Only just caught up with this news Stevie glad your ok and feel your pain over the car, it’s in good hands with Steve we hope you get it sorted 
From Montreal to The Cosmos
- Thread starter Scooblitz
- Start date
Took a trip to see the Z in hospital and provide a little assistance with reconstructive surgery.
The car was written off officially last week as a CAT N, Non-economical repair.
After @Stevo7682 stripped back the front end, the main damage to the vehicle is to the support arms which house the crash bar shock absorbers. The drivers side support had kinked around 10mm inwards.
After some pushing and pulling....
Just a mock up but looks more like it used to. Seems to be lining up OK but the bonnet is a mess. It could be bent and usable again but I'm going look out for a replacement, then think of a plan.
Feels better looking closer to drivable condition. I've not peaked underneath yet. I know I'm going to be miffed but it's done.
There is more damage to deal with but we'll leave that for a later update.
The car was written off officially last week as a CAT N, Non-economical repair.
After @Stevo7682 stripped back the front end, the main damage to the vehicle is to the support arms which house the crash bar shock absorbers. The drivers side support had kinked around 10mm inwards.
After some pushing and pulling....
Just a mock up but looks more like it used to. Seems to be lining up OK but the bonnet is a mess. It could be bent and usable again but I'm going look out for a replacement, then think of a plan.
Feels better looking closer to drivable condition. I've not peaked underneath yet. I know I'm going to be miffed but it's done.
There is more damage to deal with but we'll leave that for a later update.
So sorry to hear about this mate. Echo all of above and so glad you are ok.
She's alive. Her heart beats again.
Stevo had some time to plumb the cooling back in and get it running. Engine is running fine. There was a chance it would never get this far.
A little more inspection and I committed the 'cardinal sin' of owning a Z3, bad rear tyres. I didn't swap the test fit tyres over from summer for the 255s and the tread in the middle was essentially non exisitant by mid Novemeber.
Don't forget to remove the 'Ditch Finders' for the wet season people. It'll cost you your car.
MOT is the next order but not before a list of replacement parts to tidy things up. It would only be a 'tidy' , as the rest is going to be expense. To try and bring it back to semi respectable:
- Cat Back Exhaust
- Sills + Paint
- Bonnet
- Rear Bumper Paint
- Underside 'reshaping'
The car already had pretty poor bodywork with 1 corner showing some arch rust bubbling. It's been referred to as 'grey' in colour on 2 different occasions. Says a lot when it's the same Cosmos colour as @andyglym. This was 2024s to do list amongst others.
My ethos was to get the mechanical bits sorted before getting the bodywork and hood done. What's a mighty fine looking car that you can't trust to go places in? This car was bought as a project and it was still very much a project at the time. Now it's an even bigger project only to be left with a CAT N.
It's going to be difficult to part ways with her but it seems the logical choice at the moment. All the best bits of the car are the mechanical and 'options' parts that can be taken off.
It's a bit yuck but it's where it's at.
Stevo had some time to plumb the cooling back in and get it running. Engine is running fine. There was a chance it would never get this far.
A little more inspection and I committed the 'cardinal sin' of owning a Z3, bad rear tyres. I didn't swap the test fit tyres over from summer for the 255s and the tread in the middle was essentially non exisitant by mid Novemeber.
Don't forget to remove the 'Ditch Finders' for the wet season people. It'll cost you your car.
MOT is the next order but not before a list of replacement parts to tidy things up. It would only be a 'tidy' , as the rest is going to be expense. To try and bring it back to semi respectable:
- Cat Back Exhaust
- Sills + Paint
- Bonnet
- Rear Bumper Paint
- Underside 'reshaping'
The car already had pretty poor bodywork with 1 corner showing some arch rust bubbling. It's been referred to as 'grey' in colour on 2 different occasions. Says a lot when it's the same Cosmos colour as @andyglym. This was 2024s to do list amongst others.
My ethos was to get the mechanical bits sorted before getting the bodywork and hood done. What's a mighty fine looking car that you can't trust to go places in? This car was bought as a project and it was still very much a project at the time. Now it's an even bigger project only to be left with a CAT N.
It's going to be difficult to part ways with her but it seems the logical choice at the moment. All the best bits of the car are the mechanical and 'options' parts that can be taken off.
