Following your build with great interest. Ordering my 250 SWB coupe kit in the following weeks for the USA.

At my current build velocity you'll probably finish before me!

Hopefully though, some of the stuff I post may be of help.

Looking at 16" steel wheels.

The BMW I've spotted have the following stamped on them...

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4744/...6bed7802_z.jpg , on Flickr

Will they fit ok? Thinking of offset mainly.

The offset is smaller is smaller than stock so they should fit with no issues inboard. They will stick further out by about 5-10mm though which should be fine too. Then you can consider spacers once you have trial fitted them. Also depends on tyre sizes too.

I use www.wheel-size.com to check mine

Dave

Thanks Dave - I've bought them and pick them up Thurs. 4 nearly new steel wheels for €50 :-)

Not a lot to show for todays work. Mainly spent it flattening back the paint on another Z3 I'm helping restore.

I did get a delivery of air vents.

99p on Ebay.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4710/...0d8c3f3f_b.jpgAir vents by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

Dash should be over here during the week and then I can get cracking on the interior.

Carpets also should be got soon. Going to have to hurry up and make some decisions soon.

A little more done today.

First the angle grinder was out again today. Cut the door skin as per the instructions from Tribute.

At the top of the 'hole' there is a bar that also needs cutting out.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4770/...3f46c472_b.jpg20180204_172604 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

Then tidied it up a little with hammerite to stop corrosion. Will attach a metal plate soon so it's ready for the door handle.

~https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4657/...823dea2a_b.jpg20180204_172940 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

Next up was a start on the dash...

This is how it was in it's removed state. There's plenty of instructions on how to remove on the t'internet, and I'd already removed so no pictures anyway.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4632/...7bff7e2f_b.jpg20180204_163713 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

It's pretty obvious where all the screws are that you need to remove but you do need to remove the venting to make some screws accessible.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4610/...3681761f_b.jpg20180204_163952 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr


With the two 'pods' removed and the venting reattached this is what we have.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4715/...58fbf7a1_b.jpg20180204_165315 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

Already now for when the dash arrives from tribute.

~https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4657/...823dea2a_b.jpg20180204_172940 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr[/QUOTE]

Great picture, I used a small holesaw in my drill to make the hole which is a bit neater but I didn't take any measurements. The key slot is a perfect reference point, if you could take a measurement from the top of the chrome round key slot to the centre of the push bar, it would make it very easy for future builders to get it in the perfect location. The smaller the hole, the less water will get in later.

Keep up the good work.

I'm trying to follow your advice of doing a little often :-)

It's a lot more motivating seeing little jobs ticked off.

Also helping a friend respray his Z3. Which is good as it means we practice spraying on his car first!

Still on primer stage but it's actually looking much better than expected.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4747/...0ef9e451_b.jpg20180204_173007 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

Please do take that measurement for the door cut.
Much appreciated...

This is a rule (tape measure) just laid next to the lock to give an idea of where the cuts need to be.

I'll take a video showing why the hole needs to be bigger than just allowing access to the bar in the pic

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4629/...6475ffe6_b.jpg20180218_121017 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

Didnt get chance to do much this weekend but did start on the dashboard.

I initially thought that the dashboard just needed the pods removing and that was it. It isn't.

Here's the dashboard sans pods.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4745/...a675589a_b.jpg20180218_114008 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

A cut needs to be made to remove material from the centre at roughly the area where the two nodules are.

This might actually be a bit too much but it works out ok. There's also some trimming to be done within each semi cicle area leaving you with a dash board looking like this...

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4654/...8fc04c52_b.jpg20180218_115902 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

The tribute dash then fits on top...

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4616/...83a93fb5_b.jpg20180218_120042 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

There is some trimming to be done of the venting. I'll show that next time.

I also chose and got material delivered for the interior....

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4629/...af853766_b.jpg20180218_121509 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

Thank you! Looking forward to your video

Jack

Good afternoon Couerdelion , when i installed my Tribute dash i trimmed down the two metal fixings that are attached at right angles to the cross piece tube . From my own experience you are taking on a large job , but when it is finished it will look brilliant , it really transforms the interior , good luck Geoff .

Thank you Jeff!

http://s803.photobucket.com/user/jag...ed-31.jpg.html

From the picture you need to drill a hole 45mm up from the round chrome key hole. I used a 40mm hole saw which was perfect, just gave me enough room to bolt a plate to the bar.
Page 5 of my build thread.

I did put a thick bead of silicone sealant in an arc above the newly cut hole, the idea being that water was directed away from the hole. A lot of water can get between the old and new door skins, make sure you drill plenty of drainage hole in the bottom of the new skins.

Perfect, thanks.

How does that work out on the spot on the Tribute door skin?

I saw on the Tribute doorskin an area that had obviously been filled. I just drilled through this at the centre point and on through the bmw doorskin. The drill bit actually hit the inner bar and popped open the door. This was obviously down to incredible skill and had nothing to do with luck!
I then used the drill hole in the door with a 40mm holesaw which gave enough room to fit the new striker plate.