxClever

Zorg Legend
The M44 Massive
Joined
Sep 23, 2021
Points
79
Location
Bristol, UK
Model of Z
None currently
Are the stone guards magnetic? If so I had them on my Z3 s and didn't have a paint problem, but I only put them on when I went out in the car.So easy to peel on and off.
Is a good question - Tony mentioned it too. I don't know, they look like stuck on pieces of hard vinyl. I'll have a look in the morning :)
 

backseateducation

Zorg Guru (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 30, 2021
Points
114
Location
Par, Cornwall
I'm going to be the outlier as usual and say I like the decals.
Looks a decent car!
 

BoxClever

Zorg Legend
The M44 Massive
Joined
Sep 23, 2021
Points
79
Location
Bristol, UK
Model of Z
None currently
So... my first real update 24 hours after picking it up. I'm still in love with it, which is good! But it is not perfect, it polishes up well and goes really well, and I truly believe it is a solid and un-rusted 25 year old car. I think the only real issue the car has is that the body has a number of pin dents on most panels... and if a dent guy was charging per dent then it may cost more than the car's value!!

I went and saw my stereo specialist today and I've got a bit of a plan which I'll tell you more about when I start putting it into action. I don't know if I'm a lover of the wheels... I love the size of them but may look to swap them out for some other OEM 18's down the line, but for now they are nice enough to stay.

Anyway, here's some pictures of the non-shiny stuff, and you can see how clean the more hidden bits are. Will get underneath shots in the next week or so.

Thanks for reading!

Rich :)

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Those stone guards were vinyl but pealed straight off, the decals are a bit more stuck. I'll get to them on the weekend and polish off the remaining residue too. I've got a great little Milwaukee polisher that is perfect for these type of jobs :)
 
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BoxClever

Zorg Legend
The M44 Massive
Joined
Sep 23, 2021
Points
79
Location
Bristol, UK
Model of Z
None currently
Spent the day using the Z3 as a proper daily/runabout - have done 45 miles in 7 journeys and the temperature gauge didn't move from the middle and the car performed flawlessly. I'm loving the nippiness of the 16V, i'm used to 3 litre autos lazily wafting around!

I'm noticing some bounce from the front of the car - i'm used to sportier cars with lowered/harder suspension and i'm thinking of going down this route with the Z3. I'm lucky to have a bunch of friends who are just as much BMW fanatics as I am and they've rebuilt many cars between them.... they've suggested a Polish make of coilover called MTS. Has anyone had any experience with these?


They are highly recommended by my friends who have used them on E30's for years. And they come with Eibach springs which is a good sign. Any thoughts? I basically want them to lower the car a bit but also to freshen up the suspension feel.
 

BoxClever

Zorg Legend
The M44 Massive
Joined
Sep 23, 2021
Points
79
Location
Bristol, UK
Model of Z
None currently
Hello hello!

So I bit the bullet and decided to get the clutch done so the car will be pretty up-together mechanically and I got it back this morning and it has totally transformed the car. It drives so well and now can pull really hard in each and every gear and feels like a much better (and younger) car. I have stalled the car more times than i care to remember in the first hour of picking it up compared to the large amount of pedal travel I got used to and I'm now relearning how to drive a manual car! Probably not helped by driving big engined lazy autos for the last 10 years!!

My new "M style" rear lights arrived and also got the paperwork through for my private plate - so both were fitted today. I know the lights will be a bit marmite but I think they suit the car really well (aftermarket lights and the fitment is not great but OK) and is now finished off with putting my non-year plate on it. I'm a happy old fella.... for now!!

Next up is to fit the new stereo when it arrives tomorrow and until I decide to hit the go button for new coilovers I am done for the moment!! Oh, apart from taking the stickers off the sides at some point!!

Cheers,
Rich


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colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
Looking good, like to know more about the MTS kit, and compare with mainstream brands on price.
 

BoxClever

Zorg Legend
The M44 Massive
Joined
Sep 23, 2021
Points
79
Location
Bristol, UK
Model of Z
None currently
Youtube video on the MTS kit, looks well made…

Thanks Colin and sorry for my late reply. Will watch the video now but a lot of my BMW car crazy friends have now turned to MTS as a great midrange solution. 👍
 
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