Search found 2132 matches

by Del
Sat 30 Jul, 2016 08:39
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: gearbox and diff oil change
Replies: 9
Views: 2516

Re: gearbox and diff oil change

Any tips on removing the gearbox filler nut? Access is poor and I couldn't get enough purchase on it to turn when I had a go last winter. In the end, I gave up, worried I'd crack the casing. You need a shallow socket and probably something like an 18 inch breaker bar. These filler plugs seem to hav...
by Del
Wed 27 Jul, 2016 10:58
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: 2.8 misfiring..
Replies: 21
Views: 5276

Re: 2.8 misfiring..

My car is 1998 and doesn't have an engine/sensor warning light on the dash. I use a simple OBD II/ service reset & air bag tool with a round socket converter for the engine bay socket. All works fine on my car. I would check for stored error codes as a starter.
by Del
Mon 25 Jul, 2016 16:36
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Z3 2.2 rebuild journal - The Terd-Mobile
Replies: 95
Views: 23301

Re: Z3 2.2 rebuild journal - The Terd-Mobile

Thanks for sharing - fun to view the progress. Glad to see you've roped in the family on zero hours contracts :D
by Del
Sat 23 Jul, 2016 09:44
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: gearbox and diff oil change
Replies: 9
Views: 2516

Re: gearbox and diff oil change

£10 for the oil sounds a bit too cheap - I'd make sure you put in the proper, fully synthetic gear oil for the gearbox and diff - particularly if you have a LSD diff.
by Del
Fri 22 Jul, 2016 05:56
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: DSC and reduced power
Replies: 10
Views: 2374

Re: DSC and reduced power

My guess view is that it is too much of a coincidence that this happened immediately after a spirited drive in the wet and hitting a pot hole. I suspect the traction control was triggered and the ECU “forced” the throttle to “rein in” its operation and thus cut the car’s power. If it’s not clearing ...
by Del
Wed 20 Jul, 2016 21:31
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: oil pressure light
Replies: 7
Views: 1650

Re: oil pressure light

more like filter draining ? I agree with your line of thought. If you have low oil pressure due to engine wear, the light would blink more on a hot engine and typically at tick-over revs. The fact that this is only happening after the car has stood a while when the oil will be cold or cool, doesn’t...
by Del
Wed 20 Jul, 2016 21:06
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Viscous fan
Replies: 3
Views: 1315

Re: Viscous fan

It’s the viscous coupling that causes the noise by not operating properly to engage/disengage the fan. The cheap ones tend to make a terrible noise and do not tend to operate correctly. My understanding is that the OE maker was Sachs – I have removed my own 1.9 one and helped a friend replace a chea...
by Del
Wed 20 Jul, 2016 20:50
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: What's it worth? 3.0 Z3 Sport. 21k miles, 2 owners, 51 pla
Replies: 120
Views: 26205

Re: What's it worth? 3.0 Z3 Sport. 21k miles, 2 owners, 51

The summer is entering its final phase, the car isn't sold. I don't reckon they'll get anywhere near the £17,000. I think the original owner got a fair price for a quick, quibble-free trade sale. Scottish cars seem more prone to rust because of the colder conditions and salt used on the roads - I've...
by Del
Tue 19 Jul, 2016 22:18
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Diagnostic Code P0340 - 2.2 M54
Replies: 3
Views: 1514

Re: Diagnostic Code P0340 - 2.2 M54

Many have tried aftermarket camshaft sensors (me included for other cars) and they have been rubbish. It seems to be one area where OE is definitely best. I tried two in succession from GSF (VTECH brand) for a non-BMW family car and both worked very poorly, I managed to return them (can be a problem...
by Del
Tue 19 Jul, 2016 22:11
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: oil pressure light
Replies: 7
Views: 1650

Re: oil pressure light

With oil pressure problems I would expect to see it worsen with hot (thinner) oil and at idle revs (flashing light). Assuming your oil is nice and fresh (no old sludge), correct viscosity and the oil filter is working properly (not old, blocked or compressed), my initial guess would be a faulty oil ...
by Del
Tue 19 Jul, 2016 09:21
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Newbie with questions, thanks all!!!
Replies: 6
Views: 1444

Re: Newbie with questions, thanks all!!!

