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mrscalex

I sorted the latching problem today. When I swapped the boot lids I never went back and tightened the bolts properly. The lid had slipped fractionally. I aligned it again and all was well.

mrscalex

Is it part 17 on this diagram?

51718400751

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=71_0123

mrscalex

In good used condition. Cleaned and checked. All locating lugs present together with securing screw. Slight wear to BMW badges but vents themselves in nice condition with slight wear only.

£75 including postage within UK.

mrscalex

I've seen it and replied

mrscalex

I have a Boston Green pair that I hope to be removing from the car this weekend. I don't know what the condition is like internally but externally they look fine apart from the base on one side needing painting.

PM me if no luck elsewhere.

mrscalex

What is your level of mechanical knowledge? I think it's all relative isn't it? Compared with the average man in the street it's good. Compared with the experts on this forum it's probably poor. I've re-shelled cars, pulled engines and gearboxes in and out, de-coked cylinder heads. Albeit 30 years ...

mrscalex

I've been using INPA for sometime to read off and clear error codes and I'm happy with that. But if I go into the live engine readouts I'm completely bamboozled. I'd like to master that so I can get a wider feel for the health of the engine and support systems. Does anyone know of a guide that will ...

mrscalex

Thanks. Definitely a job to subcontract to the kids I think (lad 12 & girl 17). They actually like cleaning stuff. The lad did an excellent job of removing years worth of build up from the alloys and polishing out a number of scratches on the panels. His little fingers were also excellent for fe...

mrscalex

As far as I'm aware the angle of the window is dictated by the fixed quarter light which guides the whole pane. But you'd only want to adjust that if the gap was bigger at one end of the pane than the other. What you might find is your window sliders are worn (happens to all Z3s in the end) and or t...

mrscalex

INPA kit just means my old laptop with the software on it and the connecting cable to do vehicle diagnostics. I had to drill the boot behind the badge in the end. 2 min job and works a treat. The problem was because I hadn't rotated the plastic end clip on the push button mechanism. There is a slot ...

mrscalex

I've not heard back from Stu.

I would like to get into the boot this weekend. It has my INPA kit in and it's needed.

If anyone else knows the non-invasive method (ie not drilling behind the badge) please PM me. I know it's a closely guarded secret but I promise not to tell

mrscalex

Same part sold by Carparts4less and Europarts, the Ebay one you linked to is cheaper than both by around £7. If these two sell that brand there should be no problems with it. I may get one to keep as a spare I think that's a fair point. They may not be the very finest quality but they should be goo...

mrscalex

bertiejaffa wrote:replacement body parts are always available - mirrors are probably worth £500 alone

As much as that are they? Mind you it could easily cost £200 to put standard mirrors back on it and sell it on.

mrscalex

Are cheapo stats to be avoided?

This is a Circoli for £20

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Replacement-T ... 0522318759

mrscalex

Z3M are they? Not familiar with such finery having a 1.9! I went to see it tonight as I'm in Swansea at the moment. Nice guy selling it. The paintwork is unfortunately in quite poor condition all round. The doors/cards have been cut to take 4 speakers. The wheels are too big for the arches - that's ...

mrscalex

Does anyone know what these door mirrors are and how they've been made to fit apparently perfectly?

mrscalex

This link will help.

http://users.belgacom.net/bmw_z3/bmw_z3_engines.htm

There's lots of interesting info on that web site.

mrscalex

Robert T wrote:The profile is given as a percentage of the tyre width. You need both figures to calculate the height of the sidewall.

Cheers R.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Got ya! Understand now

mrscalex

Does anyone know why the tyre width appears to be a consideration in these online calculators? Would it not just be the rim diameter and tyre profile that matters?

mrscalex

Assuming it's programmed correctly this is a good calculator. http://www.wheelcalc.com/ It advises a maximum of +/-5% variance and preferably no more than +/-2%. So working off 225/50 R16 it gives the following list based on +/-2% variance (Width, Profile, Rim, Diameter, Circumference, % Change): 20...

mrscalex

ben5010 wrote:Had the same issue with mine, the plastic securing lugs for the thermostat had snapped off. You can replace them with metal versions.

Is that on an M44 engine? What lugs are those? Internal that secure the actual valve in place? Did they allow the valve to move slightly and affect operation?

mrscalex

I believe the process of calculating the correct size is known as maintaining the rolling radius (or circumference). It's an age old problem that I remember 30 years ago with my old Mk I & II Escorts. I would imagine technically it's an MOT fail if you put the wrong size on and it changes the ge...

mrscalex

And one final thing. New roofs can be had for as little as £280 I think I was quoted by one specialist. Tony is by no means expensive but his charge is 2-3 times that. And there's a reason for it... I've seen one of these cheap roofs fitted. The material looked cheap and shiney (synthetic) and certa...

mrscalex

I was also advised one of the key ways to tell if your roof is knackered. If the line of the roof arches over the middle of the doors and in particular if it starts revealing the rubber door seal then the roof has shrunk across its width. The door rubber is not the first/only line of defence against...

mrscalex

Thanks Zed Carer. Pretty clear and conclusive then!

mrscalex

so any tips on the technique? You need an industrial steam cleaner not a domestic one (sorry). They cost £100+ to hire for a day. So arguably this is not a DIY job unless you know someone with such a beast. You'll only tickle it with a domestic cleaner. An industrial cleaner runs around 100 bar and...

mrscalex

I just picked up a 2nd Z3 tonight. The intention was too break it for spares to feed the first one. I bought it blind and got it for a good price so wasn't expecting much. Trouble is as soon as I saw it and in-particular when I drove it home I'm not sure if I can bring myself to as it's quite a good...

mrscalex

I've just had a new rear window put in and while I was there the intention was to steam clean the roof as well as he said it was the only type of cleaning required. For technical reasons he couldn't do the whole roof. But he demo'd how to do it properly on the front half. Note you don't just point a...

mrscalex

Southernboy wrote:There is a non invasive method... it's kept "secret" to avoid the knowledge being used by potential baddies. If you PM Stu (one of the mods) he will give you the method of getting the boot open...

