Author Topic: Sir Percivals 2Fifty Cal build thread  (Read 127930 times)

Sir Percival

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Sir Percivals 2Fifty Cal build thread
« on: February 07, 2016, 10:14:54 PM »
Now this may seem a little premature but, as you know I have been very interested in the new offering from DNA ever since I first saw it and, although I still need to see a completed one, I have taken the plunge and bought a donor car for the build. Should I have any doubts when I do see a completed Cali then I can always sell the donor on, with nothing (or at least not too much) lost.

I shall put a couple of pictures of the donor on shortly. It is a 2.8 Z3 with 70K on the clock. One owner from new, full BMW service history, electric/hyd hood, elec windows and mirrors, A/C, blue with beige leather interior.

All in all it is in pretty good nick, with the following exceptions; LCD display on radio has failed, passenger window sticks half way, drivers window slow to operate, passenger door does not centrally lock, although works OK with key and from inside.

Having looked at a number of Z club sites it would appear that all of these are easily fixed, and this is what I shall be doing for the next six months while I run it about to test it. I already have it booked in for a precautionary clutch change (£325 all in fitted) and I will get a full service soon.

Insurance for me and the wife £228 fully comprehensive. I will keep you informed of progress and all the fixes that I make regarding the snags.

This will be just an occasional report if and until I place my body order.

Looking forward to seeing some of you at Stoneleigh
« Last Edit: May 06, 2016, 08:54:08 PM by Sir Percival »
If Airfix plastic model planes are made exactly to scale, why don't they fly?

Paul79

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Re: Sir Percivals 250 Cali build thread
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2016, 10:19:41 PM »
Nice one Sir P. I'm really looking forward to this build!!!  ;D

Paulie

Sir Percival

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Re: Sir Percivals 250 Cali build thread
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2016, 10:39:11 AM »
As promised, here are a few pictures of the donor;

If Airfix plastic model planes are made exactly to scale, why don't they fly?

Furrari

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Re: Sir Percivals 250 Cali build thread
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2016, 10:44:13 AM »
With all the standard Z3 features transferred to the 250, you end up with a better car than the original.
Not all problems can be solved with gaffer tape.  For those there is WD40.
Not even gaffer tape can fix stupid, but it can mask the sound.

If you can’t buy it or steal it you have to make it.

Sir Percival

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Re: Sir Percivals 250 Cali build thread
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2016, 10:50:56 AM »
When I have been looking round the car I came across this. It is the wiring that goes from the boot into the boot lid and, according to the Z forums, is notorious for causing problems with the electrics, including the central locking.

Apparently the wires on the Z are quite thick and the constant bending in this position causes them to break or café, giving all sorts of earth problems.

Looks like mine have been worked on before, and this is confirmed by the associated paperwork, I have ordered up some red heatshrink crimps and a new posh set of ratchet crimping tongs (all of 8 quid off ebay) and when I start fixing stuff this may have to be the first port of call. I will put up with it till then.

If Airfix plastic model planes are made exactly to scale, why don't they fly?

Sir Percival

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Re: Sir Percivals 250 Cali build thread
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2016, 10:52:34 AM »
That should have read chafe....not café....although plenty of coffee may be needed!!
If Airfix plastic model planes are made exactly to scale, why don't they fly?

Sir Percival

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Re: Sir Percivals 250 Cali build thread
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2016, 10:56:02 AM »
And of course the boot lid will be gone when I build the kit....so hopefully this problem will go with it. :)
If Airfix plastic model planes are made exactly to scale, why don't they fly?

Sir Percival

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Re: Sir Percivals 250 Cali build
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2016, 11:09:06 AM »
Oh and one last snag I forgot to mention, there is movement in the drivers seat of about 2cm, forwards and backwards, that is most disconcerting. If you break hard you move towards the windscreen and if you accelerate hard you move towards the back of the car.

The movement feels greater than it is...if that makes any sense, and feels horrible.

Fortunately this is another easy fix with a new set of hard washers under the seat (another regular fix on the Z forums)...cost 12 quid plus the time to do it.

Looks straightforward....when I do it I shall take pictures.

Sir P
If Airfix plastic model planes are made exactly to scale, why don't they fly?

tricky

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Re: Sir Percivals 250 Cali build thread
« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2016, 04:05:41 PM »
My doner car got delivered to Dna last week
There's a diferance in the wide body and narrow one in the boot area
So Dna have to work out a different moulding in that area that either cover both designs
My doner had a complete overhaul before it went to Dna
Full service , suspension parts , etc  all bits that were advisorys on an mot
Even though it had a current mot with no advisorys my garage still put it through a complete inspection


Sir Percival

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Re: Sir Percivals 250 Cali build thread
« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2016, 05:00:23 PM »
Looks a nice donor Tricky, what size engine is it?.

