Hi, all!
This is my first post in the forum, so I thought that It would be appropriate that i share my z3 story from where it began, to where we are currently.
I've always had a keen interest in anything automotive ever since I was young, my dad always had Imprezas when I was growing up, so it was always going to happen!
however once I had the opportunity to own my own, that's when I started taking things more seriously.
I've had various vehicles in my time, mostly VAG, until the past few years when I've become a real Bmw convert! (No pun intended)
Previously I've owned and built a mk1 TT (great fun) which I throughly enjoyed. Then I moved on to my e46 touring. I loved the mpg, and comfort. But I had an itch for something more fun... I somehow needed to buy something that was a mixture of the two cars.
I spent a long time doing my research, and decided it was time to buy a z3.
I'd spent a long time searching for a 2.8 manual Widebody within my budget, about 4/5 months. I went to view several, drove a few. And none really jumped out at me, or were asking a little too much for what they were.
I finally found one that was cheap enough, that needed a lot of love, so I made the 4 hour drive down, and drove 4 hours back home.
It came wrapped on 17 inch single piece (what I believe to be) replica schnitzers, coilovers and a few other bits. Needless to say it needed a lot of love!
The passenger rear shock was completely blown on the drivers side, and the passenger side shock had sheared the trailing arm bolt, among a few other little niggles. But it was a solid base!
On my way home from work one night, i hit a cats eye, and with it being rather low.. I'd smashed my sump... Not ideal at all.
However undeterred, a new sump was fitted, with billet 20mm engine raise mounts.
Whilst I was there, I replaced all the oil (obviously), plugs and filters.
And it was drove out AGAIN
I soon got to work one week later, and my custom BC rear suspension arrived, along with 5 inch 20k springs. I replaced the rear shocks, and had the trailing arm bolt drilled and tapped through.
Drove it the next day, and it was like a completely different car, I will spend time adjusting the fitment and dampening when the car is off axle stands
The next big job was taking the wrap off. If anybody ever plans on doing this, I fully reccomend paying somebody to do it. It's not a job I would wish on my worst enemy, and it is very tedious and time consuming!
Underneath the wrap was arctic silver, I'd taken a big risk and hoped for no rust, when I took it off there was filler work all over the car, but it looked to have been done well, so it was all looking good!
The past few days I have spent taking the nessecary parts off the car, and prepping the car for paint. This was a long few days, as with everything preparation is key.
Painted the car last night, came and took a photo of it this morning in daylight when it was dry, I think you'll agree the finish looks promising!
I'll spend the next few days putting the car back together, and will update when it's back on the ground and roadworthy again! Should be done by the weekend if all goes to plan!
This is my first post in the forum, so I thought that It would be appropriate that i share my z3 story from where it began, to where we are currently.
I've always had a keen interest in anything automotive ever since I was young, my dad always had Imprezas when I was growing up, so it was always going to happen!
however once I had the opportunity to own my own, that's when I started taking things more seriously.
I've had various vehicles in my time, mostly VAG, until the past few years when I've become a real Bmw convert! (No pun intended)
Previously I've owned and built a mk1 TT (great fun) which I throughly enjoyed. Then I moved on to my e46 touring. I loved the mpg, and comfort. But I had an itch for something more fun... I somehow needed to buy something that was a mixture of the two cars.
I spent a long time doing my research, and decided it was time to buy a z3.
I'd spent a long time searching for a 2.8 manual Widebody within my budget, about 4/5 months. I went to view several, drove a few. And none really jumped out at me, or were asking a little too much for what they were.
I finally found one that was cheap enough, that needed a lot of love, so I made the 4 hour drive down, and drove 4 hours back home.
It came wrapped on 17 inch single piece (what I believe to be) replica schnitzers, coilovers and a few other bits. Needless to say it needed a lot of love!
The passenger rear shock was completely blown on the drivers side, and the passenger side shock had sheared the trailing arm bolt, among a few other little niggles. But it was a solid base!
On my way home from work one night, i hit a cats eye, and with it being rather low.. I'd smashed my sump... Not ideal at all.
However undeterred, a new sump was fitted, with billet 20mm engine raise mounts.
Whilst I was there, I replaced all the oil (obviously), plugs and filters.
And it was drove out AGAIN
I soon got to work one week later, and my custom BC rear suspension arrived, along with 5 inch 20k springs. I replaced the rear shocks, and had the trailing arm bolt drilled and tapped through.
Drove it the next day, and it was like a completely different car, I will spend time adjusting the fitment and dampening when the car is off axle stands
The next big job was taking the wrap off. If anybody ever plans on doing this, I fully reccomend paying somebody to do it. It's not a job I would wish on my worst enemy, and it is very tedious and time consuming!
Underneath the wrap was arctic silver, I'd taken a big risk and hoped for no rust, when I took it off there was filler work all over the car, but it looked to have been done well, so it was all looking good!
The past few days I have spent taking the nessecary parts off the car, and prepping the car for paint. This was a long few days, as with everything preparation is key.
Painted the car last night, came and took a photo of it this morning in daylight when it was dry, I think you'll agree the finish looks promising!
I'll spend the next few days putting the car back together, and will update when it's back on the ground and roadworthy again! Should be done by the weekend if all goes to plan!
I can see it's got a good new home in you!
