Z4 Repair Project

[Ethan12]

Hi,

I have joined and thought I would post a bit of background on my current project. I have owned my 2003 Z4 3.0 in Sterling Grey for 7 years now and have always used it as a summer car, it was a special dealer launch car back in 2003 so it has every option on it that was available at launch including the full aero kit. I have spent many hours on it over the years rectifying the usual faults.

Unfortunately, I smashed the front end few weeks ago resulting in some significant damage to the front end. Due to owning this car for such a long time with the memories and work I have put into it, plus it’s such a well sorted car that I couldn’t bear to see it go to a scrap yard to be pillaged for parts or for someone else to put it back on the road so I am going to rebuild it myself. I always planned to keep it long term.

I have known of this excellent forum for years now, however in recent years I have not been active. I guess now I have a renewed interest in my Z4 as I’m determined to get her back on the road for next spring.

My plan is to ideally find a spares or repair donor Z4 in sterling grey with a mint front end, or source the exact parts individually that I require so it would be a bolt on repair in effect.

Here are some pictures in its top form and a couple showing the damage.

Thanks for looking and I’m sure you will all agree I’m doing the right thing getting my Z4 back on the road.

 

[Chris_D]

Definitely worth repairing!
And i reckon it looks light enough damage not to make you suspect it wouldnt drive exactly the same as it did before its' contretemps.
What did you smack into if that's not being too nosey?
I'm currently in the process of dispensing with my beloved E36 coupe after 18 years of ownership and a quarter of a million miles before it was smacked into. It was my workhorse for taking me on client visits around europe and was an absolute paragon of reliability and comfort so I can empathise completely that you would want to resurrect your own motor.
I've finally 'let go' :lol: after briefly considering repairing it but it's really just not worth it.

 

[Ethan12]

Hit a Honda CRV side on, Z4 sits low so front slam bar hit the strong point on his car and trashed his sill and ripped both tyres, I think the slam bar actually went under his sill which would explain why his CRV was put on two wheels for a brief moment, was pulling out onto a main road but my view was obscured and I though it was clear. Sh!t happens.

Shame about your E36 as that would go on for ever, but at least you have a Z4 and an E93 by the looks of it. I also have an E92 M Sport, fantastic car.

 

[Chris_D]

Hit a Honda CRV side on, Z4 sits low so front slam bar hit the strong point on his car and trashed his sill and ripped both tyres, I think the slam bar actually went under his sill which would explain why his CRV was put on two wheels for a brief moment, was pulling out onto a main road but my view was obscured and I though it was clear. Sh!t happens.

Shame about your E36 as that would go on for ever, but at least you have a Z4 and an E93 by the looks of it. I also have an E92 M Sport, fantastic car.

Yep, s**t happens. Took me a couple of months for that to sink in with 'Benny'. Amazed at how subconciously I must have been attached to it. Thinking about it, it's been through thick and thin with me; ups and downs with my business, 4 relationships, 1 major illness, 250k miles through 8 countries, umpteen enjoyable trips to the beach stuffed with gear and friends, 1 really hairy episode in Portugal involving a gang of gypsies who wanted to rob me of all my possessions, 3 house moves (folding rear seats turned it into a van!) and a few seasons at the Nurburgring as a support car for an Ariel Atom. He'll be missed.
Make sure you keep us posted re. progress on the rebuild - I'm sure everyone here will be really interested and willing to offer any advice as necessary....
Good luck!

 

[csquire4]

has the rebuild started?