Z3 barn find

Great, I have a similar trailer and did not think it would go on it without some jacking etc. Keep us posted on the project, pictures for sure. ic

Mhopper, car looks awesome. We are all excited for you!

I went back and looked till I found this post from a guy here in the forum. You may have seen it alrerady...
If you ever lose motivation on your restoration project, just look at what great shape your car's in to start with.

1997 Z3 2.8 rebuilding - father-and-son photo blog

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=651234

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...1&l=e28c92328c

i just heard from my mechanic. A rat or something had chewed on some stuff. Two oil gaskets leaking. Serpentine belt is in rough shape. wires to brake and abs sensors and abs module chewed through. replace a couple of things in the cooling system. bad airbag sensor. change all fluids. pcv valve/oil seperator... tune up w/spark plugs and coil packs and a ton of other miscellany including wiper blades, detailing, etc....$1649. He is fixing everything I need minus tires and a top. For a free car, I can handle that. i hope that next time repairs are needed I will be knowledgeable enough to handle it. He said the motor is strong and the suspension is all good!

Not bad at all hopper!!!

yeah, those mice like a Bimmer. I had some of the same wires chewed. The former owner forgot to tell me but I found and fixed the issues myself. I have a lift in the shop and that helps with junk like that. Took off the inner fender on the left side and found some chew damage behind there. All is good now. I am in the middle of top replacement. Got the old off now if I can get the new one on! ic

Which top did you go with?

Fantastic find.... well worth it. Keep us posted on the progress... excited to see the progression.

Mhopper, I totally understand the "critter" thing as in mice and chipmunks. Mine was kept in a shed/garage before me buying it and the rodents made nests in my air intate for the vents and under the driver's side foot rest. I'm still blowing out house insulation from the vents from time to time when switching between defrost, vents, and heater. I also found a wad of snake skins inside the rear console between the seats. The perfect slithery home, lunch served upfront and condos in the rear. LOL Use caution when using the air conditioning, etc. I spent several trips down the road with the top down and the blower on high trying to blow most of it out. Good luck. Again, fantastic find.

got my top from Quality Tops and Interior off of ebay. They had them on sale for $228 delivered. The top is fine. I will finish the installation today. ic

top ordered!

Excellent Find!!!! You will love the color.. clean it up, give it a good polish and it will look like stainless steel in the sun light..

Great Find. You will love the color.. clean it, polish it and it will shine just like stainless steel.

car comes home tomorrow! i just hope the owner of the snakeskin the mechanic found isn't hiding in their somewhere!

Had mine out today, love to drive it. I am sure you are going to be pleased. Let us know how it drives. ic

How big of a deal is it to change the center drive shaft support. Mechanic said it would need to be done soon.

Mhopper, it's no major issue. Did mine a couple months ago and also changed out the u-joint vs. changing the drive shaft. Drop the exhaust, pull the heat shield, and unbolt (4) ujoint bolts at differntial, (4) bolts at transmission, and (2) nuts at the carrier bearing. Be carefull to match mark the driveshaft before separating it and check the center u-joint while you have it that far apart. The most difficult part for me was getting the old bearing off the shaft. I ended up cutting mine off since I had a complete new carrier ready to go on. BTW, when I get a chance I'll upload you the photo of all the "skins" I found in my rear console. LOL Glad to hear there is another reptile based speed buggy out there. LOL

Finally got to pick up the car today. This thing drive great!

Hopper, you ever detail that thing? We want pictures of the final product!
Congrats once again.

Not yet. I gotta find time to put the top on it before I finish clean her up!

Ok...I have perused the forum for two hours and not found an answer. My seats do not move.... Either of the... At allll. The motors make no sound. I don't think they are getting any power. Is there a relay? Fuses are good.

First- Very cool. Congrats!

Second - Are you able to check the wiring under the seats? Seems like under the seats or another part of the seats electrical system could have fallen victim to your rodent friends given the other issues.

If it helps you any for tracking down that possibility, as mentioned the Bentley manual is a must. You can also check here:
http://wedophones.com/Manuals/BMW/19...g%20Manual.pdf

By the way, love the area around York/ Rock Hill. I have lots of relatives there.

I would remove the seats, I suspect rodent chewed wires.

Originally Posted by mhopper

The body and paint are pretty good. There are a few hail dings, but nothing major.

You are a very foturnate man to locate it. I would have to say, as long as the engine doesn't need to be replaced, you will be way ahead in the game. You did mention hail damage though. Was this a salvage title car due to hail?

Regardless, you'll enjoy the drive.

Wow so jealous man ! Have fun with it ! An good luck with fixing it up! Shouldn't be anything to drastic !

Thanks!,,, those diagrams are great!!!