Jonttt Imola II Red S54 Z3m Roadster Journal

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Thu 10 Jun, 2010 07:59

I took delivery this morning of a "Z3 Individual" watch.

Part number 80 26 0 008 928 blua

I have never seen one before so I snapped up the chance to buy this on eBay.

It is absolutely mint, never worn, in fact I don't think its been out of the box so well chuffed.

Great addition to my Z3 collection

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu 10 Jun, 2010 14:55

Jonttt wrote:I took delivery this morning of a "Z3 Individual" watch.

Part number 80 26 0 008 928 blua

I have never seen one before so I snapped up the chance to buy this on eBay.

It is absolutely mint, never worn, in fact I don't think its been out of the box so well chuffed.

Great addition to my Z3 collection

that is nasty

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Thu 10 Jun, 2010 15:07

I've not bought it to wear (not my style), its a collectable

I don't think its that bad, simple and quite plain yes but not "nasty"

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Mon 14 Jun, 2010 16:52

Got delivery of the correct Type III split rim centre caps from Rossitors (official UK AC Schnitzer dealer).

They are made from aluminium with a polished front (£26 each

):

So I now have a full set to fit to the wheels:

Also got the tyres fitted. I used Event Tyres who are usually about the cheapest with the benefit of fitting at home.

Rears waiting to be fitted:

Carefull fitting ensured no rim damage:

I went for Falken 452's all round:

Front 235/40/18
Rear 275/35/18

£500 fitted which I was quite happy with.

Hopefully I'll get chance to get the alloys on the car later this week.

Ian_C · Post by **Ian_C** » Mon 14 Jun, 2010 18:39

Jonttt wrote: Hopefully I'll get chance to get the alloys on the car later this week.

Ready for Harewood on Sunday Jon?

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Mon 14 Jun, 2010 19:05

Glad to see its coming together Jon

You have the patience of a saint lol, no way I would have let the fitter dissapear without getting those shiny alloys on

Tim.

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Mon 14 Jun, 2010 21:03

not patience, the Z is stored 30 miles away

Yep will hopefully make it to Harewood next Sunday for my first "full Schnitzer" run

yalden · Post by **yalden** » Mon 14 Jun, 2010 22:09

Ahh this is teasing... we want fitted photos!

Those centre caps are crazy expensive, but definiately worth it

Canman · Post by **Canman** » Tue 15 Jun, 2010 07:39

your days of having time to do things are well and truly over Jonttt , for at least 16 years anyway now you have JT Junior . you might as well put the wheels on the Pram

marcusplowman · Post by **marcusplowman** » Tue 15 Jun, 2010 21:06

Lucky swine! Where did you get the wheels from? I want the non split versions

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Wed 16 Jun, 2010 18:49

Wheels were sourced:

x2 rear = new from Rossitors (UK AC Schnitzer distributor)

x1 front = new ex display wheel from a performance car shop via eBay

x1 front = used from German eBay seller

Only took me 6 months to source them but saved me £3k on list prices

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Wed 16 Jun, 2010 19:28

AC Schnitzer Type III split rim install- teaser

Well after 6 months of searching for these wheels the day finally arrived to fit them.

Wheels and tyres ready for fitting:

They are shod with Falken 452's:

Front 235/40/18
Rear 275/35/18

On advice of others I went with wider than recommended tyres to ensure the rims do not petrude from the tyre (ie to offer some protection against curbing, in effect the opposite of a "stretched tyre").

I'm really happy with the way the tyres "sit" on the alloys.

A close up of the Tianium bolts:

and polished aluminium centre caps fitted:

The rear wheels I had bought new from the UK AC Schnitzer distributor in the Z3m spec pack. This comes with 10mm spacers and longer wheels bolts as part of the pack.

The fronts however were sourced in e46 fitment and so needed 7mm spacers to make them into the Z3m spec pack. I had already sourced the spacers new from German eBay. I ordered longer bolts from eBay to match.

Z3's have 26.4mm OEM bolts and so the rears are 37mm and fronts 32mm to make up for the spacers. I also sourced locking wheels nuts of the same lengths to match the front & back (ie 2 packs). This means that I can fit 2 locking wheel nuts to each wheel for added security (I now have one "key" for the fronts and one for the rears).

