Euro Z3 - Build Thread...

[yalden]

Interior Makeover - Part 8
OEM 'R US - 20/09/2008



After getting sick and tired of my aftermarket floor mats getting caught up under my pedals and forever sliding around I bit the bullet and got hold of a genuine set. The aftermarket ones suited the interior well with the two tone edging, but the OEM ones make use of the all important carpet clips and for that reason were a must have!

[yalden]

Performance/ Engine Cosmetics - Part 3
UUC Clutch Stop - 20/09/2008



To improve the drive of the Z3 I thought I'd begin at the lower end of the spectrum, fitting a UUC clutch stop I have reduced the amount of pedal travel; in my opinion this is such a worthwhile modification with regard to bang for buck.

[yalden]

Performance/ Engine Cosmetics - Part 2
Magpie - 28/08/2008



Being a bit of a magpie, I decided to fit some parts I'd kept my mitts on following the sale of my E36:

Mirage Stainless service inspection cap cover
Mirage Stainless brake fluid reservoir cover
Mirage Stainless brake fluid reservoir cap cover
Mirage Stainless header tank cap cover

In addition, to compliment the blue hose I fitted a blue citroen washer cap!

Click to enlarge

[yalden]

Performance/ Engine Cosmetics - Part 1
Gruppe M Replica - 25/08/2008



Due to serious withdrawal symptoms over the noise of my previous car, I decided to purchase another Gruppe M Replica induction kit. I sourced one second hand and had to trim the metal sleeve and carbon shroud to fit the Z3, in all I think I did a very tidy job, coupled with a new blue silicon hose to replace the black split one that came with the kit and a set of new jubilee clips I'm more than happy...

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[yalden]

Exterior Makeover - Part 4
J'adore French Fogs - 20/08/2008



In a bid to follow the euro trend with my Z3 I decided to go to work on the foglights! I contacted the US firm Lamin-X with regard to precut coloured adhesive laminate, within a week the postman came knocking! I'm very impressed with the product and even more so with the service.

After removing the foglights and applying the film, I thought it'd be a nice touch to update the fog light access covers. Being black plastic I contemplated getting them colour coded; but in the end I settled with carbon wrapping them...

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[yalden]

Exterior Makeover - Part 3b
AC Schnitzer Type 1 Racing - 05/07/2008



Rossiters managed to supply me with a pair of ACS spigot rings (72.5mm ID/82mm OD), meaning the wheels fitted hubcentric onto the front! As a result I thought it'd be rude not to clean them up a little and take a few photos! You'll notice the scuff on the front bumper, mostly as it's full of polish... that'll be the next thing to sort out :idea:

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[yalden]

Exterior Makeover - Part 3a
AC Schnitzer Type 1 Racing - 05/07/2008



The long search for the right set of wheels finally came to an end on Thursday evening! Today I took a long trip from Cornwall to London and picked up a 2nd hand set of 18" AC Schnitzer Type 1 3-piece split rims, not the Hartge Design E's I was hoping for, but none the less a great wheel!

I believe the rears are 9J ET38 and the fronts 8.5J ET38, unfortunately the fronts are meant to be fitted with 7mm hubcentric spacers. This is because the wheels were originally purchased for an E36 M3, the spacers would've been necessary to prevent the wheel from fouling the brake caliper. As I don't have this problem I don't want the spacer, however without it the front wheels remain non-hubcentric. As a result I have removed the wheels until I can call Rossiters on Monday and order some spigot rings. The dishes are all tarnished, some more than others, likewise there are various degrees of kerb rash. My intentions are to split the wheels, replace all the bolts with gold alternatives, respray the centres in high power silver, the inners in gloss black and fit new stainless/wider dishes to both front and rear. This'll be a gradual build over the winter nights... I can't wait!

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Before:-


After:-

[yalden]

Exterior Makeover - Part 2
Lowering Springs - 30/06/2008



The car felt a little too high considering it's apparent Sports Car title! Although coilovers are planned, at present they're further down the priority list. Until then, I will make do with a set of lowering springs to improve the stance temporarily. Not the best of photos but it'll have to do for now!

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[yalden]

Exterior Makeover - Part 1
Black Tonneau Cover - 24/05/2008



I ***** the unfinished look of the car with the roof down, as a result a Black tonneau cover had to be purchased (especially with all the recent sunshine). The lines of the car look much cleaner while it's fitted! 8-) Also note the Honda Civic Type R stub aerial.

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[yalden]

Interior Makeover - Part 6
Anti-Slip Mat - 24/05/2008



Another tiny addition was that of a section of anti-slip mat, to stop anything placed inside the console pocket from moving around and marking the inside surface or making any noise.

Click to enlarge

[yalden]

Interior Makeover - Part 5
I Bit the Billet - 24/05/2008



I decided to replace my chrome gearknob with something a little nicer, a Storm Motorwerks V1 shifter! I had this in the titanium finish on my E36 so know how nice it feels and am looking forward to the enhanced shift from the +0.5kg knob. I chose the regular billet stainless finish in hope that it'll better suit the Z3 interior with it's splashes of chrome.



To compliment this I also purchased a Storm Motorwerks billet stainless cigarette lighter plug.

Fitted pics:-
(excuse the yellow appearance of the leather *cheap camera alert*)

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[yalden]

Maintenance
MOT - 12/05/2008



I had my car booked in for MOT, thankfully it passed straight through! Advisory sheet indicated the following:-

- Rear indicator bulbs losing colour - Replaced
- Small chip outside of drivers view in windscreen - Needs filling
- Greater wear on o/s/f tyre, recommend tracking - Tracking carried out

[yalden]

Interior Makeover - Part 4
Dressed in leather - 03/05/2008



Today I received my OEM leather boomerangs! I've stripped down the centre console again and refitted it with the new boomerangs! A nice touch I think! 8-)

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REAL OEM PARTS DIAGRAM - Part 6
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[yalden]

Interior Makeover - Part 3
Carbon Fibre Centre Console - 26/04/2008



Today I had chance to refit the centre console, it was almost straight forward; where the resin had sank into switch/dial recesses I had to carefully file the edges to allow correct fitment. This took a while but I've managed to achieve a factory finish once again! It's just a sad thought that I'll have to remove it all again soon to fit my leather trimmed boomerang's when they arrive from the US! :roll: :lol:

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[yalden]

Interior Makeover - Part 2
Carbon Fibre Centre Console - 20/04/2008



As promised, here's some shots that explain the reason for my interior fiddling 8-) :wink:

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