Search found 2132 matches

by Del
Tue 23 May, 2017 08:20
Forum: New to zroadster.net?
Topic: New owner
Replies: 8
Views: 6919

Re: New owner

Hi and welcome. The 2.2 is a nice model :)
by Del
Tue 16 May, 2017 21:36
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Wheel Arch Repairs
Replies: 9
Views: 4127

Re: Wheel Arch Repairs

All the panels bolt on/off. Involves a bit of faffing around and perhaps help with another pair of hands when it comes to lining up the rear etc - but all very do-able for DIYers like me. Best to work under cover or in dry weather and just take your time - some of the bolts holding the sills in plac...
by Del
Tue 16 May, 2017 19:47
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Wheel Arch Repairs
Replies: 9
Views: 4127

Re: Wheel Arch Repairs

I had some unpleasant rust on one of my rears (the petrol cap side) due to both age and an imperfect filler/repair sometime in the past. I managed to get an immaculate rear wing from a breaker, in the same 1.9, pre-facelift narrow body Arctic Silver for £60. Like colb I fitted new BMW outer sills an...
by Del
Sat 13 May, 2017 19:37
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: How do you remove the undertray?
Replies: 12
Views: 5299

Re: How do you remove the undertray?

My 1998 1.9 (M44 engine) has a large undertray which joins a small front undertray under the radiator area. It stretches to the rear of the gearbox and just covers the aluminium fuel filter canister on the passenger side (UK). This tray is a bit of a pain to remove :( You need to remove the undertra...
by Del
Thu 04 May, 2017 19:43
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Show us your steering wheels
Replies: 5
Views: 2731

Re: Show us your steering wheels

Most on this forum (myself included) have used Royal Steering Wheels. You choose what you want and from memory the price was less than this advert. Do a search for "Royal Steering Wheels" and you will see dozens of comments and pictures. You can choose the colour, holed or plain, extra thi...
by Del
Thu 04 May, 2017 12:07
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Z3 1997 corroded side skirts
Replies: 5
Views: 2794

Re: Z3 1997 corroded side skirts

Replaced mine with new from BMW, the old ones will be worse on the inside. You'll struggle getting decent second hand ones for a pre-facelift car. They are specific to pre/post facelift and pre-facelift wide and narrow body.
by Del
Mon 24 Apr, 2017 16:12
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Tempted
Replies: 1
Views: 1240

Re: Tempted

Not sure about those later 4 cylinder engines :shrug
by Del
Sat 22 Apr, 2017 19:12
Forum: Stock exchange
Topic: For Sale - Z3 3.0i Very low mileage - immaculate
Replies: 12
Views: 6629

Re: For Sale - Z3 3.0i Very low mileage - immaculate

Sadly, I suspect the general car buying public just view Z3s as old cars and thus have a "price cap" in their minds which is not close to £8,000. :(
by Del
Wed 12 Apr, 2017 21:18
Forum: Let's talk
Topic: An S54 M Roadster for sale?
Replies: 20
Views: 12967

Re: An S54 M Roadster for sale?

Love Alpinas - lost my heart to an Alpina Roadster S a few years back - had a long test drive, dithered and didn't buy it. Regretted it ever since :D
by Del
Wed 12 Apr, 2017 09:44
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: 3.0 Vibration when heavy accelerating issue
Replies: 15
Views: 4398

Re: 3.0 Vibration when heavy accelerating issue

I should probably change both of the transmission mounts and see what happens I agree, on a newer car one might consider that sort of thing a waste of money but when I'm chasing problems on my own Z3 I don't consider it a waste of money to renew a few 18-year old rubber components on the way to sol...
by Del
Wed 12 Apr, 2017 09:34
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: 3.0 Vibration when heavy accelerating issue
Replies: 15
Views: 4398

Re: 3.0 Vibration when heavy accelerating issue

My experience of bushes and mounts under my own Z3 is that ones which look slightly mis-shaped or slightly cracked, have turned out ton be completely knackered. I think age plays a role and accentuates the problem. Vibration under load is difficult for us to "pick up" on a forum - common m...
by Del
Sat 08 Apr, 2017 21:39
Forum: Stock exchange
Topic: Topaz Blue 2.0
Replies: 2
Views: 1415

Re: Topaz Blue 2.0

Competitive price for a facelift 6 cylinder with lowish mileage. Good luck with the sale. :)
by Del
Sat 08 Apr, 2017 21:28
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: First impressions
Replies: 9
Views: 2495

Re: First impressions

As above - I'd definitely flush some fresh fluid through the clutch hydraulic system, inspect/change the hose and change the gearbox oil before moving on to possible clutch replacement. As it's the 2.2 which I believe had a Getrag gearbox which is not known to be naturally "notchy" as suff...
by Del
Sat 08 Apr, 2017 21:16
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Engine Light and strange idle.
Replies: 8
Views: 2412

Re: Engine Light and strange idle.

