Slowest Z Tweak Thread in the History of the Forum

[buze]

Ok stopped for new boots at the back today, got 2 Uniroyal rainmasters installed -- took the opportunity to take a pic of the bottom of the car from that angle. Seems the shock absorbers are quite corroded. Oh and the brake disks are worn too...

Any of you eagle eyed masters see anything 'wrong' beside that at the back of the car? Anything to add to my list?

Tools and bits have been tricking in as well!

This week-end I'm driving the car to wales and back -- I'm on my own, so it'd be a good road test, and I'll get to take a few nice pics as well from the welsh highlands -- looking forward to that!

 

[t-tony]

Don't be too concerned about how the shockers look on the outside, it's what happens inside that is important. The discs don't look a bad order at all either, They're bright right across the full face of the braking area, and that's quite rare to see, is there much of a wear-lip on the edge as it doesn't look as though there is?
Also looks as though both rear springs have been changed recently too.

Tony.

 

[buze]

I have to say it drive pretty well, no tramlining that I can detect. Just a bit of clonking from the underneath I suppose, and from the seat (especially now that I 'drive' the car a bit more). I'm being careful with the engine not to be too brutish, let the clutch gently in before gently pushing the RPMs. Likewise when engine bracking.

Guy a the garage said the clonking is because of all the perished rubber bushings. So I'm staying very gentle about this lady, until I get to have it resprung on poly bushings... First job will *definitely* be the seats tho, I'm starting to notice it more and more. I'm the 1.75m 95kg rugby (player) shaped person, so there's lots of inertia going around

 

[colb]

A good pressure washer or steam clean and then paint or waxoyle the suspension and underside wouldn't go amiss, pull the spare out and give it a good clean. Discs look ok but paint the calipers and the drum part of the disc would tidy it all up.

 

[Faheem]

Are you sure that your noise isn't the rear shock mounts? Very common failure on these zeds, if you dont know when or if they've been replaced I'd start there.

 

[buze]

Are you sure that your noise isn't the rear shock mounts? Very common failure on these zeds, if you dont know when or if they've been replaced I'd start there.

Ahah, I'm sure of absolutely *nothing* at all -- the noise *seems* to be when I switch from accelerating to braking for example (or the other way around)... I don't hear a specific noise when on the road at constant speed; could that still be the mounts? From what I've seen, it's not too hard to change, even for a newb like me, so I'll add these to the list as well

 

[buze]

So a good four hours driving today, little bit of motorway, the rest on A roads. I'm starting to get the 'feel of the car, and I love it! Took a little time to get to know which RPM to play with; discovered the ~2450rpm 'boost' (Is that the VANOS effect?) and I'm really well pleased. Also the first time people turn their head when I drive around. In a 18 years old car, not bad!

Computer says 33mpg. Can I beleive *that* ? it's true I've been keeping it nice and quiet most of the way; apart from a twisty segment in wales where I more or less stayed in 3rd to play a bit...

There is sometimes a bit of oversteer JUST as I turn into a corner, but it's not all the time, would it be a sign of the front bushes being weak?

 

[5harp3y]

Oversteer as you turn in?

That will be rwd-Ness

Understeer is a z3 trait

 

[buze]

So, is there a case for a car getting /better/ after a few hundred miles? today I did a good 4 hours driving around mid wales, hill roads, A roads, tracks, you name it, I've been on some!
I did my favourite road of the country (Newbridge on wye <-> Beulah) and back, and I have to say the car seems better than it was. it clunks less! How is that possible? The one when braking is still there, but seems theres less clunking when changing gear. My brake a squeaking tho in some cases. And the clutch as well, a little bit, again in some cases..

Saw *3* Z3s! One in aberystwyth, a lovely pre-facelift M with nice wheels; I met the chap -- typical Welsh bloke who had the car for 2 years and love it! Saw another Z3 in Devil's Bridge -- blue one; I waved but didn't see them long enough. Third one as on the road out of Rhayader, and lovely black + red leather, these guys blinked and waved as I passed..

Anyway, here's mine overlooking Borth.

 

[buze]

Tomorrow is another lovely day -- perfect driving weather for top down, not TOO hot. I'm driving down to sommerset (burnham on sea) then I head back to berkshire, but I'll take the small roads via Glastonblurry (<- my spelling, anyone who goes there in winter will know why) all the way across to reading.

 

[Antm72]

The car could improve depends how it was used by the previous owner, giving it some beans may help blow out the cobwebs and free it up a bit.
These cars love to be driven many smiles per mile and is why they are loved by their owners.

 

[buze]

Look at me, LOOK AT ME! Not only did I buy the 'advanced' set of tools from Halford (I have a LOT of tools, in about 2000 different places) (Said toolbox is on sales 50% off BTW) BUT I did the first 'major' project bit (well for me anyway).

Installed @spurs fan in a coupe Angel eyes projectors, LED indicators, @5harp3y LED relay, and almost everything still works. Well one beam projector isn't working, but it's likely the bulb...

I had a bit of freeze at the time I cut the cable to the side lights to hook the angel eyes -- and I faffed around a bit too much 'making sure' about the splicing, and yes I had to learn how to use the plastic mounts for the screws to realign with the bonnet, and yes I DID spend a lot of time cleaning every bolts from any trace of rust.

But, shazam!

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

Looks great, I hope you're pleased

 

[raymond]

Coming on well. Always put a small amount of anti seize compound or grease on the bolts and nuts.

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

Standard indicator housing has straightt rarher than offset pins.

So looks like Taiwan has made a different fitting

Do the old original holders fit the angel eyes units?

 

[buze]

Standard indicator housing has straightt rarher than offset pins.

So looks like Taiwan has made a different fitting

Do the old original holders fit the angel eyes units?

Nope, I tried! OEMs are bigger diameter. It's quite odd really, as the chrome bulb that was installed is ALSO excentric, which means it must be done 'on purpose'

 

[t-tony]

Orange indicator bulbs have offset pins.

Tony.

 

[5harp3y]

great work! well done!

 

[5harp3y]

Orange indicator bulbs have offset pins.

Tony.

Mine didn't, had straight pins as i ordered offset as per the internet but they didn't fit

 

[t-tony]

Were they standard everyday type lights though. We only use offset pin ones at work for modern European cars.

Tony.