NEW Z3 GOODIES FOR 2015

[Southernboy]

First off Merry Xmas to all the members who celebrate Xmas...
Below is a pic of the first fitted prototype of a non M gearshift surround. I will be having moulds made in the new year and getting them chromed or finished in a brushed aluminium finish. They are easy to fit and requires no drilling, cutting etc which will damage the OEM status of your cars.
The pic below is the result of several trials which finally resulted in this solution. As you will see if you look at the relative facia in your cars, there is literally 2.5mm between the hole for the window switches and the hole into which the gearshift boot is fitted. This was been the main problem to overcome and still to provide a stable and well fitted gearshift boot trim

 

[GazHyde]

Oooh, it must be Christmas I can see these selling exceptionally well Barry.

Let me know when you have more details and I'll add them to your sales page - https://zroadster.org/pages/Southernboys-BMW-Z3-Modifications/

 

[Lee]

Yeah Barry lots of people want this mod.

 

[Southernboy]

Yeah Barry lots of people what this mod.

Thanks for the enthusiasm guys.
As soon as I have a firm cost I'll post the info... Everyone is away right now and I still need to get the moulds done and find a decent chrome on plastics man.... I'm hoping for all that around the end of Jan next.

 

[t-tony]

Are they the same shape for Auto and manual Barry?

Thanks, Tony.

 

[Southernboy]

Are they the same shape for Auto and manual Barry?

Thanks, Tony.

I don't have access to an automatic facia. Perhaps if you do you can do some basic measurements and email them to me. If they are the same shape and size, it wouldn't be too difficult to adapt to fit the automatic set up. Send me your email addy and I'll mail you a diagram which you can use to compare the measurements.

 

[mini]

First off Merry Xmas to all the members who celebrate Xmas...
Belowif is a pic of the first fitted prototype of a non M gearshift surround. I will be having moulds made in the new year and getting them chromed or finished in a brushed aluminium finish. They are easy to fit and requires no drilling, cutting etc which will damage the OEM status of your cars.
The pic below is the result of several trials which finally resulted in this solution. As you will see if you look at the relative facia in your cars, there is literally 2.5mm between the hole for the window switches and the hole into which the gearshift boot is fitted. This was been the main problem to overcome and still to provide a stable and well fitted gearshift boot trim

Al be keeping check on this barry as I want my console silver too , looking to get the upper console done as well

 

[Fender2004]

Hi Barry
Really interested in this item it would be great if you can sort it all out.

 

[Southernboy]

Hi Barry
Really interested in this item it would be great if you can sort it all out.

I have sorted the technical issues required to fit the item. I am having a small hiccup with the guy who is machining the "positive" pattern from which the moulds will be made. Anyhow, I saw him this morning, and after some discussion, I showed him how to set up his machines to do the job... I was a little surprised at his lack of insight into what his machines are capable of doing, but at least he now knows for future requirements how to set it up to cut within .005mm accuracy.
The design and application issues are complete and tested...and it'll work perfectly ! Tony has asked me about applying the same trim to an automatic, but I will only be able to sort that once he has sent me more info / measurements.
The machinist now tells me he will have the part correctly machined by tomorrow morning...

 

[mini]

Thats great barry , will you be trying to replicate the upper facia where heater controls are and cd player sits in the near future too , I want this look but not the hassle of changing the hole console !!!!:-(

 

[Southernboy]

Thats great barry , will you be trying to replicate the upper facia where heater controls are and cd player sits in the near future too , I want this look but not the hassle of changing the hole console !!!!:-(

What exactly do you have in mind for the upper facia ? Are you referring to chrome surrounds for the radio? The Heater controls already have chrome surrounds. The radio is a problem because of the available space around the hole in the facia.

 

[Kit]

Just to say count me in as well.

 

[Southernboy]

Just to say count me in as well.

Mini...
Regarding the radio surround area...the main problem is the lack of any substantial space between the top of the heater control surrounds and the hole into which the radio fits. I did look at that once before, and there just isn't anything one can do without infringing into the hole. That would mean the radio wouldn't fit. The only other alternative will be to raise the radio by 2 - 3mm. which would require alteration to the upper horizontal hole line and raising the lower horizontal by the same ammount. It could be done, but not every one is firstly that competent with tools, and even have the tools which would be needed. To re-manufacture the facia completely would cost way too much just so a chrome bezel could be fitted... Sadly, it's the sort of thing one might do for ones own car only.

Re Kitcat (nice name) - thanks for the support... I'm hoping the gearshift surround will be ready around end of January - or sooner.

 

[Topperz]

Yes please,when you have them

 

[David Cullen]

LIKE!