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[DarkApollo]

Wow, lots to do. Good job you know what you are doing, not sure whether or not it would be at the breakers had it been me.

Believe me, every morning I weigh my options between "its just typical BMW nickel and dime stuff and I know how to fix it" and "I could probably make my money back by parting it out, keep the engine and trans, buy a cheap WELL MAINTAINED high-mileage 3.0 auto and swap everything out..."

Downloaded ISTA, bought a USB cable and also ordered a Foxwell NT530 just to CMA on diag tools.
The cluster has the tamper dot too.. so yay I get to mess with that. Need to reset the VIN in the cluster and the mileage to hopefully pull it from the light module to update it with the correct mileage. I have a chip reader already. I know the last registered mileage from carfax so it isnt off by much, under 5k, so Im not TOO upset about it.

YAY.. nightmare. -_-

[Gee-Lanty]

I’m in the same boat, well similar.

My car was a garage Queen for much of its life, had one owner for 16 years. Bought it knowing that fact, unfortunately I didn’t consider it got passed around 4 young owners after being sold, and it turned out they had completely molested it.

Had a whole load of problems, everything including the suspension, steering box, cooling system, interior, seats, roof, headlights, pretty much everything bar the engine was on its last legs.

Every time I fix or replace something my car just gives back in enjoyment. Never want to part with it. So glad I bought it!

Must say I bought the full wood interior set for my car including steering wheel. I honestly cannot understand how people do not like the wood trim, what could be a more luxurious trim than wood?! Certainly not brushed aluminium imho..

[DarkApollo]

I honestly cannot understand how people do not like the wood trim, what could be a more luxurious trim than wood?! Certainly not brushed aluminium imho..

Because it is hideous. It does not belong in a roadster. A 5 or 7 series, yes. But not here. Plus it is easily damaged by the sun, the lacquer cracks and peels and chips. I had it in my 3 series and liked it. But in a sports car? A roadster? No. Ew. I will be selling my full set once I replace the center with the nice aluminum.

[Gee-Lanty]

I honestly cannot understand how people do not like the wood trim, what could be a more luxurious trim than wood?! Certainly not brushed aluminium imho..

Because it is hideous. It does not belong in a roadster. A 5 or 7 series, yes. But not here. Plus it is easily damaged by the sun, the lacquer cracks and peels and chips. I had it in my 3 series and liked it. But in a sports car? A roadster? No. Ew. I will be selling my full set once I replace the center with the nice aluminum.

Each to their own. I think the Zed looks so classy with the wood…in the right colour of course.

What species of wood do you have?

[DarkApollo]

What ever the ‘premium wood trim’ was. It is hideous and does not go with the interior. Gray dash, red seats, red door cards, and this horrible brown trim that matches nothing. It just does not belong. The brushed aluminum looks cleaner, matches the light gray plastics, the brushed silver door pulls, and the red accents.
In my 328 it was walnut burl so I imagine that is the same for this.
In my 328 it went well. Because IT WAS the accent. Gray interior with the wood trim dash and center console and shift knob. It worked really well. It looked good.

[Mr Tidy]

I'd agree with you there.

Poplar wood trim in my 3 Series goes well with Beige seats but I really wouldn't want wood in my Z4, especially as like yours mine has red seats - it just doesn't look right!

[DarkApollo]

Yeah, you can’t say the wood looks right in this situation.

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Vs the aluminum

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[Scubaregs]

May i suggest another trip to thrash him soundly?

[DarkApollo]

I wish… at this point I am seriously considering looking for a clean body high mile 2.5 manual for cheap to swap the 3.0/6spd into and patch up this one just enough to sell to someone who wont care about it as long as ‘rear wheel drive, yo!’

[MikeyH]

I find the aluminium look a but basic but it lifts the interior from being too dull. Also they had a wooden dash in the Triumph TR6, that was a roadster

[DarkApollo]

Also they had a wooden dash in the Triumph TR6, that was a roadster

They did a lot of terrible things to cars in the 1970’s…

[Mr Tidy]

Also they had a wooden dash in the Triumph TR6, that was a roadster

True, but didn't they also put vinyl seats in them?

My 2nd E86 had Cirrus Aluminium which I much preferred to the brushed finish in my 1st one.

Not the best photo but hopefully you get the idea it looks engine turned.

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[DarkApollo]

That is beautiful.

[MarshMA10]

Jeez that suspension tower is mortifying.

Inspired to see you grit your teeth and do the right thing though!! Top man.

[DarkApollo]

I do have a build log in the E85/86 section.

The car was in an undisclosed accident and the frame IS twisted. Right front corner catty-corner to left door.
I’m going to fix it up as best I can and then bring it to a frame shop to have it squared up.
Right door gap

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Left door gap and visible fender and door skin damage

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