First time Z3 owner attempts restoration project

[Jonlloydfoster]

So here we go. I bought my first Z3 two weeks ago after having loved these cars for many years. Finally took the dive into a very icy plunge pool.
I knew the car wasn’t going to be perfect but it had everything I wanted. The colour, interior, price and factory hard top (although doubt that will ever be used).

I bought it off an elderly chap who had lots of trouble on autotrader and due to health concerns had only done about 90 miles in the last year.
My good deed was done and it survived the 200 mile trip from Oxford to Manchester no issues.
Once I got her home and started to examine her properly that’s when things got scary.
Rust on pretty much every panel to some degrees but mainly the outer sills.

So as with all great projects I started my list…

photos taken in pick up day when everything seemed sweet!

 

[Jonlloydfoster]

After my initial shock and desire to resell I took the car to a local body shop to see if it was bad or just my first time jitters. Luckily I met a guy called Simon at Lancashire Auto Bodies who was brilliant took me on a tour of the garage and showed me the several restoration projects they had and put my mind at ease that anything could be done. I decided this was a passion project so time and money became redundant (to some degree).

 

[Jonlloydfoster]

Initial photos from getting home after a quick clean up and engine tidy up (very basic nothing messed with although is did manage to disconnect a battery for the first time).

my list of actions so far I’m sure there are many others to come

1. Replace outer sills
2. Sort out rust on inner sills
3. Repair rust on NS rear wheel arch
4. Repair rust on OF rear wheel arch
5. Replace front fog light
6. Replace car door handle seals
7. Replace inside car door bracket (MIA)
8. Fix/replace seat belt holder on drivers car sear
9. Overall paint work and scratches including passenger door that has bizarre paint work issues from previous owner (possible crap attempts to paint)
10. BMW badge replacements

 

[DavidM]

Some work to do - but if you intend to keep the car and have the finance to bring the car up to your standards - press on! What condition is the interior in?

The joy is bringing Zeds back to the showroom look over time - the engine > hopefully is bullet proof!

Enjoy!

 

[Jonlloydfoster]

Thanks David, the interior is in good condition apart from the broken seat belt issue.
Going to start simple and get the inner sill fixed up and the wheel arches, figure I’ll have to get some help from a local body shop for this and bring the paint work back up to scratch that’s my main priority.
I’ll get some outer sills on order and add them on.


Then I’ll take a look at the brake discs and callipers.

 

[Dunkelgrun]

Congratulations, these cars are so much fun, worth all of the effort. Check for roof and boot leaks too, I’m still sorting some of those out on mine. Everything is repairable eventually!

 

[bombur]

I just did a quick fix on my seat guide. It was the same as yours

 

[Jonlloydfoster]

So today while Zed took a rest under her not so waterproof cover (storm cover def to be ordered) I managed to do some cleaning work on the inside wheel arches which came up great but a few rusted screws still to come off.

I also petitioned my neighbours to let me build a car port in some shared ground behind our house to provide some shelter.

Did a lot of OEM searches for various parts today glad to find a resource to help guide me with new parts just need the expertise to fit them now.

My main questions are:
1. Is it safe to leave my car on all four axles stands while I do the work.

2. Have I lost my sanity! And I think I’ve bitten off more than I can chew!!

 

[johnc46]

Yes very likely to all questions, 1 job at a time you will get there.

 

[colb]

As long as the axle stands are on solid ground the car will be fine elevated on the stands. Take your time, as you have the wing liners out take the cover sills off and see what condition they are in and the inner sill, you may find rust in thre which depending on how bad may need some welding to patch it up. Suggest you have a look at @Mazza thread on Bognor Lean To Project to see whats involved. Pays to have some new sill trim clips and new screws for the sills on hand when you do this job. Personally I would use stainless self tappers same dimension as oem steel fasteners, obtained mine from ebay and some addittional stainless washers to increase the head size of the new self tappers as they a tad smaller than the oem ones.

Bognor Lean-to Project

Well a Blue 2.8 arrived today , as in Wheeler Dealer tradition, on a trailer!!!! This seem a good idea when I saw it advertised, and what it had failed its MOT on didnt seem too daunting.... But ....not good !!! Far more going on with it than I was led to believe :arghh: So....initial...

zroadster.org

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/362894359857

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M4 M5 M6 M8 M10 M12 STAINLESS STEEL A2 304 PENNY REPAIR WASHERS MUDGUARD WASHER. M8 - 8mm 20mm, 24mm, 30mm, 35mm, 40mm 1.5mm. M12 - 12mm 30mm, 35mm 1.5mm. M10 - 10mm 25mm, 30mm, 35mm, 40mm 1.5mm. M4 - 4mm 12mm, 15mm, 20mm, 25mm 1.2mm.

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[Robert Hill]

If I can do this then you can

 

[Nodzed]

It all may seem daunting but we've all seen worse. Just plod on and tackle one thing at a time. This time next year .....................................

 

[Dunkelgrun]

I get really nervous working under a car on jack stands too... I usually find some big wood blocks (thicker than I am) and strategically place them under the car as backup, then I give the car a really good shake to make sure it’s steady and solid before going under

 

[Jonlloydfoster]

yeah I might do the same not that I don’t trust Halfords and their 3 tonne jack stands but best to be safe!

 

[MisterP007]

If I can do this then you can View attachment 188951View attachment 188953

Clever trick Rob, turning a Z3 into a Moggy!

 

[MisterP007]

Nice write up, you are in the right place for advice and help and has many have said "it can all be done" just take your time.

 

[Jonlloydfoster]

So slow progress due to work, buying new tools, weather and most of all rusty bolts that take forever to remove.

I’m currently removing as much as possible from the near side front axle and replacing most of it as it’s all either snapped or badly degraded.

I am a bit stuck on a few parts though. The wheel suspension joints that slide into the king pin and the screw from the tie rod that also slides into the king pin won’t budge at all. Photos attached any advice much appreciated…

also apologies had to use my son’s cup to deal with a snapped brake pipe.

 

[MisterP007]

WD40 overnight then hot air gun on nuts and bolts for 5 mins, crack crack and they are off!!

 

[ViperKen]

Looks like you have run into the same problem I had when replacing my front suspension the only difference being that I managed to remove the steering tie rod ball joint. I tried every method to split the joint, in the end I had to remove the control arm and the hub in one piece and seperate the ball joint on the bench. To do this I cut the ball joint stud flush with the lug ( it was deformed after all the hammering etc) and used the splitter shown, I think this was the splitter I used on the tie rod

 

[t-tony]

If your not mechanically minded and know how to "shock" tapered joints using a hammer you will need a ball joint splitter.
Search on YouTube for "How to use a ball joint splitter"

Tony.