2000 Z3MC Breadvan
Discussion
After the sad demise of my E24 635csi at Anglesey, I thought I'd try and find something a bit different that was slightly less of a project.
I considered a few different cars but ended up settling for one of these. Looking forward to doing a few bits on it and getting it set up right.
Current spec is B8s and Eibachs, front strut brace, and not a lot else. Boot floor has been seam-welded, vanos has been rebuilt, and sills have been replaced.
First job is to replace the downpipe gaskets and change the water pump and stat. GB and diff fluids also.
Lets see how we go. A couple of snaps from the services on way home.



I considered a few different cars but ended up settling for one of these. Looking forward to doing a few bits on it and getting it set up right.
Current spec is B8s and Eibachs, front strut brace, and not a lot else. Boot floor has been seam-welded, vanos has been rebuilt, and sills have been replaced.
First job is to replace the downpipe gaskets and change the water pump and stat. GB and diff fluids also.
Lets see how we go. A couple of snaps from the services on way home.
Edited by e28525e on Saturday 29th March 20:53
Edited by e28525e on Saturday 29th March 20:54
daqinggregg said:
“After the sad demise of my E24 635csi at Anglesey” don’t be shy, we'll not judge.
Lovely looking Z3MC in one of the best colours, how does it compare?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47&t=1717378&i=180Lovely looking Z3MC in one of the best colours, how does it compare?
They are very different cars! The E24 was so far from standard, it would be hard to compare it with much else!
Are we allowed to address the quarter century elephant in the room at some point and say that these are a dreadful, awful looking car, or is this something for the next generation to hammer out amongst themselves? I really like the Z3, I think it was a lovely design, but I remember them saying at the time how determined they were to not make a “Z3 with a roof” and it just smacks that they went wholly too far in the opposite direction.
That being said, the nostalgia and undeniable cool factor for me entirely outweighs everything else I’ve just said. Lovely car! And absolutely that beautiful colour too.
That being said, the nostalgia and undeniable cool factor for me entirely outweighs everything else I’ve just said. Lovely car! And absolutely that beautiful colour too.
I had a go at sorting the exhaust blow today. I had already bought the gaskets and fixings, hoping it was just these that had failed.
I split the downpipes from the cats and replaced them, buttoned it all back up, but the blow was still there. Therefore, the whole exhaust had to come off in order to inspect the flanges.


Unfortunately, the flange had cracked where it is welded to the pipe:

Hopefully I can get it sorted tomorrow. K&N (fitted 03 and obviously never cleaned) replaced with a paper element.

A few more photos





I split the downpipes from the cats and replaced them, buttoned it all back up, but the blow was still there. Therefore, the whole exhaust had to come off in order to inspect the flanges.
Unfortunately, the flange had cracked where it is welded to the pipe:
Hopefully I can get it sorted tomorrow. K&N (fitted 03 and obviously never cleaned) replaced with a paper element.
A few more photos
popegregory said:
Are we allowed to address the quarter century elephant in the room at some point and say that these are a dreadful, awful looking car, or is this something for the next generation to hammer out amongst themselves? I really like the Z3, I think it was a lovely design, but I remember them saying at the time how determined they were to not make a “Z3 with a roof” and it just smacks that they went wholly too far in the opposite direction.
That being said, the nostalgia and undeniable cool factor for me entirely outweighs everything else I’ve just said. Lovely car! And absolutely that beautiful colour too.
Design/beauty, or whatever you want to call it is, of course, subjective. I don't think there is an elephant in the room - these cars are know to split opinion. I wouldn't use "marmite", maybe "mushroom" - I'd say 80% of people love them and 20% really don't. I, for one, have always thought they were a fabulous looking thing, and the design really does work better in the metal.That being said, the nostalgia and undeniable cool factor for me entirely outweighs everything else I’ve just said. Lovely car! And absolutely that beautiful colour too.
e28525e said:
popegregory said:
Are we allowed to address the quarter century elephant in the room at some point and say that these are a dreadful, awful looking car, or is this something for the next generation to hammer out amongst themselves? I really like the Z3, I think it was a lovely design, but I remember them saying at the time how determined they were to not make a “Z3 with a roof” and it just smacks that they went wholly too far in the opposite direction.
That being said, the nostalgia and undeniable cool factor for me entirely outweighs everything else I’ve just said. Lovely car! And absolutely that beautiful colour too.
Design/beauty, or whatever you want to call it is, of course, subjective. I don't think there is an elephant in the room - these cars are know to split opinion. I wouldn't use "marmite", maybe "mushroom" - I'd say 80% of people love them and 20% really don't. I, for one, have always thought they were a fabulous looking thing, and the design really does work better in the metal.That being said, the nostalgia and undeniable cool factor for me entirely outweighs everything else I’ve just said. Lovely car! And absolutely that beautiful colour too.
https://youtu.be/l4TKlqxnA2A?si=mYxbEbltcQi9G28Z
e28525e said:
popegregory said:
Are we allowed to address the quarter century elephant in the room at some point and say that these are a dreadful, awful looking car, or is this something for the next generation to hammer out amongst themselves? I really like the Z3, I think it was a lovely design, but I remember them saying at the time how determined they were to not make a “Z3 with a roof” and it just smacks that they went wholly too far in the opposite direction.
That being said, the nostalgia and undeniable cool factor for me entirely outweighs everything else I’ve just said. Lovely car! And absolutely that beautiful colour too.
Design/beauty, or whatever you want to call it is, of course, subjective. I don't think there is an elephant in the room - these cars are know to split opinion. I wouldn't use "marmite", maybe "mushroom" - I'd say 80% of people love them and 20% really don't. I, for one, have always thought they were a fabulous looking thing, and the design really does work better in the metal.That being said, the nostalgia and undeniable cool factor for me entirely outweighs everything else I’ve just said. Lovely car! And absolutely that beautiful colour too.
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