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Del

To SMC 2402 - they come up on ebay from time to time. I have one exactly the same in my car and I can confirm they look very nice indeed. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-M-Sports-5-Speed-Chrome-Leather-Gearknob-E36-E46-Z3-25112492481-/370598911237?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=...

Del

Is this the one on your car Colb?

http://www.worldcarparts.co.uk/tabid/14 ... fault.aspx

Del

Hi Colb Sorry to hear you're still getting problems. "Sticky" valve lifters usually emit a noticeable clicking of tapping noise at tickover. For cold start (only) problems all my investigations suggested one of the following:- Vacuum leak Faulty MAF Compression issue (ie sticking valve wit...

Del

Any improvement with the tramlining?

Del

You got a good bargain there Dougblack

Del

The thermostat is integrated with the housing and so the whole thing needs to be changed. However, my advice would be that if your thermostat housing is not damaged or leaking and the temperature gauge moves to 12 o'clock inside 15 minutes (and stays in that position) then you probably don't need to...

Del

Apologises if my comment about the brightness of my own Z3 lights was taken as being a flippant response – not intended. However, when driving at night in my car both myself and passengers have remarked on the extent of the illumination ahead. I can assure you that it is quite noticeable that even t...

Del

Southernboy is quite right in saying that Meyle has a very good reputation for "better than OEM" quality replacement spares. The original BMW waterpump is criticised for having a plastic impeller that can break up over time resulting in a possible blockage. Original BMW (non-M) thermostats...

Del

I must admit I find the headlights (both full and dipped beam) quite powerful on my 1998 1.9 - more so than two other more modern cars in the family. With regards to the rear lights, bulbs like the stop/tail only come in 5/21W watt format and so I am not sure what one could do to make them brighter....

Del

Hi Pierrick I fitted these to my 1.9 z3 in August. The quality looked good with 4-year guarantee. They came complete with OEM style rubber bushes and all new nuts and bolts. Many members prefer to use powerflex bushes. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200762551643?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984...

Del

It’s the BMW Effect. People seem blind to the number plate illustrating an old car and just see a shiny, relatively uncommon BMW sports car. That’s why some forum members tease you about the modifications you have made and prefer to keep their own relatively unmolested and original. Understated qual...

Del

Assuming the cold starting and clicking noise issues are connected - could be a slightly sticking valve lifter. Had this on my 1.9 M44. Frequent oil changes with good oil eg 5W/30, 5/40 or 0W/40 plus making sure you change the o-rings on the filter, can help minimise the problem.

Del

Only a guess - faulty crankcase ventilation valve?

Del

A similar topic was covered recently see attached link

http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... =5&t=35565

Del

Those prices can only be from a BMW main dealer where many parts are costed as if they were gold-plated and labour charges are the same as for an NHS brain surgeon. Items like brake pads and new discs can be obtained relatively cheaply from places such as the attached link and much cost saved if you...

Del

As a fully paid up member of the old farts club I am genuinely intrigued at this “stretching” as I can’t see the obvious benefit of putting tyres on a rim for which the tyres are too small/narrow. I wonder if this is one of those scenarios that perhaps started in the urban areas of some US cities am...

Del

I see some modifications on this forum that make me cringe and suspect that the cars involved lose value. On the other hand, others are tasteful, subtle and involve a labour of love which is likely to increase the car’s value. Yours is definitely the latter and an inspiration to me and others. :cheers

Del

It’s probably an age thing but I don’t understand what all these 40-year old youngsters are talking about with terms like “dub”, “stretched & slammed”. Reminds me of when my youngest son followed the latest fashion at the BMX park by taking the brakes off his BMX bike! Anyway, must put on my com...

Del

New MOT – but advisories

– first sign of rust on brake pipes to and from the nearside, rear calliper. New exhaust and cat. Cleaned and painted the callipers and hubs with silver paint.

Del

Hi Colb I had a very similar problem (on my 1998 1.9 M44) the solution to which I was chasing from October 2011 to March 2012, having bought the car in June 2011. Like you I had a noisy DISA valve and I replaced it for a cost of £140+. Like you I worked through a long list of possibilities always ke...

Del

I've cleaned mine up and it was nowhere near as bad as the previous example but I must say I don't fancy fiddling around with a funny thin wheel in the event of a punture. I don't know much about these spray cans of temporary puncture repair foam - are they any good? Does the stuff you spray in the ...

Del

Had the Longlife exhaust & cat fitted by Interpro Automotive in Thornbury, Bristol who have the Bristol franchise. They also did my MOT at the same time for £33 to undercut the nearby Kwikfit. As well as working on “normal” cars this place seems to specialise on tuning and restoration with sever...

Del

I've enjoyed reading the few postings done by earthwormjim who is also Somerset based, here's one he did on an ebay exhaust he fitted http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... +9+exhaust

Del

As you can see jsebright you are guaranteed a good range of views. On one hand those who are happy to buy after-market items and on the other those who are loyal to BMW parts. BMW provide excellent quality parts (except seat bushes and plastic coolant circulation items) but in my case paying out aro...

Del

There are a few Z3 owners on this forum in the Bristol and surrounding areas and a mini meet would be good to compare notes and exchange experiences etc. I did a fair bit of research for 1.9 (M44 engine) exhausts and managed to negotiate a Longlife price which was a bit less than Kwik Fit. If my cat...

Del

Hi and welcome. I’m also in North Somerset. By coincidence I’ve just arranged for a new stainless steel exhaust (including cat) to be fitted on my 1998 1.9 this weekend by Longlife. My exhaust has been a little suspect for a while with a rusty section between the middle and tail silencers and a coup...

