Didn't know where else to ask…

[NGT2]

My dad has an old Z3. It's got hardly any miles on it - maybe 35,000? Runs like a top after we charge the battery and air up the tires (it stays in storage 4-5 months out of the year).

My question is about cosmetic restoration. The wheels are beat up and some of the interior is tired. Any suggestions of where to look to get OEM wheels, soft top, and other similar parts for an old Z3? I'd like to talk him into sprucing it up. I believe it's a '96 and I know it's a 1.9 engine, so nothing sexy. But a cool car, now a classic, in fantastic operating shape.

Thanks.

[kyriian]

I am not local to you at all so I cannot give shops that can help you

For the interior, a new seat cover and a weekend's work should be good to restore your old seats. They are readily available from online sellers and ebay, if you don't fancy doing it yourself, there should be local auto upholstery places that will do em for you happily.

For replacement interior bits, BMW original will be costly and unlikely to be stocked, so unless I cannot find one in a salvage somewhere, I'd leave that to last resort..
I used to look up car-part for salvage yards near me with parts I need listed, and usually can be just brought from them if you find a good one. Z cars are uncommon so it may take a hike to find good shape pieces.

Robbins Auto makes a better top than factory and that'd be the route I'd look at

For wheels, local wheel restoration places should be able to clean your originals up fairly easily and repaint if you don't want to DIY.

[Efthreeoh]

I have a '97 Z3. Original owner. My wife's car. First off there are a few Z3 specific fourms on the internet. Second, BMW still carries most of the mechanical parts for the Z3. Realoem.com is where you can find part numbers. Then search the part numbers in your search engine. Plenty of vendors. I personally use getBMWparts.com. I sourced the replacement OE top from them about 8 years ago. Black cloth top is P/N 54318411121, $1,558.77. That's about $300 more than when I bought it.

Wheels are mostly discontinued. Just get the wheels on the car refurbished. Around $120 each. Best option IMO. Or find the part numbers and search for used wheels. Always a risk buying used wheels unless from a refurbisher.

Interior parts can be painted to original color.

[NGT2]

Thanks for the feedback and resources!

Fortunately, like I said before, all the mechanics of the car are in great shape. I don't know about the suspension, but other than aging it hasn't had any stress or even much use.

I will definitely look at wheel restoration first, but they are pretty beat up. That would certainly be the easiest and least expensive option. They're missing center caps, but that should be easy to find online.

I'm assuming that recovering the seats isn't too hard of a job. They can't weigh much and there isn't much to them (like the rest of the car).

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Thanks for the feedback and resources!

Fortunately, like I said before, all the mechanics of the car are in great shape. I don't know about the suspension, but other than aging it hasn't had any stress or even much use.

I will definitely look at wheel restoration first, but they are pretty beat up. That would certainly be the easiest and least expensive option. They're missing center caps, but that should be easy to find online.

I'm assuming that recovering the seats isn't too hard of a job. They can't weigh much and there isn't much to them (like the rest of the car).

The trick to any BMW restoration is part numbers. You need part numbers. BMW part numbers are incredibly easy to find. Like I suggested, go to realoem.com and you can find ANY part number for your Z3. You have to go to the "classics" section, drop in the last 7 digits of the VIN, and you'll get a pictorial drawdown of all parts. Once you have part numbers, an internet search will bring up most all parts either new or used. BMW uses a lot of parts between models, especially fasteners, so there are lots of parts easily to find. You can get new genuine BMW centercaps since every 3-series for the past 40 years uses the same hubcentric wheel design.

Why is the car so beat up?

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

The trick to any BMW restoration is part numbers. You need part numbers. BMW part numbers are incredibly easy to find. Like I suggested, go to realoem.com and you can find ANY part number for your Z3. You have to go to the "classics" section, drop in the last 7 digits of the VIN, and you'll get a pictorial drawdown of all parts. Once you have part numbers, an internet search will bring up most all parts either new or used. BMW uses a lot of parts between models, especially fasteners, so there are lots of parts easily to find. You can get new genuine BMW centercaps since every 3-series for the past 40 years uses the same hubcentric wheel design.

Why is the car so beat up?

It's not that the car is beat up. The wheels are, just from years of bad roads I guess. I'd say the vehicle is more "faded" than damaged. Just needs some love. It's a great car.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

The trick to any BMW restoration is part numbers. You need part numbers. BMW part numbers are incredibly easy to find. Like I suggested, go to realoem.com and you can find ANY part number for your Z3. You have to go to the "classics" section, drop in the last 7 digits of the VIN, and you'll get a pictorial drawdown of all parts. Once you have part numbers, an internet search will bring up most all parts either new or used. BMW uses a lot of parts between models, especially fasteners, so there are lots of parts easily to find. You can get new genuine BMW centercaps since every 3-series for the past 40 years uses the same hubcentric wheel design.

Why is the car so beat up?

Was just at Dad's house and took this picture. Like I said, mechanically sound but time and 6 months storage each year has taken a toll. I'm going to get the VIN and try the site you mentioned to see if I can find a part number for the interior door handle.

[Huz-Z]

I would check out this forum :

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/f...3-(E36-7-E36-8)

[cbpip]

Car-part.com
Nationwide used car part search.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

I would check out this forum :

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/f...3-(E36-7-E36-8)

Found that one last night! Thanks for the tip

[kaybat]

gotta ask:
why is there a Z3 topic on a Z4 forum?

[Steeler]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Found that one last night! Thanks for the tip

That is by far the best forum for the Z3.
I lurk there often, with a Z3 in my near future.
Good luck with your refresh.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by kaybat

gotta ask:
why is there a Z3 topic on a Z4 forum?

Does the thread title not explain it?

If you want the long answer it is this: I have a 540. I joined the forum for the 5 series section. I became familiar with the site, as a result. My dad has a Z3. I had questions. I went to the closest forum on this site, first, and got some tips. So, mission accomplished. I found some Z3 forums as a result, so you'll be spared going forward.

I think the Z4 is a cool car, by the way. Thanks for the help!

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Steeler

That is by far the best forum for the Z3.
I lurk there often, with a Z3 in my near future.
Good luck with your refresh.

Thanks!

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Found that one last night! Thanks for the tip

You are very welcome!! It’s always a pleasure to help out another Z owner!!