FULL INTERNAL

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Fri 02 Nov, 2012 17:26

The time has arrived...
The Z is about to have a full interior re-design. I managed to acquire leather from Porche - Red. New complete black carpet. Complete black interior trim.
So, the conversion to RED/BLACK will begin this weekend with stripping out the entire interior.
The scheme will be red instrument and airbag dash sections. From the top the door cards will have red at the window, black thin stripe of plastic which widens to the front, red padded section, black leathered at the bottom.
Red hockey sticks on the console with the carbon fiber upper sections which are already there including the cup holder. Red/black center arm rest. Seats, red with black center panel. Steering wheel red leather, in the top section from the left to the right horizontal spokes, and black leather in the two sections between the horizontals and the bottom center vertical. Roll bars leather covered - Red.
I will have some Beige parts that I shall no longer need, so anyone who needs beige parts...free...postage cost only. These will include:- rear rollbar trims (L & R). Footwell / speaker sections. Covers for the L & R Doors at bottom. Glove box and steering underdash covers. Complete carpet in mint condition.
The dash will not be available, because all the "exposed sections of what is currently beige" are going for Carbon Fiber skinning treatment to match the console and rear storage box.
Anyone needing any of those bits, let me know by 12th Nov. after that it's eBay.

PCSAM · Post by **PCSAM** » Fri 02 Nov, 2012 17:34

cant wait to see this work your doing mate ........

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Fri 02 Nov, 2012 17:50

Me too...somewhat excited, and a little daunted by my "perfectionist" personality... By the time it's done, the auto-trimmer is going to hate me if he doesn't have it 100%. I've downloaded dozens of pics detailing the stitching and panels that make up the leatherwork...I've used him before, and his work is very good, but occaisionally, he has a rush of s**t to the head and goes off at a tangent..but, I've put all the pics on a disc for him, and told him to call me if he is unsure of anything. And while that's happening, it's the undercar painting / restoration work. Still waiting for the BMW dealers to deliver the pads for the suspension, so I can fit the Eibach springs... I'm looking forward to a good driving holiday to the Cape Town area come year end. 4000kms of cruisin'...

Captain · Post by **Captain** » Sat 03 Nov, 2012 05:51

Sounds like you on a mission with the zed, should look good when done

Sent from my HTC Desire

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Sat 03 Nov, 2012 06:01

My car is having a mid-life crisis... reckons it wants to recapture it's youthful looks...

Captain · Post by **Captain** » Sat 03 Nov, 2012 06:05

Nothing wrong with that

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Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Sat 03 Nov, 2012 06:16

Well I'm kinda past bothering with the age issue....but I would like to preserve the Zed for the next 25 years at least...I may just get a return on it by then. How is Durbs today??

Captain · Post by **Captain** » Sat 03 Nov, 2012 06:59

Overcast and windy, have had terrible weather for the past Month.

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Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Sat 03 Nov, 2012 08:06

Ditto that here...wind, wind, wind...and rain, rain rain. Think I'll move to Scotland..

PCSAM · Post by **PCSAM** » Sat 03 Nov, 2012 13:09

Southernboy wrote:Ditto that here...wind, wind, wind...and rain, rain rain. Think I'll move to Scotland..

ill trade ......

geminimustang · Post by **geminimustang** » Sat 03 Nov, 2012 13:26

pm sent

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Sun 04 Nov, 2012 10:03

Complete internal strip done in 2 1/2 hrs...with a tea break and a P-stop....

Now to strip the dash parts ready for the auto trimmer to have the instrument and airbag sections in the morning.... Rest of the dash will go for Carbon Fiber skinning tomorrow, Door cards dismantled, console / hockey sticks ready to go, roll bars removed and ready to go...and the weather is truly magic today 23.C +

The steering wheel and seats can go in on Wednesday... All parts back by Friday, and re-assemble on Saturday, if the new Black Carpet has arrived by then...

