My 1998 BMW Z3 2.8 Roadster

[pangsterz3]

I bought my BMW Z3 about 2 years ago (February 2009) and thought it would be a good idea to start a Journal so I could keep track of it's progress.

I was originally looking for a Black or Silver Z3 - but when I saw this Montreal Blue it ticked all of the boxes and I knew I had to have it. It's original owner was a doctor who specced it reasonably well in addition he also picked a nice black/beige leather combo interior (as opposed to the complete beige leather) that seemed to be more prevalent in the vast majority of Montreal Blue Z3's - which was one of the first things I noticed about the car! It's other 2 owners seemed to have cared for it equally as well and the paperwork confirmed full service history and that it had been covered by a BMW Extended Warranty up until 2006.

ORIGINAL PICTURES (February 2009) FROM FOR SALE ADVERT:






CAR DETAILS:
Type code CJ32
Type Z3 (EUR)
E series E36 (7)
Series 3
Type ROADSTER
Steering RIGHT
Doors 2
Engine M52
Displacement 2.80
Power 142 KW / 193 BHP
Drive HECK
Transmission MANUAL
Colour MONTREALBLAU METALLIC (297)
Upholstery LEDER OREGON/BEIGE E36 SANDBEIGE E3 (Q2SN)
Prod.date 1998-01-15

FACTORY FITTED OPTIONS:
HEATED WINDSCREEN WASHER NOZZLES Door mirror / driver's lock, heated
SOFTTOP BLACK Softtop, black
SOFTTOP OPERATION, ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC Softtop, electromech. semiautom.
FLOOR MATS, VELOUR Floor mats, velours
WARNING TRIANGLE Warning triangle and first aid kit
SMOKERS PACKAGE Smoker package
AIR CONDITIONING Air conditioning
ON-BOARD COMPUTER On-board computer
RADIO BMW BUSINESS CD RDS Radio BMW Business CD RD
HIFI LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM HARMAN KARDON Hi-Fi System Harman Kardon
M LEATHER STEERING WHEEL M sports steering wheel
ENGLAND VERSION NATIONAL VERSION GREAT BRITAIN
MAIN BATTERY SWITCH Battery master switch
EUROPE/DEALER DIRECTORY Retailer Directory Europe
ENGLISH/OWNERS HANDBOOK/SERVICE BOOKLET Operating instructions, English
SHIPPING PROTECTION PACKAGE Transport protection package Standard equipment
LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL (25%) Differential lock 25%
AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL+TRACTION Automatic stability control (ASC+T)
LT/ALY WHL/ Z STAR BMW LA wheel Z Star
CHROME LINE INTERIOR Chrome Line Interior
HARDTOP PREPARATION Hardtop-preparation
WINDOW LIFTS, ELECTRIC AT FRONT Window lifts, electric, front
HEADLIGHT BEAM-THROW CONTR. F LOW BEAM Headlight aim control
FOGLIGHTS Fog lights
LANGUAGE VERSION ENGLISH Language version English
BMW OEM FACTORY WIND DEFLECTOR (non-roll hoop version)

I've made the following changes over the last 2 years:

SUSPENSION:
E-Tech front strut brace
FK Silverline Coilover Plus suspension
Camber adjustable top mounts (front)
E36 Camber adjustment bolts (front)
BMW OEM M3 strut reinforcement plates (front)
BMW OEM shock mount gaskets (front and rear)
Meyle Heavy Duty top mounts (rear)
Meyle Heavy Duty control arms
BMW OEM shock reinforcement plates (rear)
Powerflex polybush kit (complete kit)
New sway bar/drop links

WHEELS AND TYRES:
18" Staggered Beyern Multi (FRONT 18x8.5 and REAR 18x9.5)
Falken FK-452's all round (FRONT 225/40/18 and REAR 255/35/18)

ICE:
Alpine CDE-9880R with full speed iPod control
Factory upgraded Harman Kardon system (amp, speakers and subwoofer)
Clifford G5 650 MKII alarm with dual proximity sensor
BMW OEM Sport Antenna

PERFORMANCE:
ITG Pro Filter drop in replacement filter
SuperSprint stainless steel back box
EBC Yellow Stuff brake pads all round (fitted: 19/04/2011)
Brembo HC brake discs all round (fitted: 19/04/2011)
Goodridge braided stainless steel brake lines (fitted: 19/04/2011)
Earls Performance stainless steel clutch line (fitted: 19/04/2011)

