zroadster.net

RussJ

Both runs for us...
Russ and Chris

PS do you have Tomtom files for the routes?

RussJ

Hi John,
Please add Chris and me to the list. Apologies though, still got the Merc!
Room booked and deposit paid.
RussJ

RussJ

Many thanks to Phil and Marise for another top notch event.
Pleased that the weather improved for you on Sunday and I'm sorry that we couldn't make it to the actual show.
Great to see everyone again.
Russ and Chris

RussJ

Great idea, please add us to the list.
Russ and Chris

RussJ

As an ex-S54 owner and one who did the bearing change, I'd strongly suggest that you look back for my posts about the issue. Although there were no obvious signs that my engine had a problem, when I took out the bearing shells there was clear evidence of "rocking" and other nasties at onlt...

RussJ

Steve, I fitted the ACS setup to my S54 which I purchased from Rossiters. I thought it a good compromise for road use but others (Si) disagree. They ain't cheap though! You might like to consider some new shocks with Eibach springs. I fitted a set of these to my SLK and have been very pleased with t...

RussJ

I replaced the bearings on my old S54 as a precautionery measure. Kit of parts was about £150 and it took me a weekend or so to fit. When I examined the old shells there were clear signs of "rocking" and irregular wear, after only 28k or so, so I'm glad I made the effort - even though some...

RussJ

Hiya,
I've got an engine support beam that I used when I was changing the bearing shells on my S54.
You're very welcome to borrow it but getting it up to you from Norwich could be expensive - its heavy!
Russ

RussJ

IIRC my S54 had done about 34k when I sold it to Finnbar earlier this year.
Can't imagine its done many miles since...
Russ

RussJ

Butt strut still available....
Russ

RussJ

Sorry guys, spacers and front strut provisionally sold.
Butt strut has much interest but no firm decision as yet...

Russ

RussJ

I've sold my Z3M so have some parts for disposal: Black finish front Strong Strut plus fitting kit (chrome nuts and finishing plates) - £275 Butt strut - got scraped on a sleeping policeman but I've cleaned it up and repainted it so now its as good as new, complete with all fitting bolts and washers...

RussJ

Dammit Greg, I was just getting used to being Zedless and then you had to post this pic! If you didn't know better it almost looks as if I knew what I was doing. I don't think Chris was too impressed though... I'd really like a HD copy of this for the archives if you wouldn't mind (russell@zakmail.c...

RussJ

Sadly, the Jones fleet has had to be rationalised and I've sold my car to Finnbar. It was a real wrench to see it heading off down the drive but at least its gone to a good home. Not sure what I'll be replacing it with but it has to be something sporty, without a lid, that I can use as a daily drive...

RussJ

I agree, it is a pain to get at those switches but I moved the hood one to the dash for convenience and have never bothered with the hardtop, so it works for me! Russ

RussJ

I made one....
MDF core, covered in black PVC (couldn't get a match for the seats in leather), hinged at the rear plus the BMW tray.
Made sure it was level with the door armrests.
Much more comfortable having somewhere to rest your elbow...

Russ

RussJ

I made one....
MDF core, covered in black PVC (couldn't get a match for the seats in leather), hinged at the rear plus the BMW tray.
Made sure it was level with the door armrests.
Much more comfortable having somewhere to rest your elbow...

Russ

RussJ

Wow, the ACS stuff has gone up in price a lot. When I bought mine from Rossiters about 2 years ago it was £700ish. At that price you might also think about KW coilovers which will give you full adjustment over ride height and damping. Have a look on Z3MCoupe.com for lots of info and fitting tips. I'...

RussJ

Came past the end of our drive while I was delving into the water main manhole with the man from Anglian Water. Don't think I've ever seen another round here?

RussJ

I've had an S50 to which I fitted the Racelogic traction control and now an S54. The S50 without TC can bite! Unfortunately the situations where you most need it rarely arrive when you are expecting them and most people react instinctively, often doing precisely the wrong thing - panic braking or li...

RussJ

PM sent...

RussJ

The Vanos on the S50 is different to other BMW engines. There have been cases of catastrophic engine failure caused by mounting bolts shearing(BMW replaced them with stronger versions) and the solenoids fail sometimes which blunts performance but doesn't wreck the engine. Most of the noise issues se...

RussJ

I think we'll be up for this. Look forward to hearing some more...
Russ

RussJ

If you mean the tightness of the fit on the windscreen header rail, then if you look closely at the two hooks that pull the hood and windscreen together, you'll see a small allen screw. Loosen this off and you'll be able to rotate the hook clockwise (IIRC) to effectively shorten it. Try one turn at ...

RussJ

I sold my S54 suspension to a guy who fitted it to a non-M car.
Might be worth a PM to "E-man" to get all the info.
He did do it but needed to buy a couple of parts - rubber spring pads if I remember correctly.
Good luck

Russ

RussJ

Hi Ben, looks interesting but I'm a bit dubious about how effective the heat shield really is... I know you say its been tested to maintain almost ambient temperature but all the S50 versions I've seen are much more substantial and seal to the underside of the bonnet. I'm by no means an expert but a...

