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Maty_280ZX
Argentina
118 Posts |
 Posted - April 08 2003 : 10:10:17 AM
Is there any kit for BMW roadsters? I mean Z3 (I know about one, but want to know if there is any other), Z4 and especially Z8.I want to build any of them (I love Z8) but I want to know why everybody say that a Miata is the perfect donor. The wheelbase is not the same and the BMws are front engine cars. Lots of cars can be used as donor. Maybe the Miata chasis is reinforced from factory because it´s a roadster but other chasis can be reinforced and would be cheaper in my opinion. Please someone, find (or produce) a Z8! Thanks in advance,
Maty |
meat
USA
992 Posts |
Posted - April 08 2003 : 11:54:56 AM
quote:
Is there any kit for BMW roadsters? I mean Z3 (I know about one, but want to know if there is any other), Z4 and especially Z8.I want to build any of them (I love Z8) but I want to know why everybody say that a Miata is the perfect donor. The wheelbase is not the same and the BMws are front engine cars. Lots of cars can be used as donor. Maybe the Miata chasis is reinforced from factory because it´s a roadster but other chasis can be reinforced and would be cheaper in my opinion.
Um...The Miata is a front engine/rear wheel drive car, like the BMW Z's are. Also, A Miata can be picked up for usually just about nothing (the last one I got - a Smurf-blue 1992 B package - cost me $600.00). They are also great handling little cars, annoyingly reliable, and pretty well set-up from the factory. It doesn't hurt that all of the parts are cheap and plentiful, either. There may be other roadsters out there with a better wheelbase (the Miata wheelbase is .5" different than a 289/427 Cobra), but they're hard to find in the U.S.; most of our convertibles are 'cab-forward' FWD cars...Not even close to 'sporty' in my book. I haven't seen any Z8 kits, but with used cars still running at ~$100K, I can see where there would be a market for a replica. A rebody choice that car might be a newer, 1984+ Corvette, since the wheelbase difference is only about 2.5" or you could go for a completely custom chassis...which would substantially raise the 'entry price' for the guy making the kit; chassis are not cheap! Your pal,
Meat. 
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dave114
195 Posts |
Posted - April 08 2003 : 7:02:49 PM
There is a Z3 and Z4 replica, called Bond Z3 and Bond Z4. The site is down at the moment, but if you do a search for them, the site will come up. They are both based on the Mazda Miata (or MX5 as it is here) and they handle pretty well, especially with a bit more power put though it.Hope this helps Your mate is OZ Dave
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max
37 Posts |
Posted - April 09 2003 : 1:11:37 PM
I have a 2002 Z3 replica for sale . I just placed ad.. it will be on main page.. soon.. i already paid.2002 BMW Z3 Replica , $4k new silver paint new black convertible top, based on 1995 Mazda Miata, pro built , 59k miles, 5 speed, excellent condition , this car is clean, cd player Blau. speakers. Will ship anywhere, as soon as funds clear. Passed emissions. Car just tuned. Turn the key. cheaper insurance cheaper maintence. More reliable engine. need parking space.. 10,500.
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Maty_280ZX
Argentina
118 Posts |
Posted - April 09 2003 : 1:52:32 PM
meat, just $600???? what was wrong with that car? Can you please point me in the right direction about where to get one in the internet? here you can find a 92 for about 20-22k, and for a donor it seems a little expensive. Another thing, did you see any BMW-Z kit completed? Because I want to know if it really looks like a real car. Here in my town there is a RT/10 Viper and a Z3 (both real). I wanted to build a roadster that isn´t in my town, but can´t find one (Z8, SL500 or SRT-10 Viper would be nice) and RT/10 and Z3 seems the only options (Z4 seems interesting, I would like to know more about it: price, parts included, accuracy...). I know SL600 is avaible but it´s not produced anymore (I´m talking about the real car) and some other mid-engine cars are avaible (Diablo Roadster, F355 Spyder, F512 roadsters among others) but I believe a front-engine car is easy to build, I´m looking for my first kit car and Diablo Roadster would be perfect, but I believe it´s more difficult to build than a front-engine car. Any other ideas for a front-engine roadster (or easy to build mid-engine one)?dave114, I know about that Bond-Z cars and about the Z-Beemer (I think that is it´s name) that appeas when you search for BMW in this site. I want to know if there is any other kit avaible. Did you see any Bond-Z kits completed? max, the price is 10.5K plus shipping? Do you have any pictures? Where did you buy the kit? I wanted to build it myself, but might be interested in your car. |
meat
USA
992 Posts |
Posted - April 09 2003 : 2:42:42 PM
quote:
meat, just $600???? what was wrong with that car? Can you please point me in the right direction about where to get one in the internet? here you can find a 92 for about 20-22k, and for a donor it seems a little expensive.
The $600 one was 'right place, right time;' the used car dealership bought the car at auction, and then couldn't get it started. It wouldn't even turn over. So, assuming that it was the dreaded cam breakage (that happens on the 90-91s if you overtighten the belt during replacement) and that an engine would be necessary, they offered it up to the first person who asked about it...me! Turns out that the hydraulic clutch reservoir was empty, and the clutch pedal wasn't going down far enough to trigger the switch that allowed the car to start. A simple $3.95 bottle o' fluid and it was on it's way! (of course, I went out and bought the $50 switch too...which Mazda wouldn't take back ... doh!). Anyways, there's lots of places to pick up MX5/Miatas. You can find them usually for around $2K if you look hard enough in the right places. Check AutoTrader.com to start with. The 90-91s are dirt-cheap (they're the ones that can get the cams broken). The 92-94s are - I believe 1.6s. The 95s are 1.8s, and somewhere along the line after 1996 they put in a 6-speed manual as an option. And, as a side note, don't forget that the Miata is a very formidable corner carver as is. If you are looking for a HELL of a sleeper check out www.v8miata.com - that guy (a local fella) drops a Ford V8/T5 combo in with a T-Bird 7.5" IRS...instant Cobra performance! Your pal,
Meat.
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BMW roadsters kit cars?