It's a bit yuck but it's where it's at.
Attachments
Sad times mateShe's alive. Her heart beats again.
View attachment 288493
Stevo had some time to plumb the cooling back in and get it running. Engine is running fine. There was a chance it would never get this far.
A little more inspection and I committed the 'cardinal sin' of owning a Z3, bad rear tyres. I didn't swap the test fit tyres over from summer for the 255s and the tread in the middle was essentially non exisitant by mid Novemeber.
Don't forget to remove the 'Ditch Finders' for the wet season people. It'll cost you your car.
MOT is the next order but not before a list of replacement parts to tidy things up. It would only be a 'tidy' , as the rest is going to be expense. To try and bring it back to semi respectable:
- Cat Back Exhaust
- Sills + Paint
- Bonnet
- Rear Bumper Paint
- Underside 'reshaping'
The car already had pretty poor bodywork with 1 corner showing some arch rust bubbling. It's been referred to as 'grey' in colour on 2 different occasions. Says a lot when it's the same Cosmos colour as @andyglym. This was 2024s to do list amongst others.
My ethos was to get the mechanical bits sorted before getting the bodywork and hood done. What's a mighty fine looking car that you can't trust to go places in? This car was bought as a project and it was still very much a project at the time. Now it's an even bigger project only to be left with a CAT N.
It's going to be difficult to part ways with her but it seems the logical choice at the moment. All the best bits of the car are the mechanical and 'options' parts that can be taken off.
It's a bit yuck but it's where it's at.
She's MOT'd, taxed and insured.
She isn't pretty but she drives close to how she used to, well on the motorway at least. Town driving with speed bumps, pot holes and uneven roads never being enjoyable. The car is low enough to lose in a parking lot.
She has MOT but she isn't without issues. She needs front brake overhaul as the callipers have cooked the discs.
The exhaust is catching on speed bumps. It's bent, buckled, lacking support brackets and held on with a sleeve so money needs spent on a 'cat back' fix of some kind.
Bonnet is a bit of a difficult one. The feelers are out but the logistics of a huge piece of steel is an issue.
As always, thanks to Stevo for fixing the ole banger.
Nice to have it back. Public transport sucks.
She isn't pretty but she drives close to how she used to, well on the motorway at least. Town driving with speed bumps, pot holes and uneven roads never being enjoyable. The car is low enough to lose in a parking lot.
She has MOT but she isn't without issues. She needs front brake overhaul as the callipers have cooked the discs.
The exhaust is catching on speed bumps. It's bent, buckled, lacking support brackets and held on with a sleeve so money needs spent on a 'cat back' fix of some kind.
Bonnet is a bit of a difficult one. The feelers are out but the logistics of a huge piece of steel is an issue.
As always, thanks to Stevo for fixing the ole banger.
Nice to have it back. Public transport sucks.
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It’s been a while.
The ole tractor is still going. Since last March it’s had some further surgery.
Andy 'Spurs' sent me a backbox in good condition which got fettled into place by a local exhaust shop. Resonator deleted which has added a little more volume but not a huge amount. Also added a bit of drone at 1800rpm. Looks good though….
September brought about the Autumn Scottish run, which was eventful. Drove it up in the morning and filled the tank in Pitlochry only to spill every drop of fuel in 5 miles of the first day. A loose fuel rail had the car spurting it out of the injector into the engine bay. This was remidied by the road side but happened again, all be it less spectacularly, on day 2.
Got it home to find none of the fuel injector clips had been attached, the fuel rail bolts loose and a prone injector causing issue. Fixed with a 0.70p o ring, a squidge of lube and £6 in clips.
Some new brakes on the front and she’s a happy little Z again. The car still drives really nicely and you would have no idea it’s had a wee shunt.
I also have a cupboard full of aesthetic parts to put on which I will probably end up doing as no one will buy it and truthfully, I don’t have the heart to break it.
The show goes on.
The ole tractor is still going. Since last March it’s had some further surgery.
Andy 'Spurs' sent me a backbox in good condition which got fettled into place by a local exhaust shop. Resonator deleted which has added a little more volume but not a huge amount. Also added a bit of drone at 1800rpm. Looks good though….