RussJ

I'm sure I read somewhere that some rear end rattles were down to hand brake cables or fittings....
Also worth checking yourrear shock top mounts...
Russ

RussJ

Your local BMW dealer - about £12 if I remember correctly. I bought spare one to fit in my Saab...
Russ

RussJ

Got the little bugger out but I'm none the wiser.
It appears to be a sealed unit with no access to replace the bulb!
Very odd....

RussJ

Cheers Kiwi, thats exactly what I needed and is what I expected to see!
The trouble is, on my car the rear of the clock is smooth, with no bulb holder to be seen. I'm wondering if there's a cover over the rear, perhaps located over those two spigots that stick out?

RussJ

The illumination for the clock has failed. I bought a new bulb from BMW (its an odd size) for £2.50 and assumed all I had to do was pull out a holder and change the bulb. I've undone the side flaps to the center console and can see and feel the back of the clock but can't make out where the bulb hol...

RussJ

Be very careful not to short circuit the knob light wires, cos there's no fuse protection. If you do, you'll probably end up frying the dimmer in the light switch which means you'll lose all your dash lights. A new switch is £35 or so and is a sod to fit (ask me how I know!)
Russ

RussJ

You have PM...

RussJ

OXYGEN SENSOR BOSCH/L=750MM 1 11781405324 $195.30 11 OXYGEN SENSOR L=450MM 1 11781743996 $195.30 Above is from Real OEM. You should be able top get Bosch equivalents for about £50 each but check everything else before buying - not like me! Check out the Bosch website for local suppliers (Bosch autop...

RussJ

Your car is being put into limp-home mode - about 30% power and bugger all revs. When you stop and re-start, the ECU is reset, so all is well until the problem happens again. Just been through this with mine due to a shorted out wire on the second set of O2 sensors. You may need to go to a dealer or...

RussJ

Gaz, what was the full code including initial letters?
It may be due to a dirty MAF.
have you got an oiled air filter, eg K and N?
Russ

RussJ

On the way back from our Millau trip I hit a trench in the road at some speed. The Buttstrut took most of the impact but the exhaust also got scraped. When we got off the ferry and tried to accelerate the car dropped into limp home mode. When we eventually got home, I used my OBDscanner and it repor...

RussJ

Has anyone done this job?
I bought a crowsfoot socket set today to help change the faulty sensor but I can't see how to get access to it. These are the front ones on the exhaust manifold, not the Cat.
Do you tackle it from below or via the engine bay?
All advice gratefully received!
Russ

RussJ

I hit a pot hole at speed and thumped the Butstrutt into the road. Check engine light is now on and car is in limp-home mode. I checked the fault codes and it has come back with P0050/P0030 which I believe are to do with the O2 sensors - may have been broken by the impact? Anyone had any experience ...

RussJ

Its not too difficult but is a bit of a fiddle...
You have to prise the front cover off the tensioner pulley, attach a ratchet with I think a 16mm socket and lever against the spring.
You don't have to remove the rad but there isn't alot of clearance so be careful!
Russ

RussJ

I've fitted OEM discs with Ferodo 2500 pads and they seem pretty good to me. Only slight issue is a tendancy to squeal at low speed when warm. Pretty sure its the pad as I have the same problem with them on my Saab.
Russ

RussJ

Have a look 12 posts down...

RussJ

Thanks for the support guys and I will put up some pics but the weather has been so crap recently I've not had a chance.
We're having a re-think on transport in the Jones' household and looking to reduce the car count - so I need to get something a bit more usable on a daily basis.

RussJ

Owing to changed circumstances, I have to sell my pristine S54 M Roadster. Its a 2002 registered car on an '02 plate and is one of the very last made, as verified by RealOEM. Finished in Estoril blue with an all black interior. Mileage is a mere 29874 and its had two previous owners. Full service hi...

RussJ

I did this on my last M. It works well but because the seat runner isnt supported, you tend to get alarming creaks and groans when you go round corners quickly. Not sure if this is doing any harm but it sure sounds odd!
Russ

RussJ

Found it! In my clumsy fumbling I must have dislodged the connector to the switch and it had disappeared into the bowels of the console.
I've reconnected everything so hopefully problem solved.
Thanks for all your help guys.
Russ

RussJ

I've just changed the standard headunit on my MR for a Blaupunkt and now the bloody alarm keeps going off! Reading some posts on Bimmerfest it appears that there is a microswitch activated by the rear radio support - the rubbery finger bit that screws on the radio. If the radio is missing the switch...

RussJ

Hi Temo,
It'll be good to have another M in the Norwich area...
I live near Wymondham, where are you?

I've got a boring blue '02 S54 with 27k, so if you want a closer look at a good one, let me know.

Russ

RussJ

My car was built in March '02, one of the last produced. Mileage is 27k, fully serviced by BMW. I had no symptoms of impending disaster but then again most don't until it happens. My change was purely on a pre-emptive basis. Looking at the shells (I'll try and take some photos), there are some signs...

RussJ

Worth a try to lubricate but I just replaced it. Cost was about £20 and it took 30 mins to fit.

zroadster.net

Search found 199 matches

ALL NOW SOLD! - Strong strut front and rear and spacers

Gone but not forgotten...

Silver Z3 M in Barford, Norfolk yesterday afternoon...

Clock bulb

Changing pre cat O2 Sensors on S54?

Fault codes P0030/P0050

S54 M Roadster 2002

New radio - alarm going off!