Little Zed cabin looks like the dump out back of an Italian restaurant...SPAGHETTI EVERYWHERE !!

gray2703 · Post by **gray2703** » Sun 04 Nov, 2012 10:46

Sounds exciting venture and project, be great to see some in progress photos

Would love to recover my seats in lighter beige leather with horizontal pipes in main part (similar to Alfa leather work)

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Sun 04 Nov, 2012 11:22

I've taken some pics...but there is a thread in the Z3 Knowledgebase which describes a complete interior removal... My pics are mostly for my own reference to ensure I don't overlook anything in a week or so when I re-assemble. Nothing worse than putting in an hour of work only to discover that one has left out a small component / move wich requires undoing all the effort put in already...

The dash is now dismantled ito all it's individual parts and ready to go too....Actually the entire process is a lot less laborious than one anticipates, re-assembly will be more time consuming though, especially as one takes more care to avoid any possible damage...the dreaded "screwdiver slip" or some such mishap.

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Sun 04 Nov, 2012 13:21

All the bits are done and ready for delivery to the auto trimmer in the morning...a relief to have managed the separation of the instrument cluster "dome" from the lower half without incident... It did take me the best part of half an hour though, and some words best left out here.
One has to puzzle over the mentality that employs hidden attachments vs a good screw or two...maybe I'm living in the past when things were made in such a way that it was a relatively obvious task to separate components...anyhow, one learns the new tricks, even an old dog like me...

macca · Post by **macca** » Sun 04 Nov, 2012 14:32

Looking forward to seeing the results etc as I'm planning my interior change on my z4

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Sun 04 Nov, 2012 14:41

Looking forward to it too!! That beige interior was just not "roadster"... Which Z4 are you driving? I have a Z4 steering wheel fitted in my Z3, the one without the multi-function steering wheel. But it has the "brushed chrome" look spokes...
I only realised once I had fitted it that it's about 35mm smaller in diameter than the Z3 wheel, which is just perfect. I used to have to drive with the steering wheel between my knees..Was OK when the BH was driving though...

I'll post some pics when it's all back together again..Probably around mid November..

macca · Post by **macca** » Sun 04 Nov, 2012 18:38

Southernboy wrote:Looking forward to it too!! That beige interior was just not "roadster"... Which Z4 are you driving? I have a Z4 steering wheel fitted in my Z3, the one without the multi-function steering wheel. But it has the "brushed chrome" look spokes...
I only realised once I had fitted it that it's about 35mm smaller in diameter than the Z3 wheel, which is just perfect. I used to have to drive with the steering wheel between my knees..Was OK when the BH was driving though...
I'll post some pics when it's all back together again..Probably around mid November..

I have a 2003 3.0l auto with grey / red interior. I have no idea what I want to change it to yet, I'm looking at all possibilities at the moment.

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Mon 05 Nov, 2012 06:42

Grey/Red isn't quite as drab as Beige... Beige is OK, but just doesn't quite suit an open roadster concept. More like it should be in a large Merc or Volvo.. I have been fortunate to have found the "red" leather from Porche. I's not red as in Pillar box red, but more a terracotta red, also it has a matt finish. I reckon that with black will work. It's not as difficult to change the interior, if you take your time and gather all the trim as and when they come up at a reasonable price. The difficult part is to find an auto trimmer that is up to scratch, because the last thing you want is a shabby job. It's got to be as good as the original if not better. As you will gather, I'm not at all concerned with OEM / original colours. reckon the options of leather are so huge, and why not have something individual vs "repeat, repeat..."
I wouldn't go bright yellow though, although someone local here did that in a red Alfa Spyder...

Looked like a hamster that had been bludgeoned..

resunoiz · Post by **resunoiz** » Mon 05 Nov, 2012 14:25

waiting 4 pics!

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Mon 05 Nov, 2012 14:32

Me too...I dropped all the bits with the auto trimmer this morning...Still waiting on delivery of some black plastic trim from Poland, full black carpet from UK...Hopefully all the parts will arrive so I can do the re-assembly in about a week...Meanwhile, BMW have just delivered all the bits for the suspension which is being lowered 30mm..so I can get on with that while I'm waiting...but I rely on my mechanic for that,and he reckons maybe we can do the job on Saturday morning.

