Z3 project...no going back now!
- Thread starter Pondrew
- Start date
Special Kay
Active member
Panel gaps aside, the fruits of your labour are truly coming into fruition. Keep it up mate 
I was having a look on eBay and saw this, Z3 adapted to look like a BMW 507 (there's 2 for sale), I wonder what else is out there in the form of kits (maybe one that turns it into a Z4 
): https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235492139939?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=fI_DNXNkRA6&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=PLnagUugQIm&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
): https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235492139939?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=fI_DNXNkRA6&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=PLnagUugQIm&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Those two 507 reps have been for sale for months. They are a very popular kit to put on a Z3 at the moment, several people are building them that I know of.Zed Baron said:I was having a look on eBay and saw this, Z3 adapted to look like a BMW 507 (there's 2 for sale), I wonder what else is out there in the form of kits (maybe one that turns it into a Z4
Tribute Automotive make the majority of bodies; I think they have four or five 'flavours' to choose from including a weird 'Kobra'. A supposed Cobra replica based on the Z3 :?
As Z3 prices are higher than early Z4 prices, don't think a Z4 'build' option will be offered TBH.
That looks rather nice…but not £30k nice!Zed Baron said:I was having a look on eBay and saw this, Z3 adapted to look like a BMW 507 (there's 2 for sale), I wonder what else is out there in the form of kits (maybe one that turns it into a Z4
So today I decided to get the old Z3 running again, as it hasn't turned it's crank for over six months.
Checked all the wiring alterations I've done so far, taped off any bare ended wires (there are a few already), taped a bit lump of elephant trunking to the exhaust (what's left of it) and routed that outside the garage. I stuck the charged battery back on. Interior light came on and hazards were flashing (cos the switch is dodgy). All good, I know I've got 12v.
Put the key in the ignition (yes it has a key!), turned it to the first position, the dash lights came on for about a tenth of a second then nothing.
No voltage at all, anywhere. Nothing.
Disconnected the battery. Spent the rest of the day checking every fuse on the car from the main 100 amp down. Not one blown fuse. Checked and re-checked every bit of wiring I have messed with. All seems OK.
Still scratching my head TBH.
So much for building a car. I seem to have broken a perfectly good one.
Checked all the wiring alterations I've done so far, taped off any bare ended wires (there are a few already), taped a bit lump of elephant trunking to the exhaust (what's left of it) and routed that outside the garage. I stuck the charged battery back on. Interior light came on and hazards were flashing (cos the switch is dodgy). All good, I know I've got 12v.
Put the key in the ignition (yes it has a key!), turned it to the first position, the dash lights came on for about a tenth of a second then nothing.
No voltage at all, anywhere. Nothing.
Disconnected the battery. Spent the rest of the day checking every fuse on the car from the main 100 amp down. Not one blown fuse. Checked and re-checked every bit of wiring I have messed with. All seems OK.
Still scratching my head TBH.
So much for building a car. I seem to have broken a perfectly good one.
You know what....that was exactly what it was!enuff_zed said:
Sorted.
When I connected the battery, I fastened the earth post with a 10mm socket. It got tight so I didn't think anything more of it, and the interior light came on so thought happy days). When I put some power on, ie the ignition (fuel pump, etc, etc) it all shut down. Turns out the earth post wasn't tight. Cars' electrics are so fickle when it comes to earthing. Give me 240v AC any day of the week!
I took the earth post and cable off and had to struggle to release the nut from the thread. I have no idea why, as it was fine last time I connected the battery. The terminal has been wrapped in plastic aswell, so no dust or swarf has got in the threads! :?
I got the nut off, put a new M6 S/S nut on and re-assembled it. Connected it all up and hey presto she started first time at the flick of the key.
I got her up to full temperature and while warming up I checked all the other stuff that I haven't looked at since I stuck her in the garage. Everything works as it should; heater, heater fan, recirc, lights, etc. Even the A/C runs and so does the aux fan (needs a bit of gas admittedly).
She (see I am now calling it a 'her') runs beautifully. I have installed a K&N air filter because you can't get to the standard one with the body kit on. With no bonnet, the rasp of the intake, allied to the rumble of the Z3 exhaust on the 3 litre M54 is music to the ears.
A shite day ended up as really good one!