EXTERIOR:
Clear front indicator lens conversion with chrome bulbs
Clear side indicators with chrome bulbs
Clear/red rear light units with chrome bulbs
BMW hardtop (cosmos black)
Z3 M side gills
Z3 M side mirrors (* yet to be fitted *)

INTERIOR:
Storm Motorwerks V1 stainless short and weighted gear knob
Storm Motorwerks handbrake cover
Storm Motorwerks lighter blank
Custom EL Lockwood dials (beige) with LED conversion and red needles
BMW OEM Roll hoops
Custom retrimmed and repadded M steering wheel (black leather top and bottom, black perforated leather sides and beige stitching)
Custom beige leather gear gaiter (* yet to be fitted *)
Custom beige leather handbrake gaiter (* yet to be fitted *)
Windblox Lexan Wind Deflector (fitted: 21/04/2011)
Doug Whalen black anodised hood release handle (fitted: 06/05/2011)


RECENT PICTURES:









RECENT PICTURES (in it's winter guise with Cosmos Black hardtop):









RECENT PICTURES (with Z3M gills fitted):









INTERIOR PICTURES:












Thanks for looking!!

Edited by pangsterz3 on Tuesday 5th April 14:26

Edited by pangsterz3 on Friday 15th April 13:58

Edited by pangsterz3 on Friday 15th April 13:58

Edited by pangsterz3 on Saturday 7th May 11:32

[pangsterz3]

Some details around the brake setup that will soon be installed - if anyone is looking for the part numbers for EBC Yellow Stuff pads for the 2.8 - then I've also listed these below..

BRAKE PADS:
EBC Yellow Stuff (interestingly enough EBC do not list Yellow Stuff pads for the 2.8 Z3 - but after a lot of cross checking/referencing - I managed to identify the following part numbers: front = DP41211R / rear = DP41289R) - they also come with 3M anti squeal pads:






BRAKE DISCS:
I decided fairly early on that I didn't want drilled or grooved discs - I've had these on other cars and again feel that these were more for show than for any perceived benefit I could gain from them - plus when you have as many spokes on your alloys as me - you can't really see them!! With the decision made to go for blanks/OEM style rotors, I had read some very good reviews about the Brembo HC (high carbon) discs. A nice feature of these discs is that they also come with EASY:CHECK dimples which show you when you're on the limit of thickness for the disc.




BRAKE LINES:
Surprisingly enough there was quite a few stainless steel options out there for brake lines - but I've used Goodridge before and have been happy with the quality and performance of them - so it was a bit of a no brainer.



Just need to get the car booked in now to get it all fitted!

Edited by pangsterz3 on Tuesday 5th April 14:20

[pangsterz3]

PROGRESS OF EXTERIOR MAKEOVER:

As you can see from the original post - the Z3 M side gills have now been fitted. I'm in the process of painting the Z3 M mirrors - but I ran out of paint and the Halfords tins I bought to try and finish the job off were a COMPLETELY different colour:

http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/pangster79...

So the mirror bases need rubbed back and completely re-done and the mirror shells can do with being flattened back and given a final colour coat and then lacquered. I'm off for a week and a half soon - so will aim to get them all painted up and fitted then - in the meantime here was some 'in progress' shots:









Here's a quick side by side comparison shot of normal Z3 side gills v ///M gills:

Edited by pangsterz3 on Tuesday 5th April 14:23

[pangsterz3]

INTERIOR MAKEOVER CONTINUED
My latest purchase is a Windblox Wind Deflector. I've came to the conclusion (or rather the wife has!) that a wind deflector is an absolute must as I think the novelty of being whipped in the face with her hair has worn off! - I've read various reviews and considered going for the mesh OEM type - but in the end decided to go for the clear solid type. After a bit of research it soon became apparent that the market leader for these types of screens is a company called Windblox based in the US - not to mention they're cheaper (including shipping) than some of the inferior UK based products.

I settled on the following configuration:

Material: Lexan
Straps: Clear
Tint: Clear

Example installed pictures (with black straps):






Should be here within the next 2 weeks or so!

[pangsterz3]

Thought the car looked quite good tonight (after a days effort cleaning!! ) and under the artificial light - only had my iPhone with me so apologies for the crappy quality!





I need to give it a proper detail and then get some better quality pics updated!!

[pangsterz3]

mig25_foxbat2003 said:

Looks unbelievable on those wheels, what are they from? Do they ruin the ride comfort?

Great car, I think these are ageing quite well, and have been tempted by one myself to be honest, is it much quicker than the equivalent 3-er with the 2.8?

Thanks!!