September brought about the Autumn Scottish run, which was eventful. Drove it up in the morning and filled the tank in Pitlochry only to spill every drop of fuel in 5 miles of the first day. A loose fuel rail had the car spurting it out of the injector into the engine bay. This was remidied by the road side but happened again, all be it less spectacularly, on day 2.
Got it home to find none of the fuel injector clips had been attached, the fuel rail bolts loose and a prone injector causing issue. Fixed with a 0.70p o ring, a squidge of lube and £6 in clips.
Some new brakes on the front and she’s a happy little Z again. The car still drives really nicely and you would have no idea it’s had a wee shunt.
I also have a cupboard full of aesthetic parts to put on which I will probably end up doing as no one will buy it and truthfully, I don’t have the heart to break it.
The show goes on.
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- Joined
- Apr 1, 2016
- Points
- 218
- Location
- Maybole , South Ayrshire
- Model of Z
- Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
Stevie your last few updates have not really been good news accident then fuel issues but i will spread some good news for you once once get home and can actually get the pictures to load up
with some positive stuff happening to your zed rather than repair of damaged or broken stuff.
Stephen.
with some positive stuff happening to your zed rather than repair of damaged or broken stuff.
Stephen.
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2016
- Points
- 218
- Location
- Maybole , South Ayrshire
- Model of Z
- Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
So the other week while Stevie was off in Spain for a wee hol i had his Zed down at mine for a few bits and pieces.
Under the front end i had the powder ccoated lower brace bar and powder coated front anti roll bar with powder coated bush caps and poly bushed
Next it was onto the interior
First was steering wheel change out with the 2 spoke sports wheel and in with a variety of bits
So the M sport wheel is out a face-lift fitted with the correct pre face-lift model airbag bbuttons from ( e36 or e46) Stevie will know and clock spring from it's either a 5 or 7 series with the extra wiring connection
then it was the turn of the interior next
Out were coming the red / black seats and doorcards and in was going the Nappa sports seats and doorcards from a face-lift model
First needed to order the 2 wiring loom adapter from BMW to allow to swap from the 3 multiplug to the single one of the face-lift
Lastly was to try do something with the flattish swirly paint finish
But a few days with a DA and dome Meguiar's and Autoglym products came up looking pretty good.
Stephen .
Under the front end i had the powder ccoated lower brace bar and powder coated front anti roll bar with powder coated bush caps and poly bushed
Next it was onto the interior
First was steering wheel change out with the 2 spoke sports wheel and in with a variety of bits
So the M sport wheel is out a face-lift fitted with the correct pre face-lift model airbag bbuttons from ( e36 or e46) Stevie will know and clock spring from it's either a 5 or 7 series with the extra wiring connection
then it was the turn of the interior next
Out were coming the red / black seats and doorcards and in was going the Nappa sports seats and doorcards from a face-lift model
First needed to order the 2 wiring loom adapter from BMW to allow to swap from the 3 multiplug to the single one of the face-lift
Lastly was to try do something with the flattish swirly paint finish
But a few days with a DA and dome Meguiar's and Autoglym products came up looking pretty good.
Stephen .
Nice job on the paint work he will be impressed.
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2016
- Points
- 218
- Location
- Maybole , South Ayrshire
- Model of Z
- Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
They say you can’t polish a turd but, I beg to differ.
Looks infinitely better than before. It’s a beauty from 12ft but up close the bodywork has a lot of issues. Bonnet crease, arch bubble, scuffs, dings, lacquer peel, stone chips.
However, I can’t let go of it.
Massive thanks to @Stevo7682 for his handy work. Couldn’t quite believe it had come up so well. It actually looks black again.
So 18 months on from my mishap, the car is still going strong.
I have a cupboard full of parts that I still intend to put on it. It would make financial sense to strip it all for parts, sell the cupboard stock pile and move on to something new but looking beyond its picadillos, I still enjoy driving it. It still works well.
Parts to do list:
Facelift hood swap
Prefacelift chrome door handles
Sills
Button wiring
Gruppe M e39 Carbon Air intake - If it fits
E36 LTW Strut brace - If it fits
Of course the above is mostly all tinsel and as with all cars, it needs replenishing with parts regularly which will take priority.