This pic shows the front and rear spacers and front locking nuts (made by the same company, McGuard, who make the AC Schnitzer locking wheel nuts)

The fronts ready to be fitted:

Note: the AC Schnitzer wheel bore (the hole in the centre of the wheel) is a slightly larger diameter than OEM and so its important to use the AC Schnitzer spacers which "step" the fitment to the Z3 bore size (ie I could not use the 12mm TPI spacers I already have fitted to the Breytons on the rear). They also have a "locking ring" to ensure a close fit.

All surfaces (wheel/spacer/hub) and wheel nuts were greased up with Copper Grease to stop them from siezing and make them easier to remove.

The wheel hub was cleaned off first to remove old grease and ensure a flat stable fitment.

The locking wheel bolts are chrome plated. The wheel nuts match when new but soon discolour in use (they are not chrome plated) so I sourced some chrome covers to provide a better match.

As fitted:

Chrome wheel nut covers:

finished job:

I'm really happy with the way the wheel "sit" with the spacers (ie as per Ac Schnitzer specification). The rears are a few mm less pertrusion than I had the Breyton's so I know I could get away with maybe a 15mm spacer instead of the 10mm but I'm more than happy with them for now.

I had the chance to take some high res shots later in the day but you'll have to wait to see the full effect

w4tkins · Post by **w4tkins** » Wed 16 Jun, 2010 19:56

Looking good John

So far so good, but did you know the picture on the side on view of the car is missing off your thread

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Wed 16 Jun, 2010 20:08

Looking great Jon

How did you find fitting the spacers onto the wheel? Rossiters advised me to take the spring rings off as they can be a pain to fit and remove and yes and absolute pain to fit

I found it impossible to push fit them in and ended up twisting them in. I don't think they will ever come off now without damaging the alloy

I really like the nut covers, where did you source them from please? I bought some 17mm ones off e-bay for the 1er but theyre too loose

Fancy getting some chrome nut covers so they match the ACS chromed locking nuts.

Thanks,

Tim.

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Wed 16 Jun, 2010 21:48

The chrome wheel nut covers were from an eBay shop £14.99 including delivery.

There are some still available on this link - eBay

If the link goes "dead" the eBay shop is "thenutsandboltsshop"

Description is as follows:

"TPI CHROME WHEEL NUT BOLT COVERS FOR BMW Z3

This item is a set of 20 * TPI Wheel Nut Covers in a chrome finish. Also included is a metal removal tool. Are a great addition to your alloy wheels to either protect new wheel nuts or cover up old rusty ones. Hex size supplied will be the correct size you require for your vehicle. Covers are of the highest quality, there are plenty of cheap versions around but the TPI is by far the best and the best quality, don't settle for cheap alternatives!"

They are a perfect fit for the Z3

Its worth noting the removal tool is designed to go on each side and "grab" the cover on the lower edge to allow it to be pulled off. On the schnitzer the hole is just too narrow to allow both sides to slide down the side of the cover. My solution was to "striaghten" out the removal tool and just use one side. This was enough to pull the cover off

Re the AC Schnitzer spacers, yes they are a very tight fit, my solution get them to fit was a size 12 "stamp" on them

(whilst they were lying on the grass to protect the face). Once on they rotate (slowly) into place. This was eased with the copper grease being applied beforehand, without this I'm not sure of they would rotate once fitted ?

Re the side pics, patience is a virtue

yalden · Post by **yalden** » Thu 17 Jun, 2010 07:28

Looking great so far, but why deny us of the finished photos...

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Thu 17 Jun, 2010 11:17

AC Schnitzer 18 inch Type III Split Rims fitted, so good excuse for a bit of a photoshoot to update my journal:

Worth 6 months of searching for the full set...... I think so

Some general pics whilst I was at it:

first one inspired by Alfie

Cloz · Post by **Cloz** » Thu 17 Jun, 2010 11:28

.......WOW.......

Alfie · Post by **Alfie** » Thu 17 Jun, 2010 11:29

Dribble dribble...

A.

