A new Z3 Owner!

[kayone]

Hi Chaps,

Thought i'd introduce myself I purchased a lovely Arctic Silver 1.9 Z3 (97) which I'm currently over the moon with, my first roadster!

I've just switched from a E46 318CI - so the difference is quite a lot!

I'm really happy with the purchase - I've noticed after reading the forums that I can postentially do a fair few cheap mods which wont break the bank but will improve the look.

The first being the windshield tape - which I believe you can remove to show the paintwork.

Is there any other cheap mods I can do to improve the look?

[myredzed]

Welcome kayone. Looks like you've purchased just in time to enjoy the summer

Show us some pics of your zed so that we can all 'advise' how you can improve the looks (although the z3 looks pretty good in standard trim IMO). Take a look in the Gallery to see what others have done if you're looking for some inspiration

[Robert T]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Seem to be doing this in the wrong order as I replied to your other thread first.

Best and cheapest mod you can do it a good clean followed by good waxing.

Cheers R.

[kayone]

Ha cheers Guys,

Yes, awaiting some lovely sunshine so I can enjoy a roof-down drive!

I think the main thing I'm looking to do is to really just clean it up (tbh is in fairly good nick for the age) but there's alyways bit's you just have to clean up

My first 2 jobs will be:

To refurb the wing mirror bases (thx for the link Rob)
Remove windscreen tape (looking a bit worn)

(Anyone know anything about if this motor should have remote locking? - I was never given the remote fob?)

[Titan]

Hi Kayone and welcome to the forum

The windscreen tape is easily removed with a hairdryer and/or WD40 for any glue residue.
There was a recent thread about this with before and after pictures but I can't remember from whom
Hopefully they will post a link to it.

[kayone]

Hi Kayone and welcome to the forum

The windscreen tape is easily removed with a hairdryer and/or WD40 for any glue residue.
There was a recent thread about this with before and after pictures but I can't remember from whom
Hopefully they will post a link to it.

If someone could find it that would be great!

Anyone know about the Remote locking question?

[Robert T]

I would have expected it to have the housebrick type remote fob, but on the early cars I am not sure whether they were standard or not. The easiest way to confirm would be to look for an alarm siren under the bonnet, as the alarm module is buried up behind the glovebox.

Apologies to myredzed for nicking his pic:



If you have an alarm siren, then there should also be a small key to disable it with - you can just see it in the above pic.

Cheers R.

[myredzed]

Apologies to myredzed for nicking his pic:

No problem Rob... I thought I recognised that kitchen worktop from somewhere!

[kayone]

I would have expected it to have the housebrick type remote fob, but on the early cars I am not sure whether they were standard or not.
Cheers R.

I've got two of the smaller type keys with mine - the dealer said it was made before remote locking time - which has to be bull

The only real problem I can find with my zed is that when i reach around 20-21k RPM in 2/3/4 gear i get a rattle/squeeky tpe noise for a second thats both increasing and decreasing acceloration - sounds like it;s coming from the rear drivers side.. potentially exhaust?

Any ideas?

[Robert T]

when i reach around 20-21k RPM in 2/3/4 gear

Holy crap! What engine did you say it had? Has it been fitted with a bike or a rotary engine? Even F1 cars only rev to 19k! Oh hang on, wait a minute, I think you mean 2000-2100 RPM.

It sounds like you are hitting the resonant frequency of something. A common one on the old E36 3-series was the heater valve rattling at certain engine revs. If sounds to be from the rear it could well be the exhaust - worth taking a look at the state of the exhaust mounts.

Cheers R.

[kayone]

when i reach around 20-21k RPM in 2/3/4 gear

Holy crap! What engine did you say it had? Has it been fitted with a bike or a rotary engine? Even F1 cars only rev to 19k! Oh hang on, wait a minute, I think you mean 2000-2100 RPM.

It sounds like you are hitting the resonant frequency of something. A common one on the old E36 3-series was the heater valve rattling at certain engine revs. If sounds to be from the rear it could well be the exhaust - worth taking a look at the state of the exhaust mounts.

Cheers R.

Bleh 2.0 - 2.1k

It's more like a vibrating sound come to think of it (just drove back from work) it to me sounds like it's coming from underneath towards the front driver side - do they have an undershield? I'm hoping it;s just a mount or loose screw.

I'm hoping to get it on some ramps soon to check it out.


Other than that I love the motor

[kayone]

Well after a bit of freetime today (off work) decided to have a blast with removing the Windscreen Tape - took little over two hours toughest part being removing the adhesive!

Once side done..


New shiney paint revealed..!

[Rob13]

I have an exhaust rattle that sound slike yours.... it is coming from inside the catalytic converter.....if you get on your knees, look under the car - its the box inline with the drivers door - so you can rev the car with one hand while looking underneath..... there is a heat shield on it at the front - but it is inside that is making the noise on mine.

Seems a new front pipe which inclides the cat is the only solution if thats what it is. Although before doing that I'm gonna try a long self tapper into it just incase it 'jams' the cat bit and stops the rattle....irritating as all the pipe work is fine.

[kayone]

I have an exhaust rattle that sound slike yours.... it is coming from inside the catalytic converter.....if you get on your knees, look under the car - its the box inline with the drivers door - so you can rev the car with one hand while looking underneath..... there is a heat shield on it at the front - but it is inside that is making the noise on mine.

Seems a new front pipe which inclides the cat is the only solution if thats what it is. Although before doing that I'm gonna try a long self tapper into it just incase it 'jams' the cat bit and stops the rattle....irritating as all the pipe work is fine.

Mines more a vibration noise.. but yes very annoying. I actually had the car jacked up today and notice there was a screw missing from the offside heatshield - so replaced that and also noticed that the centre pipe holding bracket had detoriorated into two seperate pieces.. but werer still firmly in place and the pipe didn't move anyhow so came to the conclusion it wasn't that - I did take it for a brief ride but it still wasn't fixed.