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Tue 06 Nov, 2012 18:13

Replacement 3rd stoplight arrived today...Cleaned up and the lens buffed to a perfect gloss as it should be. For anyone interested, one of the best methods of buffing / polishing hard plastics is with a decent soft cloth and Brasso... works brilliantly. At last I can fit it and get shot of the chipped one which has had a small leak, often plugged with silicone... Also noticed that all 7 of the bulb reflectors were somewhat melted when I had it out a few months back for a re-seal. Seems those little 5 watt bulbs get quite warm. They've all been replaced by led's now , so that shouldn't be an issue any longer.

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Thu 08 Nov, 2012 08:01

Black dash, black rear lateral trims complete with turrets etc etc for roll hoop apps and full black carpet (Not cleaned yet) all in hand and ready for installation.
Still waiting on black glove box and under dash steering column bits from Emek... but he is still out on the Indian ocean somewhere rowing to South Africa...
Red & Black leather parts have been started at the auto trimmer....

All the wiring harness under the dash has been tidied up and routed so that access behind the guages and heater controls is optimised for changing those pesky light bulbs we all hate to replace...

stupot50 · Post by **stupot50** » Thu 08 Nov, 2012 11:44

Just changed a heater fan switch bulb, did it through the right hand hockey stick by removing two screws and easing it back, pulled the wire off, got long nose pliers on the old bulb, one swift firm tug and out it popped. Used the one from the ashtray to replace it. Bingo, less than 15 minutes

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Fri 09 Nov, 2012 05:51

Seems the parts from Emek have already landed in Cape Town -by ship -and are on their way to Johannesburg...which is really surprising. I was anticipating another 3 - 4 weeks longer...
Wonderful when things come together so nicely!!!

Zedbedee · Post by **Zedbedee** » Fri 09 Nov, 2012 08:05

Interested to read that Southernboy has fitted a smaller Z4 steering wheel. Is that an easy swap and do you retain the airbag functionallity??

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Fri 09 Nov, 2012 10:43

PM sent to you re Z4 wheel....
The most difficult part of removing the front section of carpet has to be the accelerator pedal... what a very American idea it is...If it had been a German design, it would have had a couple of screws instead of 3 clips buried beloy a flange, and that requires the carpet to be depressed whilst unclipping three clips with one hand... what a total lack of intelligent forsight !!
Nonetheless..perserverance, some cursing Obama and his folk, it finally came out. The rest of the operation was simple.
Any USA readers..this isn't personal...it's an observation...like millions for a pen that will write in weightless space...you know that story?? The Ruskies used a pencil - 1 rouble....

Post by **Robert T** » Sat 10 Nov, 2012 08:33

Hate to burst the bubble, but the pen thing is a myth. An ordinary biro will work in zero-gravity. A pencil could be disasterous, as graphite is conductive and little pieces of broken pencil lead could quite easily float into sensitive electronics. The bit that amazes me is that the computers the used had less processing power than my phone!

Cheers R.

Sent from my Galaxy SII using Tapatalk 2

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Sat 10 Nov, 2012 09:41

Here's an interesting bit of info..I went online to query the top rated car audio speakers... JBL by Harmann were rated the best...Guess which 4" rears I just installed this morning...
But.. the new 4" come with a tweeter in the center...only way to fit them and still use the OEM trim cover was to use a set of side cutters and snip the 6 arms off the back of the cover and remove the "spider" (6 legged one...

) With that removed the cover snaps in as usual without the mesh touching the tweeter which is about 1/4 inch proud of the old OEM speaker level.
The speakers are rated 90 watts and one of the most obvious differences is the huge magnet at back compared to the old OEM jobs.
FYI Alpine rated pretty high up and still within the "excellent" category between 9 - 10. Bottom was Kicker 5.? The survey seems current as it was dated 2013...

Maybe they're getting ahead of themselves.

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Wed 14 Nov, 2012 14:25

Update....
"New" black carpets arrived at lunch time today....now the carpet cleaners are here doing their bit. The carpets came from Shaun Alexander in Sommerset, and I must say, they are in superb condition...with the exception of a half kilo of England in the pile...