My grills were also terrible. Unfortunately, you do need to remove the door cards – there is a screw at the back holding the grill. They have to be carefully unpicked from the frame involving small tabs of grill material to be "un-bent". Personally, I rubbed down, used etch primer and semi...
by Del
Mon 18 Jul, 2016 09:14
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: g8jka - 2.0 Progress Journal - Time to say Goodbye
Replies: 231
Views: 244123

Re: g8jka - 2.0 Progress Journal - Time to say Goodbye

Looks like a nice, late 2.8 and at a good price :)
by Del
Mon 18 Jul, 2016 09:10
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Squeal when decelerating when hot
Replies: 2
Views: 612

Re: Squeal when decelerating when hot

Personally I would suspect either a bearing e.g. water pump, tensioner pulley, alternator or a possible problem with the viscous fan coupling - which is supposed to lock and spin faster when the engine gets hot. From by own 1.9 experience, the bearings I've mentioned will all be getting tired at 80,...
by Del
Sat 16 Jul, 2016 16:14
Forum: M Roadster and M coupé
Topic: Lucky escape
Replies: 10
Views: 3716

Re: Lucky escape

I don't think the Ms have a space saver - because of the extra (showing off) exhaust pipes :D
by Del
Sat 16 Jul, 2016 12:45
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Cost to replace clutch
Replies: 21
Views: 10183

Re: Cost to replace clutch

Because of the traditional layout and rear wheel drive, changing the clutch on a Z3 should be a relatively simple job for a competent mechanic. Some of the bolts present a slight “access challenge” because the Z3 is a more tightly sandwiched E36. Because of the age of the cars it is worth investigat...
by Del
Thu 14 Jul, 2016 20:58
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Gearbox Oil? - Arrrh!
Replies: 4
Views: 1298

Re: Gearbox Oil? - Arrrh!

The problem with older cars is that the oil recommendations are put on contemporary labels or entered into the contemporary owners’ manual and naturally nobody likes to override or update them as time passes and oils improve. BMW switched from using ATF oil to fully synthetic “MTF-LT-1” gear oil (it...
by Del
Thu 14 Jul, 2016 18:02
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: M54 Engine Oil
Replies: 4
Views: 1739

Re: M54 Engine Oil

The M54 engine is well known for having an oil usage "problem" as it was widely used across the BMW range. Not all M54s have the problem - older BMW techs suggested they had a fairly fussy, running-in regime which, if followed to the letter, seems to have avoided the problem on some cars. ...
by Del
Sun 10 Jul, 2016 16:35
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: disks stuck / seized grrr
Replies: 10
Views: 2625

Re: disks stuck / seized grrr

The manuals don’t talk about these problems when doing these jobs. :) I had this problem when changing my four discs recently. What worked was penetrating oil dripped into the cracks between the discs and the hub (just inside the wheel bolt holes) followed by heat applied to the face (where the bolt...
by Del
Sat 09 Jul, 2016 22:23
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: z3 1.9 disks vented or solid
Replies: 11
Views: 2387

Re: z3 1.9 disks vented or solid

I believe it is not possible to fit the much wider, vented discs to the 1.9 without changing the calliper mechanism - which is not built (in standard form) wide enough to straddle the wider vented disc.
by Del
Thu 07 Jul, 2016 21:54
Forum: Stock exchange
Topic: For sale!!! Z3 3.0i. How much???
Replies: 8
Views: 1926

Re: For sale!!! Z3 3.0i. How much???

