#ZedShed Z3M - Save or not to save!

[AlexGSi2000]

One of those ones where your heart needs to take the lead over your wallet.

If it were a non-M then I think the writing would be on the wall, but the fact its a special car does make you ponder.

The budget tyres say it all really.

May be a good chance for some tasty upgrades - polybushes, coilovers.etc if genuine items are scarce

 

[Nodzed]

I'd save it, but then I never learn.

 

[Pond]

Just cos it has an 'S' engine doesn't make it anything special, except more expensive to restore.

Scrap is scrap no matter what badge it used to have.
Unless you absolutely love a Z3M and money is no object, or you could restore it and make money (which ain't happening), it is just another scrap car.

 

[S3Graham]

Just cos it has an 'S' engine doesn't make it anything special, except more expensive to restore.

Scrap is scrap no matter what badge it used to have.
Unless you absolutely love a Z3M and money is no object, or you could restore it and make money (which ain't happening), it is just another scrap car.

I don’t understand why it’s scrap/a breaker?

Why does it need restoring to pristine in one hit, sure that would cost more money than the car. resto almost never makes financial sense, full respray would be £10k. Lee is fixing the main issue which is the boot floor - I can’t fix that and it made the car undrivable. Terminal if not sorted.

The rest is mainly a suspension overhaul which I’m going to tackle in chunks as and when I have the money. What 30 year old car doesn’t need that? I feel like I’d be mental to break a car because it needs suspension? Im not looking for a mint show queen. Just a useable classic. If this wasn’t an M I think it would be a non-event and a 2-3 grand job.

 

[S3Graham]

One of those ones where your heart needs to take the lead over your wallet.

If it were a non-M then I think the writing would be on the wall, but the fact its a special car does make you ponder.

The budget tyres say it all really.

May be a good chance for some tasty upgrades - polybushes, coilovers.etc if genuine items are scarce

that budget tyre kills me. Previous owner sold it to me with 2 Pirelli’s on the front that were 2012 dated 1 Bridgestone and 1 ditch finder on the back. I’ve replaced the fronts but the rears are on the list to replace!

 

[AlexGSi2000]

Looking forward to seeing how this progresses, its far from being beyond savable, nice amount of TLC will sort it.

Some people may not see sense in spending the money, but I completely understand it - especially if you are doing some of the work yourself.

For example, when I purchased my e39 M5, I purchased from the lower end of the market as its what my budget dictated, I also knew I was able to do a vast majority of the work myself (all the mechanical bits) - I then spent the time over the next two years progressively going through the car. Yes, it cost me a few quid in parts, but the value gained exceeded the purchase and parts bill. Plus, I know everything has been done properly and absolutely all of the suspension components.etc are new.

Its sometimes not all about the money, but it helps knowing its gained / not lost any value.

 

[Pingu]

It sounds like it's turning into a labour of love.

M parts are many times more expensive than Z3 parts. There is some commonality, but suspension and running gear are unique.

Salvage parts are almost non-existant, so it's new parts only.

You can save money by fitting non-standard parts like poly-bushing the diff mount - that'll save £100.

My recommendation is to do a full price breakdown BEFORE you start replacing anything (and don't forget labour charges). The numbers will scare you, but if you are still not put off - then go for it.

I've rebuilt two Ms using my own labour (one is now a kit car), and neither would have made financial sense if the donor cars weren't very cheap, so I know all about money-pit cars. One (the "standard" M) is worth more than what I spent on it, but that is only because the market rose, not because of anything that I did. The other (the kit car) will never be worth what I spent on it.

An idea of costs - I did a front suspension refresh - £1200.

£492.12	2x Front Lower Suspension Arms
£45.08	2x Front ARB Poly Bushes
£23.60	2x Front Drop Links
£23.63	Nuts for suspension
£65.42	Track Rod (pair)
£29.05	Front Brake Caliper Kit
£100.40	Brake Hoses (4)
£53.42	Front Wheel Bearings (pair)
£35.99	Front Backplates (pair)
£249.00	Brake Caliper Refurb
£48.44	Front Wishbone Mounting Rubber Set
£1.02	Disc Retaining Bolt
£45.00	Tracking

 

[Nodzed]

Z3s are still plentiful considering their age, but 3.0s and Ms not so common. If you're mad enough, have the time and a flexible wife and credit card they are IMHO worth the save. After all if it was an RS2000 no one would be saying scrap it, and I'll wager there are probably more of those left in the UK than Z3Ms.

 

[Scooblitz]

If this was mine, I would walk the extra mile and bring it to showroom condition.
M's have almost doubled their value during the past five years in Euroland.
No idea of prices in the UK.

UK prices are very low at the moment. Plenty M roadsters advertised as low as £11k and not in this condition either.

