Z3 faults
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- Joined: Mon 09 Aug, 2010 11:59
- Posts: 43
- Location: Ash Vale
Z3 faults
Hi all,
i have had a 2002 3.0 Z3 Sport for just over a year and for the most part have been very happy with it. It looks, goes and sounds great. Unfortunately i am a complete perfectionist and the few annoying faults with the Z3 have been getting the better of me over the last few months especially. Its gotten to the point where i am thinking about getting rid but thought i would see what you guys think first. If i do keep the car in the long term then ultimately i would need to fix the following fault:
The gearbox. We all know that the Z3 has a notchy gearbox but im not willing to just accept that and put up with it. I have changed the gearbox oil, changed the gear knob for a chunkier (330 club sport) gear knob with a bit of weight to it, fitted a steel braided clutch hose AND removed the CDV (Clutch Delay Valve). These changes have improved the gearchange somewhat (although i might add that since the CDV/Clutch hose upgrade there is a loud squeak almost every time i depress the clutch pedal). The gearchange is still far to notchy. In my opinion it almost ruins the entire driving expreience. Sometimes it refuses to go into gear altogether. Especially from 3rd to 4th. I often have to give up go back into 3rd and then it will let me go into 4th. I have done some research attempting to find out if the gearbox can be completely changed for say a Z4 gearbox but am not sure if this can be done and how one would go about getting it done (im not the type to do it myself). Let me know what you think about this guys. Ultimately i need to know if i can fix the problem, how much hassle it will be, how much it will cost (roughly) and whether you think its a lost cause and not worth bothering with.
Thanks in advance.
i have had a 2002 3.0 Z3 Sport for just over a year and for the most part have been very happy with it. It looks, goes and sounds great. Unfortunately i am a complete perfectionist and the few annoying faults with the Z3 have been getting the better of me over the last few months especially. Its gotten to the point where i am thinking about getting rid but thought i would see what you guys think first. If i do keep the car in the long term then ultimately i would need to fix the following fault:
The gearbox. We all know that the Z3 has a notchy gearbox but im not willing to just accept that and put up with it. I have changed the gearbox oil, changed the gear knob for a chunkier (330 club sport) gear knob with a bit of weight to it, fitted a steel braided clutch hose AND removed the CDV (Clutch Delay Valve). These changes have improved the gearchange somewhat (although i might add that since the CDV/Clutch hose upgrade there is a loud squeak almost every time i depress the clutch pedal). The gearchange is still far to notchy. In my opinion it almost ruins the entire driving expreience. Sometimes it refuses to go into gear altogether. Especially from 3rd to 4th. I often have to give up go back into 3rd and then it will let me go into 4th. I have done some research attempting to find out if the gearbox can be completely changed for say a Z4 gearbox but am not sure if this can be done and how one would go about getting it done (im not the type to do it myself). Let me know what you think about this guys. Ultimately i need to know if i can fix the problem, how much hassle it will be, how much it will cost (roughly) and whether you think its a lost cause and not worth bothering with.
Thanks in advance.
I went down the new slave cylinder and braided hose route and there was a vast improvement,in fact it was sorted.
Then the slave cylinder failed with the piston literally pushed out of the end of the cylinder.(Yes it was the correct unit)
My local garage who had done the change reckoned it was down to the braided hose having no expansion(the main reason for fitting it)hence allowing too much fluid into the slave.
I wasn't around at this time so he refitted the original cylinder and hose.
The result was as good as the new slave and hose.
Moral of story is make sure that the clutch is correctly bled by BMW methods.
The gearbox is not notchy and the only issue that I have occasionally is engaging 1st from standstill.
No squeaks.
Then the slave cylinder failed with the piston literally pushed out of the end of the cylinder.(Yes it was the correct unit)
My local garage who had done the change reckoned it was down to the braided hose having no expansion(the main reason for fitting it)hence allowing too much fluid into the slave.
I wasn't around at this time so he refitted the original cylinder and hose.
The result was as good as the new slave and hose.
Moral of story is make sure that the clutch is correctly bled by BMW methods.
The gearbox is not notchy and the only issue that I have occasionally is engaging 1st from standstill.
