Inkey$ Steel Grey 2.8

Project update: Booked her in for an Inspection 1 today. Also order a new throttle cable from Mark at Sopers in Lincoln and investigating costs on dent removal as I have five or six small dings on the doors and bonnet, plus a larger dent that’s tricky to see. - also on the bonnet (pics below). It’s such an odd dent I didn’t actually notice it when I bought the car; only when cleaning for the first time.

Today I’m getting the Alpine CD head unit replace with a mechless Pioneer MVH-580DAB which as the name suggests is DAB enabled. Also has Bluetooth, USB and hands free.

Once the Inspection is done it’s time to tackle the clutch, look at suspension options, refurb the new wheels, sort the seat bushes out and a whole host of other jobs that will keep me busy this summer!

 
New DAB and Bluetooth headunit in and lighting selection orange to match the rest of the interior lights.

 
Was going to do the seat bushes today but it was just too ******* hot, so instead I took off the washer bottle and tackled 19 years of ingrained algae and scum.

All good with cleaning. Combination of Cillit Bang spray, baby wipes on wire and a 70 degree session in the dishwasher had the thing looking nearly new again.

Problem with reinserting the grommet now as the filter tip to it doesn’t seem to want to remain in place, but I’ll work that out I’m sure.



 
Today’s jobs included replacing the washer bottle, driving a few hours in the sunshine and washing the mesh wind deflector. Was pretty ingrained with dust and dirt...

 
Cleaned up washer bottle, standing out like a bit of a sore thumb now!

 
Nice car and colour, mine is also a 99 preface lift TU model
 
Still no nearer figuring out if I’m keeping or selling the Steel Grey (!), but in the meantime I’ve managed to get the 17” Style 68 wheels I picked up on eBay, refurbed.

The team over at A1 Alloys in Bromley have done a great job for me, stripping, fixing, powder coating and lacqering them back to their OEM silver former glory.

If I do end up keeping the car, then these will be treated to a set of box fresh Kuhmo Ecsta P71’s and fitted to the Zed asap.


 
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Sweet!

Can you elaborate on which exhaust will fit? When I search, it comes back for the 2.8l, and I have the 2.5l
 
Europe did not get the 2.5 Dennis only the 2.0, 2.2, 2.8 and 3.0. I would suspect that you'll need to concentrate your search to the US.

Tony.
 
@Dennis in Colorado The USA 2.5 engine is M52TUB25 and is pretty much the same as the UK facelift 2.8 engine M52TUB28. The facelift 2.8 is twin vanos plus some other internal techy improvements and was first fitted to late 1999 cars, so if the exhausts in your searches say they will fit 1999-2000 cars then it's safe to assume it will fit yours, but do some more research before spending your money.

There's good info here

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Z3
 
A1 is that the place that makes exhausts too ? Next to the petrol station
 
Slam said:
A1 is that the place that makes exhausts too ? Next to the petrol station
Click to expand...
It’s down a sort of track road, just past the petrol station on the way out of Bromley. Didn’t know they did exhausts too tbh, but their alloy refurbs seem decent.

A1 Alloys
The Old Forge
Chantry Ln, Bromley BR2 9QL
https://goo.gl/maps/e4gEHp3RKzy
 
inkey$ said:
It’s down a sort of track road, just past the petrol station on the way out of Bromley. Didn’t know they did exhausts too tbh, but their alloy refurbs seem decent.

A1 Alloys
The Old Forge
Chantry Ln, Bromley BR2 9QL
https://goo.gl/maps/e4gEHp3RKzy
Click to expand...
No just googled it and I'm thinking of STS on the A21 I have had a couple of exhausts made there
 
inkey$ said:
It’s down a sort of track road, just past the petrol station on the way out of Bromley. Didn’t know they did exhausts too tbh, but their alloy refurbs seem decent.

A1 Alloys
The Old Forge
Chantry Ln, Bromley BR2 9QL
https://goo.gl/maps/e4gEHp3RKzy
Click to expand...
I have some bbs centres I want stripped and powder coated might try and get to them.
 
Slam said:
I have some bbs centres I want stripped and powder coated might try and get to them.
Click to expand...
I dealt with Justine there for a quote (15% off if supplied without tyres) and a guy called Lee took care of the job itself.

Will check out STS too as that’s next on my list. Also speaking to Kevin at Zero Exhausts in Ashford for custom backbox options.
 
Just looked on the map and both places are along the a21 not far apart. Do A1 alloys open on a Saturday?
 
Slam said:
Just looked on the map and both places are along the a21 not far apart. Do A1 alloys open on a Saturday?
Click to expand...
Pretty sure they are.
 
Fitted the refurbished Style 68’s today, complete with a full new set of Kuhmo Ecsta P71’s.

In my humble opinion its transformed the look of the car. New centre badges incoming but even without, its safe to say i’m very happy ;)


 
Inspection 2 complete and after a full once over, It would seem that the car is really straight.

My clutch worries have disappeared now the new throttle cable has been fitted. My guess is the old cable was stretched and not returning quickly enough resulting in a slight 'slurring' of the clutch. Throttle pedal now has zero travel before throttle response and is a huge improvement. Highly recommended cheap mod if you've never done this.

Also added front braided brake hoses and the next job will be the rears, followed by new springs all around, as apparently the oem shocks are in pretty good condition. Dent guy is turning up this afternoon to see what magic he can weave on the bonnet and doors.

Car feels so much better on new Kuhmo's too. Here comes the Summer!
 
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