Are we custodians of the past and guardians of the future

[GazHyde]

The landscape of Zed ownership has changed so much since I bought my first Z3 back nearly 10 years ago. Back then we weren't so focused on longevity of the cars as the rust issues and rubber component deterioration hadn't really developed. Here we are in 2019 and I see so many posts talking about how we are "saving" Zeds, almost as if we should rebrand as the RSPCZ (Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Zeds).

So where do we stand around 23 years on from the first Zed hitting the road. My main question, if there is one, is in the thread title. Are we all somehow starting to feel like we are self appointed vehicle restorers, "custodians of the past, and guardians of the future" and it's our responsibility to save every single Zed.... and how do we do that with maintaining the integrity and above all the safety of our beloved marque?

Certain new parts are getting harder to obtain and BMW are stopping making more each year (prime example tank straps). So that forces us to make a decision between reusing (or making do) with second hand parts, or looking to after market alternative (pattern) parts. But which parts should we be taking from the breakers and reusing, where should we be using better after market parts - suspension being the best example of probably the biggest safety concern. eBay for one is flooded with adverts for second hand suspension components like shock absorbers, and we even see adverts here for the same.

Is restoration - if that is what we are calling it - about originality at all costs, or is it about keeping it on the road using new components and maintaining safety.

 

[Paul Rice]

Great post Gaz, Yes we are custodians if not why am i spending all this time and money on my Z3 when i can strip it for more than its worth as a whole. Having never kept a car so long, six years now i feel duty bound to keep it on the road. May seem daft but with all the hours of pleasure this little car has given me i think its worth it. Today's the day the head goes back on (Hopefully)

 

[pgunter]

I think now is the time that we will start to see parts become harder to source. As you mentioned, Tank Straps for one. Any news @Mazza

The real interesting thing soon will be brittle plastics and weakened rubber. It’s not designed to last 20 plus years. So without a source of new parts are we going to see these cars in garages, awaiting spares ? Or will people get resourcefully creative and start making the plastic joints out of copper and rubber hoses out of copper tubing ?

Thoughts ?

 

[Mnbrennan]

I prefer to replace with new parts, either upgraded or oem. Or refurbished in some cases. I haven't come across much that can't be sourced in this way

Granted some parts are hard to come by but whether it's for my own cars or someone else's, buying used rubber or mechanical parts is a false economy and I'd rather have the peace of mind that they aren't going to fail

When items are no longer available perhaps 3D printing will be our saviour?

 

[mwpe]

I have always kept my cars for a long time, I bought my GT6 as a rusty wreck, when I took it for it's first MOT, the tester said "I will pass it this time but it will never pass another one". I used it for a year then took it off the road and rebuilt it and then had 20 years of enjoyable use from it. Although Triumph and BL were then long gone there was never any touble with getting replacement parts as an industry has grown up remanufacturing parts for classics. With any luck this will continue to evolve to produce parts for newer classics like the Z.

 

[Nodzed]

Very good point, having spend lots of money and time over the past years improving and rebuilding I think there is a huge difference in keeping your zed on the road and restoring for resale, the first you can take the decision on whether you use new or second hand parts, depending on budget, need, availability etc etc. If your rebuilding and selling or keeping it that decision should be made carefully, if second hand parts are used they must be serviceable for ones peace of mind and safety. I believe certain parts should not be reused unless nearly new such as shocks bushes brakes etc whereas body parts and other non safety critical items can be used at huge savings to us owners. Just my opinion.

 

[Mazza]

@pgunter , unfortunately the company I have been working with on the straps, recently won a large contract with BAE, and now just dont have any time to work on the developement. They are a small company and I quite understand their reasons. ( I was never charged for the prototyping so nothing lost other than time).

(My only outlay so far has been to buy a Fuel Tank ( so I can check the prototype profiles) and a pair of pristine straps (to get acurate measurements from.)

Not sitting on my a**e though, and have already been in to have a meeting with the MD of another sheet metal company that has all the normal workshop equipment plus Laser cutting in house.
I have loaned them my set of straps, plus the samples of the forming that I had been given from the other company. I will update as soon as possible.