Hard Top · Post by **Hard Top** » Thu 17 Jun, 2010 11:46

That car looks absolutely stunning

HT

Jackster · Post by **Jackster** » Thu 17 Jun, 2010 12:18

Immaculate Jonttt, a credit to you sir!

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Thu 17 Jun, 2010 16:53

from me! they look ace, better than the breytons imo

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Thu 17 Jun, 2010 19:06

Jonttt wrote:The chrome wheel nut covers were from an eBay shop £14.99 including delivery.

There are some still available on this link - eBay

If the link goes "dead" the eBay shop is "thenutsandboltsshop"

Description is as follows:

"TPI CHROME WHEEL NUT BOLT COVERS FOR BMW Z3

This item is a set of 20 * TPI Wheel Nut Covers in a chrome finish. Also included is a metal removal tool. Are a great addition to your alloy wheels to either protect new wheel nuts or cover up old rusty ones. Hex size supplied will be the correct size you require for your vehicle. Covers are of the highest quality, there are plenty of cheap versions around but the TPI is by far the best and the best quality, don't settle for cheap alternatives!"

They are a perfect fit for the Z3

Its worth noting the removal tool is designed to go on each side and "grab" the cover on the lower edge to allow it to be pulled off. On the schnitzer the hole is just too narrow to allow both sides to slide down the side of the cover. My solution was to "striaghten" out the removal tool and just use one side. This was enough to pull the cover off

Re the AC Schnitzer spacers, yes they are a very tight fit, my solution get them to fit was a size 12 "stamp" on them (whilst they were lying on the grass to protect the face). Once on they rotate (slowly) into place. This was eased with the copper grease being applied beforehand, without this I'm not sure of they would rotate once fitted ?

Re the side pics, patience is a virtue

Thanks Jon, ordered a set last night

Re the spacers I'm not sure my size 10s would have sufficed

When I fitted thm, 3 were fine and would turn in the wheel, the 4th got stuck with the mounting holes misalighned and with 10 mins to go before Event Tyres were due to show

Really thought I was going to be stuck. Ended up using 2 screw drivers wrapped in cloth in opposing holes and slowly turning the spacer, it was incredibly tight.

Lovely to see the alloys on now

what a change and have to agree with Shanty they do look better than the Breytons, made for the Zed IMHO and really give it that Sporty edge, looks fantastic

Tim.

Orinoco · Post by **Orinoco** » Thu 17 Jun, 2010 19:17

Hi Jontt
The wheels look spot on.

Regards
Orinoco

snoops · Post by **snoops** » Thu 17 Jun, 2010 21:22

Looks fantastic Jontt but it's all in the detail.... fix the net in the passenger footwell

You've even got a thumbs up from my other half who doesn't like red cars

and don't forget, in another 18 months you can have sticky finger prints all over courtesy of Daisy.... bless

Cloz · Post by **Cloz** » Mon 21 Jun, 2010 16:06

Jonttt another one for your collection;
Here

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Mon 21 Jun, 2010 16:59

Thanks for the link Cloz, but its a coupe watch.

They come up on eBay reasonably often for less money than that.

The Z3 "individual" watches seem rarer because I've never seen another one advertised

slacz · Post by **slacz** » Fri 25 Jun, 2010 13:42

WOW, your car looks really good!

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Wed 30 Jun, 2010 22:13

Inspired by this car:

I put AC Schnitzer Type II Racings in genuine Z3m fitment on my "watch" list.

I had forgotten about them over the past 6 months whilst concentrating on sourcing the Type III's.

Would you believe it, the same week as I fit the Type III's and a set of 18 inch genuine 3 piece split rim Ac Schnitzer Type II racing in 8.5 ET38 and 9.5 ET9 (ie perfect Z3m fitment with no spacers and max rear dish) came up for sale on German eBay.

I've been so lucky with so many eBay bargains this year but was prepared to pay a fair amount for these as they are sooooooo rare with rear 9.5ET9 fitment.

I won the auction for ............ £297

WOW what a bargain.

Shipping was not cheap from Germany £163 but they did arrive within 2 days.

So for the pricely sum of £460 I have some very rare wheels

(the bonus is the tires are only 50% worn and in Z3m sizes as these came off a Z3m, I may / may not fit new)

I knew they needed a refurb and the seller was pretty honest with his description. There is minor curbing on all and one rear has a section of heavy curbing. All the centres are in great condition though with all logos fully intact.

