Z3 M Coupé Resto and Engine Rebuild !

[Chrispy]

Great job!! What have you been using to clean up all the engine parts? I've always had trouble cleaning up cast ally parts.

[Clubber]

Originally Posted by Chrispy

Great job!! What have you been using to clean up all the engine parts? I've always had trouble cleaning up cast ally parts.

Thanks. I usually use alcohol and wd-40 and on some stubborn dirt and grime, some caliper cleaner works like a charm.

[Clubber]

The car was way too loud so installed cats to reduce the noise and it worked like a charm,



Now that most of the engine and mechanical stuff out of the way, we switched back to cosmetic part. The bonnet and bumpers are getting ready for clean-up paint.

Holes from the hood clips filled and primed,





The holes for the hamann aero parts on the rear bumper filled and primed,





Licence plate holes filled and bumper fully primed,



A few days later,

The car got out of paint shop, the paint is flawless and the hood looks 10x better without ricer hood pins. Smooth front bumper without licence plate also adds to the clean look. I am very happy with the results. Before paint shots, we took care of tiny details again

First, I sanded and waxed the headlights as they were really worn and blurry,



Then, I replaced the old looking bumper lights with new ones, old vs new,



On the car,



Finally replaced the number plate light as it was also pretty discolored and dirty,



Old vs. new,



New one put in, much better,



After these little youth touches, she looked much younger





Now that majority of the work is done (engine rebuild, paint, mechanics etc.), it is time for the interior. Tomorrow, I'll drop it to my upholstery guy for a little freshen up and some personal touches We're almost there. Keep watching ...

[cslsuperfan]

Clubber

your attention to detail is admirable, the heat shields look new.

Fantastic work on such a deserving model

BMW certainly lost their way with the models post Z3M

[LeinsCSL]

That's looking superb Clubber, good work!

[shimmy]

Is TR = Transyvania?

[alexk]

clubber > very good


shimmy > TR = Turkey

[northernjim]

Excellent work Clubber! Your car is looking much much better for all your work, just don't let it get hit by bits of MIG falling out of the sky

Originally Posted by shimmy

Is TR = Transvestite?

That's more like it for you

[Clubber]

Originally Posted by cslsuperfan

Clubber

your attention to detail is admirable, the heat shields look new.

Fantastic work on such a deserving model

BMW certainly lost their way with the models post Z3M

Thanks a lot my friend. Yeah those shields turned out perfect. I also agree that Z3M has better chance of being a future classic than any other following Z car.

Originally Posted by LeinsCSL

That's looking superb Clubber, good work!

Thanks a lot.

Originally Posted by shimmy

Is TR = Transyvania?

TR stands for Turkey.

Originally Posted by alexk

clubber > very good


shimmy > TR = Turkey

Originally Posted by northernjim

Excellent work Clubber! Your car is looking much much better for all your work, just don't let it get hit by bits of MIG falling out of the sky

hahhah thanks. She is safely stored at home. Glad you liked her.

More to come...

[Clubber]

Then the car got back from my upholstery guy. He used his usual tricks and skills to liven up the interior. Instead of retrimming in the interior with new leather and such, we went for restoration route.
First, the seats were switched (left to right) so that the entrance bolster were hidden on the other side, then the worn padding got renewed with firm, fresh ones to give extra bit of tight look. Then they were warmed up and weted back to back for a few times. This makes the loose leather stretch back to its original form. Lastly they were washed. Here are the results,

During washing,



Finished look,







Once the rest finished, then came turn for my little personal touches. To keep the black and red theme, I contrast stitched the door grab and center console sides.

Door Grabs,







and the center console sides,







Finally matt painted the airbag, as it was very shiny. Not very clear in this picture but the result is very good.
Overall, I am very happy with interior works. next will be wheel alignment, quick detail.