 

[Fender2004]

Hopefully it will be a long time before parts become difficult to get apart from a few items.
With BMW having its classic section hopefully parts won’t be a problem for a long while?

 

[mrscalex]

My experience is we are pretty spoilt as BMW owners for availability of parts. BMW, after-market, secondhand. And they are mostly modestly priced.

I thought it was excellent I could just order up a new full loom with BMW, have it inside a week and pay just £850.

It’s only a handful of parts that are evasive. With tank straps being near the top of the list. For the moment anyway.

 

[miller1098]

Good thread ,personally not really bothered what happens to my ///M after I've gone ,the kids can get their own dream . I almost fell into the trap of not putting miles on it to keep it's value then I put 5000 miles on it and found it was worth more than money lol

 

[andyglym]

Gaurdians of the future would be my take. New parts over second hand unless it's things like roll hoops and alike. I think that we'll still see plenty on the road in 20+ years time, just look at other marques that have been around for a lot longer. As for parts, there will be a tipping point between scarce and industrious peeps that will knock out OEM quality Stuff, hopefully as I intend keeping mine until the bitter end if I can.

 

[Jack Ratt]

Good thread ,personally not really bothered what happens to my ///M after I've gone ,the kids can get their own dream . I almost fell into the trap of not putting miles on it to keep it's value then I put 5000 miles on it and found it was worth more than money lol

Well said mate,

 

[Grumps]

Guardians. Nuff said.

 

[BillyB]

I agree with @andyglym and also this forum has helped keep a lot more on the road . I bought a good one and I intend keeping it that way for a very long time.

 

[t-tony]

BMW should take a leaf out of Mercedrs-Benz' book, there is nothing you can't get for their models of the same age, and mostly on a next day basis. Maybe they'll wake up to the fact one day.

Tony.

 

[Pingu]

Tank straps are easy to replicate. They are only a piece of bent strip steel with some anti-vibration strip attached.

Think yourselves lucky that you are not trying to track down a door belt for a Z1.

Luckily, I'm not struggling at the moment, but I think Z3 specific OEM sensors will be the Achille's heel.

An example of the way things are going is the diff mount rubber. I bought an one from BMW for £35 in 2011. They are now close to £200. The only alternative is a poly bush that (in my opinion) is too hard.

 

[Althulas]

Thoughtful thread. I see us as passionate enthusiats who enjoy something that is overall a affordable item of pleasure that can give such rewarding experiences such as this forum for starters. Similar to other enthusiats of other marquees who give us eye candy to look at and for future generations to possibly take stuardahip. Our cars are still in the infancy of being classics and I hope there will be spares readily available in the future.

Personally I’ve questioned myself on my own project as I could have just part ex it for a newer model and sod the frustration of a loosing battle at times but this forum is an inspiration with members contributions to Spurs us on plus also I only have to look at this photo to give me a reminder of what happiness a Zed can give and be a shame to see it ending up as a breaker.

 

[Sean d]

My 2.8 would have never passed another MOT so by now it would have been broken, so that makes me a Guardian I suppose, hopefully it will last another 20 years

 

[t-tony]

Thoughtful thread. I see us as passionate enthusiats who enjoy something that is overall a affordable item of pleasure that can give such rewarding experiences such as this forum for starters. Similar to other enthusiats of other marquees who give us eye candy to look at and for future generations to possibly take stuardahip. Our cars are still in the infancy of being classics and I hope there will be spares readily available in the future.

Personally I’ve questioned myself on my own project as I could have just part ex it for a newer model and sod the frustration of a loosing battle at times but this forum is an inspiration with members contributions to Spurs us on plus also I only have to look at this photo to give me a reminder of what happiness a Zed can give and be a shame to see it ending up as a breaker.


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I never, until now, realised you were there that day Mark. That was mine and Shirl's very first .org meet.

And this was the first one I had a small part in organising, at the Trentport Inn at Gainsborough.

Tony.

 

[Paul Rice]

My 2.8 would have never passed another MOT so by now it would have been broken, so that makes me a Guardian I suppose, hopefully it will last another 20 years

Not a guardian Sean a life safer, yours was dead and almost buried