The wheels are made specifically for BMW's by a company called Beyern (owned by TSW) - see here:

http://www.beyernwheels.com/

So centre bores and offsets are perfect without the need for spigot rings or fitting kits etc. I went for a slightly more aggressive stance so had to dial in positive camber at the front with the E36 camber correction bolts and then adjust it back via the camber adjustable top mounts - this was all set up by John at ProGrip in Falkirk on his Hunter - to make sure they cleared the coilover spring perches.

I think the last stats I looked at suggested they were c0.5 seconds to 60 quicker - but no idea in terms of real world driving.

[pangsterz3]

Muncle Trogg said:

I like this a lot, the mods are all tastefully done and those wheels suit the car so well.

What's next then mod wise?

thanks!!

next up is:

(*) Installing the new brake set up
(*) Finishing off the interior (custom beige gear and handbrake gaiters)
(*) Finish painting and then install the Z3M mirrors
(*) Installing Windblox Lexan wind deflector (which should be here soon and save me getting an ear bashing off the wife! )
(*) Full service - all fluids, spark plugs as well as changing/upgrading the cooling system
(*) Install new PAS cooling line (current one is a little crusty in places) and this will get done with the fluid service

I think that's about it at the minute!

[pangsterz3]

Chunkychucky said:

Where did you get that steering wheel from fella?? The rim looks completely different to any other i've seen - the centre is the same as on my old man's E36 M3, but the rim is alot thinner and the leather isn't very nice, quite a hard grain. Where did you get yours??

RoyalSteeringWheelJack on eBay

Edited by pangsterz3 on Saturday 7th May 17:04

[pangsterz3]

thanks for the replies!

[pangsterz3]

pthelazyjourno said:

I like these. I couldn't help but look at a few a couple of years back when car hunting, just not quite exciting enough in the end.

Very very nice car though, perhaps I'll look again in the future when more comfort is required. I prefer them to the Z4.

Only thing I'm not a fan of on yours is the M gills on the wings - I thought it looked cleaner and less cluttered before. As long as you like them though, that's the main thing.

thanks! I felt the original side gills were a bit 'plain' - and with the Z3M gills having the chrome dart thought they suited the wheels and front grill better.. although some owners seem to get carried away and stick chrome to any parts they can! LOL.. It's a fairly easily reversible mod as well (1x philips screws and 7 press fittings each side) so can change back anytime in future with little hassle if I change my mind on them. I'll also be able to make my money back as I got them for a very good price!

[pangsterz3]

AmiableChimp said:

those phone pics - Ocean Terminal?

Yep!! - wish I had a better camera with me! LOL!...

[pangsterz3]

atlex said:

I like it. the steering wheel in particular where'd you get it redone ?

Thanks!! - the steering wheel was done by Royal Steering Wheels (ebay id: royalsteeringwheelsjack)

al1991 said:

Wow that looks great, the wheels are spot on.

Very nice car.

Thanks - they took long enough to get here!! (12 weeks from the US!)

[pangsterz3]

Been playing with my new camera so decided to take some pics of the car as it was look relatively clean today and the weather wasn't bad either!:

[pangsterz3]

Just got back in and decided to try the camera out in some lower light conditions - plus the roof was down and for a convertible - I've just realised there is a lack of top down pictures in this thread!! LOL! - you can also see the rear shocks/coilovers in some of the pictures which I thought was pretty cool!:

[pangsterz3]

INTERIOR MAKEOVER CONTINUED 2:
My Windblox lexan windscreen arrived from the US today so got round to fitting it - think it looks pretty good and can remain in place all the time (regardless of whether the hood is up or down as it doesn't limit visibility through the rear window). Tested it with the wife in the car up to motorway speeds and it makes a remarkable difference!! - a lot better than some of the similar options available from UK vendors IMHO:











More images below:



BRAKE OVERHAUL AND EARLS BRAIDED CLUTCH LINE:
The brakes were completely overhauled on Tuesday:

• Goodridge stainless brake lines fitted
• EBC Yellow Stuff Pads (front and rear) fitted
• Brembo HC discs (front and rear) fitted
• Castrol Super Response DOT 4 brake fluid

In addition - I also fitted the Earls Performance braided clutch line! - although there is 2 version of this and it would appear as though I have the wrong one - as there is very little clearance between the clutch hose union/hose and the bulkhead. I've now ordered (and since received) the version with the hard pipe 40 degree bend in it (so it's going back in on Tuesday to have this one swapped in).