Del

Hi Terry

The non-M, OE BMW rear ARB bushes are only £5.60 each and the rear drop links only £7.56 (Lemforder) at carparts4less.co.uk. Hopefully not an expensive job.

Del

I think they would look fine when painted to match the car. The price of new ones is ridiculous and is obviously artificially inflating the 2nd hand prices. BMW must prefer to sit on old stock for obsolete models rather than offload at a reasonable price. I priced up a new OE BMW exhaust system rece...

Del

Hi - Given what you have done already, my guess for bumpy road noises would be knocking noise = the rear anti roll bar mounting bushes, rattling noise = drop link(s).

Del

Glad to have helped a fellow owner. It could be the original filter. Brown fuel doesn’t sound good, your filter sounds as if it was well overdue for a change. An ex-BMW technician once told me that the fuel filters often get “overlooked” as they are hidden away underneath the car. The OE BMW filters...

Del

Under the car on the passenger side, underneath the black plastic guard that covers the area from the radiator back to the gearbox. You can just see the rear of it at the back of the plastic cover. I changed mine earlier this month as per the Haynes manual, which recommended removing the fuel pump f...

Del

The air intake hose on top of the radiator just channels colder air into the air filter box because colder air is better for the combustion process – if it were disconnected it would not make the significant running issues you describe. I doubt very much if it has anything to do with your problem. F...

Del

Job done, new nuts fitted, all torqued correctly and tracking adjusted. Feedback for anyone considering this job:- • Old ball joints can be a swine to split! After letting penetrating oil soak into my offside one overnight and on Sunday morning heating it with a hot air gun until hot to the touch, a...

Del

A common cause of problems like this at a cold start is a vacuum leak. I would start by checking the rubber boot by the MAF sensor for cracks

Del

Having problems removing the offside, outer ball joint at the wheel knuckle. This particular one was in poor condition with a broken rubber and seems to be well and truly seized in. Currently taking a break and letting some penetrating spray soak in. I’ve been using a fork style ball joint “chisel” ...

Del

Do not blame you for being worried. It is an important sensor and the 1.9 only has one (larger engines having both inlet & exhaust cam sensors). Before I discovered GSF I must admit I put a BMW one in my 1.9 last year for about £95, at the same time renewed all the vacuum pipework under the inle...

Del

£67.20 at GSF where they tend to supply only European made OE standard products from well known brands eg Mann filters. Often these are made by the same manufacturer who supplies BMW. I like a bargain and do not slavishly buy BMW parts 100% of the time but I avoid very cheap, unbranded car parts on ...

Del

Thanks for the input guys – I have organised a 20 inch ratchet extension and by unbolting the coil pack on the offside, access to both inner ball-joint nuts is now good. Zedonist – sounds like you’re upgrading with some high quality kit which should make your front end more taut and precise than whe...

Del

My 1998 1.9 Z3 has suffered from tramlining since I acquired it in June 2011. At the last MOT the offside outer ball joint was an “advisory” as the rubber cover was damaged and the similar nearside ball joint was also an advisory with “slight play”. As the whole control arms are looking a bit tired ...

Del

Does the petrol cap rubber washer look OK? See attached link I raised a while back. Can't be certain but it may be this.
http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... 96#p316596

Del

I agree with geminimustang, my brother-in-law was in the petrol industry and has always maintained that the same wholesale storage tanks from the main stores, supplied all garages. As far as I know there is no difference.

Del

Having had to remove the large plastic guard underneath my 1998 1.9 to replace the gearbox exhaust bracket, I thought I would take the opportunity to do a bit of “under-car” maintenance. Just managed to make out a faded yellow gearbox sticker and so decided to drain/refill with Castrol Syntrans MTF ...

Del

Don’t gang up on the poor lad with all this “M snobbery”. People like to personalise their own car. To suggest it is illegal to stick on an M badge is ridiculous. I’d be more concerned whether or not modifications I read about on this forum (including the ridiculously expensive AC Snifter ones) were...

Del

Correction to my post above I meant to say typical oil 5W30 or 5W40

Del

I don't know your model type but most non-M owners will be using a fully synthetic oil typically 0W30 or 0W40 - the latter appearing a lot on various oil application charts. My personal opinion (and I appreciate not all others) is that jacking up the car on stands whilst getting it level is a right ...

Del

Several people I know in the motor trade have recommended running a bottle of Cataclean through the system before an MOT.

Del

I've put the one mentioned by Monkey, on the attached thread, on my Christmas present list. I just want something inexpensive, simple to use and does what it says on the tin. I'm sure the laptop ones are fine but a bit too technical and F1 style for me. http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f...

Del

If it is brake vacuum hose this is the sort of stuff you want

http://www.aapsa.com.au/codan-brake-vacuum-hose.html

I believe the technical rating is SAE J 1403 FMVSS

Del

I agree with Mike. It looks very much like the brake vacuum pipe going to the servo. I replaced mine recently (M44 engine) and as Mike said BMW tried to sell me the complete assembly (including the steel parts) and offered to ship it over from Germany. I would replace it with some generic vacuum hos...

Del

I have used both Autoglym and Fabsil Gold. Both worked well, Fabsil can be painted on with a brush and is a bit cheaper. With Autoglym you ideally need to do a bit of masking as it is a spray and you want to avoid getting in on the paint and glass as it is hard to remove once dry. One word or warnin...

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