£4,000 to £5,000. The UK market is lower than elsewhere in Europe and some other countries - our car market must be awash with used cars.
by Del
Tue 05 Jul, 2016 06:22
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Diff Rubber Mount
Replies: 16
Views: 4513

Re: Diff Rubber Mount

The Powerflex (purple) replacement bushes are not that rigid and stiff - I have examined them very closely. I would say very similar to a new OE bush. Obviously, the very old, sloppy and broken OE bushes on these old Z3s (some now 19 years old) will be causing all sorts of undesirable movement and v...
by Del
Sun 03 Jul, 2016 20:50
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: 3.0 Lagging at low revs.? :(
Replies: 15
Views: 3495

Re: 3.0 Lagging at low revs.? :(

If the diagnostic says it's a cam sensor then there is no doubt - it is the cam sensor. Cam sensor ECU errors aren't usually caused as a secondary result of something else being faulty.
by Del
Sun 03 Jul, 2016 20:41
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Diff Rubber Mount
Replies: 16
Views: 4513

Re: Diff Rubber Mount

I’m not generally in favour of boy racer modifications which have their origin in proper track-only cars but I must admit that I am a convert to the Powerflex (purple) polyurethane bushes. They are super quality and come with beautifully machined, heavy duty stainless steel fittings – they have a “l...
by Del
Fri 01 Jul, 2016 22:05
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: We're all rich I tell you!
Replies: 18
Views: 4264

Re: We're all rich I tell you!

It's not sold yet, I suspect they've allowed the used car sales manager to have a few speculative punts to try and create a market for some low mileage specials.
by Del
Thu 30 Jun, 2016 19:15
Forum: New to zroadster.net?
Topic: Hi from New Zealand,
Replies: 4
Views: 5236

Re: Hi from New Zealand,

Hi and welcome 8-)
by Del
Sun 26 Jun, 2016 19:34
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: engine bay pics 1.9 ?
Replies: 5
Views: 5218

Re: engine bay pics 1.9 ?

Does this help - not a particular close-up. This is the 1.9 M44 engine

Image
by Del
Sat 25 Jun, 2016 22:45
Forum: The Lounge
Topic: Meet Mickey
Replies: 7
Views: 5140

Re: Meet Mickey

I drive my wife's Mini from time to time and they are quite fun - they handle very well and go around corners like a little go-kart. I was looking at a JCW convertible recently whilst visiting a Mini garage with my wife (problem pairing her mobile to the radio :D ) and it looked like a really fun li...
by Del
Fri 24 Jun, 2016 20:48
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: What's it worth? 3.0 Z3 Sport. 21k miles, 2 owners, 51 pla
Replies: 120
Views: 26205

Re: What's it worth? 3.0 Z3 Sport. 21k miles, 2 owners, 51

Grandadg90 wrote:I think I may have one of the last registered Z3's. Registered May 2003.
Wow that would be (03 reg) one of the last - I don't think I've ever seen one that "new" - must have had a slight overlap with the Z4s. :)
by Del
Wed 22 Jun, 2016 09:45
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: The price of a Z3 M vs Z4 M
Replies: 10
Views: 1857

Re: The price of a Z3 M vs Z4 M

The Z3 look has aged very well and it is arguably a better looking car than the earlier Z4s. However, if I was looking for a two-seater M car to enjoy and use (as opposed to an investment) I would plump for the newer and more refined Z4M. :)
by Del
Wed 22 Jun, 2016 09:32
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: 1997 Z3 Emissions Problem - any suggestions ?
Replies: 15
Views: 3192

Re: 1997 Z3 Emissions Problem - any suggestions ?

These problems indicate a rich combustion mixture (CO), incomplete combustion burn (HC) and too much oxygen content in the exhaust gas (Lambda) – a high lambda reading at the exhaust is not necessarily linked to a fault with the exhaust sensor with the same “lambda” name i.e. the lambda sensor – thi...
by Del
Tue 21 Jun, 2016 22:05
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: 1997 Z3 Emissions Problem - any suggestions ?
Replies: 15
Views: 3192

Re: 1997 Z3 Emissions Problem - any suggestions ?

