BMW Z3 - The car I didn't want, need or have time for
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The car I neither wanted nor needed.... The £275 BMW Z3
Its a common story on here - have been lurking for a long time but never really had anything exciting to contribute so never actually joined but now I've got a reason...
This little saga began when an old school friend contacted me to say his dads car had failed the MOT and did I know anyone who wanted a project.
To say his timing was good was an understatement. Since my Mk1 GTI went a couple of years ago (new parent and ensuing lack of use, and frustration at not really being able to use it meant that I sold it) there has been an empty hole in the garage and I was missing working on cars. My own car (MINI Challenge 210 doesn't need any work (although I have changed the brakes to X1 brakes) and my wifes Polo is frustratingly reliable especially considering the lack of care the car sees.
This is tricky as our garage is tiny - was just about be enough for the Golf so anything modern wont fit (and its filled with kid detritus now anyway)
Anyway - onto the car - its a BMW Z3. I drove my bosses brand new one in 2002 and enjoyed it, I've had a few Z4s (soft tops ones and newer folding hardtop ones) and like the idea of a weekend summer car. Unfortunately its got the smallest engine and an auto box - cant say I'm expecting much but hey - the fail list looked 'doable' and it wasn't exactly a massive risk as he only wanted £300 for it!
So I popped over to take a look - from my examination (and the fail sheet) I toted up in my head what was required:
Good things
75,000 miles
Same owner for the last 12 years
Loads of history
Generally tidy
Little corrosion that I could spot - bet that will change the more I dig
M44 engine seems generally reliable
Bad things
No MOT
Lacquer peel
Bit of rust around the sill covers
Its less 'Hellrot' and a little more..... well faded....
So of course I bought it. I'm planning to keep this updated on my journey, and costs hopefully, to either a) getting the car back on the road or b) me dragging it into a field and setting fire to it.
Update to follow...
Its a common story on here - have been lurking for a long time but never really had anything exciting to contribute so never actually joined but now I've got a reason...
This little saga began when an old school friend contacted me to say his dads car had failed the MOT and did I know anyone who wanted a project.
To say his timing was good was an understatement. Since my Mk1 GTI went a couple of years ago (new parent and ensuing lack of use, and frustration at not really being able to use it meant that I sold it) there has been an empty hole in the garage and I was missing working on cars. My own car (MINI Challenge 210 doesn't need any work (although I have changed the brakes to X1 brakes) and my wifes Polo is frustratingly reliable especially considering the lack of care the car sees.
This is tricky as our garage is tiny - was just about be enough for the Golf so anything modern wont fit (and its filled with kid detritus now anyway)
Anyway - onto the car - its a BMW Z3. I drove my bosses brand new one in 2002 and enjoyed it, I've had a few Z4s (soft tops ones and newer folding hardtop ones) and like the idea of a weekend summer car. Unfortunately its got the smallest engine and an auto box - cant say I'm expecting much but hey - the fail list looked 'doable' and it wasn't exactly a massive risk as he only wanted £300 for it!
So I popped over to take a look - from my examination (and the fail sheet) I toted up in my head what was required:
Good things
75,000 miles
Same owner for the last 12 years
Loads of history
Generally tidy
Little corrosion that I could spot - bet that will change the more I dig
M44 engine seems generally reliable
Bad things
No MOT
Lacquer peel
Bit of rust around the sill covers
Its less 'Hellrot' and a little more..... well faded....
So of course I bought it. I'm planning to keep this updated on my journey, and costs hopefully, to either a) getting the car back on the road or b) me dragging it into a field and setting fire to it.
Update to follow...
So clearly with a big list of work to get underway I went out and sourced a replacement interior 
In my defence it was free from FBook marketplace and in better material and condition than the one in the car....
What else it was though was green in places as it had been stood outside but a quick go with the neighbours carpet cleaner and its looking ok.
Also picked up a 2nd hand backbox for the princely sum of £40 - new ones seem to be the same price as the car and I'm aiming to get this back on the road for around the same as the purchase price
In my defence it was free from FBook marketplace and in better material and condition than the one in the car....
What else it was though was green in places as it had been stood outside but a quick go with the neighbours carpet cleaner and its looking ok.
Also picked up a 2nd hand backbox for the princely sum of £40 - new ones seem to be the same price as the car and I'm aiming to get this back on the road for around the same as the purchase price
To bring this up to date the following work has now been done:
- Springs replaced both O/S/F and N/S/F (£50.47 both)
- New wishbones (£57.65 both + Bushes £2.98)
No issue found with the tyre so not replacing that
Now the car is up in the air at the rear and I've started stripping to replace the rear subframe bushes - which are a pain to do from what I have seen. To make it a little easier I have decided to not replace with standard (they have to be pressed in in situ - or remove whole subframe) but I'm using the Powerflex ones with can be pushed in more or less by hand (£83.20)
Exhaust and heat shield have now been removed and next plan is to disconnect the prop shaft - I'm doing this in 30min to 1hr slots as I get time around the family and other jobs so don't expect quick progress!
- Springs replaced both O/S/F and N/S/F (£50.47 both)
- New wishbones (£57.65 both + Bushes £2.98)
No issue found with the tyre so not replacing that
Now the car is up in the air at the rear and I've started stripping to replace the rear subframe bushes - which are a pain to do from what I have seen. To make it a little easier I have decided to not replace with standard (they have to be pressed in in situ - or remove whole subframe) but I'm using the Powerflex ones with can be pushed in more or less by hand (£83.20)
Exhaust and heat shield have now been removed and next plan is to disconnect the prop shaft - I'm doing this in 30min to 1hr slots as I get time around the family and other jobs so don't expect quick progress!
White2408 said:
rockin said:
I like your "cunning piece of carpet device" to prevent the car pushing the ramps backwards instead of driving up them. Brilliant!
Cant take credit for it I'm afraid, saw it online ages ago - really helps though 
£275 is a steal (even considering what needs doing)
Oof! Jealous! I had my eye on one around the corner that looked a bit ropey but passed it's MOT each year. I always had intentions on making an offer but with covid I haven't felt keen on knocking randomly on someone's door... It's clearly been scrapped in the last month or so. Shame, rare colour too.
Looking forward to seeing how this project develops!
Looking forward to seeing how this project develops!
beambeam1 said:
Oof! Jealous! I had my eye on one around the corner that looked a bit ropey but passed it's MOT each year. I always had intentions on making an offer but with covid I haven't felt keen on knocking randomly on someone's door... It's clearly been scrapped in the last month or so. Shame, rare colour too.
Looking forward to seeing how this project develops!
Thats a real shame - Its too good to break and I think thats where it would have been heading so nice to be able to 'rescue' itLooking forward to seeing how this project develops!
.reapercushions said:
Do you live across from that Porsche dealership? I bet you see some very cool metal in and out most days!?
Ha, I was wondering the same! I'd be like a fat kid living next to KFC if that was my house!Nice purchase OP, I'm liking these more and more as time passes..... Look forward to the updates.
White2408 said:
beambeam1 said:
Oof! Jealous! I had my eye on one around the corner that looked a bit ropey but passed it's MOT each year. I always had intentions on making an offer but with covid I haven't felt keen on knocking randomly on someone's door... It's clearly been scrapped in the last month or so. Shame, rare colour too.
Looking forward to seeing how this project develops!
Thats a real shame - Its too good to break and I think thats where it would have been heading so nice to be able to 'rescue' itLooking forward to seeing how this project develops!
I think it's called "Turkish Green" but happy to be corrected by those that know more!
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