Search found 2132 matches
- 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...
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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 ...
- 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...
- 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...
- 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...
- 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...
- 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 ...
- 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...
- 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
- 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,...
- 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
- 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...
- 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...
- 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. ...
- 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...
- 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.
- 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.
- 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...
- 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.
- 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...
- 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.
- 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
- Sun 26 Jun, 2016 19:34
- Forum: The Gallery
- Topic: engine bay pics 1.9 ?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 5218
- 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...
- 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
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.Grandadg90 wrote:I think I may have one of the last registered Z3's. Registered May 2003.
- 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.
- 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...
- 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?
- 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...
- 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.
- 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).
- 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
- 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...
- 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
- 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.
- 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...
- 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
- 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...
- 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...
- 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...
- 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
- 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 In my experience main dealers don't even bother to check the tyres!
- 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.
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.
- 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...
- Wed 08 Jun, 2016 14:28
- Forum: New to zroadster.net?
- Topic: Another Newbie!
- Replies: 7
- Views: 5949
Re: Another Newbie!
Hi and welcome
- 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...
- 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...