Search found 818 matches

by lightning
Sun 29 Jun, 2014 23:44
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Fitting the tonneau cover
Replies: 8
Views: 653

Fitting the tonneau cover

I just obtained one of these second hand, for £80. Not the easiest thing to put on! Although once on, it looks good. I bet many owners never worked out how to do it, as the instructions are incomprehensible. Also it kind of defeats the advantage of having an electric hood! Which does not matter on m...
by lightning
Sun 29 Jun, 2014 21:41
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Very Reluctant Possible Sale of Z3 2.2 M Sport Black 2001
Replies: 9
Views: 1133

Re: Very Reluctant Possible Sale of Z3 2.2 M Sport Black 200

Accidental post duplication deleted!
by lightning
Sun 29 Jun, 2014 21:40
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Very Reluctant Possible Sale of Z3 2.2 M Sport Black 2001
Replies: 9
Views: 1133

Re: Very Reluctant Possible Sale of Z3 2.2 M Sport Black 200

Three cars is going to cost, and may not be easy to do if you have a chirp to look after as well.

Maybe now is the time to sell....after all, you will have your hands full for a while! What does your wife think? Z3's are plentiful, and cheap. You can always buy another.
by lightning
Sun 29 Jun, 2014 20:59
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: m44 mpg
Replies: 22
Views: 1163

Re: m44 mpg

On my 3.0 the trip computer claims l am achieving 35-40mpg. This is clearly lies. I put in £20 Super Unleaded, which is about three gallons, and it did 80 miles. That's about 27 mpg which is probably about right. (round town driving and short journeys) It might do 35-40mpg on a motorway run. But the...
by lightning
Sun 29 Jun, 2014 20:54
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Can't get stereo out!
Replies: 12
Views: 935

Re: Can't get stereo out!

This happened on my Z3 2.8.

The only solution was to remove the side trim panels, which if l remember rightly involves removal of the centre console. Although l am sure somebody will correct me on this if l am wrong.
by lightning
Sun 29 Jun, 2014 19:37
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Very Reluctant Possible Sale of Z3 2.2 M Sport Black 2001
Replies: 9
Views: 1133

Re: Very Reluctant Possible Sale of Z3 2.2 M Sport Black 200

Looks like a nice exanple. One question. Why have you never tried the aircon? It's the first thing l do when l buy a car with it fitted. All you have to do is turn the heater fan on, temp knob to cold, and press that little button....it will probably work, after all it's a BMW and not a Lotus. You'l...
by lightning
Sun 29 Jun, 2014 18:06
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: What is this?
Replies: 6
Views: 1128

What is this?

There seem to be wires going to the rear view mirror on the windscreen, inside a small concertina type rubber sleeve.

What are these wires for? Surely the mirror can't be heated? Is there a light behind it or something?
by lightning
Sun 29 Jun, 2014 18:03
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Fitting cruise control
Replies: 48
Views: 11902

Re: Fitting cruise control

Thanks very much for the offer of help. However, l got on the job today. I now have cruise control fitted and working! It's easy to use, and more "friendly" than the one on my Porsche 928 S4, on that if you pressed "resume" it seemed to use all the 310 horses to get you back to t...
by lightning
Sat 28 Jun, 2014 22:40
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Engine remapping
Replies: 6
Views: 847

Re: Engine remapping

That's all true, but an extra 15bhp and about 10% more torque just by plugging in a computer, seemingly with no downsides, is tempting.
In reality l probably won't bother, as the 3.0 is hardly lacking in performance as standard.
by lightning
Sat 28 Jun, 2014 19:22
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Engine remapping
Replies: 6
Views: 847

Engine remapping

Has anybody had their Z3 "chipped" and was it worthwhile? "Superchips" are claiming 15bhp and an extra 39Nm torque from the Z3 3.0, for £235. This is about 10% extra. They are also claiming improved driveability and better fuel consumption. All of which were true with my Transit ...
by lightning
Sat 28 Jun, 2014 17:17
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: New Project - 1998 M Roadster
Replies: 82
Views: 22754

Re: New Project - 1998 M Roadster

The car looks superb. It's the electronics that are going to "kill" modern cars as they get older, l read on the Z4 forum a guy fitted a new steering rack/motor to his Z4 and the car's ECU would not talk to it. Nobody could sort it and he ended up refitting the old one, which was notchy, a...
by lightning
Sat 28 Jun, 2014 13:24
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Boot spot weld
Replies: 36
Views: 10584

