Let me introduce my Baby

One Spanner Frank

Zorg Addict
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Aug 4, 2015
Points
61
Location
Carlton, Nottingham
Model of Z
2.8 auto
Well, I have introduced myself. Now let me introduce my baby. She was made on the 10/06/1997 is finished in Arctic Silver. Has a 2.8l engine. Is Automatic. She has had three or four different registration numbers during her short life and has now reverted to her original R715 SST.

Comparison to other cars is difficult. She doesn’t accelerate like my Firebird, but she doesn’t use as much fuel as it did. She uses less fuel than my previous 1.6 Astra and is certainly a better vehicle to drive. She was the most exciting car that I have ever driven. Those big wheels and wide tyres introduced me to tram lining, something I had not experienced prior to driving a Z3. Point the car in any direction and press the accelerator and wow, I never knew where the car was going to go. A set of new tyres helped, but not that much, Powerflex bushes on the wishbones cured the problem.

MoTs are peculiar. I get advisories on Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components. (The trays were fitted from new by BMW.) N/S headlamp pattern poor. O.K. fit a new headlamp. Then I saw the price of a new headlamp. I ended up with a pair of Angel-eye headlamps from Taiwan for £249, but they included bulbs and were a direct fit. The big one is O/S/R outer sill corroded. Actually both were and new ones are not available. So a big(ish) bodyshop job.

We exist quite happily together, although we are not doing a lot of mileage nowadays as I use an Eco-flex Insignia for most of my driving. (It’s the 80mpg that does it.) And I don’t do a lot of maintenance myself, but, I still have my spanner!

Photos later.
 

Jack Ratt

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
The West Country
Joined
Dec 3, 2013
Points
200
Location
TRURO, CORNWALL
Model of Z
2.8i AUTO and 2.8i MANUAL
Hello Frank, I'm sure one of the members on here is making and selling replica Z3 sills in GRP
 

oldcarman

Zorg Guru (V)
Supporter
Canadian Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Feb 11, 2014
Points
188
Location
Pine Falls Manitoba can.
Model of Z
1.9 M44
Hi one spanner, you want @Stormy_be in Belgium who has many glass pieces available for your car including sills! He'll be along shotly I'm sure. JIM
 

Stormy_be

Zorg Guru (II)
Belgian Zeds
Joined
Oct 29, 2013
Points
112
Location
Belgium, ieper
Model of Z
Z3 2.8 Roadster
Hi,

Yep, I produce sills in fiberglass :)
I suppose (as you stated it's a 2.8) it is a wide body example? (as the 1.9 slim body has different sills)
I made some moulds from my own 2.8 wide body sills.
I produce them in gelcoat finish. So they preferably need painting to perfectly match your colour of paint.
I produce them for 225€ a pair (considering that's almost the price BMW retail 1 side for)
Although the sills are not supporting any weight and they are not a structural part of the car, the fiberglass pieces I produce are at least as strong as the metal onces.

2 bonuses:
fiberglass does not rust...ever
It is a (slight) reduction in weight

Regards, Koen
 

Bazza

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
The West Country
Joined
Oct 15, 2013
Points
156
Location
Verwood Dorset
Model of Z
2.8 Roadster
:welcome: is one spanner for one nut?=))=))=))=))=))=))=)) enjoy great bunch on this site
 

ZTec

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Oct 18, 2014
Points
171
Location
Llantwit Major
Model of Z
Z3
Hi and welcome to the forum from Wales

regards
Tec
 

Bazza

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
The West Country
Joined
Oct 15, 2013
Points
156
Location
Verwood Dorset
Model of Z
2.8 Roadster
Don't be silly. It is a double open ender and fits three nuts: one at each end and one holding the spanner!
LOVE IT CANT WAIT TO MEET YOU=)) can I borrow your spanner=))=))=))=))=))=))=))=)) I've got a loose nut:nailbiting:
 

t-tony

The Legend
Deceased
Supporter
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
Not the one behind the steering wheel I trust.:thumbsup:

Tony.
 

Mint

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
East Anglian Crew
Joined
Sep 23, 2012
Points
222
Location
Stafford
Model of Z
2.2 Sport Individual

pgunter

Zorg Guru (V)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Aug 15, 2014
Points
185
Location
Winchester
Model of Z
2.2i Sport Zedshed Special
@M666BMG As for one of the many... You should know that as you were the first.. !!! :whistle:
 

One Spanner Frank

Zorg Addict
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Aug 4, 2015
Points
61
Location
Carlton, Nottingham
Model of Z
2.8 auto
Hi,

Yep, I produce sills in fiberglass :)
I suppose (as you stated it's a 2.8) it is a wide body example? (as the 1.9 slim body has different sills)
I made some moulds from my own 2.8 wide body sills.
I produce them in gelcoat finish. So they preferably need painting to perfectly match your colour of paint.
I produce them for 225€ a pair (considering that's almost the price BMW retail 1 side for)
Although the sills are not supporting any weight and they are not a structural part of the car, the fiberglass pieces I produce are at least as strong as the metal onces.

2 bonuses:
fiberglass does not rust...ever
It is a (slight) reduction in weight

Regards, Koen
Thanks for the information, I will bare it in mind when starting the job.
 

One Spanner Frank

Zorg Addict
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Aug 4, 2015
Points
61
Location
Carlton, Nottingham
Model of Z
2.8 auto
Let's put the 'nuts' behind us and I will tell you what I have found out about my Z3.

Using the BMW archive shows that she is indeed a 2.8l automatic and was made on the 10th of June of 1997.
She has the following options fitted from new:-
Automatic transmission, airbag for the passenger, heated mirrors and seats and central locking. A green windscreen and a black soft top.
(Optional extra? Was the standard model 'open'?) She has velour floor mats, warning triangle and first aid kit (long gone), headlight cleaning system, air conditioning, an on board computer, radio preparation and a battery master switch. (I cannot find this item.) And of course the transport protection package.

But, she was registered on the 22/08/97 as R7 ALY. I have no idea what the price was when new, but a few months later she was sold in Hinkley, with 2600 miles on the clock for £31,000:00p. At this time she was registered as R715 SST. What happened to her between 26/05/98 and 08/03/05 I do not know, but according to the MoT records the following changes were made:-
08/03/05 became J11 LYA
06/03/06 became N55 EAL
22/03/08 became R715 SST again.
16/10/08 became M999 PJR
22/09/09 became R715 SST again and remains so.

In 2008 a second hand (control?) arm was fitted with slight play in the ball joint. I didn't think that arms were that costly.
An HPI check in 2009 found that she had a 5 speed manual gearbox. As far as I am aware she has always been an automatic.

Since I have been the owner, apart from normal servicing, 1 front spring and control arm were replaced. Both wishbones had power flex bushes fitted. New tyres all round and Angel-eye headlights have been fitted. A new tracked end has been fitted to replace a perished rubber cover. She is due for a visit to the paint shop next month. Something whines a bit at the rear, but she keeps on going.
 
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