Results 1 to 22 of 22

Thread: Sacramento, CA Fun Budget Fixer Upper

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Sacramento
    Posts
    28
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 M Roadster

    Sacramento, CA Fun Budget Fixer Upper

    I'm documenting my work on here. This is my 3rd M car now. I had the 98 E36 Estoril Blue M3, 4-door, 5-speed. I sold that when I got a job that included a vehicle reimbursement and high travel to get a 09 E90 Jerez Black M3 DCT.
    CollageMaker_20181006_004401949.jpg

    I now work downtown, commute on a bicycle or motorcycle, so I decided to get a fun little cruiser. I have a Tacoma and two sportbike, so I needed to cut cost. This is where I welcome the 98 M Roadster!

    Overall, it's decent condition for a 20 year old car. Hardtop leaks, coolant leaks, stereo isn't hooked up and very little history. No clear coat failure, fresh shocks, bushings, and mounts.

    Today, I changed the oil and front pads. The last owner installed Hawk HP+ for street use and I could not stand the noise! I also went ahead and changed out the brake light and AC/recirculation switch.

    This car is certainly a little bit more challenging to work with than the E36 due to limited space.
    20181111_192753.jpg
    20181112_122813.jpg
    20181112_135650.jpg
    20181112_132028.jpg


    I'm looking to get rid of the Hawk HP+ pads. Excellent life, excellent feel, kills my eardrums at street pace. Message me if you want them for $30.

    I also have been trying to reset my brake wear indicator. The 15-90 seconds of leaving the key in position 2 with the doors open isn't working out for me.

    Upcoming:
    Coolant leak chase
    Hardtop leaks chase
    Hardtop interior sag fix
    Hardtop color matched
    Recondition interior leather
    Last edited by Boogieman065; 11-19-2018 at 03:01 AM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Western Washington
    Posts
    710
    My Cars
    chariot of the gods
    did you check to see if both pad sensors were good? One front, one rear

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Arida Zona
    Posts
    30,108
    My Cars
    z3
    Welcome!

    Quote Originally Posted by Boogieman065 View Post
    I also have been trying to reset my brake wear indicator. The 15-90 seconds of leaving the key in position 2 with the doors open isn't working out for me.
    It will reset when proper pad wear sensors are installed

    Going into my TENTH YEAR of providing high quality reproduction BMW fabrics!

    PRICE CUT on ALL FABRICS
    Offering the best prices on the best quality reproduction fabrics!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    SFBay, CA
    Posts
    309
    My Cars
    02 LSB Z3M Coupe
    Oof look at the smoke!
    Good buy, I think it will be a fun project.
    ECS sells the rear brake wear sensor for <$10, but you may be able to re-use the ones from your old pads.
    I think you can also loop the contacts which should trick the signal.

    edit: you said front pads. those sensors are also <$10
    I also had HP+ pads on my Coupe for a while and eventually got sick of the noise. I swapped them out for Stoptech Sport, which have been great.
    Last edited by scenturion; 11-15-2018 at 12:17 PM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Sacramento
    Posts
    28
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 M Roadster
    Good call! I did not check the rears. Thank you.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Sacramento
    Posts
    28
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 M Roadster
    20181118_180809.jpg
    20181118_233147.jpg

    Today I fixed the passenger seatbelt guide and restained all the leather/vinyl.

    For the guide, I did enlarge the holes a little so that I got better access. I did not want to remove the seat just for this. I ended up using a combination of provided internal lock washers, screws, and zip ties to create a durable spacer! It's a little stretched out now. I believe with some use/heat, it'll look good as new.
    Last edited by Boogieman065; 11-27-2018 at 02:00 AM.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Sacramento
    Posts
    28
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 M Roadster
    $240 for a new handle on the Z3 M. I decided to risk it and try to attach it myself. I used a self drilling screw (drill a pilot hole first!), Washer, and a rubber spacer to dampen the shocks. It feels sturdy now! It does not attach to the metal door however.
    20181119_165834.jpg
    20181119_165312.jpg
    20181119_164743.jpg
    20181119_163724.jpg

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Sacramento
    Posts
    28
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 M Roadster
    20181125_150303~2.jpg
    20181124_153039.jpg
    20181124_153050.jpg
    received_182695172681245.jpeg

    Got the rear bumper and the hardtop painted. The rear had a large scruff and the top was spray painted black. For $350, this was a pretty good to stage prep/paint job!

    I'm working with a mobile audio installer to get the stereo up and running. It works now, but the quality is poor and there is frequency whine that responds to the RPM under load.

    I will order the radiator, expansion tank, upper hose, and lower hose tomorrow. I'm looking to do that job and the transmission/differential flush all at the same time.

    Im also interested in the white/red tails, clear side marker lights for aesthetic reasons.
    Last edited by Boogieman065; 11-27-2018 at 12:57 AM.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    West Bend, WI
    Posts
    553
    My Cars
    MRoadster,Tacoma,DR650
    Curious Boogieman, how many miles on the M and what sportbikes are you riding?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Sacramento
    Posts
    28
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 M Roadster
    I ride a 15 RC390 and a 10 RSV4 Factory.