Front tyres, Engine, diff and gearbox oil are high on the agenda at the moment. Going to put some engine lubricant, something like ‘slick 50’ as I have an oil leak from the front of the oil sump which bleeds out when its nose is tipped forward. I also have all the parts for this sitting in the cupboard but I’ll save that for another day… or year.
The interior transplant needs fettled as I’d like to have the heated seats forwards, all bulbs are out and I might have look at some sort of oem+ usb charging too.
I’ll be sure to pop up some pictures when I’m further down the line with everything.
So 18 months on from my mishap, the car is still going strong.
I have a cupboard full of parts that I still intend to put on it. It would make financial sense to strip it all for parts, sell the cupboard stock pile and move on to something new but looking beyond its picadillos, I still enjoy driving it. It still works well.
Parts to do list:
Facelift hood swap
Prefacelift chrome door handles
Sills
Button wiring
Gruppe M e39 Carbon Air intake - If it fits
E36 LTW Strut brace - If it fits
Of course the above is mostly all tinsel and as with all cars, it needs replenishing with parts regularly which will take priority.
Front tyres, Engine, diff and gearbox oil are high on the agenda at the moment. Going to put some engine lubricant, something like ‘slick 50’ as I have an oil leak from the front of the oil sump which bleeds out when its nose is tipped forward. I also have all the parts for this sitting in the cupboard but I’ll save that for another day… or year.
The interior transplant needs fettled as I’d like to have the heated seats forwards, all bulbs are out and I might have look at some sort of oem+ usb charging too.
I’ll be sure to pop up some pictures when I’m further down the line with everything.
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Would anyone like to be the new custodian of this Z3?
I’m testing the water a bit.
125k on the clock. Parked up for winter so won’t increase till spring.
Scroll up for photos.
Yes it’s a CAT N but beyond that there is a huge amount of life in the car especially if you are looking for a car for long term and are happy to put some labour time into it.
Pros:
-Fully Rebushed Rear subframe.
-Heated Sports Interior
-Oem Hardtop and fitting kit
-Stacks of Bills for Parts and servicing.
-BBS style 42 (7.5 and 8.5j set)
-Spare wheels
-400 mile front Continental tyres
-Rear tyres less than 1 year old. Toyo.
-Roll Hoops
-Harmon Kardon Kit included
-Freshly Serviced
-New Diff Oil
-OEM mesh wind deflector
-OEM hardtop bag
-Z3MR boot trim
- Genuine M rear light
- Genuine M front lights (quite rare in pfl non chrome)
Plus some other goodies get to be fitted.
Cons:
CAT N
Bodywork Poor
Clutch/release bearing needs replaced
Oil leak (parts included)
Needs outer sills (provided) + under treatment
Soft top not great. Replacement facelift provided.
Underside damage
I don’t expect to have my door battered down for perspective buyers but if you fancy the challenge, pm me.
Stevie
I’m testing the water a bit.
125k on the clock. Parked up for winter so won’t increase till spring.
Scroll up for photos.
Yes it’s a CAT N but beyond that there is a huge amount of life in the car especially if you are looking for a car for long term and are happy to put some labour time into it.
Pros:
-Fully Rebushed Rear subframe.
-Heated Sports Interior
-Oem Hardtop and fitting kit
-Stacks of Bills for Parts and servicing.
-BBS style 42 (7.5 and 8.5j set)
-Spare wheels
-400 mile front Continental tyres
-Rear tyres less than 1 year old. Toyo.
-Roll Hoops
-Harmon Kardon Kit included
-Freshly Serviced
-New Diff Oil
-OEM mesh wind deflector
-OEM hardtop bag
-Z3MR boot trim
- Genuine M rear light
- Genuine M front lights (quite rare in pfl non chrome)
Plus some other goodies get to be fitted.
Cons:
CAT N
Bodywork Poor
Clutch/release bearing needs replaced
Oil leak (parts included)
Needs outer sills (provided) + under treatment
Soft top not great. Replacement facelift provided.
Underside damage
I don’t expect to have my door battered down for perspective buyers but if you fancy the challenge, pm me.
Stevie
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Well....being in Scotland I presume this an everyday occurrence?
Only place I've ever been to have been offered a 'battered pizza".