Z3 "Speed Buggy" - A multi-talented car.

At the Carlisle Import & Performance show this year, I got to try my hand at drifting a bit. Now I want to do more.

Then, this pops up for sale on craigslist and Facebook:

$1200. Runs, moves, and comes with a hard top.

Quick research finds that these hard tops are pretty valuable. $2000-$2500 in good condition. This one is scratched up a bit, but I figure I can probably sell the hard top for the cost of the car.

So I picked it up. And as a bonus was able to talk him down to $1000!

Here's a few more pics of the damage, then I'll move onto the plan for the car.

Also, my google photos album for the car is here. I will likely have more photos here than I post in the thread. https://goo.gl/photos/axy2fuXwiKpA8mjF8

The interior is in decent shape aside from the passenger door card airbag being blown.

Nice. Great potential as a drifter!

Now, the plan.

1. Verify suspension is savable.
2. Gut everything unnecessary.
3. z3-"cet" it with a roll cage and bash bars.
4. Ad drifty parts
5. Ad go fast parts?? Possibly turbo or supercharger.
6. FUN!

End goals:

1. Maintain street legality.
2. Meet safety requirements for drift events.
3. Meet safety requirements for SCCA autocross.
4. Meet safety and budget requirements for the GRM challenge.

The hardtop mounting hardware is worth almost half of the buy-in. Have fun with this car.

That's a great buy.

Step One: Verify suspension is savable.

So far, all I have done is tow the car home and park the car. I haven't rolled it into the garage yet. But, looking inside the trunk most of the crunch from getting rear ended appears to be behind the suspension, so I am hopeful. And I did drive it on and off my trailer and up the street to beside my house and it wasn't pulling or anything.

I will be getting a pair of these soon, so I can do my own alignment and verify the state of the suspension. (not adding to challenge budget by paying for alignment.) Soon as in, I worked out a deal for a pair from Mark, but I don't know when they will ship since it's not a normal order. http://pacomotorsports.com/hub-stands/

That should be fun!

And, I almost forgot. Theme.

Since having a theme can help in the concourse portion of the GRM challenge, and of course make the car more fun. I need a theme.

Current idea is speed buggy. Since it'll have a tube roll cage, I could paint it bright orange and give it some large round headlights. Wouldn't look exact, but might be a neat idea.

I am also open to other theme and pain scheme ideas, so throw them out there!

I really want to do a Z3 w/ hardtop or a Z3 coupe as my next rallyx build. Hard to find at a price and condition that would make sense for that, so nice job! Obviously, I vote giving it a go at a rallyX. If you come down to one of the WDCR ones this fall, I'll bring some wheels w/ decent tires in exchange for a co-drive

bluej wrote: I really want to do a Z3 w/ hardtop or a Z3 coupe as my next rallyx build. Hard to find at a price and condition that would make sense for that, so nice job! Obviously, I vote giving it a go at a rallyX. If you come down to one of the WDCR ones this fall, I'll bring some wheels w/ decent tires in exchange for a co-drive

My plan is to sell the hard top to recoup costs. So I think that would rule it out for rally, correct?

On another note, you should buy my hard top. I'll give you a good deal! + free dilvery for you.

Google BMW JUST 4/2 CONCEPT

THAT IS THEME WINNER,

Sorry...I have no clue how post pic from a Google search.

AWSX1686 wrote:

bluej wrote: I really want to do a Z3 w/ hardtop or a Z3 coupe as my next rallyx build. Hard to find at a price and condition that would make sense for that, so nice job! Obviously, I vote giving it a go at a rallyX. If you come down to one of the WDCR ones this fall, I'll bring some wheels w/ decent tires in exchange for a co-drive

My plan is to sell the hard top to recoup costs. So I think that would rule it out for rally, correct? On another note, you should buy my hard top. I'll give you a good deal! + free dilvery for you.

Yeah, no factory hardtop = no rallyx. At least that's the story for miatae, pretty sure it's all verts. might be worth double checking on it for SCCA autox in the classes you'd have to run w/ all the mods you've got planned.

I also just spent most of my current toy war chest on a lift, otherwise I'd seriously consider buying the top from you.

Ovid_and_Flem wrote: Google BMW JUST 4/2 CONCEPT THAT IS THEME WINNER, Sorry...I have no clue how post pic from a Google search.

I try to not use Google for my searching, but I found this image when I Startpaged it. I prefer my search engine to not spy on me.

This version is much closer to Speed Buggy.

Thanks TJ....there is a pic of a blue one from side that is more cut down more ghettoZ3t style....minimal body work

I think it was a concept from BMW in mid 90's labeled the Bmw Z21

To fine tune your thoughts on The Challenge and theme...

Theme helps but most importantly, be a story. Provide something that is interesting to write/read about.

Ovid_and_Flem wrote: Thanks TJ....there is a pic of a blue one from side that is more cut down more ghettoZ3t style....minimal body work I think it was a concept from BMW in mid 90's labeled the Bmw Z21

This one?

John Welsh wrote: To fine tune your thoughts on The Challenge and theme... Theme helps but most importantly, be a story. Provide something that is interesting to write/read about.

Thanks for the tips!

Ovid_and_Flem wrote: Google BMW JUST 4/2 CONCEPT THAT IS THEME WINNER, Sorry...I have no clue how post pic from a Google search.

I like it, but I think I still want a full cage. And I need a windshield and wipers for state inspection. I may take some design elements from it though. Thanks for bringing that up, I've never seen it before!

In reply to AWSX1686:

Yup....that's the one I was thinking of. Obviously the factory concept was rear engined but you could do a pretty close front engined copy. Amazing that car is from 1995 long before the ghettoZ3t/exocette craze.

I believe the wheelbase is within an inch or so of a 2002.

Oooh that would be sick with a 2002 body sitting on it.

The '02 option is interesting even with the fact that Z3 has a 2" shorter wheelbase and 6" wider track. Nothing box flares would not cure. BUT...a bigger issue might be driver seating position in the back seat of the 2002....and added weight of 02 body kinda defeats purpose.

I think a cross between BMW concept roadster, exocette and lotus 7 would make a cool little lightweight stormer.

I think if you're planning to lop everything off, you should get it down to bare bones before deciding on a direction to go with the aesthetics. There may be features to the unibody that we can't see right now which set a tone you could follow with your fenders/cage/whatever to make it look more intentional.