Very common fault on Z3s which are now 14+ years old - new BMW rubber bellows are not particularly expensive
Does this diagram help with part numbers etc?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/en/showparts ... Id=13_1747
by Del
Fri 07 Apr, 2017 21:33
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Engine Light and strange idle.
Replies: 8
Views: 2412

Re: Engine Light and strange idle.

Inspection 2 would normally include the spark plugs. Sounds like a vacuum leak to me - typically a leak would raise the idle speed and if the leak enlarges the other sensors would struggle to correct the situation. I believe on your car you have an upper and lower rubber bellows on the inlet side, e...
by Del
Wed 05 Apr, 2017 19:58
Forum: Let's talk
Topic: London congestion charges
Replies: 11
Views: 7513

Re: London congestion charges

Diesel cars are more thermally efficient (better MPG on a like-for-like basis) and produce less Co2 (so called greenhouse gas). Modern diesels have DPFs (soot filters) and so if you look at the tips of a modern diesel they will be completely clean. The recent fuss in the US was over NOX emissions wh...
by Del
Wed 05 Apr, 2017 19:41
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: thermostat m44 engine removal / symptoms
Replies: 1
Views: 1001

Re: thermostat m44 engine removal / symptoms

Yep - the moving into the cold zone when the engine is not under load and you are travelling at a reasonable speed - is typical. Several things can cause an engine to overheat but for it to overly cool is typically the thermostat.
by Del
Wed 29 Mar, 2017 21:54
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Z3 to Ferrari 250 swb
Replies: 5
Views: 6815

Re: Z3 to Ferrari 250 swb

Thanks for sharing - I enjoyed the build thread. When one first sees these raw, fibreglass bodies placed on what was a tidy car, one's initial thought is "oh no" but as the parts get sprayed and the secondary parts fitted, the conversion comes to life. As a classic Ferrari replica I prefer...
by Del
Mon 27 Mar, 2017 18:22
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Discs & Pads (to groove or not?)
Replies: 10
Views: 4612

Re: Discs & Pads (to groove or not?)

You may get an array of views on this. The 1.9 has solid discs back and front and so the holes have no practical function. If you had vented discs (which you haven’t) the modern trend has been to move away from drilled in any event as the bonding materials in modern pads does not give off the level ...
by Del
Sat 25 Mar, 2017 23:38
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Bonnet Stuck Shut
Replies: 7
Views: 3995

Re: Bonnet Stuck Shut

Had similar happen, I made a tool out of fairly thick green garden wire. It involved a suitable length with a small hook shape bent at the end - I then probed onto the latch there the cable and little barrel go, until it hooked up and then pulled. Difficult to explain on a forum but when you see how...
by Del
Sat 25 Mar, 2017 23:30
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Sill removed cleaned and waxoyled
Replies: 26
Views: 10361

Re: Sill removed cleaned and waxoyled

That is in good condition - in fact the best I've seen on the forum and elsewhere. People normally get some rust, on the section with holes, at either end, with corresponding rust on the sill cover ends.
by Del
Thu 23 Mar, 2017 12:30
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Of Mice and Men!
Replies: 2
Views: 1806

Re: Of Mice and Men!

I get them in my garage over the winter - you need to set some traps to protect your car over winter
by Del
Tue 21 Mar, 2017 16:21
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: POPULAR MODIFICATIONS for Z3
Replies: 20
Views: 31624

Re: POPULAR MODIFICATIONS for Z3

You can get 152 BHP from a stage 1 remap for the 1.9 M44 engine. Similar power to the 2.0 6 cylinder but in a lighter, more nimble car with better weight distribution. Combined with refreshed suspension of your choice - a great drive. :D http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=42727&...
by Del
Sun 19 Mar, 2017 23:05
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: soft rear end.. but might be normal
Replies: 18
Views: 6832

Re: soft rear end.. but might be normal

From personal experience, although Z3s might pass their MOTs, they will benefit from suspension renovation. I had ARB bushes that looked fine but one had a slight distortion and bulge where it is naturally split and it was causing a terrible knocking. I had rear droplinks that showed just slight sig...
by Del
Fri 17 Mar, 2017 15:17
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: POPULAR MODIFICATIONS for Z3
Replies: 20
Views: 31624

Re: POPULAR MODIFICATIONS for Z3

As these cars are non-turbo there is not a lot of easy tuning - a remap would squeeze an extra10 BHP or so.
by Del
Sat 11 Mar, 2017 09:56
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: New steering rack - stiffness...
Replies: 20
Views: 9361

Re: New steering rack - stiffness...

