Shantybeater's S54 M Roadster

('_')Z3 · Post by **('_')Z3** » Tue 05 Jun, 2012 19:34

Excellent job

I replaced both my seat belt guides on my ///M seats before I fitted them, I did cheat a bit though and dispensed with the dreaded hog rings and went with zip ties instead

Now they're in though they might have to come out again as the bushes are shot!!! Think I'll live with it over the summer and put it on this winters to do list. Were they a big job the bushes? I've seen the how too

but dread not getting them lined up etc.

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Tue 05 Jun, 2012 20:23

It was a stroll in the park in comparison to the seatbelt guides. As for lining them up just make sure the seats are all the way back when you take them out, I just matched each side up and counted the threads, both went in first time

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Sun 08 Jul, 2012 20:46

Ok so 12 days till zedfest and i've decided to try and DIY refurb my BBS LM's. Not leaving an awful lot of time to do it so if worst comes to worst i'll be turning up with wheels in a semi refurbed state! (But lets hope not!). Car is up on Axle stands in the garage, polished, clayed and waxed ready for the show, front wheels are off and much to my girlfriends dislike i've given them a clean in the bath tub!

I will be taking the wheels to my local tyre place next week and am waiting for all my polishing stuff to arrive in the post!

('_')Z3 · Post by **('_')Z3** » Sun 08 Jul, 2012 21:57

[quote="shantybeater"]Ok so 12 days till zedfest and i've decided to try and DIY refurb my BBS LM's. Not leaving an awful lot of time to do it so if worst comes to worst i'll be turning up with wheels in a semi refurbed state! (But lets hope not!). Car is up on Axle stands in the garage, polished, clayed and waxed ready for the show, front wheels are off and much to my girlfriends dislike i've given them a clean in the bath tub!

I'll tell you something your mrs is a keeper if she let's you do that!!! I have to say they look near mint anyway.

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Sun 08 Jul, 2012 22:09

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Mon 09 Jul, 2012 06:56

I use the bath too...The Ms reckons that's why men shower, they know what's been in the bath....

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Mon 09 Jul, 2012 19:07

Haha cheers guys, and ('_')z3 you are probably right

Badman gee · Post by **Badman gee** » Mon 09 Jul, 2012 19:10

good stuff shanty, hope you put a rubber duck in their too!

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Thu 12 Jul, 2012 21:24

Well its been rush rush rush to get the wheels ready and i'm far from finished. Tyres were taken off, the wheels were then split and all the nuts are soaking in coke to remove grime/rust.

The rear lips and bolts have been dropped off to a local metal polishing company, I should be picking them up thursday. Unfortunately unlike the rears (which had the original laquer) the fronts have had a very thick layer of powdercoat sprayed onto the lip. The polishing shop wouldn't accept them in this state and after a bit of research it turns out anything short of a large fire won't remove powdercoat easily, no chemicals etc.. Fortunately for me I work for an aerospace company who have a bead blasting machine (tiny plastic beads shot out via compressed air). The blaster removes normal paint with ease without causing any damage/pitting to the metal underneath. The powdercoat was painstakingly difficult to remove, tonight I finished a 5 hour stint removing it from one lip:

Ready to begin the sanding/polishing

I have also bead blasted a center and had it sprayed in one of the professional spray booths with aerospace grade corrosion protection, primer, paint and lacquer. The paint is not as shiny as OEM but it will suit the color of the car well

Tomorrow i'll be blasting the second lip! wish me luck!

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Fri 13 Jul, 2012 18:17

another 4 hours in the blasting tank and the second lip is ready for polishing, will be dropping both off to the polishers tomorrow

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Sat 14 Jul, 2012 16:28

Another 3 hours and all three centers are sandblasted ready for paint.

I also decided to clean up the nuts (even though they will be out of sight!), soaked in coke for several days followed by a polishing with autosol

Brian H · Post by **Brian H** » Sat 14 Jul, 2012 18:17

Great job, I bet that bead blasting is kind of theraputic

look forward to seeing your car next week.

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Sun 15 Jul, 2012 11:40

Cheers Brian, I think it was theraputic for about 10 mins, then it was just painfully boring!

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Tue 17 Jul, 2012 21:12

Ok so the centers are all painted up and ready. I have noticed there is about 3mm difference between the front & rear centers so i'm thinking about switching fronts and backs to push the fronts in slightly and bring the rears out.

I will also be reverse mounting the rear centers but i'm not sure whether to do the same with the fronts to match in appearance? it would bring the offsets to around ET21 FR

and ET15 RR

JamesRowe · Post by **JamesRowe** » Tue 17 Jul, 2012 21:36

Wow. You're car is so clean!

One day I will get round to cleaning under the bonnet of mine! I'm ashamed to lift the bonnet!