 

[Nodzed]

UK prices are very low at the moment. Plenty M roadsters advertised as low as £11k and not in this condition either.

Agree, and at those prices they will mostly all need thousands spent on them to bring them up to scratch, bushes, suspension vanos, sills, clutches and pins the list goes on. Rust can be dealt with, its mostly time and effort, parts cost the same regardless of body condition, soap and polish does not make a car mechanically sound.

 

[Sean d]

So we’ve taken this Z3M in to look at, mainly to see if she’s worth saving. Some of you will recognise it from various for sale ads some months back. Safe to say this Zed has had a life.

On the outside she’s untidy.
View attachment 347165View attachment 347167View attachment 347169View attachment 347171
So we can see a cheap respray on the bonnet, there’s lots of dots in the lacquer also overspray in various places. The Drivers mirror has taken a knock vertically. Passenger lower quarter is beyond saving from rust.

On the rear we can see the boot lid paint slightly off colour and no grommet on the aerial so lots of water expected in the boot. Various dents all over the bodywork.

The under side tells a whole different story. The boot floor has ripped away so this will need rewelding back together.
View attachment 347181
the inside of the boot echos the same story.
View attachment 347179
we also noticed imminent failure of the rear brake system. How this car has an MOT is crazy.
View attachment 347183
the driver side swing arm is beyond repair, you can see the thickness of the arm gone from corrosion.
View attachment 347185
on the left see how thick it used to be.
View attachment 347187
not all doom m gloom, someone has fitted new BMW rear shocks, drop links and roll bar plus new caps in the last few years, I say years as the rubber is cracked on the drop links.
View attachment 347189
rear beam bushes failed as per on most zeds this age.
View attachment 347193
diff bush de laminating so will need replacing.
View attachment 347191
Overall rear shots.

View attachment 347195View attachment 347197View attachment 347199
the front is not much better. Bar drop links it’s all goosed, we even have one normal upside down Eibach spring and other side normal BMW spring.

Just see the logo up top upside down.
View attachment 347201
spring other side. Note bump stops goosed
View attachment 347211
the metal hardware and original shocks that bounce like a bed.
View attachment 347205View attachment 347207
Has once piece solid discs fitted that are non BMW also a mix of callipers and refurbs. (Z3M’s have M embossed callipers)
View attachment 347209
the owner has some thinking to do. This car needs everything replaced, and she’s really not road worthy, I’ve not even shown other issues like oil leaks etc. View attachment 347213

Poor old girl needs a lot of love. Parts alone here will be in excess of 10k. That rear arm I’m told is £1300 from BMW if they have stock. Genuine wishbones £600 last time I bought them from BMW the list goes on.

We tried BMW worldwide to get an M trailing arm,they couldn't find one anywhere, gave up after a year of trying

 

[Dino D]

Just cos it has an 'S' engine doesn't make it anything special, except more expensive to restore.

I used to think that until I went in a properly sorted and properly driven S50.

 

[Peter1450]

I know it’s a very niche market now but I’m surprised an engineer/ fabricator on one of the various forums hasn’t knocked up a jig and made some tubular type replicas.
I get they’d be expensive but it would save a few cars in the long run , I couldn’t get a pair for my wifes 3.0 two years ago so they were repaired to a good standard and have since got a good one as a spare from a member on here, hope I won’t need it !

 

[Lee]

I know it’s a very niche market now but I’m surprised an engineer/ fabricator on one of the various forums hasn’t knocked up a jig and made some tubular type replicas.
I get they’d be expensive but it would save a few cars in the long run , I couldn’t get a pair for my wifes 3.0 two years ago so they were repaired to a good standard and have since got a good one as a spare from a member on here, hope I won’t need it !

They do. They look like this

 

[Peter1450]

I’ll get me coat

 

[Lee]

I’ll get me coat

I wish I had more time on my hands and I would make these.

 

[Althulas]

Where do the rear springs sit on those? Or are they for a shock with reinforced tower?

I suppose the S50 is nothing special these days but never failed to bring a smile for me untill I broke it

If the cars a keeper bar the cost of the rear arms it’s all doable over time with sensible buying.

I had my engine rebuilt 10 years ago for 5K but you would not be able to do that now for that price. When I update my refurbed I will have to top up my invoices and thank the gods my wife has not gone through my expenses folder.

look forward to the progress on this one.

 

[Lee]

Just needs a round spring pad welded on. These are very early prototype arms.

 

[Scooblitz]

Z3M Trailing Arm in Lithuania

It’s only 1 side.

Lithuania, the ‘hot-bed’ of used BMW parts.

 

[Scooblitz]

2 sets in America.

Click $2400 - £1775 before post and taxes.

Warmer climate parts could be the way to go.