Search found 251 matches

by John Wilson
Sun 16 Jul, 2023 14:39
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: So So Sad
Replies: 15
Views: 18540

Re: So So Sad

I no longer have a Z3 so don't post any more, but still have a fondness for the forum. I think when photobucket removed all the pictures from the site it was a big blow and a lot of technical knowledge was lost. And , of course, the competition from the 'org' site doesnt help. Nice to see Mike Fishw...
by John Wilson
Mon 26 Nov, 2018 11:58
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: accelerator pedal
Replies: 5
Views: 2721

Re: accelerator pedal

I would go for a new cable rather than oiling. They are not expensive and the improvement is so dramatic that its like driving another car. Its pretty easy to replace with the only tricky bit is attaching the ball end of the cable which you cant see but have to feel where the slot is that the ball g...
by John Wilson
Sat 04 Aug, 2018 22:51
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Headlight 'Glass' Cleaning results?
Replies: 8
Views: 3994

Re: Headlight 'Glass' Cleaning results?

I did mine with wet and dry paper with various grades down to 2500, then finished with Plastx polish. I took the headlights off the car first and used a block to keep the surface flat. It worked really well but takes a nerve when starting as the surface becomes immediately opaque at first.
by John Wilson
Mon 23 Jul, 2018 16:40
Forum: The Lounge
Topic: This isn't as easy as it looks!
Replies: 5
Views: 5093

Re: This isn't as easy as it looks!

I didnt realise you could vary the number of pieces til you said. At least there wasnt one piece missing as is usually the case. I refuse to say my time.
by John Wilson
Sun 22 Jul, 2018 21:33
Forum: The Lounge
Topic: This isn't as easy as it looks!
Replies: 5
Views: 5093

Re: This isn't as easy as it looks!

Finished. That’s a week of my life I’ll never get back.
by John Wilson
Mon 09 Jul, 2018 17:08
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: ABS & DSC lights again!
Replies: 9
Views: 3493

Re: ABS & DSC lights again!

They are easy to clean just with a brush to get the crud off the end. The hard bit is removing them to do the job. They are like a bung in a socket and are held in place with an allen head bolt. If they are corroded in I would suggest a good soak with releasing oil (not WD 40). This is firstly to pr...
by John Wilson
Mon 09 Jul, 2018 16:13
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: ABS & DSC lights again!
Replies: 9
Views: 3493

Re: ABS & DSC lights again!

Have you cleaned the sensors themselves. They need regular cleaning. Its hard the first time because they corrode in place but after that it becomes a very quick job. Thats usually the problem, rather than the ring. Do the lot then you dont need to worry about which ones to blame.
by John Wilson
Sat 30 Jun, 2018 17:53
Forum: The Lounge
Topic: Boiler repair engineer recommendations in Basingstoke/Hampshire area.
Replies: 4
Views: 4360

Re: Boiler repair engineer recommendations in Basingstoke/Hampshire area.

The Z3 doesn’t have a steam engine. You must be confusing it with an SLK. Just stop shovelling in coal, and put petrol in it. Then it will run just fine. Hope that’s some help.
by John Wilson
Fri 08 Jun, 2018 11:52
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: MOT failure
Replies: 8
Views: 2528

Re: MOT failure

First, Mike, it’s nice to see you back on the site after all this time. You are really a mine of information even with your ‘abrupt’ way of posting. I thought you must be wrong in this case, so I went out to check, and, indeed, the green light is for the front fog light. Could it not be the the fron...
by John Wilson
Mon 14 May, 2018 19:51
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Not idling well..
Replies: 6
Views: 2866

Re: Not idling well..

I’m with Joycey here. The fact that it is rough idling only some of the time. Cleaning out the idle control valve costs nothing even though it’s a bit fiddley with getting the boots off and on down the inlet side. It’s a also good way to check the condition of the boots while you’re doing it.
by John Wilson
Mon 26 Mar, 2018 19:48
Forum: Stock exchange
Topic: Front wheel arch top trim
Replies: 10
Views: 3227

Re: Front wheel arch top trim

Its part of the wheel arch liner. Its one continuous piece with a thin bit that goes over the top (Ive just replaced mine as it was shredded at the front).
by John Wilson
Sat 06 Jan, 2018 14:26
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Bloody Alarm!
Replies: 13
Views: 8007

Re: Bloody Alarm!

Can’t you get to the bottom of the problem of why the boot is filling with water, rather than just making holes for its escape. It’s usually caused by the ariel grommet perishing which is a simple fix.
by John Wilson
Thu 31 Aug, 2017 17:20
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: I'm coming back!
Replies: 2
Views: 2433

Re: I'm coming back!

Welcome back! Not much advice to give you but it'll be interesting to know how you get on. I've taken the sills off my Z, had them sandblasted and repainted at a bodyshop but I'm guessing yours might be too far gone for that. Anyway, good luck with the project and keep us updated.
by John Wilson
Thu 10 Aug, 2017 22:38
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: How do I remove a seized on starter motor?
Replies: 14
Views: 5314

Re: How do I remove a seized on starter motor?