So I'll get them to the refurbers later this week for a barrel / rim refurb. Worst case I may need 1 new rim if its beyond repair.

Hopefully I will get fronts/rears looking something like these:

Fronts

Rears

So Type II's & Type III's down, Type I's to go (which were not "officially available)

Extract from AC Schnitzer 2002 Catalogue showing both Type II Racing and Type III Racing in Z3m fitment:

yalden · Post by **yalden** » Thu 01 Jul, 2010 07:53

Good buy Jon,

Any photos of the wheels as they stand? I remember paying circa £200 for my 18" Type 1 racing with near new tyres

Bargains certainly do exist...

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Thu 01 Jul, 2010 14:23

I didn't take any pics but here are some from the original eBay advert which are pretty good:

One of the rears has the worst curb which is not shown on the pics (annoying but for the price I can't complain). I thought this may need a new lip piece but talking to my refurber today it will repair fine

I dropped the wheels off today and got another result ie stripped, lips and barrels refurbed for £250 (the centre pieces are in great condition and so I'm leaving original paint on) which I think is a great price.

I have taken them to the same place as did my type III last month so hopefully they will do as good a job.

The barrels are only corroded in a few places but for that much thought I might as well get them done as well as the lips

They should be ready for picking up middle of next week.

yalden · Post by **yalden** » Thu 01 Jul, 2010 15:15

Sounds awesome, the damage doesn't look too bad, but I have to ask myself how people allow themselves to kerb a set of wheels as expensive/prestigous as these!

If the bolts are marked 'RO Titan' on their faces I hope your refurbisher is being VERY CAREFUL. They shear easily and I used up the last 5 in stock. I've since tried long and hard to find replacements for other members of 'wheel whores' but to no avail...!!

Gio · Post by **Gio** » Thu 01 Jul, 2010 15:58

yalden wrote:If the bolts are marked 'RO Titan' on their faces I hope your refurbisher is being VERY CAREFUL. They shear easily and I used up the last 5 in stock. I've since tried long and hard to find replacements for other members of 'wheel whores' but to no avail...!!

Could you not get some bolts custom made?

yalden · Post by **yalden** » Thu 01 Jul, 2010 16:18

That wouldn't be a close enough match for Jon

freds dad · Post by **freds dad** » Thu 01 Jul, 2010 16:27

The car looks fantastic John.

Who did the wheel refurb as mine need doing but Id rather go with someone recommended than looking through Yellow Pages.

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Thu 01 Jul, 2010 17:48

Yep they are the Titanium bolts, fingers crossed then.

To be honest judging by the work they did on the Type III and the cars in their lot they know what theya re doing. (there was an awesome CSL having its OEM alloys refurbed and a brabus SL).

They are just a small setup operating out of a "back street" small commercial unit. I used to work around the corner from them and noticed how many nice cars used them (especially Mercs when the Warrington dealer was a Brabus specialist).

They only deal in cash (nudge nudge), no frills but seem to do a great job.

National Alloys
0151 495 1880
WA8 0SP

http://www.nationalalloys.co.uk/Cars.htm

(they re a couple miles from the Runcorn Bridge, just off the bypass from the M62 through to the bridge near Morrisons)

I'll obviously report back how good a job they have done so fingers crossed. The "big players" where quoting a minimum of £125 per wheel so these are at least half the price.

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Thu 01 Jul, 2010 19:09

niccee

i'm still keeping an eye on ebay for these incase a really cheap set come up that i can rebuild - if you decide to get rid let me know as i may be interested

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Sun 11 Jul, 2010 18:24

I sourced a black grill for my brothers Dakar Yellow Z3. Given it was only £17 but £12 postage i decided to add one to the order to try on mine.

Very good fit but I'm undecided if I prefer the chrome or black look so will leave it on for a while until I decide.

Not a great pick of it but taken today at the BMW meet (Tatton Park)

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Sun 11 Jul, 2010 18:59

You'll have to start a Poll on the grills

I'm not a fan to be honest, the chrome around the grills for me stops it looking like the grills are missing. Only time I have thought they looked nice is the BMW black gloss grills on the 1er against Alpine white. There seems to be a bit of a black grill fad with BMW owners at the mo in an attempt to look sporty

Tim.

