Richie's 1997 1.9 Progress Thread

[37042]

So just in case any one gets bored with the more exotic versions here's my 1997 1.9 project.

I managed to get the car for €1400 - it's been off the road for a while as the previous owner was working away.









It's generally in pretty good condition but there are a few problem areas...

Roof needs a good clean and a new rear window



Mirrors need a bit of a refurb and there's a good few marks all round the bumpers and down the driver side.

 

[t-tony]

That looks like a solid car to start with Ritchie, most of those bits are cosmetic anyway, keep us posted mate.

Tony.

 

[37042]

*Above pictures are from sellers ad.

Car was picked up and delivered for €80. Much better than worrying about towing it or trying to drive it and hope not to get caught for no tax / no nct.

So first thing to do was to make a list of work that needs to be done to get the car through its NCT (Irish MOT).

Full list that I have so far (plus approx costs):

· Alternator - €40 + refurb cost (if needed)
· Catalytic Convertor - €140
· Post Cat Sensor - €30 (Probably worth doing whilst cat is out?)
· Right door mirror - €15
· New Tyres - €340
· Wipers - €10

Service Items

· Air Filter, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, Spark Plugs - €80
· Oil 5l - €50
· Brake Fluid - €10

Total - €715

By my calcs that would put it at ~€2250 to get a road worthy Z3 (€1400 purchase + €80 tow + €715 parts + €50 test fee)
Previous owner told me that it needs a new cat - something about the other one being scraped out after it became loose. He also says it needs a new alternator.

So starter looking today for parts

Service kit ordered (filters and plugs) - €45.
Alternator - €40. Was looking at a new pattern one but decided to get one from a scrapper - I'll put it in and if it works great (it says its tested). If not I'll have the one I take out refreshed and put it back in.

Tyres - found Bridgestone Turanza online at openeo.ie for €69 each. Local garage fits and balances for €16 so €340. It's a big chunk so had a look round for another alternative and saw a set of four Z3 alloys with the same V rated tyres on about 30 minutes from Dublin. A little bit of haggling and I now have alloys (in pretty good condition) sat the shed with decent rubber on. I think they're BMW Style 46 and they're 16's.



All 4 for the grand price of €125!

Not sure what to do about the Cat. After reading up it seems there's been problems with pattern parts so is it worth buying the OEM?

 

[David Cullen]

Something like the mirrors I would try pick up second hand, most will be in good condition and would work out cheaper than a refurb I'd say. Silver one breaking in scrappers in kinegad

 

[David Cullen]

Cat second hand again, can't even imagine the price of oem one lol

 

[37042]

I took a bit (lot!) of a chance buying the car without seeing it running. The seller was a sound bloke and offered to take it back if I had any problems.

I bought the car Friday and took the battery with me to charge. Despite showing fully charged on Sunday it wouldn't turn the engine (clicking noise indicating not enough power) and the jump leads I had were too short.

Quick trip to Halfords for new jump leads and I ended up buying a Halfords jump starter (http://www.halfords.ie/motoring-travel/tools-diy/jump-leads/phaze-4-in-1-jump-starter). Problem with this is it meant waiting untill that had charged before I could do try again.

So tonight I put the leads in and on the first two tries it still wouldn't fire. It was close though and no more starter ticking. 3rd time it fired up and was running! (Phew - not an expensive lawn ornament!)

It's been a while since it was last run and it was a little rough but some new fuel and at the weekend I'll run it to temperature.

So its been a productive day. Car started and first purchases under budget, there could still be some surprises but the €2250 budget is looking safer - for now!

 

[t-tony]

Well, now you know how Frankenstein felt mate, " It lives !"

Tony.

 

[Zeti]

Well done Richie! Common problems for a sleeping beauty.
I like your car; we are brother in arms except the fact that I have black seats...
To encourage you I have to tell you that I paid 6 years ago 7000 eur plus 1400 improvements for my Zed , a 96 with 136 000 km on the clock. But I never regret and he never disappointed me!
What mileage your Zed has?

 

[37042]

Well done Richie! Common problems for a sleeping beauty.
I like your car; we are brother in arms except the fact that I have black seats...
To encourage you I have to tell you that I paid 6 years ago 7000 eur plus 1400 improvements for my Zed , a 96 with 136 000 km on the clock. But I never regret and he never disappointed me!
What mileage your Zed has?

Hi Zeti

She's 107,000 km / 66,000m on the clock so just nicely run in.

 

[Zeti]

Definitely it worth the effort to make it safe and shiny! Keep up the good work!

 

[David Cullen]

that mileage is nothing lol, well worth the effort, great that she is up and running so will be plain sailing from here ;-)

 

[Coffee331]

Something like the mirrors I would try pick up second hand, most will be in good condition and would work out cheaper than a refurb I'd say. Silver one breaking in scrappers in kinegad

David, whereabouts is that scrap yard in kinnegad? I need a dash switch blank (fancy name for tiny piece of plastic) and eBay is looking for stupid money for one.

 

[Coffee331]

Good luck with the work Richie

 

[hard top]

I need a dash switch blank (fancy name for tiny piece of plastic) and eBay is looking for stupid money for one.

@McZee3 got his from the dealer cheaper than Ebay.

https://zroadster.org/threads/face-lift-centre-console-switch-blanking-plates.9281/

 

[37042]

So a month of so of not a lot done. Ironman Mallorca and subsequent recovery got in the way but I've been doing a good bit of online shopping, ready to start doing work when I got home.

Today was the first chance to work on the car and the first job was to replace the alternator. Took a while to work out how to get the belt off but once done it was just a couple of bolts to undo, unfasten the power steering oil reservoir (I'm assuming thats what it was) and then the alternator came off. Problem was that the replacement was from a 2000 Z3 and it was only after removing I realised it had different connectors. The existing has just 2 wires attaching to poles - the replacement has 1 pole and a female socket for a 3 pin connector. I think I'll just ebay the new one and take the existing for a refurbishment now it's off.

The power steering oil reservoir was filthy - doesn't look like the top was on properly. Something to clean up.

Also replaced both wing mirrors. The spindle on the drivers side had snapped and I decided to do both. I got the replacements off ebay from x8r and it was a straight forward job. Lever the mirror off then unscrew everything. No need to even mark what spade went where as theyre all imprinted onto the plastics of the mirror. The replacements also mean I don't have to worry about fixing up the corroded bases as they replaced with black plastic. Wasn't sure how it would look but I'm happy with it. I'll take some pictures next week.

Last job was to replace a badly perished hose as the back of the engine. Luckily my mate has smaller hands than me and managed to get into the back to do the necessary.

Jobs for next week then - replace alternator with refurbished unit (hopefully I'll get it in and back quick enough) and service the car (oil and filter, air filter etc)

 

[windym]

Hi, are you still after the dash blanking covers, I have just fitted heated seat switches and have a couple spare.

Andy

 

[Coffee331]

Hi, are you still after the dash blanking covers, I have just fitted heated seat switches and have a couple spare.

Andy

Yes I am!

I need one...would you be willing to part with one?

 

[windym]

Hi, yup no worries just mail your address.

Andy

 

[Coffee331]

Hi, yup no worries just mail your address.

Andy

Thanks! Just sent you a pm

 

[windym]

Blanking plate en-route.

Andy