12-Z3 Body Repairs

After a detailed thorough inspection we discussed what needed to be done, debating the hot and cold treatment or the use of pins to pop the dent and so on, justifying how much work would be involved. The door seemed to be the biggest problem; as the problem was not just localised to one section, (as indicated by the photo image) of the door but most of it, even though it was difficult to see without being there in real-time, I could see the problem and we were both 'singing off the same hymn sheet'. The price Charlie was thinking, was around the £450 mark. (Note: Prices will vary according to each appraisal of the work load and negotiated accordingly, however the prices are always competitive, fair and they are always open to realistic, sensible and practical suggestions).

This I could appreciate and one will pay for a professional specialised job and for the skills a craftsman will bring to the table, the other side is affordability and access to funds, without insulting the tradesman; as money is tight concerning our age of austerity. Now we had a figure, the next part was availability!

Charlie suggested next week! That kind of blew me sideways a little, as it was sooner than anticipated. After careful deliberation and checking my diary, (after I got home) I rang him back to suggest Tuesday 13th, with a lift back to my nearest town, after

dropping the vehicle off, (since it was out in the sticks and I had, in the past had to walk home, it was further than I thought and took near enough half a day, I was bushed when I got back). This, was agreed.

The Cost - £450, is very competitive, cheaper than the £600 I had originally estimated and would have most likely; had halted the project for a while until the coffers were replenished, or I would have at least attempted the work myself. Via the reckon-up on 'the Estimated Costs So Far' (see purchases section Diary). Bearing in mind, I had also wanted the bumper sorting out and this, Charlie had also agreed on So, I was content with the suggested figure.

IDENTIFYING YOUR PAINT COLOURING.
I looked high and low looking for the colour code, inside the door columns, engine compartment and couldn't see one. Charlie lifted the bonnet/hood and told me straight away it was Titan Silver and he pointed to the sticker. I had overlooked the sticker on the front suspension hub, yes, the larger than life suspension bulge. I couldn't believe I had missed that:

During the years of going to CB Car Body Repairs and talking to Charlie and Jamie, I have found them dedicated to their art, using years of skills to provide an excellent service and professional end result at competitive prices. On a personal level I don't use anyone else, these people you can talk to and they listen, they advise, at times I have seen them put them selves out to help, just as if they were members of your family, I quite like that.....

This is the gap above the bumper, just meeting the bonnet, or in my case, some distance from the bonnet. The gap is excessive. I am putting this gap down to the front end crumple or previous owners accident, the bumper brackets may have been damaged or broken in some way, (see diary for history) and the previous owners have put the bumper back together the best way that was possible at the time, using a variety of screws in the panelling, further damaging the panel. Hopefully, Charlie and Jamie may find a way of fixing this problem for me, allowing it to have a better appearance more appealing to the eye, watch this space....

13.11.18 Three highlights, the 1st 'The Bonnet, the 2nd 'The Soft Top' and the 3rd, 'The N/S Panel and front bumper Restoration!' A 7:10 am wake-up and a short trip to CB Car Body Repairs for 9:00am. It was going to be Thursday 15th, before I can see my Z3 in all it's glory. I almost feel at a loss, without it being here to tinker on. I will be leaving it in their capable hands, with a lift, I return home. They have offered to pick me up when it was ready for me to collect...By all accounts and reading their website, this is a courtesy service they offer within a certain catchment area. This I really appreciated.

08.11.18 [Some extracts from Diary Entry)

I decided to meet up with CB Car Body Repairs in Hampton-in-Arden, I have known Charlie and his son Jamie for years on and off and they were the ones coincidently, I had the centre Console off, (as mentioned in diary). This time I went down to get a quote for the repair of the body damage on the near side (passenger side). So, where are they located:

To save on labour costs, a red door off a recycled Z3 was purchased and one presumes it will be rubbed down and resprayed Titan Silver once dry; the door furniture will be replaced and the appropriate wiring re-connected, as and when the back wing panel had also been rectified. Pins could be attached to pull out the dent in the rear panel. This method was suggested as Charlie had assessed the wing as being double skinned and this could prove difficult, especially if one is using the hot gun method with basic tapping techniques to try and eradicate the dent. The pin method will most likely be adopted to pull the dent and then it will need the required grind, rub down, base paint and respray...

15.11.18 I am just waiting for a telephone call from the body shop repair, to say the Z3 is ready and someone will be over to pick me up..., yes! There is apprehension, anxiety down to certain expectations, I am also considering the cost or the drain on my coffers, (chicken feed to some, but not me, taking into account what has already been spent so far I am hoping the results will be pleasing and move on with the project).

The Z3 is back and the job of correcting the bodywork that spoilt the car when I had bought it, has now been rectified. I must add I did have to work on the bodywork after collecting it from CB, as there were and are still some small blemishes. I know a respray cannot be perfect, but some of these small errors were avoidable if I were to be honest and was a little disappointing to see. Looking at the larger picture it has met the over all objectives and that was to have a presentable car and it just does that!

There will be more touch-up concerning the bodywork on the O/S (driver side) and the rear bumper will most likely require a tin surface coat at a later date.

Knowing there was a Z3 door available in red, (remember I had purchased a centre console from them earlier) from a Z3 they had stripped down and had stored away for selling, I suggested that it would probably be easier for me to purchase the red door for £90 and have it resprayed in Titan Silver. With that, I also suggested the saving in labour, concerning preparation etc and the saved finance could possibly allow the front bumper to be realigned with the rest of the panels and bonnet. The figure or cost was in one section of the ball park and did not budge from the £450, remember the door needed preparation and respray. However, the idea was sound and the calculator came out to crunch the numbers.