Cat S '98 Z3 M Roadster repair

[Gareth Rowbotham]

SO, my original "Hi, I'm new" post became a bit of a thread as people said "Hi" but I also posted early repair details of my new acquisition. A Cat S 98 Z3 M Roadster in Estoril Blue - my favourite spec in my favourite colour. I was hoping the damage wouldn't be too bad, but it's not good news... so I've made a new post in Progress - as I think this may take a while....

The original thread with all the piccies I've taken so far is here:

New member with new Z3 M Roadster

Hi everyone! Just joined as I’ve just acquired a new Z3 M Roadster. It’s a Category S crash damaged one that I’m gonna bring back to life! She’s a 98 Estoril Blue S50 - the reg is S850BWW - with 61k on the clock. I’m hoping there’s not too much damage. Already replaced the alloy that was...

zroadster.org

When I replaced the two busted rear alloys and got her running, it turns out the drivers side rear wheel don't sit right. It's offset forward slightly at an angle both vertically and horizontally - basically twisted. It doesn't drive too bad at all considering but it needs sorting. So we've had it up on a lift this morning at my trusted local garage and both the subframe and the drivers side swing arm are bent, by over an inch!!!

His recommendation... Replace both. So off to the internet to get costs....

Anyone got any recommendations as to the best places to look?

 

[Nodzed]

You may struggle with M parts, rear beam is different to non Ms not sure about the swing arms. May be worth looking at German ebay?

 

[Gareth Rowbotham]

Anyone want a laugh...

Just popped into the local BMW dealer - its near where I work - to see how much original parts are....

Sub frame - £988+VAT
Delivery in 7 to 10days

Rear offside swing arm £1544 + VAT
Delivery date - No idea...!!! They said it might take MONTHS but wouldn't even commit to that!!!

 

[Gareth Rowbotham]

Also - they wouldn't give out the part numbers because "people will just go and buy them elsewhere for less"

No Sh*t Sherlock!!!

Anyone know a way of getting the part numbers (specifically for the M Roadster) so that I can do exactly what the main dealer doesn't want me too....

 

[Jjim]

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/partgrp?id=CK92-EUR-04-1998-Z3-BMW-Z3_M&mg=33

 

[Nodzed]

That's just amazing price for the swing arm. Thought the beam would be more.

 

[Synclare]

.

 

[D R Oldfield]

hi is it not the same back end as E36 M3 would it not be possible to look for one of them as i have seen a few being broken on Ebay and Gumtree

 

[mwpe]

The Z back end is E30 not E36.

 

[Lee]

Just an idea, fit a 6 cyl subframe from the non M and use z4 hubs to maintain the correct offset. The differences between the two are an internal beam brace and an extra strengthening on the arms. These wont effect the operation getting your zed back on the road.

 

[Gareth Rowbotham]

@Sean d has been there already and r/o/s swing arms are no longer available. The 'M' he had in was deemed not repairable and taken away. Unless this is the same car (think it was black though)

Gulp...! Better start looking for used parts!!!

Anyone breaking an M Roadster???

 

[Gareth Rowbotham]

The Z back end is E30 not E36.

Am I right in thinking the back end of the M Roadster is different to the normal E30 based Z wide body too? I thought the trailing arm was strengthened for the M version?

 

[Gareth Rowbotham]

Just an idea, fit a 6 cyl subframe from the non M and use z4 hubs to maintain the correct offset. The differences between the two are an internal beam brace and an extra strengthening on the arms. These wont effect the operation getting your zed back on the road.

I'm gonna try and keep it as original as possible, but out of the box solutions like this may be a last resort!

 

[Lee]

Spot on. The arms and beam are different on the M. Beam as extra strengthening inside and the arms have an extra brace. The geo is also different on the rear.

 

[Sean d]

As synclaire said, I had one in the body shop, got the same price as you for the swing arm, all told we ordered £7000 worth if parts, however the swing are was not available, BMW scoured various parts of the world over 6-7 month period, we where recieving emails a daily basis from various parts of BMW and in the end they stated the part is no longer available, I felt for the customer as she loved her z3, she explored lots of avenues to no avail, she even found a company to fabricate one from scratch and also looked at buying a wright off to get the parts, however we weren't prepared to fit anything other then new parts

 

[andyglym]

As synclaire said, I had one in the body shop, got the same price as you for the swing arm, all told we ordered £7000 worth if parts, however the swing are was not available, BMW scoured various parts of the world over 6-7 month period, we where recieving emails a daily basis from various parts of BMW and in the end they stated the part is no longer available, I felt for the customer as she loved her z3, she explored lots of avenues to no avail, she even found a company to fabricate one from scratch and also looked at buying a wright off to get the parts, however we weren't prepared to fit anything other then new parts

I take it that's an insurance liability thing mate?

 

[Gareth Rowbotham]

As synclaire said, I had one in the body shop, got the same price as you for the swing arm, all told we ordered £7000 worth if parts, however the swing are was not available, BMW scoured various parts of the world over 6-7 month period, we where recieving emails a daily basis from various parts of BMW and in the end they stated the part is no longer available, I felt for the customer as she loved her z3, she explored lots of avenues to no avail, she even found a company to fabricate one from scratch and also looked at buying a wright off to get the parts, however we weren't prepared to fit anything other then new parts

I will have to go down the route of used parts... I appreciate that you said you wouldn’t fit them, but did your customers search ever come up with any used swing arms along the way?

 

[Sean d]

I will have to go down the route of use parts... I appreciate that you said you wouldn’t fit them, but did your customers search ever come up with any used swing arms along the way?

From what I remember she may have found one in US, but I think she got messed around

 

[Sean d]

From what I remember she may have found one in US, but I think she got messed around

Just remembered, they where lustig the original part that is not available, she is a member on here, hopefully she will come on and tell us she got her car sorted

 

[Althulas]

Might be worth contacting the seller if it’s a rolling shell.

BREAKING BMW Z3M Convertible HPI Clear Body Shell. Bidding For Wheel Bolt | eBay

GENUINE 1998 BMW Z3M 3.2 Convertible. Genuine Z3M Bootlid Sold. Topaz Blue Hardtop with genuine fitting kit £1200. Centre console in black & blue £500. Bare Body shell. Breaking for parts. Tri colour M steering wheel £175.

www.ebay.co.uk

There’s a beam state side but would be near the same price as a brand new one, and what right trailing arms there are asking big money cheapest one state side.

Damaged 1998-2002 BMW Z3 M Right Rear Trailing Control Arm Wheel Bearing | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Damaged 1998-2002 BMW Z3 M Right Rear Trailing Control Arm Wheel Bearing at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

This might be worth a trawl through or making a enquiry. There are a few coupe ones listed but if ///M or 2.8 I’m not sure

https://www.partrequest.com/catalog/control-arms-and-parts/bmw/bmw-z3?page=2

I hope you can source your parts reasonably but there is some greedy buggers out there