She's an Estoril Blue BMW Z3M Roadster (S52) and was in the first batch of Z3M's to come over to the UK - she was built in November 1997 and registered on 8th Jan 1998 to BMW GB for use by one of the BMW directors. The car was also used as press car which saw her loaned to Top Gear in January 1998 for an episode which aired on the BBC in March 1998 and saw Tiff Needall road test it against a TVR - the video was available on You Tube for sometime but it has recently been pulled by the BBC for copyright following Jezzagate but I have found another copy of it here:
http://www.dpccars.com/car-videos-13/01 ... himera.htm
I have had her since 2014 when I bought it from a former forum member who had been planning to restore her to factory specifications and had therefore got a garage full of original bits including front and rear bumpers, carpets and other rare parts. As he was relocating to South America he was willing to throw all the parts as well so we agreed a sale and I took her home and the week after made another trip to get all the bits. Having got all the original bits home I have decided that I actually like the way it looks at the moment so the parts have all gone up into the loft for safe keeping incase I ever decide to change it or (less likely) decide to sell...
After taking initial ownership I decided to take it for a nice blast over the pennines and through the peak district to see what all the fuss was about. Coming from a 2.0l the difference was understandably impressive but the lack of use prior to my spirited drive resulted in a trip to the garage for a replacement rocker gasket and 2 new brake hoses.
Apart from a drive to Norfolk to pick up a hardtop and a recently retrimmed steering wheel that were being sold by a forum member I haven't really had time to do any of the mods I have planned for her but she has had a bit of TLC recently and some new paint. It is by no means finished yet but this is how she looked when I picked her up last week after 4 weeks in the garage... Work done:
Full Inspection 2 Service
Full brake calliper, carrier & Spring refurb (shotblasted, primed, painted) - Refurb Kits from BIGGRED
New Clutch
Refurbished gearbox pins (including oils etc)
New Oil Sensor
Front bumper removed, repaired, resprayed and replaced
Rear bumper removed, repaired, resprayed and replaced
Front passenger wing removed, repaired, resprayed and replaced
Rear drivers wing removed, repaired, resprayed and replaced
Passenger door key gouge removed, repaired and resprayed
BMW Aero rear spoiler cut to fit the boot lid badge (ala DAZ3 style), primed, sprayed and fitted
All 4 alloys refurbed and resprayed
Full Body Polish and Valet
![Image](http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e309/bertiejaffa/F32016B2-68B1-4142-AF17-7B164CDCA899_zpsctykwttx.jpg)
![Image](http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e309/bertiejaffa/A7356E29-4DFA-42F2-BD3A-5370C13F1368_zps91pynbdb.jpg)
![Image](http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e309/bertiejaffa/03073C2D-8D13-4F6A-8096-96123F3FB0E6_zps1hp21mlg.jpg)
![Image](http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e309/bertiejaffa/7B14BA39-AFA5-49F0-A886-E044A52061EC_zpsimakfaxc.jpg)
![Image](http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e309/bertiejaffa/C0852BBA-267E-4FA6-B8F5-D494F09731F5_zpsbjsptfzz.jpg)
![Image](http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e309/bertiejaffa/15E39317-6EAF-4D7F-AF8C-8E300877E5E9_zpswrkfveas.png)
![Image](http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e309/bertiejaffa/D84588DB-3D14-4564-8B2E-D50366238FFF_zpsrvi7xeav.jpg)
![Image](http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e309/bertiejaffa/F67D2984-92A2-45BB-98FA-AE4062AF9227_zpsjfqydvwj.jpg)
![Image](http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e309/bertiejaffa/6583955A-0995-43B7-9A5B-23E6D9012879_zps6kyxzabg.png)
![Image](http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e309/bertiejaffa/3450DE22-4261-480A-9899-D8670524D1F9_zpsqlpp9u75.png)