My First Z3M Coupe.

jonnysideways · #1 09-02-2020, 09:25 AM

After 20 BMW M3's that have been purchased and restored cosmetically to their former glory then sold to make way for the next project, I thought I'd track my progress on my first Z3M here, as well as on my own driving history blog. Might pick up some good advice and pointers along the way from being a Z3 Newbee. Everything I do is best efforts, on a budget, knowing I work in IT and I am NOT a mechanic.

jonnysideways · #2 09-02-2020, 09:29 AM

Having had a chance to see the car in the light I had a quick look around and made a quick is of the things that would take some of the age and wear off the car.

Letter "m" rear 51 14 2 250 811 for the boot.
Grommets 51 14 1 807 495.
Boot badge 51 14 7 721 222 D=70MM
Spring nuts 64 11 1 364 257 - To clip the front grill mesh down.
Storing partition front 51 16 8 119 624 - To give me a cheap solution for a workable cup/can holder.
Bulb socket with bulb - 61 13 8 353 797 - To bring some life back to my heater controls.

Quick Wash and review and admiration of my purchase.

jonnysideways · #3 09-02-2020, 09:54 AM

So 2 days in. What does it need? What are the issues?

The first issue is annoying, after the test drive where you respect the guy's car, it would seem on hard acceleration and deceleration there is a clunk from the rear, like the dreaded diff/floor rip issue, so thats put a damper on things straight away.

I had a good review of the diff and surrounding areas, and there looked to be no visible issues with the floor, or diff tabs, and bushes looked on visual inspection to be ok, so I booked it into my Indy to have a good check.

The temp gauge stays off-center, which is a possible thermostat issue, again for my Indy to look at.

The rear tires though in good order are cheap tires, possibly popped on for the sale, I assumed (stupid me) that there were all Uniroyal rain sports, which are a reasonable tire (as they were on the front when I started to check tire tread depths, but they are budget on the back, and it spins up as soon as it comes near moist road, so they will have to go at some point before I drive it in anger, or it will find a hedge.

There was also an issue that the lower N/S wing piece was sticking out and not fitted right, but a bit of wood and gentle persuasion got that back sorted.

I then degreased the engine, and also gave the Rocker cover some attention.

Cleaned up and touched up the PAS cooling loop.

Then degreased.

The looked at the age-old issue of door trim falling off.

Quick fix for this little job.

jonnysideways · #4 09-02-2020, 10:00 AM

Car to the garage.

Jobs to be completed.

Gearbox oil refresh
Diff Oil refresh
New thermostat.
Hand Brake Cable.

Turns out after some test drives and poking on the ramp, the clunk for the drive train was one of the engine mounts being in two pieces.

Then on its return, I will be removing some corrosion from around the jacking points, and tackling the rocking seat issue, new bushes acquired from the internet.

One good thing for its trip to the garage thus far is all the diff area is fine, and generally, the car is in good health underneath and has had some braided brake lines along the way as well as a braided clutch line, so a few things for me not to have to sort for a change.

The next spend will be some rear tires.

jonnysideways · #5 09-02-2020, 10:02 AM

The car is still at the garage, but its parts have arrived...

Thanks to the guys at Harry Fairbairns.

Dave P · #6 09-02-2020, 11:20 AM

Looking good

looking at the engine bay (something I am well known/admired for) you are missing the rubber strip from the top of your radiator - part number 17111723963 common for these to disappear over time.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...02#17111723963