Check level of power steering fluid - human error - may have been overlooked
by Del
Sat 11 Mar, 2017 09:53
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Sticky Brake Caliper?
Replies: 13
Views: 4641

Re: Sticky Brake Caliper?

In most cases you only need to replace the rubber piston seal and dust cap. A good idea to replace an aged brake hose at the same time as they can break-down inside and cause similar symptoms to a sticky caliper. Plenty of "how to" videos on youtube
https://brakeparts.co.uk/#!/
by Del
Tue 07 Mar, 2017 09:59
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: In need of sill panels in cosmos black
Replies: 3
Views: 1919

Re: In need of sill panels in cosmos black

Tricky as they are model specific and you need ones from a pre-facelift, narrow body 1.9 and most 2nd hand will be equally as old and rusty. I ended up buying new ones from BMW and getting a friend to respray. If you are doing a de-rust programme you can also clean and treat the rear wings and front...
by Del
Sun 05 Mar, 2017 17:08
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Gearbox and oil
Replies: 6
Views: 2022

Re: Gearbox and oil

You don't get quite the same level of heat as in the engine and the oil is not contaminated with combustion gases/acids - so a synthetic oil can probably last around 10-years in a manual gearbox. But as you say, many Z3s are now moving towards 15-20 years and so a change can only be a good thing. My...
by Del
Sat 04 Mar, 2017 21:35
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Gearbox and oil
Replies: 6
Views: 2022

Re: Gearbox and oil

As far as I have been able to find out, the BMW E36 range (including the Z3) fitted a similar Getrag manual gearbox in vehicles up to 2.5 litre after which they fitted a bigger ZF gearbox. In the unlikely event that you have a specific label on your gearbox saying to fill only with Automatic Fluid/o...
by Del
Wed 01 Mar, 2017 22:48
Forum: M Roadster and M coupé
Topic: Secondary Air Injection Pump
Replies: 15
Views: 7002

Re: Secondary Air Injection Pump

It wouldn't surprise me if Pierburg is the OE manufacturer for it I agree. Pierburg seem to have cornered the market for a lot of auxiliary/secondary electronically controlled pumps around the engine bays of German cars. This same question crops up a lot on Audi forums for a similar little (cooling...
by Del
Sun 12 Feb, 2017 18:26
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Calling all non lowered Z3s without wheel spacers!
Replies: 21
Views: 6579

Re: Calling all non lowered Z3s without wheel spacers!

Bonzo wrote:Anything bigger to me seems to shout, "WHEELS, LOOK," and is out of proportion
I agree, as far as I know they were never fitted with anything larger than 17 inch
by Del
Sat 11 Feb, 2017 22:53
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Replacing rear beam bushes: 3 questions for you
Replies: 39
Views: 12217

Re: Replacing rear beam bushes: 3 questions for you

pingu wrote:The poly bush is not marginally harder; it is significantly harder.
Depends on the type of polyurethane. The hardness of the purple Powerflex ones only sits at the upper end of the scale for typical OE rubber ones.
by Del
Sat 11 Feb, 2017 19:33
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Replacing rear beam bushes: 3 questions for you
Replies: 39
Views: 12217

Re: Replacing rear beam bushes: 3 questions for you

I can't believe that fitting a marginally harder polyurethane bush would cause the diff bracket to rip away after a relatively short time - I've never seen this reported anywhere else. In my view it's more likely to be pre-existing damage/flaw either in manufacture or due to an old, wobbly OE bush. ...
by Del
Sat 11 Feb, 2017 13:04
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Calling all non lowered Z3s without wheel spacers!
Replies: 21
Views: 6579

Re: Calling all non lowered Z3s without wheel spacers!

My 1998 1.9 is standard height and the handling is good. It now has Bilstein B3 springs (Bilstein's OE replacement option), Sach Super Touring shocks and an ever increasing number of Powerflex bushes.