Re: Boot spot weld

What engine is in your Z3? Unless it's the M 3.2 you should be fine with a localised welded repair, particularly if the only issue is a couple of dodgy spot welds in the boot floor. On the later cars BMW added a few extra spot welds, which was a poor attempt to stop the fault from occurring. However...
by lightning
Sat 28 Jun, 2014 08:41
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Boot spot weld
Replies: 36
Views: 10584

Re: Boot spot weld

I had my first Z3 repaired by a guy who builds rally cars. He fabricated a new bracket, although there is one available from BMW. It is only listed against the Z3 M, as on that car BMW were repairing the fault FOC out of warranty. To fit the bracket the differential needs to be removed, although as ...
by lightning
Fri 27 Jun, 2014 11:08
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: New Video Review of Z3 on YouTube
Replies: 14
Views: 1608

Re: New Video Review of Z3 on YouTube

Yes l meant the early ones were more fun to drive. Many of them are now getting tired, bit they are over twenty years old, well beyond the lifespan of most cars from the 1980's. I think the YouTube review is pretty good. He only says that the MX5 was "reportedly" better built, and if anyth...
by lightning
Fri 27 Jun, 2014 08:52
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: New Video Review of Z3 on YouTube
Replies: 14
Views: 1608

Re: New Video Review of Z3 on YouTube

My friend has a 2003 MX5 which l have driven, and while it is competent enough, it's just a bit lacklustre. Rather like a washing machine. Does the job and does it well, but without any soul. I think the build quality is similar. The MX5 is certainly well put together, although they do eventually ru...
by lightning
Thu 26 Jun, 2014 17:26
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Change of heart
Replies: 1
Views: 381

Change of heart

In 2007 when my brother gave me his Z3 2.8 to sell, l decided to instead sell my vintage car (a 1946 Morris 8 series E) and keep the BMW. I ended up not falling in love with the Z3, and after a few months l sold it and bought a 1932 Standard Little Nine. Now, after swapping the Standard for a Porsch...
by lightning
Thu 26 Jun, 2014 17:15
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Fitting cruise control
Replies: 48
Views: 11902

Re: Fitting cruise control

Sadly yes l did.

But l made a few hundred from the sale on ebay of Lotus parts (my last car was an Elise S2) so that's covered most of the Z3 parts l've bought so far.
by lightning
Thu 26 Jun, 2014 07:47
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Fitting cruise control
Replies: 48
Views: 11902

Re: Fitting cruise control

I ordered the parts from BMW. The total cost was about £120. I think it's worth the money, if it works of course. I had cruise control on my Porsche 928 S4 and used it a fair bit. One thing, that link shows a third part needed, a "knob" at about £5. The switch comes without the knob, and y...
by lightning
Thu 26 Jun, 2014 07:35
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Fitting cruise control
Replies: 48
Views: 11902

Re: Fitting cruise control

I ordered the parts from BMW.

The total cost was about £120. I think it's worth the money, if it works of course. I had cruise control on my Porsche 928 S4 and used it a fair bit.
by lightning
Thu 26 Jun, 2014 07:30
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Side skirt advice
Replies: 6
Views: 679

Re: Side skirt advice

Are they available new from BMW?

Most Z3 parts seem to be.
by lightning
Tue 24 Jun, 2014 16:51
Forum: Stock exchange
Topic: FS cruise control clutch switch
Replies: 2
Views: 780

Re: FS cruise control clutch switch

I am looking at fitting cruise control to my 2002 Z3 3.0.

Might I need this part?
by lightning
Tue 24 Jun, 2014 16:50
Forum: Stock exchange
Topic: SOLD !!! 2001 2.2i Sport FOR SALE REDUCED!!
Replies: 6
Views: 1602

Re: 2001 2.2i Sport FOR SALE REDUCED!!

Wow these cars are good value.

