Great work and pics mate, keep it coming
Looking for a Z (Now found & Built!)
- Thread starter Aaron MacQ
- Start date
Aaron MacQ
Zorg Guru (I)
As promised, here's a walkaround vid of the car after a quick wash the day after we collected...
Today, we once again got the cleaning gear out and set to work.
Before getting going, I wanted to check the oil and coolant levels. I knew the car was so good when I viewed it that I think i skipped some of the basic checks. I just wanted to get it away from the previous owner before he trebled the price!
Anyway, i needn't have had any concern.
Coolant was a touch low, but check out the oil I removed from the dipstick!!
We mainly focused on the door and boot shuts and removing any tar from around the wheel arches and sills.
Then, much to my dads surprise, i told him to pop the rear lights out...
Well you cant have dirt behind your lights, can you?
We even found some corrosion under them!
Nothing too bad so we've hit it with some rust converter and a layer of wax to stop it dead and weatherproof it until we've time for a proper fix.
Up front, I degreased the doors hinges and some bits around the engine bay.
It was cold, and apparently some football match was more important, so after a hose down we dried it off, and dad went home.
Lol at my matt finish headlights... Don't worry, they'll buff to perfection when we get round to it.
Also took the chance to have a look at the shifter bush. I have a sticky 5th gear and whilst I know the proper fix is in the gearbox, a damaged bush could make it worse. Fortunately (Unfortunately ??) the bush was fine!
However, over the past few days we've made a list of everything we need to put it right and then some, so I'll get ordering that up tonight...
Build thread coming soon!!!
Today, we once again got the cleaning gear out and set to work.
Before getting going, I wanted to check the oil and coolant levels. I knew the car was so good when I viewed it that I think i skipped some of the basic checks. I just wanted to get it away from the previous owner before he trebled the price!
Anyway, i needn't have had any concern.
Coolant was a touch low, but check out the oil I removed from the dipstick!!
We mainly focused on the door and boot shuts and removing any tar from around the wheel arches and sills.
Then, much to my dads surprise, i told him to pop the rear lights out...
Well you cant have dirt behind your lights, can you?
We even found some corrosion under them!
Nothing too bad so we've hit it with some rust converter and a layer of wax to stop it dead and weatherproof it until we've time for a proper fix.
Up front, I degreased the doors hinges and some bits around the engine bay.
It was cold, and apparently some football match was more important, so after a hose down we dried it off, and dad went home.
Lol at my matt finish headlights... Don't worry, they'll buff to perfection when we get round to it.
Also took the chance to have a look at the shifter bush. I have a sticky 5th gear and whilst I know the proper fix is in the gearbox, a damaged bush could make it worse. Fortunately (Unfortunately ??) the bush was fine!
However, over the past few days we've made a list of everything we need to put it right and then some, so I'll get ordering that up tonight...
Build thread coming soon!!!
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Looking good, nothing dramatic going on there
That was like an inspection vid - a very good walk around view of the car - nothing too problematic to put right - probably the small stone chips and paint marks would be the most challenging and most expensive depending on your - your Dad's intentions with respect to spend - good luck with the project!
Looking pretty clean, was that a bit or corrosion on the bottom of the right rear of the outer sill? Didn't look too bad if it is. You did well with the purchase for sure! Onward to fixing all those small items, JIM
Aaron MacQ
Zorg Guru (I)
Thanks guys.
To be honest, the cars amazing.
For 19 year old, it has no wear on the interior, only 3 marks on the bodywork, all of which I can repair by hand and the only area of concern is the sills.
A load of dirt has gathered and corrosion has set in on all 4 lips, (front and rear both sides). I think I can rescue them, possibly without having to spray any paint but will know more next weekend when I'll pull my other cars out of the garage and get the Z in for some underside detailing and get the sills on a bench. Interested to see what it's like behind them.
Edit: Oh, totally forgot about the drivers side mirror base. It's a bit nasty, but we'll tackle that soon.
To be honest, the cars amazing.
For 19 year old, it has no wear on the interior, only 3 marks on the bodywork, all of which I can repair by hand and the only area of concern is the sills.
A load of dirt has gathered and corrosion has set in on all 4 lips, (front and rear both sides). I think I can rescue them, possibly without having to spray any paint but will know more next weekend when I'll pull my other cars out of the garage and get the Z in for some underside detailing and get the sills on a bench. Interested to see what it's like behind them.
Edit: Oh, totally forgot about the drivers side mirror base. It's a bit nasty, but we'll tackle that soon.
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Going on the general outside condition Aaron I can't imagine that you will uncover any horror stories. I will be watching with interest mate.
Tony.
Tony.
If the sills and mirror base are the worst you have you chose the right car and I''m sure many would have loved to only have those small issues to deal with!! I too was fortune to get a car with little wrong with it which was great because I bought it in the UK using my iPhone only and had it shipped 6K miles to Canada! JIM
Aaron MacQ
Zorg Guru (I)
So this arrived in the post today....
And low and behold, checkout the centrefold....
Our car's a March '98 build and this is the original Jan'98 published Z3 brochure from which the car would have been ordered.
I've always been a fan of cars wearing their 'signature colour', which is usually the one released along with a new model, or used in the brochure, demo cars etc...
You know what i mean?
As a result, my 2003 M3 is Silver Grey, the 106 is Sundance Yellow and the F20 M Sport is Estoril Blue... No other colours were considered.
I'll be honest and say I'd never heard of Palmetto 2 Green before this car showed up and I did my research, but turns out it's probably what I was looking for all along!
Good times.
