Larry's 89 Zinno E30 M3 build

[captainslow]

I need to update this thread. Not much happening this winter. I've been putting off two major projects that need to get done on this car:

1) Transmission needs to come out so I can replace the first motion shaft bearing

2) Front suspension needs to come out and go back to Vorshlag so one of the strut housings can be cut and welded straight.

3) Restore original black seats. I think I'm done with the Evo interior. It's been fun, but I really prefer the originals.

Hey Larry,

Have you considered throwing a pan baffle on the car while it's down for the winter? I'd guess you don't do autocross or track events, but you might consider it if you drive spiritedly. My good friend lost his S14 on the track due to oil starvation, $13,000 and a whole season later he had the car on the road again...

[f50nut]

Hey Larry,

Have you considered throwing a pan baffle on the car while it's down for the winter? I'd guess you don't do autocross or track events, but you might consider it if you drive spiritedly. My good friend lost his S14 on the track due to oil starvation, $13,000 and a whole season later he had the car on the road again...

Hey thanks for the heads up. The PO told me it already has a baffle but I can't find any receipts for it. He also told me it has straight cut gears, but now I know it just has a bad first motion shaft bearing . I might just buy a baffle and take a look in there. It's certainly not worth risking an expensive rebuild.

Nice Coupe by the way. Dakar is one of my favorites.

[E30Kop]

@f50nut I just went through this whole thread & I am absolutely in LOVE with your car.

I too have a Zinno E30 (tho only a lowly 325i) & absolutely adore the colour.

Btw, the RS is just always a winner!

[f50nut]

@f50nut I just went through this whole thread & I am absolutely in LOVE with your car.

I too have a Zinno E30 (tho only a lowly 325i) & absolutely adore the colour.

Btw, the RS is just always a winner!

Thank you! I think the RSs will be for sale this spring.

Excited for warmer weather so I can get wrenching on this thing again.

Picked up some carbon DTM (non vented) mirrors. The ones on the left. That'll tie in nicely with the carbon front lip and rear flap, and should complete the look with the BBS E50s. Photo is from Markus in Germany (Mr. BBS).

[archie]

Very very nice!

[f50nut]

Update

DTM mirrors have arrived from Germany. They showed up in some nice wrapping paper :D



Here's what you get: Two mirror bodies, two mirrors, two backing plates and two swivel plates. I don't know what they're called, so I'm gonna call them swivel plates. (Just showing one set of the mirror parts here.)



The BMW backing plates are bigger than the actual mirrors, so they have to be cut to fit.



Example.



Need to be very careful positioning the swivel plates. This is very thin carbon fiber so I don't want to deal with repairing holes and drilling again.



You can see the BMW stamp. I believe these are molds of original BMW DTM parts. Pretty cool.



First hole. Now use the plate as a template for the other 3.





Done.



Position the backing plate over the swivel head and start cutting.



Done.



Here's a test fit with the mirror in place. I have to find the right adhesive to attach the mirror to the backing plate. Any suggestions? I'm thinking I'll use an all-weather silicone adhesive. Something that can withstand water and temperature changes.

[2mAn]

Very cool! I would love to add something like this to my car, Ive been eyeballing the ACS rep that VAC sells. How much did you pick these up for?

[f50nut]

Very cool! I would love to add something like this to my car, Ive been eyeballing the ACS rep that VAC sells. How much did you pick these up for?

Thanks. These were 290 Euros shipped. I like the ACS mirrors paired with some Type 1s and the ACS steering wheel.

[2mAn]

Thats a pretty good deal for true carbon fiber mirrors, especially with the exchange rate being pretty good right now. The AC Schnitzer- Rep ones are almost $500. I imagine they are super light too. Does the CF have clearcoat over it to prevent the yellowing also? Do you have a link to the buyer, if they have more for sale?

Love the car and each mod you do seems very well thought out, I love seeing your updates.

[f50nut]

Thanks a lot.

Yeah, I like these better since they DTM cars actually ran them. He also has the vented version. You can see those a few posts up.
These are super lightweight. I think they're cleared. I'm going to run them as-is.

PM'd you.

[markseven]

Those look great.

I would use a thin layer of some foam-type material (cut just slightly smaller that the backing plate) between the mirror and backing plate - apply the adhesive liberally to both sides. This is what I did with my E36-style mirrors that I had on my 325is. It reduces the chance of the lens coming loose due to vibration...

[f50nut]

That's a good call. I was even thinking of using some double sided foam tape for that reason but worried it might get water logged. What type of glue did you use?

[SteadyAim.]

Looks awesome!

[markseven]

That's a good call. I was even thinking of using some double sided foam tape for that reason but worried it might get water logged. What type of glue did you use?

I'm fairly certain I used a silicon adhesive. It's waterproof and by nature fills low areas on the mating surfaces to get virtually 100% coverage. It may be a good idea to scuff the backs of the mirrors and backing plates (and then clean with rubbing alcohol) before applying adhesive?

[f50nut]

I'm fairly certain I used a silicon adhesive. It's waterproof and by nature fills low areas on the mating surfaces to get virtually 100% coverage. It may be a good idea to scuff the backs of the mirrors and backing plates (and then clean with rubbing alcohol) before applying adhesive?

Yeah that's a good call. Markus suggested using body glue or windshield glue, I suppose either will work. I don't really know the differences between them but I'll probably just use a good silicon adhesive.