These things suffer from broken spot welds and iffy diff mounting as standard so do you really want to chopping out a strengthening panel?

Thanks for the feedback guys, you're absolutely right about not messing with anything structural - it just looks like a carrier for the plastic trim to me though and I'd love to get rid of it.

Guess I'll have to wander into my local Beemer dealer and ask the man in the oily overalls with a hand-rolled fag hanging out the corner of his mouth for a definitive answer...

I know they were built Stateside, but are they really that bad?

Anyone know if the diff issue is linked to the power output of the engine - are the bigger motors overpowered? If so, all the more reason to stick with a 1.9. :fear:

OK, found my own answer regarding the diff here -

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...-mount-failure

Looks like the monocoque was only ever meant to take a lightweight 140hp motor and anything bigger can stress the structure to the point of catastrophic failure.

But hey, at least you can boast to the other patients in A&E that your car was going 150mph when the back wheels came off...

From what I have read on the forums it was only really the Z3Ms that ripped their own arses off

The other, even the 2.8, are more about firm but gentle acceleration rather than screaming, neck snapping thrust

I read that only z3ms are affected too. The extra 100 odd horse power and traditional LSD will do that! (The Torsen diff in the 2.8 seems less harsh in action to me compared with the clutch type used in M cars)

Anyone with a Z3 should change the diff oil occasionally. BMW called it lifetime oil but it isn't. I changed mine in about 15 minutes and it came out like drinking chocolate. A lot smoother and quieter since the new oil went in.

Instructions
The diff has 2 plugs at the back. Remove the spare of you have one to see them more easily.
Loosen the top one slightly to make sure you can. You don't want to drain the diff and find you can't undo the fill plug.
Remove the lower plug and let the oil drain fully.
Put the bottom plug back in and remove the top plug.
With the car level, fill the diff until it just starts to dribble out.
Refit the top plug and drive away happy

That's good advice. As much as I like drinking chocolate it isn't a good lubricant

As much as I like 75W/90 oil it isn't a good bedtime drink.

The world is better when everything's in the right place :smile:

I put 75W/140 in to replace it. each to their own

Build Progress
 

Inner support panels bonded to inside of front end body section

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8cr0pzfb.jpg

Channels for front lights wiring boned in

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psgymcyfte.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psl71m8pio.jpg

GRP latch plate with steel inserts and captive nuts to accept standard BMW Z3 bonnet latches

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3vdkdxco.jpg

Rollcage brackets bolted to Z3 softtop fixing points in windscreen head rail

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...pspft1lwp9.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6rxdopxp.jpg

GRP insert bonded top of windscreen head rail to join to new rear body section

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psjkikcn0r.jpg

New alloy insert bonded into Z3 petrol tank neck....

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psdrnu8nf0.jpg


.... before new flexible pipe was installed

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psr6rjkr4o.jpg

Headlights, front indicators and side marker installed and wired. I really like Bob's chioce for side markers

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...pscta2a3hb.jpg

Rollcage drops into existing Z3 roll hop uprghts...

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psq9lz9iro.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psg0nsrzot.jpg

...and bolts down at rear to inner wings above Z3 rear lights

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psmqwetazh.jpg

Rear inner mounting panel test fitted

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...pshwkrtblp.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psn3rnfgwr.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8rwlx7pu.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psmtn201iv.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psbjbokanj.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psa8x35ue1.jpg

Looking great, a spectacular effort, well worth the wait.

That's looking soooo good.

Few questions though:

Will the bonnets for diy customers come fully built up with inner panels, hinge points and wiring guides?

Could you take some pics inside the car so I can see the relationship 'twixt roof and roll hoop please (want to plan for a headliner).

Is that fan in the boot part of the active 'ground effect' aerodynamics package?

It is looking bloody good though, did I mention that already?

Great work, looks like you've done everything you can to make the builders life easier :)

Wow, it gets better every time I see it and looks like a top quality kit with some well thought out details. Well done guys!

I have spotted a few things that are making me rethink my quick and simple build plans though. Thats not necessarily a bad thing, just requires a different picture in my head.

Tell us Gaz.

Tell us of these things you have spotted of which you speak, and of the picture you have in your head.

Don't keep ideas to yourself, we're all ears. :eyebrows:

So if I've picked up the right dates, we have...

Donor Car Arrived - 9th March 2015

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psovwutsad.jpg

Donor Car Stripped - 12th March 2015

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0sl1ljlh.jpg

SWB 250 - Under Construction - 20th March 2015

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psa8x35ue1.jpg

Simply outstanding. :hail:

Note:
This build is actually closer to completion after just 2 weeks, than my build is after almost 3 years!