What are the exact MOT emission problems? Is it just high CO?
by Del
Tue 21 Jun, 2016 15:41
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: 1997 Z3 2.8 Manual Gearbox and Differential Oil Change
Replies: 3
Views: 2136

Re: 1997 Z3 2.8 Manual Gearbox and Differential Oil Change

That's the correct oil for the diff with a LSD - but I would check for sure whether you have a LSD otherwise it's 75W-90. For the gearbox there is a lot of debate, confusion and differing opinions made worse by BMW secrecy :D . It should be a GL4 rated gear oil (not GL5 which has more anti-wear addi...
by Del
Mon 20 Jun, 2016 12:41
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: What's it worth? 3.0 Z3 Sport. 21k miles, 2 owners, 51 pla
Replies: 120
Views: 26205

Re: What's it worth? 3.0 Z3 Sport. 21k miles, 2 owners, 51

Nationwide the going price for a mint, under-average-mileage 2.8/3.0s seems to be around £8,000. The £15,000 being asked above stands out in isolation. For £15,000 you start to move in 911 territory.
by Del
Sun 19 Jun, 2016 19:00
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Antifreeze Capacity? where's it hiding?
Replies: 9
Views: 11132

Re: Antifreeze Capacity? where's it hiding?

I agree the original BMW owners manual states 10.5 litres (including the heater circuit) which does seem a big increase, proportionately on the 1.9 (6.5 litres) given that the engine oil capacity is 5 litres (1.9) and 6.5 litres (2.8). :shrug
by Del
Sun 19 Jun, 2016 15:34
Forum: Stock exchange
Topic: BMW Z3 3.0 W Reg £5750
Replies: 22
Views: 6111

Re: BMW Z3 3.0 W Reg £5750

TitanTim wrote:Lovely Z3 and whilst we all like to think these cars are worth 8 to 9k good luck in trying to actually get that

I agree with you Tim
by Del
Sat 18 Jun, 2016 12:31
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Z3 engine cutting out.
Replies: 11
Views: 3070

Re: Z3 engine cutting out.

If I was laying down a gambling bet :D I'd bet on the camshaft position sensor as a faulty crankshaft sensor (they don't seem to go faulty that often) results in a total non-start whereas a camshaft position sensor typically causes running problems and/or intermittent cutting-out when stopping at ju...
by Del
Fri 17 Jun, 2016 10:14
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Clutch gone to !heaven
Replies: 3
Views: 1309

Re: Clutch gone to !heaven

I would guess that the original stuff was a premium manufacturer like LUK or SACHS
by Del
Fri 17 Jun, 2016 09:01
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Z3 engine cutting out.
Replies: 11
Views: 3070

Re: Z3 engine cutting out.

In your last episode it sounds as if you are saying the battery was turning over the engine but it would not start. I would plug the car into an ECU error code reader - personally, I would suspect a failing camshaft or crankshaft position sensor.
by Del
Fri 17 Jun, 2016 08:23
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Happy 18th
Replies: 6
Views: 1438

Re: Happy 18th

Mine has recently hit 18 years and she has been treated to some plastic surgery. New coil springs, new outer sills plus tub underneath ground back to bare metal, rear wings and front quarter panels removed and all treated underneath with POR 15. New Powerflex bushes at the front which are beautifull...
by Del
Wed 15 Jun, 2016 18:46
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: What's it worth? 3.0 Z3 Sport. 21k miles, 2 owners, 51 pla
Replies: 120
Views: 26205

Re: What's it worth? 3.0 Z3 Sport. 21k miles, 2 owners, 51

Wow - quick prep including parts from Germany and re-spray :wink:
by Del
Mon 13 Jun, 2016 09:38
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: What's it worth? 3.0 Z3 Sport. 21k miles, 2 owners, 51 pla
Replies: 120
Views: 26205

