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Imola Red S50: Ruby

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  • Imola Red S50: Ruby

    Yes I just came up with that name off the top of my head...

    So, after owning a 2.0 Z3 roadster for the best part of a year


    I decided to make the upgrade to a Z3M coupe. This is Indy and Rag's old car, and as such has a book full of invoices, and is equipped with a Racelogic traction control system. The Vanos was done in 2011 and the boot floor has also been repaired. It's not the prettiest, but that gives me something to work on.

    Anyway, I took it for a drive at the weekend up to Tan Hill




    Best thing I heard was at a petrol station

    Attendant: Is that a z3 with a hardtop
    Me: No, its a Z3M coupe
    A: I've never seen one before
    M: Yeah they're quite rare
    A: It's quirky
    M: Yeah and it goes like stink

    I love the noise, the speed. It hasn't come unstuck yet, but that's probably because I have the TC on wet setting!!

    Plans:
    • Full detail. I have a DA polisher so need a dry weekend
    • Replace bonnet badge (lacquer peeling)
    • Replace faded M badges
    • Sort the grill out (they are loose for some reason)


    Cheers for reading! Hope to hold onto this for a long time

    Build thread: https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19347

  • #2
    still looks good! congrats on your new car

    Click here to email me

    Comment


    • #3
      Hi all

      Very aware that I’ve not done much in terms of a journal, so I’m doing a large update to this thread.

      The first job at hand was to get the DA polisher out to give the paintwork some much needed attention, mainly to get rid of some swirl marks and to try and get the bonnet into shape. Unfortunately the bonnet has no lacquer so polishing is just taking the paint away (it does improve it temporarily, however). There is nothing for it but a respray.

      Before:


      After:





      Build thread: https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19347

      Comment


      • #4
        I also replaced the aging ///M badges around the car, as they were fading

        Before:


        After:


        And replaced the bonnet badge as the lacquer had been peeling:

        Before:


        After:


        For the interior, I had a go at the driver’s seat bolster with some Scuffmaster. It is better than before, but I still need to give it some more attention

        The car had been converted to HID, however as that is not in keeping with the age of the car I reverted it back to standard.

        For some reason the car also had different headlights; one chrome ringed and the other black ringed. I soured some chrome ringed headlights from eBay and fitted them with some new fixings

        Before:



        After:

        Build thread: https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19347

        Comment


        • #5
          The kidney grills were not secure and not in great condition so managed to source replacements from zroadster.net

          Ordered a Stormwerks gear knob and it really improves the shift.

          Had a trip to the Nurburgring for 4 laps which was great fun




          http://youtu.be/x_Zmmxwin-o

          It struggled to get through the MOT due to the lambda reading (too much o2 in exhaust). After changing the lambda sensors and having it fail again, I changed all of the vacuum hoses. Needless to say they were shot – they couldn’t hold treacle never mind air!

          The headunit was not standard so I sourced a cassette player from another forum member along with a CD changer and cover for the boot. I haven’t fitted the changer yet as I thought the loom would already be there, but I was wrong. Not sure what to do with it yet…

          The rear wiper wasn’t working so decided to remove it and put a colour coded blanking grommet in

          I also managed to source a full stainless Powerflow exhaust system from eBay and had it fitted. Whilst it sound great at full power, between 1k and 3k RPM it booms inside the cabin. I’m still considering what to do about it…

          Before:


          After:


          Brief video:

          Build thread: https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19347

          Comment


          • #6
            So what is left to do?
            • Sort out the booming exhaust
            • Repair and respray the front bumper.
            • Respray the bonnet
            • Upgrade the suspension (ARBs, springs and dampers)
            • Get some OEM floating front brake discs (currently solid from being replaced)
            • Order some spare keys

            This is an ongoing project – it is in good condition to be fair, but would like to make it extra good!
            Last edited by mnbrennan; 01-01-2015, 08:15 PM.

            Build thread: https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19347

            Comment


            • #7


              Good write up and so lucky on the roundabout off! Like the sound of that exhaust in the video by the way.
              S50 M Coupe

              sigpic

              Comment


              • #8
                Great job with the DA polisher

                Comment


                • #9
                  Here is a video of the exhaust from the inside. It is louder than in the video.

                  http://youtu.be/eT_wK3QUm-w

                  After speaking to Jess R, I'm thinking of having a couple of mid-silencers fitted to kill the drone at cruising speed. That said, it does sound good when in the upper reaches of the rev range!

                  Build thread: https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19347

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Just a quick update on this. I had the mid silencers which calmed the drone down and has eliminated the rasp.
                    https://youtu.be/dZgqegt-G6E

                    I've also just got the car back after a bumper repair, and front bumper, bonnet, sill and a touch up on the rear hatch. Prestige paintworx in Darlington did the job, and I have to say it looks fantastic. They stripped the bonnet right back to bare metal. Good job. Gives the car a fresh lease of life

                    Before ( and see image of bonnet in the post) :


                    After:


                    More pictures to follow after a good wash!

                    Build thread: https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19347

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      I've just spent about 5 hours cleaning and waxing the car. Needless to say it looks fantastic!



                      Bonnet after respray



                      Bumper after respray









                      But, we must progress. To do:

                      Replace front discs with 2 piece ATE (have parts)
                      Replace front calipers with refurbed units (have parts)
                      Refurb caliper carriers
                      Replace door handles
                      Replace cigarette lighter
                      Perhaps a wheel refurb

                      Needless to say

                      I STILL LOVE THIS CAR

                      Build thread: https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19347

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Looking good What did you use on the seats - they look fab!
                        1998 ///M Coupe

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Ian_C View Post
                          Looking good What did you use on the seats - they look fab!
                          Thanks Ian. Apparently people who say it at the paint shop were asking if it was for sale! Not for a long time yet!

                          I just use gliptone gear on the seats. To be fair I need to do some work on the drivers seat bolster as it has some black marks which are annoying me. I'm a bit afraid of taking sand paper to them!

                          Build thread: https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19347

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by mnbrennan View Post
                            To be fair I need to do some work on the drivers seat bolster as it has some black marks which are annoying me. I'm a bit afraid of taking sand paper to them!
                            Have you tried that Magic Eraser foam. Abrasive but not stupid abrasive, and with some light care and water should sort the marks out a treat. I've used it to clean the shiny steering wheel too which is now back to a matt leather finish.
                            S50 M Coupe

                            sigpic

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              I've never heard of it to be honest but I'll have a look. The black marks almost look like burn marks though

                              Build thread: https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19347

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