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Wed 18 Jul, 2012 18:55

^^ Cheers James

Well the outer barrels & bolts are back from the polishers - could not be happier

A quick snap to show you the difference between front mounting and reverse mounting the centers,this is 100% safe. Even some 19" BBS LM's come this way from the factory.

Not sure whether to do the same at the front to match though? the offset would be ET21

Some beauty shots:

('_')Z3 · Post by **('_')Z3** » Wed 18 Jul, 2012 20:17

WOW!!! I'll get my sunglasses.
I love your car

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Wed 18 Jul, 2012 22:25

Cheers mate

Another good 4 hours tonight and they are all loctite/torqued up correctly

A quick photo with the flash to give you an idea of the shine:

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Wed 18 Jul, 2012 22:50

Looking good. Make sure youve got a nice soft duster for silverstone

Deano1712 · Post by **Deano1712** » Thu 19 Jul, 2012 07:15

Nice wheels

ZedMatt · Post by **ZedMatt** » Thu 19 Jul, 2012 14:55

Amazing

Is it going to be difficult putting them back on the Z after all that work? The first puddle will be the worst

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Thu 19 Jul, 2012 17:57

cheers guys, matt - i'm dreading the first puddle!!! will be waxing the wheels before they face the elements.

I took the day off today so the tyres are on, car is on ground and ready to go

Jon - don't worry i'll be buying some fresh ones tomorrow!

Ferdinand · Post by **Ferdinand** » Fri 20 Jul, 2012 05:41

WOW - they look stunningly good

How much did you spend in total on "converting" your headlights?? I think they look sooo good and I might have a chanche since my Z3 already has headlight washers and i have "an open door" because I might be able to get a self leveling system installed and therefore get it to work legally and with a Danish MOT

(since our rules are apparantly very different from the yours...

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Fri 20 Jul, 2012 12:42

Ferdinand, thanks for your kind comments

As for the lights, details below:

Time - i must have put 15-20 hours plus in easily but you could probably do it in 8-10. There is alot of putting together, fitting to car, checking alignment, dismantling, adjusting, putting together again etc... so its pot luck on how long, patience is required..

Cost
-Spare set of headlights £150-£200 from ebay
-Custom brackets off bimmerforums.com for £75 shipped
-Full Stage III kit from theretrofitsource.com including projectors, HID's, ballasts, wiring harness, resealing glue etc.. - £260~ with the group buy discount I managed to catch onto. You could probably purchase these parts for less but the brackets require FXR-1.1 projectors only to fit - you can get them on their own via ebay for $100~

You can also do without the brackets but it will increase difficulty & labour time significantly. The brackets are a very robust solution.

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Fri 20 Jul, 2012 12:48

Looking stunning!! Have you changed the orange indicator bulbs for silvered ones?? (uk_bulb_co)..

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Fri 20 Jul, 2012 18:05

I actually haven't! I sort of like the orange tinge

Ferdinand · Post by **Ferdinand** » Sat 21 Jul, 2012 05:51

Did you get the brackets from skylitZ?

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Sun 22 Jul, 2012 13:26

Yep! I'm not sure if he is still making the brackets?

A few pics prior to silverstone classics, all clayed/polished/waxed. I've also tried a spray on sealant on the bare aluminum

The rears seem to have tucked in to the arches a bit more, if i get any rubbing I may get them rolled.

Rear shot:

Also trying out some wheel sealant products to keep them looking good for as long as possible:

http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... 45#p328045

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Sat 11 Aug, 2012 15:08

Carried out a number of tasks on the car today mainly removing the wheels and checking bolt torque on the split rims - all ok

Whilst each wheel was off I have applied Gtechniq C5 wheel armour which apparently lasts up to two years!

Ferdinand · Post by **Ferdinand** » Mon 13 Aug, 2012 11:12

Do you have any pictures / diagrams on how you made the wiring for the Bi-xenon headlamps???

Have bought a set of UK headlights which I'm about to take apart - have been thinking about buying a set og Mercedes W203 (C-class) Bi-xenon headlamps and using the projector but not sure whether I can use the electrics from them - any ideas??

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Mon 13 Aug, 2012 18:21

What you need is a 9006 wiring harness. With this all connections are female to male with the OEM BMW connectors. No cutting, no messing etc..

I really would suggest using TRS, they are extremely well known in the states and all the parts are to a good standard. If you buy a 'kit' it will include everything you need:

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/produc ... cts_id=141

I assume you arent using the skylitz brackets? if you are you will need FXR 1.1 projectors. There is not an awful lot of room in the headlight casing so i wouldn't go for just any projector. Unfortunately I can't help with the mercedes headlights, in theory some of the electrics may be compatible if it uses the same connector type

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Mon 27 Aug, 2012 20:14

Well as some of you may know i'm planning on selling the car but not before turning it mostly back to standard. Its been a very tough choice but now the car has become a weekend toy only i'm after a project, the zed is just too good at the day to day stuff (and too comfortable) to fit the bill!

