Gulf BMW Z4 GT3

This is Fujimi's recent kit of the Goodsmile BMW Z4 GT3 which I have applied my own livery to using paint and various decal sheets.

Here is the progress thread:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=1076975

I like the look of the kit in it's built form but as usual Fujimi exhibits their propensity to overlook critical fitment areas taking the build process from enjoyable to frustrating. Final assembly added a day to finishing due to poor fitting windows and suspension which is too wide.

The painting for me was the most fun part of the build. I used Zero Paints Gulf Orange, Finisher's Gulf Blue, Gunze Flourescent Yellow #172, Polly Scale Engine Black, U-pol clear. For the 'carbon' bits I mixed Tamiya TS Gloss Black with TS Gunmetal.

For the screened areas I brush painted them with Engine Black then made templates using masking tape to trim out plastic screen. Next I glued the screen over the black 'screen' areas. The effect turned out very nice.

http://images109.fotki.com/v786/photos/4/1626384/10614680/bmwfin4-vi.jpg
http://images61.fotki.com/v384/photos/4/1626384/10614680/bmwfin5-vi.jpg
http://images15.fotki.com/v588/photos/4/1626384/10614680/bmwfin6-vi.jpg
http://images60.fotki.com/v370/photos/4/1626384/10614680/bmwfin7-vi.jpg
http://images61.fotki.com/v380/photos/4/1626384/10614680/bmwfin10-vi.jpg
http://images59.fotki.com/v255/photos/4/1626384/10614680/bmwfin11-vi.jpg
http://images16.fotki.com/v388/photos/4/1626384/10614680/bmwfin1-vi.jpg

Very nice one ! :thumbsup:
A pain fujimi released a kit with such fitment issues...

Beautifully done Brian - that i an awesome BMW - I see Fujimi is coming out with their MP4-12C - you could do it up as a sibling to this car's livery - I like very much - how did you overcome the wheel-suspension issues? I'm going to do my BMW as the "goodsmile" car - any help on the wheel fitment is appreciated - John

Great model Brian.I will build the redbull car..someday ;)

Regardless of any issues you had with the kit it came out fantastic!
Very well done.

Beautiful and very clean build! Love the livery! :thumbsup:

Great Build! Looks fantastic in Gulf colours!

even with the legendary fujimi quality, you still made an excellent build out of it. bravo!

Great lookin livery and model.

Awesome livery!!!

Oh yes, very nice indeed.

Pure, clean, natural. But it's not springwater, it's a BMW model :icon16:

Maybe Fujimi thinks builders need something a bit more "challenging" with their curbsides now that they've done away w/Enthusiast models :rolleyes:

Surprised you didn't build it in NISMO markings :tongue:

Thanks for all your replies!

There will be at least one more BMW build... but it won't be Nismo either.:icon16:

Beautifully done Brian - that i an awesome BMW - I see Fujimi is coming out with their MP4-12C - you could do it up as a sibling to this car's livery - I like very much - how did you overcome the wheel-suspension issues? I'm going to do my BMW as the "goodsmile" car - any help on the wheel fitment is appreciated - John

Firstly the brakes on the kit fit horribly when I mounted the hubs and brakes in the stock position. The two caliper halves would not be near touching. With the tires in place the rubber was sticking out passed the fenders on all four. Essentially what I did was glue the rear brake disc directly onto the ends of the A arms. On the front I would start by snipping 1/16 inch off the A arms and putting the disc right up against it and see how you like it. I snipped 1/8 inch off and it was a bit too much so I added a thin spacer. Another failure of the kit in the front suspension is the tie rod is too short so that when attached at both ends the toe-in is too much.

absolutely superb the finished one. Very well done.

very nice job

Nice! Stunning paint job.

Wow.. it's incredible how Gulf schema fits on every car .. looks really nice.. congrats.. very nice indeed!!

Despite the troubles you had during the final assembling, the Z4 turned out fantastic...

Robi

Great phantom racer

This is die cast right???? :)
Awesome + Perfection
Love the Gulf design you done to that Z4.

Looks really good.

I have to admit, i usually like the gulf livery better when there´s more blue than orange.
Nevertheless that´s another amazing model of yours. Perfect finish as always! :iceslolan