Anyway, quick update on progress....
Haven't touched the car since Sunday although the beading on the paintwork is hard not to stare at, but have been busy ordering parts...
My dad's got a bit carried away and told me to order up up new wheels and tyres (18 inch Zito 359's), an exhaust (stainless steel his only requirement) and whatever we need for an M50 inlet conversion (as we know the m52b28 is a strangled engine), but I think it's better to get the stuff we need put right done first and see what's left in the bank as I know when he totals up the costs it'll somehow be my fault.
So far, on the way we've got a weatherproof lined cover (hopefully never to be used outdoors), the seat fix bushes, reconditioned front and rear brake calipers, new disks and pads, all fluids (engine, gearbox, diff, steering, coolant, brakes), new filters and a decent radio and stubby aerial. Also, new genuine wheel centres, and a fresh bonnet roundel.
The wheels are off for a refurb on Thursday in a brighter silver which should look awesome, along with the 15mm rear spacers I picked up last week.
We're planning to get the car into the garage and up on axle stands this weekend and start a full clean, inspection/tidy up of the underside. Probably blast and recoat the subframes, suspension arms and brake components in some very non-OEM colour whilst down there. My M3 is bright orange underneath!
Also, still to pull the trigger on suspension. I think I know what way we're going now and have narrowed it down to 3 options. Just depends what sort of deal we can put together with the suppliers.
That's all for now.
LaterZ... (see what I did there.... totally buying into the whole Z thing!)
And low and behold, checkout the centrefold....
Our car's a March '98 build and this is the original Jan'98 published Z3 brochure from which the car would have been ordered.
I've always been a fan of cars wearing their 'signature colour', which is usually the one released along with a new model, or used in the brochure, demo cars etc...
You know what i mean?
As a result, my 2003 M3 is Silver Grey, the 106 is Sundance Yellow and the F20 M Sport is Estoril Blue... No other colours were considered.
I'll be honest and say I'd never heard of Palmetto 2 Green before this car showed up and I did my research, but turns out it's probably what I was looking for all along!
Good times.
Anyway, quick update on progress....
Haven't touched the car since Sunday although the beading on the paintwork is hard not to stare at, but have been busy ordering parts...
My dad's got a bit carried away and told me to order up up new wheels and tyres (18 inch Zito 359's), an exhaust (stainless steel his only requirement) and whatever we need for an M50 inlet conversion (as we know the m52b28 is a strangled engine), but I think it's better to get the stuff we need put right done first and see what's left in the bank as I know when he totals up the costs it'll somehow be my fault.
So far, on the way we've got a weatherproof lined cover (hopefully never to be used outdoors), the seat fix bushes, reconditioned front and rear brake calipers, new disks and pads, all fluids (engine, gearbox, diff, steering, coolant, brakes), new filters and a decent radio and stubby aerial. Also, new genuine wheel centres, and a fresh bonnet roundel.
The wheels are off for a refurb on Thursday in a brighter silver which should look awesome, along with the 15mm rear spacers I picked up last week.
We're planning to get the car into the garage and up on axle stands this weekend and start a full clean, inspection/tidy up of the underside. Probably blast and recoat the subframes, suspension arms and brake components in some very non-OEM colour whilst down there. My M3 is bright orange underneath!
Also, still to pull the trigger on suspension. I think I know what way we're going now and have narrowed it down to 3 options. Just depends what sort of deal we can put together with the suppliers.
That's all for now.
LaterZ... (see what I did there.... totally buying into the whole Z thing!)
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Sounds like you are giving it a good overhaul, make sure you do a progress thread so we can follow the journey!
Top effort, look forward to seeing the results.
keep the updates coming! looks like its going to be a proper job!
Aaron MacQ
Zorg Guru (I)
Awesome! whats needed to do this upgrade ?
Aaron MacQ
Zorg Guru (I)
You need e46 330 M Sport (petrol or diesel) calipers, carriers, disks and pads and should bolt on with out any issue.
Need 17 inch wheels and even some of those may have issues if they're a funny shape or have wheel weights in the way of the caliper rotating, but i'm told BMW OEM 17" rims are fine. Will find out soon!
Anyway, I got the carriers out of a scrap yard, then bought reconditioned calipers from Brakes International for £65/side. Could have got a used pair recon'd for £15 cheaper, but used calipers would have cost more than £15 as i'd got the carriers already! Rears will be getting blasted with fresh seals too. Maybe a piston if they need it.
Then fresh slotted/drilled disks and pads from Mtec.
All in, i've brand new brakes 325mm front / standard size rear all round for under £350...
Prob should fit some braided hoses too, but that's another £120 from HEL...
Need 17 inch wheels and even some of those may have issues if they're a funny shape or have wheel weights in the way of the caliper rotating, but i'm told BMW OEM 17" rims are fine. Will find out soon!
Anyway, I got the carriers out of a scrap yard, then bought reconditioned calipers from Brakes International for £65/side. Could have got a used pair recon'd for £15 cheaper, but used calipers would have cost more than £15 as i'd got the carriers already! Rears will be getting blasted with fresh seals too. Maybe a piston if they need it.
Then fresh slotted/drilled disks and pads from Mtec.
All in, i've brand new brakes 325mm front / standard size rear all round for under £350...
Prob should fit some braided hoses too, but that's another £120 from HEL...
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2016
- Points
- 231
- Model of Z
- Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
I ordered some HELs today from Dag Hose Supplies, not to dear either.
Aaron MacQ
Zorg Guru (I)
Flip it's hard to get much work done today with my 2nd Christmas in a month!