No squeaks.
Re: Z3 faults
GrahamNorton wrote:Hi all,
i have had a 2002 3.0 Z3 Sport for just over a year and for the most part have been very happy with it. It looks, goes and sounds great. Unfortunately i am a complete perfectionist and the few annoying faults with the Z3 have been getting the better of me over the last few months especially. Its gotten to the point where i am thinking about getting rid but thought i would see what you guys think first. If i do keep the car in the long term then ultimately i would need to fix the following fault:
The gearbox. We all know that the Z3 has a notchy gearbox but im not willing to just accept that and put up with it. I have changed the gearbox oil, changed the gear knob for a chunkier (330 club sport) gear knob with a bit of weight to it, fitted a steel braided clutch hose AND removed the CDV (Clutch Delay Valve). These changes have improved the gearchange somewhat (although i might add that since the CDV/Clutch hose upgrade there is a loud squeak almost every time i depress the clutch pedal). The gearchange is still far to notchy. In my opinion it almost ruins the entire driving expreience. Sometimes it refuses to go into gear altogether. Especially from 3rd to 4th. I often have to give up go back into 3rd and then it will let me go into 4th. I have done some research attempting to find out if the gearbox can be completely changed for say a Z4 gearbox but am not sure if this can be done and how one would go about getting it done (im not the type to do it myself). Let me know what you think about this guys. Ultimately i need to know if i can fix the problem, how much hassle it will be, how much it will cost (roughly) and whether you think its a lost cause and not worth bothering with.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by TaffZee on Mon 11 Jul, 2011 09:14, edited 1 time in total.
1998 Atlanta Blue 2.8
You must have a duff gearbox, I have owned two now and although the gearchanges are not the smoothest, no problems have been encountered with selecting a gear.. After yours is a 9 year old car (mine is 13 years old) you have to put up with the little Idiosyncrasies, perfectionist or not.
Only way I see is a replacement Gear box. And yes of course it's worth it
Only way I see is a replacement Gear box. And yes of course it's worth it
1998 Atlanta Blue 2.8
- hornel Z3M
- Joined: Sun 16 May, 2004 20:33
- Posts: 1120
- Location: RAGLAN
z
I would assume all Z3 gearboxes are kind of notchy when selecting a gear, that is the best type of gearchange to have in a sports car, i love it as it engages and its real racey. Buy a ford focus they have lovely smooth gear changes
- RemarkLima
- Joined: Fri 08 Apr, 2011 13:22
- Posts: 271
There's a different between positive clear engagement of the gears, and not being able to get into gear at all! And if I had to double clutch / go back into 3rd, then 4th again it would also sour the fun for me I'd think.
Since having mine, I've had the gearbox oil changed and the brake / clutch fluid fully replaced and bled through and while a bit stiff when cold, it feels pretty good once it's warmed up... And yes, I'm still talking about gearboxes!
The only other thing I found that really helped is to shift a tiny bit closer to the wheel, so that the clutch pedal is fully depressed... May be worth go...
Since having mine, I've had the gearbox oil changed and the brake / clutch fluid fully replaced and bled through and while a bit stiff when cold, it feels pretty good once it's warmed up... And yes, I'm still talking about gearboxes!
The only other thing I found that really helped is to shift a tiny bit closer to the wheel, so that the clutch pedal is fully depressed... May be worth go...
I'm with Bill- on this one.
Unless your zed has starship mileage my suspect would be the clutch.
Gearbox that baulks when changing gears is usually a symptom of the clutch dragging - either the clutch itself or the slave cylinder isn't operating correctly.
Is the clutch pedal heavy to press down?
Another member on here had a very heavy clutch and I think on the advice of a BMW indie had the clutch replaced (can't remember if the DMF was done at the same time) - end result was a huge improvement in driveability.
Granted the box in the big engined zeds is agricultural but its just about bomb proof, the clutch however is liable to be subject to abuse (not necessarily by the current owner) from day one in any 'sports car'.
Squeaking from the clutch pedal is sometimes associated with a heavy clutch (given the extra force being applied through the pedal) and disappears after a clutch change.
