99 z3 2.8l roadster

[Sijray21]

the z3 has this issue and is more common with the higher displacement engines (mostly the z3m roadster and coupe with their 3.2L higher powered engines). The 2.8L engine variant also has this issue, but it's not nearly as common or bad. The original engine for the z3 was the 1.9L 4-cyl and this particular issue of the diff mount ripping from the trunk floor is rare on those variants.

[.RJ]

A free BMW is like a free puppy

[Apoc]

Why does it seem like all BMW frame, subframe, etc. just fall apart eventually?

BMWs are disposable items. You aren't supposed to keep them past six years or 60k miles.

[.RJ]

Why does it seem like all BMW frame, subframe, etc. just fall apart eventually?

BMWs are disposable items. You aren't supposed to keep them past six years or 60k miles.

If they even make it that far before pissing oil out of the engine somewhere

[Sijray21]

The z has some new shoes.

I had a desire for the Apex Arc8 wheels on the z3 for a while after seeing them on a few other z3s on the forums. I originally thought of the 17s as I thought it fit the car better, but that would've been mostly thinking about the track (which I'm not planning on doing). I definitely wanted the deeper profile all around with a staggered setup to fit the car better.

When the group buy for the 18s came up I jumped on it early. I installed the front camber kit specifically for this type of setup. I thought about just getting the wheels and adding tires later down the road, but since the Michelin PS4S were available with free mounting and balancing so I just got those too. The only other tire available to be mounted and balanced for free was much cheaper (Federal RSRR), but since it's mostly a street cruiser I wanted better characteristics for road noise. I tried to compare prices with lower priced tires online, but when factoring in m&b costs plus the lower quality tire I found the the differences to be marginal marginal. Plus I didn't have to worry about a shop scratching up the wheel's finish.

The bronze finish for the wheels was a preference of mine since the car is silver (not a color I like) and since I'm not willing to paint it or wrap it I wanted to add a bit more color to the car.

So far the suspension setup is:
Koni Sport shocks (set fairly soft)
H&R sport springs
KMAC Stage 1 camber plates (3* set to the front)
Apex Arc8 bronze wheels
18x9 et30 front wrapped in 235/40 Michelin PS4S
18x9.5 et 35 rear wrapped in 265/35 Michelin PS4S

I'll add better pictures after I clean her up and take her for a spin.

I'll tackle the welding issue soon, but since I need to drop everything of the powertrain behind the transmission plus the rear subframe for that I may look to repair/modify anything else there, too. I'm thinking of using that time to replace the shifter bushings, the seal for the gear selector, and possibly find an aftermarket exhaust system.

[rherold9]

Wow, 18s look huge on the car, but they still look amazing....

[Sijray21]

yeah, 18s to some are too big for the car, but i like the look. It's the largest diameter wheel for the z3s that i find attractive. I've seen people put 19s and 20s (pretty much a donk, imo) and they look bad. 17s fit the car really well, but i just wanted to try something bigger. If the plan for the z3 included track time and auto-x i would've definitely gone for the 17s as they're lighter and have a little more sidewall.

[Senor_Taylor]

M. E. A. T.

I don't envy you guys with staggered setups. Seems like a pain.

[rherold9]

I don't envy you guys

#NotMyTaylor

[Sijray21]

I mostly got the rears for looks (obviously since the thing doesn't make much power). Being driven pretty infrequently I don't mind the staggered setup.

The rear well could've handled a LOT more width, but I found wider wheels/tires to be more than I wanted to spend.

Rear tire difference. (265/35/18 vs 225/50/16)

[.RJ]

yasssssssssssssssssssss

when are we dropping that subframe out?

[Sijray21]

yasssssssssssssssssssss

when are we dropping that subframe out?

Soon...

[Kaan]

and then... TRACK DAY!

[Sijray21]

and then... TRACK DAY!

I'll definitely be up to tracking it after the diff mount is reinforced/repaired. However I will also need to look into seats and rails since I don't like how that's situated (the seat belt anchor is part of the seat assembly and with a helmet on and my height I won't be sitting below the stock rollbar... ).

[Apoc]

Did you blur the license plates hanging on your wall?

[Kaan]

and then... TRACK DAY!

I'll definitely be up to tracking it after the diff mount is reinforced/repaired. However I will also need to look into seats and rails since I don't like how that's situated (the seat belt anchor is part of the seat assembly and with a helmet on and my height I won't be sitting below the stock rollbar... ).

the key is... you didn't say no! <3

[Sijray21]

Did you blur the license plates hanging on your wall?

blur/pixelated - yes

likely a little overkill and not consistent with what i've done in the past, but eh

[Senor_Taylor]

and then... TRACK DAY!

I'll definitely be up to tracking it after the diff mount is reinforced/repaired. However I will also need to look into seats and rails since I don't like how that's situated (the seat belt anchor is part of the seat assembly and with a helmet on and my height I won't be sitting below the stock rollbar... ).

https://store.vacmotorsports.com/vac-fac...p2072.aspx 

You can also use an E30 (late model) or rear E36 seat belt receptacle and just bolt that to your seat.

[Apoc]

Did you blur the license plates hanging on your wall?

blur/pixelated - yes

likely a little overkill and not consistent with what i've done in the past, but eh

Yeah, your actual license plate for this car is two pages ago.

[rherold9]

Yeah, your actual license plate for this car is two pages ago.