Should be fully dry by the morning. They tell me 2 hours but I'll leave them out in the sun tomorrow and do the install on Friday afternoon.
Dash and door cards are promised for Friday too, so I can do that on the weekend and drop off the seats, steering wheel and roll hoops on monday...I'm hoping for the entire re-fit to be complete before the folowing weekend...perhaps with the exception of the two door sill plastic covers which Emek sent strapped to the back of a sea turtle from Poland...

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Fri 16 Nov, 2012 16:12

Further update....today I dropped off the Z at my mechanic, helped strip out the front suspension and cleaned up the parts. Tomorrow morning the new springs will be fitted with all the pads etc etc, and then the rear springs will be done...So, by lunchtime, the completed change to Eibachs will be done...30mm drop.
Might have to do some work on the driveway entrance to ensure I can get in and out without removing the exhausts...but prepared for that..Monday the local builders hardware are dropping off some concrete mix and I'll soften the slope up onto the driveway from the street...which will make for a more comfortable entry speed which isn't possible now anyhow.

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Thu 22 Nov, 2012 10:47

At last...The auto trimmer called to tell me to collect the dash, console and doorcards...I haven't done an inspection, but I gave him a disc with a piles of photographs of the stitching, joins etc etc from every possible angle.
All being well, this will be a weekend of re-fitting dash etc.
I'll be dropping the roll hoops and the passenger seat when I collect from him later...and hopefully I can drop the driver's seat on tuesday next along with the steering wheel to complete all the bits to be done... Aiming at 1st Dec for the photo's

resunoiz · Post by **resunoiz** » Thu 22 Nov, 2012 10:55

we want WIP pics!

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Thu 22 Nov, 2012 10:58

What is WIP pics??

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Thu 22 Nov, 2012 10:59

OK...Work In Progress...got it...I've been taking pics all along...

PCSAM · Post by **PCSAM** » Fri 23 Nov, 2012 20:27

Southernboy wrote:OK...Work In Progress...got it...I've been taking pics all along...

some pics from the leather and carbon shop

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Sat 24 Nov, 2012 04:46

Thanks guys...encouraging words...

Topperz · Post by **Topperz** » Sat 24 Nov, 2012 12:35

Mmm interior porn,very nice

PCSAM · Post by **PCSAM** » Sun 25 Nov, 2012 12:19

more porn pics

resunoiz · Post by **resunoiz** » Sun 25 Nov, 2012 12:58

looking very good, assembly of various leather aprts seems very similar to the original ones.

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Sun 25 Nov, 2012 13:05

Yep...that's the way I wanted it. I gave the auto trimmer dozens of photos so he could see what was required...

('_')Z3 · Post by **('_')Z3** » Sun 25 Nov, 2012 13:37

PCSAM wrote:more porn pics

That brings back some memories from when i did the extended leather dash on mine

All looking good though, cant wait to see it all finished

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Sun 25 Nov, 2012 15:06

Thanks PCsam for posting my pics....as usual...

I'm very pleased with the level of workmanship the local guy has achieved. Must say, in my money it's still very reasonable compared to sourcing original leathered parts, added to which it's brand new leather !!

I'm really looking forward to having it finished though...it's been an extended wait for the auto trimmer, with whom I dropped off the dash and door cards on the 4th of November.
I'll hopefully have pics of the completed project by next weekend...

Del · Post by **Del** » Sun 25 Nov, 2012 15:29

Looking very nice.

Also noticed that the steering wheel is on the correct, right side

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Sun 25 Nov, 2012 15:34

Yes, there are very few countries where that "other" trend is disdained....and quite correctly too

Captain · Post by **Captain** » Sun 25 Nov, 2012 15:34

Looking Good, like the white dials

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Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Sun 25 Nov, 2012 15:37

Dials came from Germany....Love them too...and with the lights on at night they are really cool!

Captain · Post by **Captain** » Sun 25 Nov, 2012 16:24

Southernboy wrote:Dials came from Germany....Love them too...and with the lights on at night they are really cool!

Are they complete dials or a sticker kit.

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Sun 25 Nov, 2012 16:33

They're complete dials..remove the black and fit the white..

huntert · Post by **huntert** » Mon 26 Nov, 2012 12:13

Very similar to mine mate, only i have chrome where you have carbon..are you doing your seats and door cards to?