Thank you!

mrscalex

Thanks. I actually saw that when searching.

I was naively hoping there was a non-invasive method.

Thanks again, for confirming the approach.

mrscalex

Had a bit of a mare and the boot lid won't open. I have recently changed the lid and played with the mechs but it was all working nicely. I understand there is a trick to get into the boot but it's not published for obvious reasons. Would someone be able to PM me please? It's a 98 pre-facelift. Also...

mrscalex

If I get the Meyle HD set: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200762551643 Is there anything else that is sensible to change at the same time? Maybe the anti-roll bar stabiliser link - this one? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272164984048 I'm not interested in a full-on refurb of the suspension/steering but I wan...

mrscalex

You need to work from underneath the base to clean up any corrosion deposits. then you'll need to soak the base and the upper to a little more than the depth of the base in WD40 for a day or two to allow it to work into that area. That should free up the swivel action, but be careful, and dont forc...

mrscalex

Are the mirror bodies meant to swivel on the base to reveal the securing bolts? Mine wouldn't move so I dismantled the mirror instead to move it onto the replacement door. While it was off I tried to move it again with no success. Is there a way of freeing them up without the risk of breaking them? ...

mrscalex

Well done for doing the exhaust yourself. I chickened out and had it fitted for me (£60). My exhaust was £45 off ebay (seller - only-exhaust) and so far very happy with it and yes, for a cheapy, it makes a pleasant sound! I've been meaning to try some Por 15 out myself so was interested to see what ...

mrscalex

Courtesy of an historical boot leak my tool kit has gone rusty.

Is there a lovely chemical that will remove the rust without the need to repaint?

Thanks.

mrscalex

You may not know if the battery is any good just yet even if it takes a charge. As peter2b says some batteries will take a charge and then die again after a time. That's what mine did. Mine ended up so knackered it wouldn't jump start and it wouldn't register anything on my Ctek. It's got a new batt...

mrscalex

Yep. Although 'my' Z3 is actually my brother's Z3. A Boston Green 1.9. He had it brand spanking new from Dick Lovett in Swindon on 29 Jan 1999. He ran it as his daily driver until age got the better of it for the daily commute 2 years ago. Because he had it from new and kept it for 15 years he said ...

mrscalex

Ah. That stuff- got you. Thanks.

mrscalex

Been finding out a bit about these units and know how well regarded they are. The one that keeps popping up is the Cascade 7944. But I can see there are lots of other models including Traffic Pro and Grand Prix. So a couple of questions: 1. Will any Becker model, for any make of car fit/work in a pr...

mrscalex

kjb1 wrote:I used a silicone sealant adhesive which remains flexible ( same as original butyl ) just different product.

Thanks. Could you let me know the exact make/type you used? Might as well do it with something tried and tested! Thanks.

mrscalex

When I have the rear window replaced next week the guy has offered a clean for the roof as well. He seems to be an extremely experienced guy (which is why I'm going there) but he is adamant the only cleaning the roof needs is a steam clean. He is also adamant no water proofing is required as that's ...

mrscalex

Well, just fitted door card back, repaired vapour barrier, bit of a pig to do, but its pretty much perfect now, however ran out of sealant, need to go buy some more, I bought this Z3 with the intention of selling it, but I wouldn't even consider it now, I LOVE IT!!! What did you use to put the vapo...

mrscalex

I'm repairing my handle currently but it's at the other end. I'm using araldite to replace the plug of board/vinyl that pulled off. Then I'm going to see if I can get some fibre-glass mesh behind it to reinforce it. If that works I'll pre-emptively fibre-glass mesh the passenger side too. Most of wh...

mrscalex

Mor61e wrote:The fun part is lining the new one up afterwards

Well exactly, which is the part of things I'm asking about really. Is it just a case of patience over say 2-3 hours? Or is it one of those you might never get it right and end up wanting to jump up and down on it in frustration jobs?

mrscalex

It really is bad by the way...

mrscalex

I have badly peeling lacquer on my bonnet, boot lid and rear bumper. At some stage the car will get a full respray but I can't justify that currently. So I'm obtaining parts from breakers and changing them instead. I've just swapped a door and was surprised how easy that was, so I'm hopeful the boot...

mrscalex

Mine were a bit discoloured, went over them with a black permanent marker, 2 coats, perfect. :cheers Bonzo I collect and restore old Scalextric cars and I use marker to touch in chipped black paint on the engine areas etc. It does a an effective job. Although it can have a purple-ish hue to it. I'm...

mrscalex

Did a “Rolls Royce” job on mine a couple of years back. Removed and carefully unpicked & rubbed down with scotch pad. As the aluminium looked a bit flaky/dusty, sprayed with etch primer with coat of semi-gloss black on top. The “netting” behind was breaking down so used (as recommended elsewher...

mrscalex

Nice one. Cheers guys. And does anyone know where the felt sandwiched under the grill is meant to sit? Over both speaker holes? Mine would never have been touched from the factory but on one side the felt is intact over the speaker hole and on the other it is torn away. Barely matters but if it's al...

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