The BBS are obviously coming off and since I part ex'd my OEM wheels in the purchase i've been on the lookout for replacements.Luckily for me a set came up freshly refurbed in powdercoat with brand new tyres, neither of which have seen the road yet - ideal for the new owner

Only downside is they are s50 coloured, i've always prefered the look anyway!

Will be ordering new OEM center caps and M decals to finish them off

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Sun 23 Sep, 2012 17:16

A few updates: Wheels waxed and on, fitted new caps/M stickers, AC hoops replaced with Standard items

She also passed her MOT with no advisories so very happy

('_')Z3 · Post by **('_')Z3** » Sun 23 Sep, 2012 18:14

^^^^^ I love those hoops

Congrats on the MOT, but never in doubt

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Mon 24 Sep, 2012 08:15

Thanks Jon

PCSAM · Post by **PCSAM** » Mon 24 Sep, 2012 08:53

its still my Favorite car here

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Mon 24 Sep, 2012 09:53

Cheers mate

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Sat 24 Nov, 2012 20:42

Watched the car drive off this afternoon with its new owner

. A very sad day for me but it couldn't have gone to a nicer chap, by the sounds of things it won't be the last you see of it on zroadster either! Watch this space...

('_')Z3 · Post by **('_')Z3** » Sat 24 Nov, 2012 21:00

I'm gutted and it wasn't even my car

renmure · Post by **renmure** » Sat 24 Nov, 2012 23:34

shantybeater wrote:...... it couldn't have gone to a nicer chap,

Oh yes it could have.

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Sun 25 Nov, 2012 09:42

renmure wrote:
shantybeater wrote:...... it couldn't have gone to a nicer chap,
Oh yes it could have.

you'll find one Jim, have you viewed many yet?

renmure · Post by **renmure** » Sun 25 Nov, 2012 12:02

shantybeater wrote:
renmure wrote:
shantybeater wrote:...... it couldn't have gone to a nicer chap,
Oh yes it could have.
you'll find one Jim, have you viewed many yet?

Not really.
Me and Mrs R did a 140 mile round trip to see a standard 1.9 Z3 at a garage just so she could see one in the metal and make sure she liked the idea. She did. Phew!!

NE Scotland is a great place to live but is a long way from most places when it comes to car buying so I usually end up being committed to buying a particular car before I physically see it. That means needing to be totally comfortable that it is the right car from the right place. I actually bought the R300 an F355, F360 and also the 996 Turbo privately without ever seeing them until collection day. Also sold the R300, Porsche and F355 to folk who bought and paid before ever seeing them so need to be sure it is the right one. (The guy who bought the F355 was in Australia and didn't physically see what he had bought for about 12 weeks after transferring me his £53k)

Brian H · Post by **Brian H** » Sun 25 Nov, 2012 13:47

shantybeater wrote:Watched the car drive off this afternoon with its new owner . A very sad day for me but it couldn't have gone to a nicer chap, by the sounds of things it won't be the last you see of it on zroadster either! Watch this space...

I am sure you will have had mixed feelings but as you said it has gone to a good home, GLW the new car James.

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Sun 25 Nov, 2012 22:23

Brave man handing over 50k without seeing the car! Well good luck with the hunt

Brian - thanks

if I get second thoughts I'll just hassle the new owner till he sells it back

pacey · Post by **pacey** » Mon 26 Nov, 2012 16:14

amazing z3m

Bi11 · Post by **Bi11** » Wed 28 Nov, 2012 19:39

Time to come clean and admit that I am the lucky new owner of a certain silver s54. Been lurking (and learning) for a few months and leapt at the chance to own this car. I hope that I can continue to look after it to the same high standard that James has. A smashing bloke, with a lovely family.

No immediate plans for any mods (as you can imagine, it is immaculate already), though I will add any new info on the car to this thread.

It is now tucked up in the garage for the winter and probably won't get much use until spring.

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Wed 28 Nov, 2012 20:40

Cheers Bill, glad the new ownership is going well, its nice to know the car has gone to a good home

I'm happy to pass on this thread if admins are able to do it?!? If not the title has been updated..look forward to seeing any updates!

James

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Wed 28 Nov, 2012 21:28

Welcome to the forum Bi11.

I guess we can forget the usual requirement for new members to post up pics of their car lol

ps welcome to the "can't wait for spring" brigade to get the roadster back on the road

hornel Z3M · Post by **hornel Z3M** » Thu 29 Nov, 2012 19:02

Welcome to the forum Bill. Great car from James,i had a good look at it when we were at Silverstone and it was superb.

whiteminks · Post by **whiteminks** » Fri 30 Nov, 2012 22:37

Hi Bill,

Great to see Shanty's S54 passed on to a real enthusiast and forum member. I promise you the S54 will not disappoint. I have had mine for 5 years and still absolutely adore it! Happy motoring!