It can't last. Sooner or later people will wake up to the fact that here is a "modern classic" with no real scare stories that you can buy for next to nothing.
by lightning
Tue 24 Jun, 2014 16:23
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Fitting cruise control
Replies: 48
Views: 11902

Fitting cruise control

I have a 2002 Z3 3.0 M Sport. Looking at past threads on the subject, the following seems to apply, on the post facelift Z3. a/ there was a BMW kit to retrofit cruise control but it's obsolete in the UK. It is still listed in the USA (part no. 65710007353) if you want to import one. b/ However the p...
by lightning
Fri 20 Jun, 2014 07:39
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Car Specs
Replies: 4
Views: 649

Re: Car Specs

Or you can go to your local BMW dealer and they will print off the specification/options sheet for your car, if you give them the registration number.
It does help if you've bought parts from them though! My local Williams BMW are really friendly and one of the parts guys is well versed on the Z3.
by lightning
Fri 20 Jun, 2014 07:35
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Roof Microswitch Testing HELP - Now Fixed
Replies: 18
Views: 3245

Re: Roof Microswitch Testing HELP

The switch is available from BMW if needed, for about £60.
But an alternative can be purchased from Maplin for less than a fiver, although it needs a bit of work to get it to fit.
by lightning
Thu 19 Jun, 2014 20:50
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Clutch and flywheel
Replies: 12
Views: 885

Re: Clutch and flywheel

Right, gearbox oil change on the "to do" list then
by lightning
Thu 19 Jun, 2014 17:04
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Clutch and flywheel
Replies: 12
Views: 885

Re: Clutch and flywheel

OK will do.

Can somebody tell me the procedure for bleeding the clutch hydraulics?
Does it share the master cylinder with the brakes, and where is the bleed nipple. Do l have to get underneath the car?
by lightning
Wed 18 Jun, 2014 13:40
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Clutch and flywheel
Replies: 12
Views: 885

Re: Clutch and flywheel

Just a rattle when l turn off the engine.

Nothing on startup or when running. And only when the engine is hot.
It sounds like it is coming from the underneath of the car. I will investigate further.
by lightning
Wed 18 Jun, 2014 13:29
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Need help with HRW wiring!
Replies: 17
Views: 878

Re: Need help with HRW wiring!

Thanks for the advice and pictures.

That connector is nowhere to be seen on my car, l had the plastic trim off, the roll hoops, and the cubby box out and still did not find it.
by lightning
Wed 18 Jun, 2014 08:01
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Clutch and flywheel
Replies: 12
Views: 885

Re: Clutch and flywheel

I will try bleeding the system first, l bet it has never been done.

The delay valve is probably there to protect the dual mass flywheel. And yes you are right the clutch action does feel a bit "remote".
by lightning
Wed 18 Jun, 2014 07:09
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Clutch and flywheel
Replies: 12
Views: 885

Re: Clutch and flywheel

Clutch delay valve?

What's that then
by lightning
Tue 17 Jun, 2014 21:21
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Arrrgggghhhhh!!!!
Replies: 27
Views: 3416

Re: Arrrgggghhhhh!!!!

Shocking
by lightning
Tue 17 Jun, 2014 20:24
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Clutch and flywheel
Replies: 12
Views: 885

Clutch and flywheel

I believe that the Z3 3.0 is fitted with a dual mass flywheel. What would be the symptoms of dual mass flywheel failure? I get a clattering noise when l stop the engine, but only if it is hot. It does not do it on start up. I have been told this could be the DMF. Hopefully it is just the exhaust! Th...
by lightning
Tue 17 Jun, 2014 16:51
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Need help with HRW wiring!
Replies: 17
Views: 878

Re: Need help with HRW wiring!

They do.

I found the connector at the switch end.
The connector at the hood end is the one l cannot find! I bought the harness to connect the HRW but have nothing to connect it to....

The car was fitted with an electric hood from new, so the wiring must be somewhere.
by lightning
Tue 17 Jun, 2014 15:46
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Need help with HRW wiring!
Replies: 17
Views: 878

Re: Need help with HRW wiring!

I bet that plug l found in the boot (and it was near the auto changer) was the power supply for that, and it does seem to have 12 volts on it. My other issue is, the electric hood does not work. The microswitch on the hood is not connected, the plug is just hanging down not connected to anything. I ...
by lightning
Tue 17 Jun, 2014 08:59
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Need help with HRW wiring!
Replies: 17
Views: 878

Re: Need help with HRW wiring!

Thanks for the advice. I will get to this when l can, l tried the dealer and the plug is not available on it's own, as it is part of the loom. It looks like the wiring to the HRW connection on the hard top mounting has been added later as well. So the task will be to find and reconnect the original ...
by lightning
Tue 17 Jun, 2014 07:31
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: New Project - 1998 M Roadster
Replies: 82
Views: 22754

Re: New Project - 1998 M Roadster

An amazing restoration job. Looking at the burnt out interior, it seemed too far gone, but it is all coming together. You will have at the end of it a pretty much new Z3 M, almost certainly the lowest mileage one in existance. It will be a great moment when the car runs once again under it's own pow...
by lightning
Tue 17 Jun, 2014 07:17
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Finally got my hard top fitted
Replies: 3
Views: 419

Re: Finally got my hard top fitted

It does look good with the hard top on.