    20180207_173456.jpg
    20180916_143633.jpg

    The M Roadster has 140,000 and I don't intend to baby it. I put lots of miles on my vehicles.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    West Bend, WI
    Posts
    553
    My Cars
    MRoadster,Tacoma,DR650
    Very nice. I swapped my Yamaha FZ-10 with a riding buddy’s Tuono V4 for a day and was super impressed. The crossplane 4 sounds sweet, but the V4 is the best. Great stuff!
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by Tigershark48; 11-27-2018 at 09:22 AM.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Sacramento
    Posts
    28
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 M Roadster
    Cool! I'm a really big fan of the crossplane. If I go to an inline 4, it'll be the R1!

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Sacramento
    Posts
    28
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 M Roadster
    20181203_210259.jpg
    Right side of the trunk
    20181203_210242.jpg
    Left side of the trunk


    Soo.... How bad is this? This isn't really a DIY kinda thing

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Truckee, CA
    Posts
    200
    My Cars
    1997 Z3 Roadster 1.9L
    It's not good.

    Look at the subframe/trunk floor/differential mount failure thread on the first page of the forum. https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...-mount-failure


    I don't have an M. Mine is just a pokey 1.9L, but I think you will need to deal with it.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Arida Zona
    Posts
    30,108
    My Cars
    z3
    Its pretty bad, the trunkfloor looks to actually be pulled down somewhat in the 2nd pic and spotweld is pulled through

    Going into my TENTH YEAR of providing high quality reproduction BMW fabrics!

    PRICE CUT on ALL FABRICS
    Offering the best prices on the best quality reproduction fabrics!

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Plainfield Indiana
    Posts
    222
    My Cars
    1999 M Roadster
    Definitely a candidate for some RF reinforcing love!!

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Sacramento
    Posts
    28
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 M Roadster
    Working on getting the subframe/trunk reinforced...


    I'm baffled by something else. It must be the wiring. My trunk open/close/light sensor thinks that the trunk is open. My light is left on and I can't activate the alarm (thinks the trunk is left open)

    I jumped the wires at the sensor plug, took the plug apart and cleaned it, yet it's still doing the same.Screenshot_20181228-203242_Facebook.jpg

    As you see in the pic, copper wiring connecting the two sensor wires yet the light remains on. Where else can I attack this? I was messing with my dome light. Could it be a fuse/dome light affecting it?
    Last edited by Boogieman065; 12-28-2018 at 11:42 PM.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    2,353
    My Cars
    2000 m roadster 2010 x3
    I believe it's a N/O circuit not N/C. Closed circuit would cause light to turn on. You can check status of all door,hood,trunk & radio switches with INPA

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Tim @ BMW of Dallas
    Posts
    1,889
    My Cars
    98 Z3 2.8
    I'd pull the rubber grommet back and check the wiring where it goes from the decklid into the chassis. All that bending over time tends to break the wires.
    96 320i Touring
    98 Z3 2.8 Roadster
    01 PY M Coupe
    96 Z3 1.9 - DASC
    95 318ti Clubsport
    94 Miata M-Edition
    13 smart fortwo



  20. #20
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Location
    San Francisco, CA
    Posts
    12
    My Cars
    M Coupe, 325iT, Model S
    Nice! Welcome to the Z3 club! Happy to see this car is getting the care it deserves. Kind of funny I can tell that’s the chinese spot across from McKinley - I lived around the neighborhood and always went there for coffee after running. Small world...

    I’m also interested in the HP+ pads! Will be nice track spares. Send me a DM if you want to sell them still and I can meet you around downtown/midtown!

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Mesa, Arizona
    Posts
    976
    My Cars
    2000 Z3 M-Roadster
    I was in Sacramento (Carmichael) visiting the folks for Christmas. Still can't believe the traffic around the Arden Fair mall. Crazy. Anyway, welcome!
    Tony
    "You can't sign away negligence."

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Sacramento
    Posts
    28
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 M Roadster
    Quote Originally Posted by james916 View Post
    Nice! Welcome to the Z3 club! Happy to see this car is getting the care it deserves. Kind of funny I can tell that’s the chinese spot across from McKinley - I lived around the neighborhood and always went there for coffee after running. Small world...

    I’m also interested in the HP+ pads! Will be nice track spares. Send me a DM if you want to sell them still and I can meet you around downtown/midtown!
    Ahh, sorry the pads are gone. And yes, I park there to go to the coffee shop often. I live in East Sacramento.

    - - - Updated - - -

    I avoid that area like the plague. I really like Sacramento... But only East to West haha. North is traffic jam and south is questionable.

Similar Threads

  1. fixer upper/ parts car
    By jtl85 in forum 1983 - 1991 (E30)
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 08-14-2005, 08:04 PM
  2. anybody from sacramento,ca with an 02
    By trboblu74tii in forum 2002
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 05-26-2005, 12:52 AM
  3. 1992 325is Jet Black fixer upper + a lot of aftermarket $2800 obo
    By ponq in forum BMW Cars For Sale / Wanted
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 01-30-2004, 02:13 AM
  4. 1992 318i fixer upper
    By BMWaznt in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 09-20-2003, 04:34 PM
  5. racing schools around Sacramento, CA area?
    By Lynch in forum Track, Auto-X & Drag Racing sponsored by Bimmerparts.com
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 06-11-2002, 11:12 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •