Search found 9774 matches

by Robert T
Tue 06 Dec, 2016 10:36
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: SRS fault and light on
Replies: 13
Views: 2662

Re: SRS fault and light on

There are plenty of people who have swapped seats in both directions and this is the first time I have seen this issue come up. What you need to do is to replicate the wiring to that of the passenger seat that was originally fitted to the car. The SRS module seems to be expecting a certain set of in...
by Robert T
Tue 06 Dec, 2016 10:23
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Centre vent suddenly lost air flow
Replies: 9
Views: 2690

Re: Centre vent suddenly lost air flow

Other option is that the flap in the vent has broken off and has dropped and is stuck in the closed position. That would be my guess too. I seem to remember someone having a problem a while back where the vent wouldn't stay open. When you operate the centre vent does it feel like the wheel is conne...
by Robert T
Mon 05 Dec, 2016 21:19
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: SRS fault and light on
Replies: 13
Views: 2662

Re: SRS fault and light on

If your car doesn't have a passenger airbag, why do you have an occupancy sensor bypass fitted? You shouldn't need one. Did it come with the seats? This might be what it is complaining about.

Cheers R.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
by Robert T
Mon 05 Dec, 2016 13:58
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Stalls when warms up....occasionally.
Replies: 27
Views: 6429

Re: Stalls when warms up....occasionally.

Coils are known to be heat sensitive, but I would expect a misfire when warm, rather than not running. Problems with the MAF can cause non-starting. Unplugging it and letting it run on default settings is the test for this. Failing camshaft sensors have a variety of symptoms, ranging from complete r...
by Robert T
Wed 30 Nov, 2016 12:59
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Z3 Hardtop
Replies: 4
Views: 1372

Re: Z3 Hardtop

The hardtop mounts are to the rear of what would be the B-pillar on a saloon - just behind the seats and in front of the seatbelt turrets. The trim with the rotating covers may or not be fitted. This is my car, with the trim fitted and the cover retracted. You can see the top of the metal hardtop br...
by Robert T
Tue 29 Nov, 2016 21:32
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Getting lower every year.....probably?
Replies: 4
Views: 2203

Re: Getting lower every year.....probably?

I'm not sure how they are counting the models there - I think you will need to add together each Z3 model plus M Roadster and M Coupe. Otherwise there are more Austin-Healeys on the road than Z3s. 3077 in case you were wondering.

Cheers R.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
by Robert T
Fri 25 Nov, 2016 22:19
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Rear Window Defrost/demist
Replies: 2
Views: 1309

Re: Rear Window Defrost/demist

Sounds like you might have a hardtop fitting kit on your car. The demist button is for the heating element in the glass window in the hardtop. It isn't normally fitted unless the car has had a hardtop at some point. The pain of trying to demist the plastic rear window using the centre heater vents i...
by Robert T
Fri 25 Nov, 2016 13:07
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Coupe tramlining
Replies: 13
Views: 3682

Re: Coupe tramlining

Definition is given here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tramlining In the case of the zeds, I have had it when driving over white lines on the road - you can actually feel the steering pull as the tyres touch the lines. You may also feel it on the rutted inside line on the motorway, where the car wi...
by Robert T
Tue 22 Nov, 2016 11:07
Forum: Stock exchange
Topic: Need help identifying hardtop color
Replies: 3
Views: 1538

Re: Need help identifying hardtop color

Looks like some of the accessories and retrofittings have been removed from the parts catalogue. BMWFans still has a 2009 version online and the hardtops are listed here: http://2009.bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/Z3/Roadster/Europe/Z3_1.9-M44/RHD/N/1999/january/browse/sliding_roof_folding_top/retrofit_...
by Robert T
Mon 21 Nov, 2016 16:32
Forum: Let's talk
Topic: Cars as investments
Replies: 18
Views: 9476

Re: Cars as investments

Out of the three cars, you have one that might make some money in the reasonably near future - the ///M roadster is sufficiently rare that people will want to buy it. You only have to look at the prices of the S54 creeping up that buying one at its cheapest a few years ago would now mean that it wou...
by Robert T
Mon 21 Nov, 2016 16:21
Forum: The Lounge
Topic: Needless ritual?
Replies: 23
Views: 10047

Re: Needless ritual?

Isn't this how all youngsters drive today? They all seem devoid of any mechanical empathy. It is something of a miracle that today's cars will tolerate such abuse and they clearly haven't had to coax a 60's or 70's car to get them to work and back on a cold winters morning for an early shift. Thats...
by Robert T
Mon 21 Nov, 2016 11:52
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Horn
Replies: 7
Views: 2203

Re: Horn

Just had a quick look on BMWFans. There are two alternative manufacturers for horns, Fiamm and Hella, each of which produces a low and a high pitch, with slightly different frequencies +/- 10Hz. The part numbers are the same pre- and post-faceflift. The Hella horns were only used on Z3s. The Fiamm o...
by Robert T
Mon 21 Nov, 2016 08:45
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Horn
Replies: 7
Views: 2203

Re: Horn

If the horn and bracket are one part, then I would guess that it is the bracket that is unique to the Z3, hence it will have a different part number. No idea why they would change at the facelift, unless to bring it in line with other models. Front end of the car didn't change, so again might just b...
by Robert T
Sun 20 Nov, 2016 12:55
Forum: The Lounge
Topic: Needless ritual?
Replies: 23
Views: 10047

Re: Needless ritual?

I once had a 1970 Midget and that was pretty antediluvian with it's crash first and reverse gears, Rotaflo dampers, dynamo charging, separate ignition/start functions. The front dampers used more oil than the engine! Bits fell off, literally, on occasions. I toured Scotland in it with a big so-call...
by Robert T
Sat 19 Nov, 2016 12:11
Forum: The Lounge
Topic: Needless ritual?
Replies: 23
Views: 10047

Re: Needless ritual?

Some people would call 1959 "modern". [emoji38] My Sprite is largely based on engineering from an earlier age. If it hasn't run for a while it seems to take some effort to get fuel through the carb, so spinning the engine without ignition would probably also help with that. I have to turn ...
by Robert T
Sat 19 Nov, 2016 09:35
Forum: The Lounge
Topic: Needless ritual?
Replies: 23
Views: 10047

Re: Needless ritual?

Or perhaps not. The only place engine oil and gearbox oil come into contact with one another is the drain hole in the bottom of the bell-housing when they leak out of the back of the engine and front of the gearbox respectively. Yes, I know some cars share the oil, but that's a relatively modern inn...
by Robert T
Thu 17 Nov, 2016 20:58
Forum: Site Announcements and Feedback
Topic: Performance Problems
Replies: 6
Views: 6029

Re: Performance Problems

Thanks for sorting it out, Robert. You re a hero. Now just come round and sort out my landline cold calling. This is my solution for cold callers. It's a Raspberry Pi with a fax modem. Any number I want to reject gets answered as a fax and hopefully gets my number delisted. All I get is one ring wh...
by Robert T
Thu 17 Nov, 2016 17:01
Forum: Site Announcements and Feedback
Topic: Performance Problems
Replies: 6
Views: 6029

Re: Performance Problems

After some investigation it turned out to be a robot scanning our site in a rather anti-social manner - instead of accessing pages at a steady trickle, it was asking for pages in rapid succession. Not only that, but it was asking for each page 5 times simultaneously pretending to be a different type...
by Robert T
Wed 16 Nov, 2016 18:30
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Heated mirrors
Replies: 8
Views: 2866

Re: Heated mirrors

...when the mirror adjustment knob is in the central position the power to the heated mirror is passed through. I assume you mean the "joystick" that moves the mirrors, and not the selector switch that decides which mirror to move? On my car there are only two positions for the latter, so...
by Robert T
Wed 16 Nov, 2016 11:10
Forum: M Roadster and M coupé
Topic: Oxford Green?
Replies: 15
Views: 6321

Re: Oxford Green?

tiggercoco wrote:Gave Sytner a call but its not an S54.
I was going by their quoting the BHP as 325 rather than 321.

Cheers R.
by Robert T
Tue 15 Nov, 2016 10:57
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: instrument panel bulbs
Replies: 2
Views: 923

Re: instrument panel bulbs

I'm really not sure what you'll gain by fitting LED bulbs. In 17 years of ownership, I have replaced just one of the bulbs in the instrument cluster. I suspect that the pattern of light emitted from LEDs will look wrong - for backlighting they are too focused and for illuminating a panel they will n...
by Robert T
Tue 15 Nov, 2016 10:42
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Heated mirrors
Replies: 8
Views: 2866

Re: Heated mirrors

Wiring diagram doesn't show the heating elements, but IIRC, they are wired across the supply for the motors. If you can't adjust the mirrors, then it's the fuse (24). Note that heated side mirrors were not standard on all models - mine doesn't have them. They also seem to be on all the time, even in...
by Robert T
Mon 14 Nov, 2016 18:12
Forum: M Roadster and M coupé
Topic: Oxford Green?
Replies: 15
Views: 6321

Re: Oxford Green?

Just trying to work out what engine they both have. The second car is advertised as 2001 and 325 bhp, indicating that they know it is an S54, making it a rare beast indeed. You can also see it has shadow chrome wheels, whereas the first car looks to be just plain silver. Now it might be that the fir...
by Robert T
Mon 14 Nov, 2016 18:04
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Diagnostic hardware
Replies: 4
Views: 1535

Re: Diagnostic hardware

I've not tried my INPA and USB-based code reader on a car that early. For cars I've tested see: http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=38095&p=353834 You may need an ADS interface to read all the modules on your car, and AFAIAA that needs a serial port and not USB. I think your b...
by Robert T
Wed 09 Nov, 2016 15:33
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: what obd software ?
Replies: 9
Views: 2373

Re: what obd software ?

andy & fonz wrote:Thinking of investing in an INPA system, 2001 2.2 will I need the under bonnet adaptor plug to get the full readouts ?
Yes. AFAIAA the underdash OBDII port only lets you access the engine module on all Z3 models.

Cheers R.
by Robert T
Tue 08 Nov, 2016 17:53
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: What did you buy your Z3 this week ?
Replies: 2088
Views: 411163

Re: What did you buy your Z3 this week ?

5 litres of BMW screenwash concentrate - should keep me going for a couple more years. :D

Cheers R.
by Robert T
Mon 07 Nov, 2016 13:04
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: 1998 m44 engine z3 check engine light
Replies: 13
Views: 2702

Re: 1998 m44 engine z3 check engine light

See my correction above - it is September 1998 that is the date shown on RealOEM/BMWFans for the cluster change. You can tell the difference with the number of self-test mode options - the earlier one has 15, the later 19 - see http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=20201 My car doe...
by Robert T
Sun 06 Nov, 2016 19:20
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: 1998 m44 engine z3 check engine light
Replies: 13
Views: 2702

Re: 1998 m44 engine z3 check engine light

That is correct, there is no engine management error light on the M44. No, that is incorrect, there is an engine management light (the engine symbol), and it is described as such in the manual. However this is NOT the same as the Check Engine light. See my link above. Text is verbatim from my M44 o...
by Robert T
Fri 04 Nov, 2016 14:39
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: 1998 m44 engine z3 check engine light
Replies: 13
Views: 2702

Re: 1998 m44 engine z3 check engine light

Warning lamps are detailed here (pictures from my UK 01/99 M44): http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=35657 Symptoms of a failed camshaft sensor can range from a lack of power to the car refusing to run at all. I did not get a warning light on my dash when the camshaft sensor fail...
by Robert T
Tue 01 Nov, 2016 17:01
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: OBD Ports...
Replies: 4
Views: 1145

Re: OBD Ports...

My 01/99 built car does not have the under-dash OBDII port either, but it really doesn't matter, as all it lets you do is talk to the engine module - if you want anything else, then you need to use the round 20-pin connector. There are three similar looking connectors under the bonnet on my car, two...
by Robert T
Tue 01 Nov, 2016 10:25
Forum: Site Announcements and Feedback
Topic: Performance Problems
Replies: 6
Views: 6029

Performance Problems

I am aware of some severe performance problems with the forum server at the moment. I am in contact with out ISP and we are trying to sort this out. It only appears to be for short periods at odd times of day, but at times the site is completely unresponsive. The external monitoring service that I u...
by Robert T
Mon 31 Oct, 2016 21:53
Forum: Z4 roadster and Z4 Coupe
Topic: Service intervals
Replies: 5
Views: 5177

Re: Service intervals

You'd have to look in the manual for a Z4 for the actual recommendations, but for the Z3, BMW actually recommend an annual oil change if the service indicator doesn't tell you to take if for a service within the year. Service intervals will be longer on the Z4, so it might be that they recommend an ...
by Robert T
Mon 31 Oct, 2016 21:48
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Can you help?
Replies: 5
Views: 2228

Re: Can you help?

Here you go: M44 1.9 DOHC

Cheers R.
by Robert T
Mon 31 Oct, 2016 15:49
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Can you help?
Replies: 5
Views: 2228

Re: Can you help?

What do you intend to do with the photos? If they are for personal use, then there are lots of pictures on here, but if you intend to put them on the web or otherwise publish them, then you will need permission from the copyright holder. I can do you a picture of a stock M44 1.9 DOHC, which I can le...
by Robert T
Thu 27 Oct, 2016 16:48
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: MOT Emmission failure/pass
Replies: 8
Views: 2856

Re: MOT Emmission failure/pass

Looks like they still had the probe shoved up the exhaust of the VW diesel parked next to it! :evil: I suspect that catalytic convertors get less efficient with time and so take longer to get up to operating temperature whereby they can do their stuff. Not sure what else would cause it to run rich a...
by Robert T
Thu 27 Oct, 2016 16:44
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: INPA Help
Replies: 11
Views: 3712

Re: INPA Help

Great news. Lets hope the light stays out.

Cheers R.
by Robert T
Thu 27 Oct, 2016 16:42
Forum: Stock exchange
Topic: Z3 asc switch
Replies: 3
Views: 1572

Re: Z3 asc switch

Are you sure that you mean ASC? I would have thought that a 2.2i would have DSC fitted, and this is a different part number.

Cheers R.
by Robert T
Tue 25 Oct, 2016 20:15
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: top speed
Replies: 12
Views: 4276

Re: top speed

139 mph, if Wikipedia is to be believed.

Cheers R.
by Robert T
Mon 24 Oct, 2016 11:35
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: INPA Help
Replies: 11
Views: 3712

Re: INPA Help

Hi Bob, Quick translation of the error for you: SD93 Drehzahlfuehler vorne links Anfahrerkennung v_vergleich Roughly translates as: SD93 Speed sensor front left Start-up detection v_Comparison Which implies there is a problem with the sensor on the front left wheel. This will be what is causing the ...
by Robert T
Sun 23 Oct, 2016 21:19
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: INPA Help
Replies: 11
Views: 3712

Re: INPA Help

Can you show us the options in INPA up one level from the DSC sensors page. The options to perform tests, reset adaptations etc are normally on the Activate page. I don't have a car with DSC, so I'm afraid I can't look for you, but if you post a pic, I should be able to spot it/translate it for you....
by Robert T
Tue 18 Oct, 2016 16:31
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Coolant
Replies: 9
Views: 2725

Re: Coolant

According to the service info I have, non-M's are every 4 years and ///M's are every 3 years. See http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=10538 Current price from Rybook is £10.06 inc. VAT (See here ) and according to my invoices, only 2 bottles are required for my M44 engine, so £20...
by Robert T
Mon 17 Oct, 2016 12:08
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: engines fitted to z3's
Replies: 23
Views: 6662

Re: engines fitted to z3's

I don't think that can be quite right as my brother's 1.9 was built Dec 1998 and is definitely a pre-facelift. Whilst we generally accept that a build date of after 04/99 means facelift, if you try to configure a car in realoem/bmwfans with some of the different engine types, you will actually find...
by Robert T
Sun 16 Oct, 2016 08:17
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: engines fitted to z3's
Replies: 23
Views: 6662

Re: engines fitted to z3's

g8jka wrote:Wasn't the 1.8 facelift and not pre-facelift?
No. There was a real 1800cc engine which was not available in the UK.

The UK facelift model badged as a 1.8i is actually a 1900cc 8-valve engine.

Cheers R.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
by Robert T
Sat 15 Oct, 2016 15:14
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: engines fitted to z3's
Replies: 23
Views: 6662

Re: engines fitted to z3's

In the UK we had:

4-cylinder: 1.9 16-valve, 1.9 8-valve
6-cylinder: 2.0, 2.2, 2.8, 3.0 and 3.2 ///M

In other markets there were also:

4-cylinder: 1.8
6-cylinder: 2.5 and a detuned ///M

Cheers R.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
by Robert T
Fri 14 Oct, 2016 22:10
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Still no power...3.0
Replies: 11
Views: 2794

Re: Still no power...3.0

INPA is a lot more than simple error code reading. See viewtopic.php?t=35789

Cheers R.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
by Robert T
Fri 14 Oct, 2016 14:25
Forum: BMW Car Club and Z Register
Topic: starting vin numbers z3m roadsters uk
Replies: 2
Views: 5191

Re: starting vin numbers z3m roadsters uk

Hi Alan,

This is about the best piece of info we have:

Image

(I dug this out of an old post by Jonttt, so I can't take credit for it).

Cheers R.
by Robert T
Sun 09 Oct, 2016 21:57
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Caliper Bolts
Replies: 8
Views: 2416

Re: Caliper Bolts

There are a couple of BMW dealers that sell online. Coopers is one of them. However if you order it from the parts desk of your local dealer, you won't have to pay postage. Just depends how far it is to your nearest dealer.

Cheers R.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
by Robert T
Sat 01 Oct, 2016 20:16
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: What did you buy your Z3 this week ?
Replies: 2088
Views: 411163

Re: What did you buy your Z3 this week ?

Rory4711 wrote:Reply sent this morning, but I see it sits in 'out' box instead of 'sent messages' box - is that normal ?
Yes. It will stay there until the recipient logs in, at which point it will move to Sent. phpBB does not work like Outlook. :wink:

Cheers R.
by Robert T
Fri 30 Sep, 2016 17:07
Forum: Site Announcements and Feedback
Topic: Forum glitch - please fix
Replies: 12
Views: 6641

Re: Forum glitch - please fix

HTTPS is currently not an option. It is something that I will consider during the next upgrade, as I will likely also be moving everything to another server to make the upgrade easier. At which point I will review the IP validation setting, and might be able to relax it. And no, it was not an evil j...
by Robert T
Thu 29 Sep, 2016 13:20
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Emissions? bent pipe failure
Replies: 12
Views: 3798

Re: Emissions? bent pipe failure

My understanding is that the secondary air pump dilutes the exhaust gases with fresh air when the engine is cold, thus reducing the percentage of harmful emissions (not the quantity). The most common mode of failure seems to be that the valve fails and allows hot exhaust gases back up to the pump wh...