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Mon 12 Jul, 2010 16:15

I quite like it

Brian H · Post by **Brian H** » Mon 12 Jul, 2010 16:28

yalden wrote:If the bolts are marked 'RO Titan' on their faces I hope your refurbisher is being VERY CAREFUL. They shear easily and I used up the last 5 in stock. I've since tried long and hard to find replacements for other members of 'wheel whores' but to no avail...!!

Try Here, I recently refurbed a set and these were the closest I found. A real good company to deal with.

HTH

P.S. I like the black surrounds

kruisn · Post by **kruisn** » Mon 12 Jul, 2010 20:29

Chrome grills defo look better on your Imola Red beauty.

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Wed 14 Jul, 2010 18:42

Picked up delivery today of another Z3 "collectable":

OEM Z3 Roadster Sunglasses

These were RRP £250 when new so I'm sure they are pretty rare (never seen any before).

In mint unused condition

part no. 8035 9 421 127

I'm not sure who they were made by but they are very good quality (as you would expect from BMW)

ps. they are right hand drive

Ian_C · Post by **Ian_C** » Wed 14 Jul, 2010 20:02

Did they come with a z3 logo'd case Jon?

GazHyde · Post by **GazHyde** » Wed 14 Jul, 2010 20:39

Is there anything BMW won't stick a Z logo on? Do they do Roadster underpants?

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Wed 14 Jul, 2010 22:56

myredzed wrote:Did they come with a z3 logo'd case Jon?

No seller sold them as new, unused but without original box/case.

They did come in a designer case though but I don't think its the original.

Would be interesting to know what case if any they were originally supplied with ?

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Thu 15 Jul, 2010 18:44

Teaser: Refurbed Ac Schnitzer Type II racing split rims

Picked up the wheels from the refurber a couple of days ago and got a chance tonight to inspect /polish them up.

The refurber has done a great job (a bargain at £250 cash).

I'm so pleased I decided not to get the centre pieces refurbed as apart from a few little "nicks" they have hand polished up as new and retained the original AC Schnitzer transfers on the front.

I was going to get a new set of Falkens all round but there is too much tread left on the tyres (5-6mm) to justify throwing them away. They are a combination of Dunlop and Continental so I'll leave them on.

Interestingly they are 225/40/18 on the front and 255/35/18 on the rear. The type III's took 235/40/18 front and 275/35/18 rears to sit correctly on the alloy and not leave the rim exposed. The "thinner" tyres on the Type II's sit on the rim perfectly.

This was the worst of the wheels and shows the quality of the refurb:

and the all important original AC Schnitzer logo on the face of the centre piece:

I need to get them to a tyre shop for re balancing tomorrow and hopefully will get chance to get them fitted this weekend

So total cost £710 with branded tyres, bargain for a rare Z3m specific fitment

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Fri 16 Jul, 2010 17:11

Managed to get some unexpected time today to get the Ac Schnitzer Type II Race Split Rims balanced and fitted

I love them

Perfect fit front and rear with no spacers needed and so maximum dished look.

I'm now torn between the Type II and Type III's.

Type II's are a more classic look with deep dishes.....
Type III's are more "aggressive"

So I now have my perfect wheel setup and can swap from Type II to Type III's at will.

Type II's will be staying on for the rest of the summer

ps I fitted the aluminium centre caps which fit both sets of wheels.

stu · Post by **stu** » Fri 16 Jul, 2010 18:48

They look fookin awesome!

Great look IMHO.

w4tkins · Post by **w4tkins** » Fri 16 Jul, 2010 19:09

Very nice jonttt

But how will you decide which shoes your zed will where each day

zroadster.net

Jonttt Imola II Red S54 Z3m Roadster Journal

Mint Z3 Individual Watch

Re: Mint Z3 Individual Watch

AC Schnitzer Type III split rim install- teaser

Re: Mint Z3 Individual Watch

Ac Schnitzer 18inch Type II Racing 3 Piece Split Rims

Wheel Bolts