Slowest Z Tweak Thread in the History of the Forum

[buze]

Might as well start a thread and document what I'm tweaking on the Zed, since I already made a handful of topics about various bits.
Here's my Z, as I've got it. 2.8 facelift, 60k miles. It has 'unusual' leather it seems, all the normal goodies from the 2.8, the radio/cd was replaced by an Alpine bluetooth thing.

What I know needs to be done (in no particular order):

• Replace all bushings [with poly ones ?].
• Fix the seat safety belts mounts and springs.
• Refurb VANOS.

Done bits:

• Fix corrosion on the mount of the chrome rack. DONE; brush, greased etc.
• Change position lights -- one is borken. DONE; From new eBay set
• Change repeaters for clear; Done.
• New rear tyres; Uniroyal Rainmasters 245/40R17Y
• Change plates. Done. Might still remove the front 'mount'...
• Change lamps; the passenger side one is 'cloudy'; it's been cleared with t-cut, but I want clear indicators anyway. Done: @spurs fan in a coupe angel eyes installed.
• Replace all indicators with LED, with @5harp3y relay. Done!
• Fix seat bushes! [Done: driver; passenger one is OK]
• Clean carpets, check underneath for corrosion [Done: Underneath isn't too bad at all!]
• Change Fog lights -- one is borken: Done [Aftermarket from @spurs]
  
• Replace Rear lights for clear ones. Done [From @spurs]
  
• Fix corrosion under the bonnet, at the grills cutouts. Done (mostly)
  
• Updated worn badges. Done.
• Changed antenna grommet. Done.
• Clean engine bay. Done.
• Add 20mm spacers like all the cool kids! 10mm at front. Done!
  
• Change rear shocks and mounts. DONE [Thanks to #zedshed for the front ones!]
  
• Changed front lolipops. Done.
• Get hard top! [Thanks to @spurs]
  
• Converted all lights to clear (Front, Repeaters and back)
• Changed Alloy badges.
• Replace bonnet cable, due to garage bodge. [Done: Garage]
• Re weld the diff bracket (3 spot welds are gone). [Done: Garage]
  
• Replace engine mounts. [Done: Garage]
  
• Replace Control arm bushes with Z3M version. Done
• Rerouted the coolant overflow pipe like Z3M [Done: Garage]
• Installed @5harp3y Noise Box. Done
• Refurbished passenger mirror entirely. Done.
  
• Got 18" MV1 'summer' wheels!
• Refurb alloys -- done; both #18s and MV1s
• Refurb/Change rear brakes
• Refurb/Change front brakes for E46 300mm ones
• Replace Water pump/thermostat, idler
• Replace sills.
• Resprayed!
• New "chrome" front grills.

I've never 'been' into cars, but I got a workshop with stuff like 3d printer, CNC etc; I'm more of an electronics engineer, so I've got quite a bit of a learning curve, and quite a few bits of kit to buy!

 

[buze]

Accumulating bits and bobs.

New plates, side/repeater, and new seat bushings.

'New' front projectors

 

[buze]

Here's also what the garage said about the car during it's service. I've already ordered 2 new rear tyres (Uniroyal Rainsport to match the front ones. Somehow the worn one is a different brand!)

 

[5harp3y]

looking forward to this.

good few projects to get you started.

car looks mega clean!

 

[buze]

Ordered one of these too: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331138934457

Oh, and a hydraulic jack, stands, and all kind of other stuff. My wife is looking at me with raise eyebrows, as usually my 'projects' are the size of a fingernail, or are guitar related

 

[the Nefyn cat]

It won't stop there, trust me. Once you start changing suspension bushes there's no point stopping till you've done the lot, been there done that And do I see room for a set of spacers? Answers on a postcard to the normal address. Got similar headlights on mine, certainly smartens the front end up.

 

[raymond]

Work to a budget and give priority to the mecanical issues before you consider the cosmetic aspects. Get a good quality socket set and some torq sets. Having a garage means you can take the car off the road in winter and do some work in the warm. Get the bonnet release fixed first !!!!!

 

[buze]

@raymond, I use the cosmetic bits as a bit of a warmup really. Doesn't involve any structural problem and that sort of things... I'm quite lucky also to have a Halford just down the road for gettings bits I need. So, how hard can it be? (famous last words ;-))

Where do you guys buy the OEM parts, like the bonnet release cable?

*also* important question -- any reference book I could buy on how to assemble/disassemble bits? The Haynes?!?! Or that one?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/BM...=UTF8&qid=1498498057&sr=8-16&keywords=z3+book

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Go back to the home page, you'll find a link to Sopers, I've used them many times myself, as have many others on here, they'll happily post stuff out to you. Don't know where your local main dealer is, but getting parts posted to me saves a 100 mile round trip to Llandudno every time. And that's worth saving.

 

[raymond]

BMW are the best place to buy parts. If they do not have them they will order them in 24 hours
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=CH33-USA-03-2000-Z3-BMW-Z3_28&diagId=41_0040 Parts are 09 /09 13 price in dollars so UK price similar. Ask for a 10% discount

 

[Grumps]

I shall follow with interest.

 

[Jonno Bee]

The Bentley book alongside the maintenance threads on this site I have found very useful
Looks like you found a fine 2.8!

 

[mwpe]

This is the Sopers thread, they are very good parts usually shipped post free and with a discount..

https://zroadster.org/threads/welcome-to-soper-of-lincoln-bmw-parts.3137/

 

[buze]

So, installed the new small lights I bought of ebay. They are 'ok' apart from the spring for the side lights. Metal is complete s***, and the spring broke immediately. Luckily I managed to extract the OEM springs and install them in place. The back of the light is very very similar, unlikely to be the same quality, but they match the shape.

Now the /profile/ is different; the OEM ones 'bulge' a bit, and don't diffuse the light terribly well -- the new one are 'flush' and I have to say look quite good, and have very nice light diffusion.

The signal repeaters are the same shape... again not /exactly/ the same quality, but close enough that they fit.

I'll ask a partial refund for the daft springs :/

Oh, new plates are ON too! The hidden meaning is that we're also keen clay pigeon shooters, thus the AYM 16 quid from ebay, the quality is excellent.

 

[mwpe]

A simple improvement for the sidelights is LED bulbs.

 

[billz]

Quite a bit of work going on. Very satisfying when you do most of the work yourself

 

[buze]

A simple improvement for the sidelights is LED bulbs.

No worries, @5harp3y and bulbs are on order for all around upgrade ;-)

 

[g8jka]

Nice work so far, keep it going. I had to bend the springs on my sidelights to get them sitting tightly, easiest way is to use the ones of the originals though.

 

[buze]

Ok, so I seem to have found the realoem page for the bonnet and all the bits.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sh...-1999-Z3-BMW-Z3_28&diagId=41_0040#51231977391

I think I need the cables (long + short, represented by #13), two 'lower part of lock' and two 'upper part of lock' to replace my corroded ones...
Does it make sense? I also found a page that explains how to do the replacement...
http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tec...-Hood_Release_Cable_and_Latch_Replacement.htm

 

[raymond]

Looks OK. Suggest you take chassis number to BMW along with registration number . Their parts counter is usually at the side or rear of the building where the men don't wear suits.