u/AgentBlue009

Hey guys!

This is pt 2 of my journey to overhaul my 02 3.0 Z3. This time, I focused on removing the exhaust, mainly because I cannot do anything else when it comes to the interior as I'm waiting for parts to arrive. Also, so I can access the driveshaft and the shifter components. It took me all day to remove the exhaust bolts because they were rusted and jammed. Pro tip: DO NOT USE AN IMPACT GUN ON THOSE BOLTS. I used it on one of the bolts and it stripped it. I had to use a bolt extractor to get it out What I did instead was soak it in PB blaster for at least 30 mins to an hour. After that, I just used a breaker bar and went slowly on it, and it came out easily (you still have to apply some pressure). This Friday and over the weekend, I will work on replacing the shifter components, as well as work on changing driveshaft components, and installing the Eisenmann Race Exhaust.

Hey all!

I wanted to document my efforts in preparing my 3.0 Z3 for the woodward dream cruise in Michigan. I got the car in September of 2025. As soon as I got it, I replaced the cooling system (new hoses, stewart water pump, reservoir, thermostat housing, etc). I replaced vacuum lines, rubber seals, other seals, etc because the car had lean bank codes. The code is gone now . I installed engine mounts because the old ones were disintegrated. I also installed an aluminum radiator small enough to fit an electric low profile spal fan (controlled by a fan relay).

After a hiatus of not working on my car because of the brutal Michigan winter, I finally started working on it again. This time, I want to change the interior (I hate beige interiors) to a black one. When I took out the carpets, it was soaking with a pool of water. I think that got in when I left it outside one day and it rained. Mind you, I had a convertible cover on it, but my 3 IQ a*s tucked the cover inside the trunk because it was extremely windy and I didn't want the cover to fly off the top. I sourced a black dashboard from eBay, and bought interior parts from a junk yard. For the sound system, I'm changing all speakers and the head unit. Speakers will be Audison Ap1p, audison ap2, audison ap4, audison ap5, and the Audio System CARBON 06 EVO Subwoofer. For the head unit, I got the blaupunkt milano 200 bt. I want to make the car have a more vintage BMW look on the inside. I will be posting more pics as I start installing back stuff.

I purchased a Twillfast II black top from German Auto Tops and I will be installing that when it arrives. I originally got a chinesium one for cheap, but after going through the disassembly of the convertible, might as well get a good brand to save me time in the future. It wasn't an easy job.

As for the exhaust, I'm keeping it simple. I got an Eisenmann Race Rear muffler. I will be installing that in the next couple weeks.

I will be doing a shifter revamp also. Got a Garagistic DSSR and a Schmeidmann adjustable shifter, alongside other rebuild components.

Pictures are of before and after so far! I might be posting some YouTube vids as well of the before and after. We will see.

Cheers!

Is there a difference between these two? The price difference is noticeable. The eBay one says in the description that it's from German Auto Tops. Should I trust this seller from eBay and just get it from there?