SERVICE:
The car also had a full service on Wednesday - all fluids, spark plugs etc. In addition I also had the following jobs carried out:

• New power steering cooling line fitted
• New thermostat, thermostat housing and gaskets
• New water-pump with metal impeller fitted

[pangsterz3]

EARLS BRAIDED CLUTCH LINE (part 2):
As you might have read above - the original Earls Braided Clutch Line I bought was a little tight in fitting (in regards to clearance with the bulkhead) - so I decided to order the variant with the 45 degree hard pipe bend in it:







My car is going back in on Tuesday to have it swapped over..

If I'm being honest I wasn't expecting too much from this mod.. suffice to say that this has been a pleasant and welcome surprise as it is effectively one of the best mods (pound for pound) you can do to the car. Changing gear has now been transformed - and it seems to be a good partner for my weighted and shortened Storm Motorwerks V1 as gear changes now happen extremely quickly - so fast that the revs don't get a chance to drop much if it all between gear changes!! takes a little bit to get used to at first - but when you are used to it you can slot up and down through the gears effortlessly!.. it is an awesome mod IMHO!!.. I'm very impressed with it and thoroughly recommend it to anyone else considering ways to improve their shift.

[pangsterz3]

INTERIOR MAKEOVER 3: Doug Whalen black anodised hood release handle:

Got home from work today to find my Doug Whalen black anodised hood release handle had arrived safe and well from the States - overall impressions are very good!! - it's a quality piece of craftsmanship and certainly feels a lot more purposeful than the flimsy plastic stock item that was on there:









And it took all of 5 minutes and a Phillips screwdriver to fit:

[pangsterz3]

wackojacko said:

Quite like the Z3 would be opting for an 'M' though .....

The M52B28 is actually a pretty good match for the Z3 chassis - and performs better than the equivalent E36 328 Coupe - by the sounds of it, you've never driven one, so I guess you wouldn't know - you're obviously one of these peeps that can't see past an ///M badge. still at 17 I was probably the same..

[pangsterz3]

Disco You said:

I think that the wind breaker looks sills strapped on, it looks slightly better with black straps, but still untidy. I don't like the wheels, they are too big and don't really suit. The new side vents are nice, except for the ///M badge, there isn't anything ///M about your car. Hard tops which don't match the car look silly, you need to paint it the same colour as the car in my opinion or it just looks like you've cheaped out.

On the plus side, I like the colour, and the interior colour combo is excellent. The gearknob and handbrake look good (bet the knob gets a bit cold though!)

What's the advantage to Brembo discs over OEM ones?

good job you don't need to drive it then! ;) no offence but I'll take styling tips from someone who drives a polo with a pinch of salt.. and my car has the ///M steering wheel straight from the factoryso you're also wrong there ;) - not that it matters as the reason I've kept them on is that if I revert back anytime in the future then they'll be easier to sell on.. I think I made reference to this in an earlier post - you've obviously missed it though.

Regarding the hardtop being a different colour - point taken... IF it was silver, green, yellow etc - but the factory soft top is black - so doesn't really look too out of place. Undecided on whether I will paint it this year or not or keep it black. I also don't think shelling out £1k on a mod could ever be described as cheaping out?..

I've you do a Google for Brembo HC discs or look on their website then that will also answer your other question.

Edited by pangsterz3 on Saturday 7th May 16:15

[pangsterz3]

TheInternet said:

Looks like quite a bit of rear camber in that pic, did you do anything to correct it when you lowered it?

I think you've answered your own question there - if I had done anything to correct it then there wouldn't be any negative/little negative rear camber?? FYI the car shares the same semi-trailing arm design as the E30 (including M3) so naturally when you lower it you increase negative camber. The only way to combat this it to weld in camber adjustment plates - couldn't see the point in this to be honest. My car was also set up by John at ProGrip in Falkirk (who has one of the best reps up here for setting cars up for fast road/track applications) so I've not done what most people have when the lower a car and just dropped it on its arse - I actually invested some money in getting it setup properly..

TheInternet said:

Well that's odd, because it looks exactly as if you've taken styling tips from someone with a Polo. Questionable wheels, dashboard, handbrake, gearknob, wing mirrors etc. are all the sort of modifications I'd expect to see on someone's small, thrashed, first car.

Seriously.. How old are you? Is World of Warcraft or the PSN down again?? Run along now and make sure your homework is done in time for Monday.

No wonder PH has such a bad rep these days.. It seems to be over run with pre-pubescent trolls.. who have nothing constructive to add to threads.

Edited by pangsterz3 on Saturday 7th May 16:25