Lowering on the Z3 is probably more for the "look" rather than "handling".
by Del
Wed 08 Feb, 2017 12:18
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Replacing rear beam bushes: 3 questions for you
Replies: 39
Views: 12217

Re: Replacing rear beam bushes: 3 questions for you

I used a local BMW specialist who had a special support jig and commercial puller - cost around £100 to insert the main beam bushes, which I bought myself. After at first being reluctant, I am now a convert to the Powerflex purple polyurethane buses. They are extremely high quality, a perfect fit an...
by Del
Wed 01 Feb, 2017 14:43
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Petrol filler cap
Replies: 4
Views: 1507

Re: Petrol filler cap

It's the flat rubber washer that goes - I managed to buy one of the last BMW stock (rubber washer only) in the UK around 2011. As above, you probably need to buy the complete cap now. :(
by Del
Wed 01 Feb, 2017 14:40
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Fuel injector servicing/cleaning
Replies: 6
Views: 2438

Re: Fuel injector servicing/cleaning

Probably a good job to get done on our Z3s which are now older cars - plus replacing the sealing o-rings.
by Del
Tue 31 Jan, 2017 17:32
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Pinking (pre-ignition) 1999 2ltre
Replies: 69
Views: 22633

Re: Pinking (pre-ignition) 1999 2ltre

I would get it plugged into a diagnostic error codes reader - I'm note sure that your 1999 car would have an "engine management fault warning light". My 1998 one hasn't, 1999 may be borderline. Whilst "knock sensors" make small adjustments to avoid pre-ignition (often undetectabl...
by Del
Tue 31 Jan, 2017 17:24
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: I wouldn't leave home without it
Replies: 11
Views: 3039

Re: I wouldn't leave home without it

Other than the BMW toolkit, an umbrella, a small multi-tool and an extendable wheel nut wrench as they are difficult to remove if properly torqued - or even over-torqued by tyre fitters :D
by Del
Fri 27 Jan, 2017 22:47
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Devastated -help needed asap
Replies: 11
Views: 3629

Re: Devastated -help needed asap

These automatic boxes aren't like some of the less reliable ones fitted in some more modern Volkswagon Audi Group cars. They are pretty much bullet proof. Personally, I would have no worries at 75K miles
by Del
Fri 27 Jan, 2017 14:10
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: My 3.0 roadster for Switzerland
Replies: 7
Views: 3092

Re: My 3.0 roadster for Switzerland

Beautiful looking car in lovely OE condition - although I did spot a non-standard polyurethane exhaust mount :D
by Del
Fri 27 Jan, 2017 10:42
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Still some very low mileage Z3s around
Replies: 8
Views: 2581

Re: Still some very low mileage Z3s around

I suspect there are many cherished Z3s "squirreled away". As well as the one above, which is just around the corner from me, there is another owner near to me who has a nice Arctic Silver Z3M - I only knew he had it when I saw the garage door open one day and a Mr Vanos van parked outside :)
by Del
Wed 25 Jan, 2017 22:57
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Still some very low mileage Z3s around
Replies: 8
Views: 2581

Still some very low mileage Z3s around

I was talking to a fellow Z3 owner the other day who owns a 1998/99 1.9 Z3 which he has owned from new - he's only done 19,000 miles. :shock: It only comes out on dry summer days. 8-) He was telling me that there was a 2-year waiting list when he bought it :shock:
by Del
Wed 25 Jan, 2017 22:51
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Gloria's new look
Replies: 12
Views: 3511

Re: Gloria's new look

Looks like new-car, showroom condition in the photos :)
by Del
Wed 25 Jan, 2017 22:50
Forum: New to zroadster.net?
Topic: New member in zroadster from Spain
Replies: 8
Views: 5886

Re: New member in zroadster from Spain

Hi and welcome 8-)
by Del
Tue 17 Jan, 2017 11:34
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Which gearbox oil?
Replies: 16
Views: 6330

Re: Which gearbox oil?

With gearbox oils one needs to get the basic parameters correct e.g fully synthetic (robust and long lasting) and GL4 (erring on the side of caution as mentioned above and not using GL5). The rest is largely based on subjective taste and preference. Many people do not like a firmer “notchy” feel whe...
by Del
Tue 17 Jan, 2017 11:15
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Which gearbox oil?
Replies: 16
Views: 6330

Re: Which gearbox oil?

Put this is my 1.9 Getrag gearbox - feels nice - I've changed it twice now - modern synthetic gear oil (GL4) with the contemporary 75w-90 viscosity range http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-Litre-1L-Castrol-Syntrans-Multivehicle-Manual-Gearbox-MT-Oil-75W-90-API-GL-4-/291997353898?hash=item43fc6607aa:g:67MAA...
by Del
Sun 01 Jan, 2017 10:18
Forum: The Lounge
Topic: Z017
Replies: 4
Views: 4134

Re: Z017

Happy New Year

2017 - Is it 20-years since the Z3 was launched in the UK? :D