Chassis dimesions data

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster
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TheStorm
Joined: Tue 12 Feb, 2019 13:24
Posts: 22

  Z3 roadster 1.8

Chassis dimesions data

Post by TheStorm »

Hi All,

I have some doubts if a car was hit / bent in the past ... so I would like to have some dimensions to measure.

I got to this site:
http://cargeometry.com/body-dimensions/ ... 72003.html

but .. honestly .. $20 for this .. and honestly I dont know if they will send all the files ..

Anyone got this ?
mrscalex
Joined: Fri 13 Mar, 2015 09:14
Posts: 910

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Chassis dimesions data

Post by mrscalex »

Personally I'd compare side by side with another Z3. And or by offering up known good parts like the chassis brace to see if they fit. Eg the chassis brace on the car may have been squeezed in by 1-2mm with the chassis rails at the time of an accident so just because it appears to fit... In fact that's exactly how I knew the chassis was damaged once.

If you look on Youtube for Arthur Tussik you will see the tool he uses and how he checks for alignment in a fairly low tech way.

https://www.youtube.com/user/tussik01/videos
ImageImage
2001 Z3 2.2 Topaz Blue (Trudy) - Keeper rebuilt from a write-off
2002 Z3 2.2 Titan Silver (Cookies) - Keeper rebuilt having been bought with a seized engine
2002 Z3 3.0 Sapphire Black (Peanut) - Keeper awaiting rebuilding having been bought as an abandoned project
Plus Willy, Kodak & Maycee - All 2.2 Sport projects. Yes, 6 is a lot of Z3s :)
Always happy to try and help with spares :)
mrscalex
Joined: Fri 13 Mar, 2015 09:14
Posts: 910

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Chassis dimesions data

Post by mrscalex »

Those files do look interesting for geeks like me though ;)
ImageImage
2001 Z3 2.2 Topaz Blue (Trudy) - Keeper rebuilt from a write-off
2002 Z3 2.2 Titan Silver (Cookies) - Keeper rebuilt having been bought with a seized engine
2002 Z3 3.0 Sapphire Black (Peanut) - Keeper awaiting rebuilding having been bought as an abandoned project
Plus Willy, Kodak & Maycee - All 2.2 Sport projects. Yes, 6 is a lot of Z3s :)
Always happy to try and help with spares :)
TheStorm
Joined: Tue 12 Feb, 2019 13:24
Posts: 22

  Z3 roadster 1.8

Re: Chassis dimesions data

Post by TheStorm »

Yea.. I will start with the initial idea - to measure diagonals...

so if the two diagonals do not match - the car is bent ...
mrscalex
Joined: Fri 13 Mar, 2015 09:14
Posts: 910

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Chassis dimesions data

Post by mrscalex »

Yes that's how Arthur measures. With a big bar across matching diagonals. I think it's called a tram gauge.
ImageImage
2001 Z3 2.2 Topaz Blue (Trudy) - Keeper rebuilt from a write-off
2002 Z3 2.2 Titan Silver (Cookies) - Keeper rebuilt having been bought with a seized engine
2002 Z3 3.0 Sapphire Black (Peanut) - Keeper awaiting rebuilding having been bought as an abandoned project
Plus Willy, Kodak & Maycee - All 2.2 Sport projects. Yes, 6 is a lot of Z3s :)
Always happy to try and help with spares :)
Mike Fishwick
Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
Posts: 2093

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Daglan, France

Re: Chassis dimesions data

Post by Mike Fishwick »

Why don't you simply have a full geometry check at a good tyre dealer? That will show up any problems such as bent trailing arms or rear cross member, not to mention distortion of the front cross member, chassis rails, or wishbone mountings.
A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
TheStorm
Joined: Tue 12 Feb, 2019 13:24
Posts: 22

  Z3 roadster 1.8

Re: Chassis dimesions data

Post by TheStorm »

Diagonals are fine. The chassis looks good. When measuring the longest diagonal - from front cross member to the big bolt holding rear cross member - the difference is 1-2mm. Which is inside the measuring mistake :D

I will go to a alignment machine because I have to setup the suspension and we will see the data there.
Thanks for the input!
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