Z3(00S) - EV project

Tom Cheesewright

Tom Cheesewright

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Zag2 said:
Loved that episode, I can feel the tension on the first drive.

Nothing like testing on the streets :)

Thanks for the in depth description of all the electrics as well, its fascinating. Out of interest, What's your background to learning all this?
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Ha! Yes. Much less nerve-wracking than the first time around though when it was all completely new and I was on my way to the MOT station. That was terrifying!

Background-wise, I'm your classic tinkerer, taking things apart from a young age. I went on to do a degree in mechatronic engineering but that was over 20 years ago and I've never used it professionally (other than to make it sound like I know what I'm talking about). Most of the stuff I learned from YouTube and the OpenInverter forum.
 
Tom Cheesewright

Tom Cheesewright

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So, this is slightly out of sync with the next video, which will be all happy and positive. I finally got the performance I wanted from the car, even briefly breaking traction in second (albeit in the damp)...

...then it broke. Not sure cause yet but seems to be fairly terminal motor failure. Won't know until I get it to the garage and strip it down.

Going to take it off the road for a few months. Get all the outstanding jobs done and do the body swap. Aiming to get it into paint over winter and have it looking fresh for spring. In the meantime I'm going to bring my new Z out and get it ready for a British winter.

Any recommendations for professional underbody protection welcome.
 
Tom Cheesewright

Tom Cheesewright

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Figured I might as well crack on with the interior mods. Relocating the hazard switch as I don't like its location or the location of the accessory socket. So new hazard switch going into accessory location, and accessory socket/lighter will go down into the footwell where any wires can be better hidden away (though I don't intend to use it - just there for emergencies).

20220911_135924.jpg


Meanwhile finally tidying up the 3D printed double din mount and relocated heater controls. Bit of filler and a lot of sanding.

20220911_135930.jpg


Going to go for a bit of a franken-interior for now. The Audi TT seats didn't work - not enough leg room with them in, even though they look great. So I'll move those on. Going to use the beige leather seats and some of the trim from the car I'm scrapping, but maybe paint this new centre console silver rather than black. Will see how it looks.

Carpets tbc. Have beige or black options but both need a good clean. Have a second hand Vax spotwash on the way for a different DIY job so hoping that can get them up nice with some scrubbing (also have a set of those drill brushes).
 
Tom Cheesewright

Tom Cheesewright

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Doing a bit more rust remediation - sills again, obviously. Don't think they're quite bad enough to cut out and weld the jacking points yet but they're not far off. Going to have one more go at cleaning up and painting before I resort to that. Have seen those repair panels on eBay that might be useful down the line.

Does anyone know if you can source the little white plastic inserts the jacking point screws in to? Rather destroyed mine. Can always 3D print something but surprised I haven't been able to find them to buy.
 
t-tony

t-tony

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Would you pay 30 grand for an electric 2CV? , I know I wouldn't.

Tony.
 
Tom Cheesewright

Tom Cheesewright

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I guess it depends on the quality of the conversion and if there's a market for it? I suspect yours is worth more than mine! At least for now. With charging sorted, second pack and body swap, I'd hope first one is worth north of 10. But it's kind of irrelevant for me. I plan to keep these cars forever.
 
Althulas

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Tom Cheesewright said:
Doing a bit more rust remediation - sills again, obviously. Don't think they're quite bad enough to cut out and weld the jacking points yet but they're not far off. Going to have one more go at cleaning up and painting before I resort to that. Have seen those repair panels on eBay that might be useful down the line.

Does anyone know if you can source the little white plastic inserts the jacking point screws in to? Rather destroyed mine. Can always 3D print something but surprised I haven't been able to find them to buy.
Click to expand...
www.ebay.co.uk

20x EXPANDING NUT SCREW GROMMET For BMW E30 E34 E36 E46 E38 E39 E46 E53 E70101 | eBay

(E30 E32 E34 E36 E46 E38 E39 E46 E53 E70 Z3). For : BMW 3/5/7 Series. If there are any problems, then we will try to resolve them for you. We have many years experience in the automotive components and fasteners industry.
www.ebay.co.uk

Also cheap from the dealer as well.
 
Tom Cheesewright

Tom Cheesewright

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Tom Cheesewright

Tom Cheesewright

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Making proper progress on the body swap now. Headlights half way to being mounted, working out the boot catch, and laying out the rear end lights/number plate.
 

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Mus Musculus

Mus Musculus

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Hi Tom,

Following this thread has been a blast. So much going on...

I am in awe at both your resourcefulness and perseverance. Wish I had the time and the skills to do something like this, but I can at least see myself looking at the Z300 body kit. Super cool.

Keep on coming with the videos, please. :thumbsup:
 
Tom Cheesewright

Tom Cheesewright

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Mus Musculus said:
Hi Tom,

Following this thread has been a blast. So much going on...

I am in awe at both your resourcefulness and perseverance. Wish I had the time and the skills to do something like this, but I can at least see myself looking at the Z300 body kit. Super cool.

Keep on coming with the videos, please. :thumbsup:
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Thank you! Can't wait to get it on the road now. Feels much closer now I'm focused on the bodywork.
 
Tom Cheesewright

Tom Cheesewright

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So, not sure if I posted this elsewhere in the forum but I got some bad news just before Christmas: my landlord wants his garage back. I've got to be out by 31st January. So progress stalled somewhat as I tried to find somewhere new. At the same time, my 3D printer decided to give up, meaning I couldn't print all the parts to finish the back end.

Not a lot has changed since then. I've spent a lot of time getting ready to move out of the garage and into storage. There's not a lot on the market garage-wise. Turns out the place I found was a bit of a unicorn - which I sort of knew, given that it took me over a year to find it.

The printer is now semi-working, though it's a bit like Trigger's broom/ship of theseus. New hot bed, new relay (three times), new nozzle, new belden tube etc. Now printing small things but it all goes wrong when I try to print anything larger - not sure why yet.

Anyway, just trying to get the car mobile again at the moment so that I can move it out of the garage. Maybe into my drive, maybe into a storage container. See latest vid for the drivetrain going back together.

Long term plan is to buy somewhere, maybe jointly with a friend. But everything is pricey, needs a lot of cash up front, and there's not a lot on the market that would be suitable. So my updates might be a little different for a while until I get it sorted.

View: https://youtu.be/IQIhWWmYx3k
 
Tom Cheesewright

Tom Cheesewright

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Andybpowell said:
I quite like my solution Tom it's not ideal but it's cheap and it means I can get on though I know you don't have that option due to lack of space
:)
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Yeah it would be ideal if I had a few more inches...said every man ever... 🤣
 
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