I am glad l decided to keep mine. When l got the car l put the hard top on ebay, but did not realise l needed to sell the fitting kit with it, so ended the ebay listing, and did not relist it.
by lightning
Sun 15 Jun, 2014 18:07
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Where to store z3 tonneau cover?
Replies: 19
Views: 3835

Re: Where to store z3 tonneau cover?

I just bought a tonneau cover for mine, and found that one of the mounting studs on the car was loose. It was behind the roll hoop, and would not tighten. What a job to replace the captive clip behind! Centre console partially out, roll hoops off, storage compartment lid, then the L/R side plastic t...
by lightning
Sun 15 Jun, 2014 18:00
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Cloudy headlight glass
Replies: 18
Views: 3073

Re: Cloudy headlight glass

Looking at the price of new headlight units from BMW, l can see why repair is the best option! (or second hand replacements)
by lightning
Sun 15 Jun, 2014 00:02
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: squeaking hood?
Replies: 2
Views: 375

Re: squeaking hood?

You could try a very light coating of vaseline on the hood frame where it contacts the material. Mine was squeaking and it turned out to be the header rail seal. You can spread a very thin coating of grease along this seal with your finger, and also the window to hood frame seals. This stopped the s...
by lightning
Sat 14 Jun, 2014 17:44
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Rust Treatment products ?
Replies: 7
Views: 759

Re: Rust Treatment products ?

Waxoyl mixed with about 10% engine oil makes a good rust proofer, and it never goes hard, or flakes off. Plus it does not wash off the underside of the car in rain.
You can use the black or clear waxoyl, and heavy grade gear oil is best.
by lightning
Sat 14 Jun, 2014 17:36
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Cloudy headlight glass
Replies: 18
Views: 3073

Re: Cloudy headlight glass

What about a used replacement from a breaker?

A quick search on ebay revealed used ones on offer from £10 upwards.
by lightning
Sat 14 Jun, 2014 13:35
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Electric folding roof question
Replies: 5
Views: 1000

Re: Electric folding roof question

I have to push mine back all the way, as the electric mechanism is broken :-)
by lightning
Fri 13 Jun, 2014 22:37
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Need help with HRW wiring!
Replies: 17
Views: 878

Re: Need help with HRW wiring!

Yes my car is post facelift, being a 2002. The dealer always asks for the reg number when l order parts, l guess it is so l get the right ones. I have the correct rounded switch. In the console there are three switches. The left one is the electric hood switch. The centre one is not actually a switc...
by lightning
Fri 13 Jun, 2014 22:31
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Self tapping screws
Replies: 6
Views: 858

Re: Self tapping screws

Yeah l bought thirty of those. They are OK but the captive washer is a bit small on them.

I went back to the BMW dealer and we found them, about £6 for a pack of ten. Probably the part number mentioned above.
The ebay ones will do the job, but l am a bit of a perfectionist and wanted the right ones.
by lightning
Fri 13 Jun, 2014 18:18
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Need help with HRW wiring!
Replies: 17
Views: 878

Need help with HRW wiring!

Somebody has in the past fitted a hardtop to my Z3 (which is still with the car) And very nice it is too. However....the heated rear screen is working, but instead of paying £58 for a genuine switch, they fitted a cheap Maplin one. So l bought the proper switch, but it has a little 4-way socket on t...
by lightning
Thu 12 Jun, 2014 18:50
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Self tapping screws
Replies: 6
Views: 858

Self tapping screws

Anybody have a source for the self tapping screws with captive washer (10mm bolt head) that are used to attach the wheel arch liners on the Z3?
I ordered what l thought were the correct ones from BMW, but they arrived as Torx bolts with smaller washers.
by lightning
Wed 11 Jun, 2014 18:35
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Halfords Mudflaps
Replies: 9
Views: 3073

Re: Halfords Mudflaps

Nice job, l think l will fit some.
by lightning
Tue 10 Jun, 2014 07:13
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: CREE LIGHTING TECH
Replies: 6
Views: 388

Re: CREE LIGHTING TECH

The LED chips do get very hot in use, and this is the only real issue. A fan will help. As the LED gets hot, the light output reduces to prevent thermal runaway, which would destroy it. On better lights this problem is solved by fitting more than one chip. For instance, my friend has a cheap mountai...