What was wrong with the suspension...because I believe we have to change the springs anyway don't we?

How much of a problem are DNA having with the back end?

Did yours have any of the same niggles as mine re; central locking, windows, seats, radio etc?

What are they doing for you, body fit and spray or just body fit...or the whole lot?

If Airfix plastic model planes are made exactly to scale, why don't they fly?

tricky

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Re: Sir Percivals 250 Cali build thread
« Reply #10 on: February 08, 2016, 06:06:27 PM »
I was the one that commissioned Dna to do the kit  ;D
I gave them a scrap bmw to do all the mouldings etc but it was just a 1.9
The body's differ at the rear and the boot returns are a bit different from a 1.9 to a 2.2 upwards

My doner car is a2.2  with 86k
The springs get changed on the kit only
My ball joints were split and some play in the arms so I changed them for new
My roof doesn't work but will get it working for stoneleigh
My car will be the display car at stoneleigh in May
My windows are a bit slow to go down but everything else is ok
All the niggles with these cars are all easy fixes
The z3 forums all have the answers and they all look to be known and minor repairs
My car cost me £1900 on eBay and I was the only one bidding on it !


Sir Percival

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Re: Sir Percivals 250 Cali build thread
« Reply #11 on: February 09, 2016, 10:33:45 AM »
I doff my hat to you mate, for being a pioneer of this new kit.

Blimey, if yours is going to be the one on show at Stoneleigh that's going to be one rapid build...with a capital R.

And yours will be the decision making machine for me, to make the final plunge and place a deposit.

I am hoping mine will also be ready for Stoneleigh................Stoneleigh 2017 that is  ;D

Sir P

If Airfix plastic model planes are made exactly to scale, why don't they fly?

Sir Percival

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Re: Sir Percivals 250 Cali build thread
« Reply #12 on: March 09, 2016, 04:59:52 PM »
Right quick update. Had the clutch changed on Monday/Tuesday at ClutchRight in Shirley near Birmingham (o121 474 3434) Andrew Bartlam is the bloke in charge, what a nice guy. I was late getting back from Germany and he hung around till half 6 to make sure I got the car.

He showed me the old one, in fair nick but well worn and noisy bearing. Andrew reckons it only had about another 10k in it, so well pleased I got it changed, especially at that price (£325 all in).

Anyway, we got chatting and it turns out that Andrew likes all things car, including kits, and that he had been seriously contemplating a white one tat was up for sale (I think it might have been DNA's demo) for 35K. So Kal if yours is still for sale it might be worth you giving him a ring ;)

He understands the "precious" nature of completed kits, and seems an all round nice guy. He checked out all the underneath and pronounced it to be in really good fettle.

Driving home the Z felt really great. all the catches changing gear are gone and gear changes feel really slick, its also a little bit quieter. The drive home was a real pleasure.

Anyway, can't recommend him enough for anyone in the Brum area, great value, great job....and its made a big difference.
If Airfix plastic model planes are made exactly to scale, why don't they fly?

Sir Percival

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Re: Sir Percivals 250 Cali build thread
« Reply #13 on: March 09, 2016, 05:03:31 PM »
The only drawback from my clutch change; they disconnected the battery, which means that the radio has to be re-coded to get it working....only problem being, if you remember, the LCD display isn't working.....catch 22 :-\

Oh well, I'm changing it anyway...in the meantime I will whip it out and try and fix the display....a hammer should do it ;)
If Airfix plastic model planes are made exactly to scale, why don't they fly?

Sir Percival

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Re: Sir Percivals 250 Cali build thread
« Reply #14 on: March 27, 2016, 06:47:16 PM »
I took out the drivers seat this weekend and carried out the "anti-rocking seat mod", rather than repeat the pictures here is a link to the Z owners club page that tells you how to do it and even where to get the new washers from (£12 including postage).

https://zroadster.org/articles/how-to-fix-your-bmw-z3-rocking-seats-changing-the-bushes-bushings.51/

Wife has been busy cleaning the interior whilst the seat is out...its not bad....just 17 years of use....starting to look good.

Bought a leather cleaning and restoration kit from Furniture clinic, works a treat.

More pictures soon.

Sir P
If Airfix plastic model planes are made exactly to scale, why don't they fly?