All the clever thinking that has gone into the design/construction will save any builder time and stress, so it is worth every penny. :cool:

I really hope this kit is the HUGE success it deserves to be, good luck, Paul. :)

The original plan was to keep the interior of the Z3 untouched which would have fit my idea of a modern take on a classic car (along with modern alloys and LED lights etc.) however I notice that the top of the BMW seats are very close to the internal metal work of the kit and Im just not sure that this would look "right". I also hadn't accounted for the rear shelf being as visible as it seems to be so getting material to match what is already in the car would be near impossible so I would have to change it and if I'm doing that, I would want to change the rest of the interior to match.

A more traditional look may be the way forward for me after all but I will make a decision once I have got the kit back to my garage and can play around with it a little.

Ahh, that all makes sense. I'll be aiming for as original a look as I can get it inside and out.

It's occurred to me that it would be a good idea to build this car inside out - to get the interior predominantly done while the roof's off so you've actually got some access. Just a thought.

Wow! What a transformation in a short time and a great product. The details you have gone through are outstanding. Well done guys!

Maybe i need to add a SWB to me tribute collection....

Hi Chris,
just back from holiday and can see the pictures properly now.
It looks fantastic and I'm really looking forward to picking it up on Thursday morning.

Cheers, Bob.

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psqmghi6bi.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psdlkpx7co.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psixnvcoib.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psu1evvhv6.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7rybfftc.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...psk2cuppks.jpg

Just got back to Norwich after picking the car up from Chris. A nice little 250 mile road test with a 1 hour rest on the M25 3 lane car park.


Dead chuffed with the car, and more importantly, my wife loves the look of it.

Chris has really done a great job. A few more bits to come from Chris and paint/interior/wheels/odd bits from me when I've saved up.

I'll do some better pictures of it as soon as I can.

Will be good to see some of you at Stoneleigh on the Monday

Bob.
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...&pictureid=230
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...&pictureid=229

progress ?
 

Any more pictures, I am going to look at z3 tomorrow, silver with red and black interior, 2.2 auto, pictures good for insperation:roll:

Does it feel like you're driving a classic?

I'll take some more pictures tomorrow.
It feels like a classic as I look down the bonnet but it's easy to drive like a modern car, doesn't overheat in traffic and is really comfortable. I will need to make the interior a bit more 'classic' though.

Cheers, Bob.

That looks good, Bob.
Looking forward to your reports as details are added.
Steve

You have got the best of both worlds. It's really looking good.

hurnleft - Congratulations Bob. :cool:

I still can't believe you have driven the "new" car home less than 3 weeks after you dropped the "old" one off!

It is funny how the first photo just looks like someone has fitted modern BMW wheels to a classic car.

Good luck with finishing it off, Paul. :)

The car looks great, thanks for sharing the pictures, look forward to seeing more. Have you decided on wheels?

Gary

Have you decided on wheels?

I think that is a no-brainer - it should definitely have wheels!

Amazing how you can take something as hideous as a Z3 and turn it in to a thing of beauty. Nice work by all involved, wire wheels look to be the obvious route but it is all down to personal preference.

Nice one Bob! I think if this had been available before I started my build, I would have had one!

Wait till the Towed sees the pictures!

Thanks for your comments guys. Chris really has done a great job.
I've been posing about in this morning trying to arrange prices for paint and trim. Will make a proper plan when I've got prices in.

Forgot to mention yesterday, the grille will be sent from Chris as soon as his suppliers get things sorted. Also he added a couple of lengths of pipe onto the back of the exhaust. This stopped any fumes trying to come into the cabin from the original shorter pipes.
A friend lent me a really excellent centre cap with 3 eared spinner that he'd bought in from America. Just too big to push through the hole in a steel rim so I'll get the supplier's details and try to find something a bit smaller. I'll report back.

Cheers, Bob.


http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...&pictureid=234
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...&pictureid=233
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...&pictureid=232
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...&pictureid=231

thanks for the pics Bob,

any chance of a close up of the petrol cap?

cheers Mark

Looks great. Without the finished paint and trim bits it looks like a barn find Ferarri

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/...3530231966.jpg

Hi Mark,

The cap and parts are shown and listed on page 2 of the thread.

The cap was fitted into a small moulding that already Chris has.

Cheers, Bob.
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...&pictureid=237
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...&pictureid=236
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...&pictureid=235