I wonder if they will part ex that for a completed one. I reckon I could make a few quid...
You may also trigger a warning light too
Guess what, I have a pretty orange airbag warning light. Grrr.
I also have an OBD plug in and phone app to reset warning lights. Hooray.
BMW Z3s do not have the standard OBD plug sockets but a BMW 'special' port. Grrr.
Off to find a friendly BMW garage at some point soon I guess
I decided I didn't like the brake vent holes in the front just being holes so decided to add some vent piping.
The ducting
The hole. Notice the bumper bar directly behind it:
This is the space that the ducting will go into
The end result
Well, not quite the end. I have to decide where to direct the ducting from this point on. Remember that the bonnet lifts at the front so the 40cm of ducting I have fitted lifts with it. I will need to fit another piece of ducting to the engine bay to direct the air somewhere useful...
...or just leave it there I suppose
On another note, I never updated the thread with the end of the centre console saga. The reason was that it never really finished. I completed the original idea
But I didn't like it and the hinge didn't really work properly. I sucked my teeth a bit, swore a bit had a couple of beers and then decided to try a vinyl version which I think looks a lot better
The hinge is now provided by the vinyl itself so the flap opens a whole lot better.
Notice the inside of the flap has red vinyl instead of black. This is because I only had red vinyl but fortunately had some black vinyl paint.
Has anyone else used vinyl paint?
I was thinking it might be a cheap way to re-colour some of my other interior trim but am not sure lighter colours will cover the black. Any advice welcome.
[edit] I have just spotted the Sports switch and ASC button wiring hasn't been connected. Must remember to do that tomorrow
Okay, today was mainly taken up with other stuff but I did manage to get hold of some vinyl paint to lighten up the interior of the car. I wanted a light tan or sand colour but all I could find was Humbrol Dark Brown. I thought I would try it anyway on a spare scrap of vinyl.
I wouldn't describe that as Dark Brown. Perhaps "Hearing Aid Biege" would be closer. We will be kind and call it 'Light Tan' which is actually close to what I was after so I am happy.
Now I need to decide which bits to colour and which bits to leave black. I don't want to over do it.
More pictures tomorrow possibly but as it is my birthday i am not allowed to do what I want, I have to be happy sat inside being given stuff I don't want or need. I was asked what I wanted for my birthday and gave a list of stuff priced between £5 and £50 but apparently there were rubbish ideas as they were stuff I needed.
Look what happens when you rub the 'permenent' dye
Perhaps I will take Gary's advice and leave the interior a single colour.
The clock is staying, for the moment, as it is a reminder to myself not to take the whole thing too seriously
Original dash?
Original BMW plastic and modern dials
Wooden Panel?
Well today I drove Southampton to Stoneliegh and back. It wasn't 'total' sunshine but the roof was down both ways.
I can confirm that the rain stays out of the cabin at speeds of over 50mph. The wipers, however, move the water to the side of the screen where it runs up to the top and runs along the top of the door glass spraying gentle in your face.
I can also confirm that the wind turbulence is enough to pull a beanie hat off your head at speeds of over XXXmph*. Fortunately it gets blown into the passenger foot well.
*The speed is dependent on the tightness of the hat and should always be within the speed limits.
The long and tedious work of sanding the body back ready for primer and painting has started
I have done the top of the bonnet which has high lighted a few low spots I will need to fill and sand level.
Still loads to do in terms of sanding. It is the edges, the low bits and the windscreen surround that I am particularly looking forward to (NOT).
On a side note, I am beginning to wobble on my colour choice. I think it looks really good in liquid black...
very straight panels and perfect preparation
Oh well, that is black gone as an option...
Fingerprints were removed by the rain. I know it is called wet and dry paper but there is no need for the weather to join in!
I loved the McLaren lava red but this picture doesn't do it justice
I was thinking of doing it in a flat colour sort of like this
but I keep changing my mind :-(
Flat was always the plan, partly for the prep work but mainly for the cost.
I mean the correct period look
Next time I am getting Chris to do me a 1970's wedge with flat panels.
Sanding complex curves is time consuming work!
...and today I will be mostly sanding...
Most of the main panels are now complete. The home made ramps make it easier to get to the low bits
Side panel and sill to do on this side
And then all that is left is the fiddly bits like inside the vents and inside the headlamp bowls.
Plus of course filling the low spots and sanding that back down.
Plus of course going over it again with wet'n'dry where ever I sport and flaws when I wash it down.
Plus of course the metal doors and boot that I am leaving until just before the paint shop as they rust when exposed.
plus of course...
Still sanding - who asked for those stupid funny shaped vents and while we are at it, how do you sand headlight bowls?
The more I sand the more I like the idea of black.
Just looked at Dave Lowes MX250 and that works in black.
Can't remember who said it but it has stuck in my memory
Person A : "Red cars are faster"
Cool bloke : "No, black cars are faster, red cars crash"
I have tried photoshop - well similar - and it doesn't let me walk around and squint from funny angles enough.
Plastidip seems like it might be worth a look although I think I might as well just bite the bullet and go with ...
black!
no! barchetta rossa!
no! black
No! the G46 looked grea in dark blue
No! Red
No! ...
Fuel cap - just pop open the big chrome filler and the original filler and cap are right where the always were, completely unchanged.
If you look on the last picture you can see the access hole
I can't find the link but it was Chris at Tribute who sent me the details. I will have another look this evening
Car booked in with "Select Autos Specialist Paintwork" for next Thursday.
And the colour is definately...