Re: What's it worth? 3.0 Z3 Sport. 21k miles, 2 owners, 51

I'm sure they'll spend £2000 :D In reality, they will give it a routine service (routine servicing conducted by apprentices in main dealers) and fix any obvious problem or warning light. Another youngster will give it a power wash & vacuum and if you are really lucky a machine polish covered by...
by Del
Sat 11 Jun, 2016 15:41
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: What's it worth? 3.0 Z3 Sport. 21k miles, 2 owners, 51 pla
Replies: 120
Views: 26205

Re: What's it worth? 3.0 Z3 Sport. 21k miles, 2 owners, 51

I'm sure we've all had a bad experience somewhere, but it's a bit unfair to tar them all with the same brush. As well as previous experiences, this comment was based on my recent experience at both separate BMW and Audi main dealers. Wouldn't trust the word of the sales staff as far as I could thro...
by Del
Sat 11 Jun, 2016 15:35
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Rear wings. Different sizes?
Replies: 15
Views: 3390

Re: Rear wings. Different sizes?

The facelift rear lights are a completely different shape with a "stepped" edge on their inner side. If the lights in question are "straight" on their inner side I would suspect they are from a pre-facelift wide-body (6 cylinder car) - some owners of pre-facelift 1.9 cars carry o...
by Del
Sat 11 Jun, 2016 11:58
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Rear wings. Different sizes?
Replies: 15
Views: 3390

Re: Rear wings. Different sizes?

Two 1997 1.9s should have identical wings
by Del
Sat 11 Jun, 2016 08:58
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: What's it worth? 3.0 Z3 Sport. 21k miles, 2 owners, 51 pla
Replies: 120
Views: 26205

Re: What's it worth? 3.0 Z3 Sport. 21k miles, 2 owners, 51

Sounds like they've given it their usual 101 point check before advertising it :D In my experience main dealers don't even bother to check the tyres! :D
by Del
Sat 11 Jun, 2016 07:14
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: What's it worth? 3.0 Z3 Sport. 21k miles, 2 owners, 51 pla
Replies: 120
Views: 26205

Re: What's it worth? 3.0 Z3 Sport. 21k miles, 2 owners, 51

They haven't sold it yet.
You can't expect to charge BMW dealer prices as a private individual.
The dealer can offer finance - the method by which most buyers buy.
The dealer can offer some form of warranty and has more buyer/seller legal obligations than a private seller.
by Del
Thu 09 Jun, 2016 09:02
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: What lurks beneath?
Replies: 1
Views: 747

Re: What lurks beneath?

I agree, so many people jump in and drive an old Z3 and then complain that the handling feels poor - little wonder with so many aging components some of which never get changed. The original front bearing/top mounts in most cars (even those with MOTs) will feel rough and have play - these are well w...
by Del
Wed 08 Jun, 2016 14:28
Forum: New to zroadster.net?
Topic: Another Newbie!
Replies: 7
Views: 5949

Re: Another Newbie!

Hi and welcome
by Del
Tue 07 Jun, 2016 21:18
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Coolant sensor location Z3 1.9i
Replies: 15
Views: 5278

Re: Coolant sensor location Z3 1.9i

I've changed this sensor on my earlier 1.9 (M44 engine car) and it is under the inlet manifold. On many modern cars the coolant sensor is an integral part of the thermostat housing sometimes along with the auxiliary fan temperature switch - did BMW adopt this on some later cars?? Certainly on the ne...
by Del
Tue 07 Jun, 2016 09:03
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Coolant sensor location Z3 1.9i
Replies: 15
Views: 5278

Re: Coolant sensor location Z3 1.9i

I believe on your car you may have two. The one mentioned above that controls the cutting in/out of the auxiliary cooling fan (if fitted) and part number 13621433076 screwed into the cylinder head (under the inlet manifold) that monitors coolant and oil temperature for feedback to the ECU for combus...