If you have a good BMW independant nearby why not ask their opinion - they should be able to tell you whether the 'feel' of the clutch pedal and the resulting gear change in yours is appropriate for the model.
Unless your zed has starship mileage my suspect would be the clutch.
Gearbox that baulks when changing gears is usually a symptom of the clutch dragging - either the clutch itself or the slave cylinder isn't operating correctly.
Is the clutch pedal heavy to press down?
Another member on here had a very heavy clutch and I think on the advice of a BMW indie had the clutch replaced (can't remember if the DMF was done at the same time) - end result was a huge improvement in driveability.
Granted the box in the big engined zeds is agricultural but its just about bomb proof, the clutch however is liable to be subject to abuse (not necessarily by the current owner) from day one in any 'sports car'.
Squeaking from the clutch pedal is sometimes associated with a heavy clutch (given the extra force being applied through the pedal) and disappears after a clutch change.
If you have a good BMW independant nearby why not ask their opinion - they should be able to tell you whether the 'feel' of the clutch pedal and the resulting gear change in yours is appropriate for the model.
I had this problem with my 3.0 2000 model, i did finally sort the problem out i changed the clutch. It had developed a creaking noise when i depressed the clutch and i could not live with it any more so i went to Euro car parts payed them £150 for a new clutch and with the help of a friend put it in in 6 hours! It transformed the gearchange and reduced the clutch drag loads, the old clutch looked in ok condition but being eleven years old was just a bit long in the tooth . Now i have a silent clutch and gear changes are much better!
- RemarkLima
- Joined: Fri 08 Apr, 2011 13:22
- Posts: 271
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- Joined: Thu 02 Jun, 2011 14:54
- Posts: 82
New rubber hoses would have no expansion either they just become more pliable with time, so many people change to braided hoses, and i'm all with mods but interestingly new rubber ones would probably have same effect just perish faster!Frank.A wrote:My local garage who had done the change reckoned it was down to the braided hose having no expansion(the main reason for fitting it)hence allowing too much fluid into the slave.
I have the 3.0 and i have to say i dont have any of the symptoms mentioned. I too would go with the clutch. Maybe you could PM steveace as he works as a mech for BMW up north, he might be able to through some light on the issue
bill
bill
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Z3 3.0 Sports Sold
Z4 3.0si Ruby Black with Champagne Leather and Piano Black Dash
Z3 3.0 Sports Sold
Z4 3.0si Ruby Black with Champagne Leather and Piano Black Dash
I seem to recall reading somewhere that the six-speed box is too big for the transmission tunnel and that's why it was never fitted to even the later models.
I removed my CDV and always make sure the pedal goes to the floor and the gearchange is now acceptable.
I removed my CDV and always make sure the pedal goes to the floor and the gearchange is now acceptable.
Last edited by motco on Sat 02 Jun, 2012 06:48, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Z3 faults
My Z3 apparently had a whole new gearbox fitted in the first year of its life because the original owner complained of a very sticky and notchy gearbox. I have to say that mine is as smooth as a babies bum, so whatever BMW did it has fixed it. Although I do have a squeaky clutch slave cylinder .
- OldskoolRS
- Joined: Mon 06 Feb, 2012 14:23
- Posts: 412
- Location: Wokingham
Re: Z3 faults
As per another thread on here (in the Z3M section I think) there is a kit of parts for the top of the gearbox to improve the change. This is required if you suffer from a 'sticky' gearchange, but best tried after the usual clutch bleed and gearbox oil change (which is what I did for a bout £30 worth of fluids and less than an hour's work). Mine was a bit stiff when I first got it, but much better now. I tend to heel and toe (just because I love the sound of the engine ) so down changes are always pretty smooth.
To be fair I don't think I've used a gearbox that is as slick as my RS2000, so everything seems a bit rough in comparison, but then it only has 4 gears and isn't as fast as my Z3 3.0.
EDIT: This was the thread I meant: http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... =6&t=34674
To be fair I don't think I've used a gearbox that is as slick as my RS2000, so everything seems a bit rough in comparison, but then it only has 4 gears and isn't as fast as my Z3 3.0.
EDIT: This was the thread I meant: http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... =6&t=34674