Oh sorry, I was thinking the starter was engaged. If its not,that wont do any good.
by John Wilson
Thu 10 Aug, 2017 22:33
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: How do I remove a seized on starter motor?
Replies: 14
Views: 5314

Re: How do I remove a seized on starter motor?

How about putting the car in gear and rocking it back and forward?
by John Wilson
Sat 29 Jul, 2017 21:25
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: It stopped ..downhill ?
Replies: 6
Views: 3243

Re: It stopped ..downhill ?

Could it be the idle control valve just needs a clean out?
by John Wilson
Sun 23 Jul, 2017 17:28
Forum: Spotted!
Topic: w reg blue z3 3 ltr lidles
Replies: 2
Views: 3787

Re: w reg blue z3 3 ltr lidles

There must be some mistake. Z3 owners only shop at Waitrose. It must have been an MX5.
by John Wilson
Fri 14 Jul, 2017 17:19
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: ABS/DSC Problem?
Replies: 14
Views: 6581

Re: ABS/DSC Problem?

You dont need all that. Its almost certainly a wheel sensor that needs cleaning. Its an allen key bolt for each one. If they havent been done before, lots of soaking in releasing oil (not WD40). The bolts can shear so be careful otherwise they will need drilling out. The sensors themselves will be j...
by John Wilson
Thu 22 Jun, 2017 17:48
Forum: Site Announcements and Feedback
Topic: Forum Maintenance - Saturday 17th June 2017 12-3pm
Replies: 13
Views: 8899

Re: Forum Maintenance - Saturday 17th June 2017 12-3pm

Yea, thanks for all your hard work. Much appreciated.
John
by John Wilson
Wed 17 May, 2017 22:07
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Engine hunting when reversing.
Replies: 4
Views: 2159

Re: Engine hunting when reversing.

Yes, I think it's just that You are going at a slow speed when going into the garage rather than the fact that you are reversing. It used to happen to my Z3 (a 2litre 2000 so similar to yours) when coming back from a run and going forwards into the garage. It would over rev then drop right down and ...
by John Wilson
Wed 03 May, 2017 15:58
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Head gasket failure - repair or scrap :(
Replies: 23
Views: 7960

Re: Head gasket failure - repair or scrap :(

You make it sound so easy John!! :wink: I guess its one of those things you dont know until you open it up. The best quote I've got is £680 all in including skimming, so I guess a bit less without the skim. Half of the mechanics flat our refused to quote. Sorry, I didnt mean to sound cocky. I was j...
by John Wilson
Wed 03 May, 2017 15:29
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Head gasket failure - repair or scrap :(
Replies: 23
Views: 7960

Re: Head gasket failure - repair or scrap :(

Do you really need to skim the head anyway. I have had head gaskets go on other cars in the past and Ive always just whipped the head off and bunged a new gasket on without any problems.
by John Wilson
Tue 25 Apr, 2017 13:23
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Inherited Z3
Replies: 24
Views: 8634

Re: Inherited Z3

Welcome to the forum. I was wondering if the roof could just be reproofed. It doesnt look generally worn and the window looks prety good, without the usual fold across the middle. The window can be polished up with Maguiars PlastX. That said, there does seem to be a gap at the window. Is it just not...
by John Wilson
Sat 22 Apr, 2017 11:28
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Badge Bar fitted
Replies: 3
Views: 1507

Re: Badge Bar fitted

A nice big //M badge wou?d be good. (Im not trying to wind up certain M owners).
by John Wilson
Fri 21 Apr, 2017 09:56
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Z3 Sofa??
Replies: 5
Views: 2333

Re: Z3 Sofa??

Yes, I like the trailer as well. Better quality. But can someone tell that woman to stop sitting on the bonnet. She'll put a dent in it. Unless she's giving it a quick shammy over with that leather.
by John Wilson
Thu 20 Apr, 2017 21:03
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: ABS fault?
Replies: 11
Views: 4224

Re: ABS fault?

Before you do all that, have you tried cleaning all the wheel sensors. It should be easy to do if they have been replaced. Just one bolt each one with an allen key. I used to have regular problems with my ABS light years ago when I first got the Z3. Now I clean the sensors once a year and never have...
by John Wilson
Tue 18 Apr, 2017 09:47
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Z3 Sofa??
Replies: 5
Views: 2333

Re: Z3 Sofa??

On a positive side, it's been cut down to a good size to throw straight into a skip.
by John Wilson
Sat 15 Apr, 2017 11:30
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Expensive problem still not fully resolved
Replies: 35
Views: 14807

Re: Expensive problem still not fully resolved

I suppose its not something simple like the regular problems of a split in one of the boots on the inlet side which developed through being disturbed with the original work?
by John Wilson
Tue 11 Apr, 2017 12:37
Forum: Let's talk
Topic: An S54 M Roadster for sale?
Replies: 20
Views: 12914

Re: An S54 M Roadster for sale?

The moderators will be complaining soon. Theres no price on it.
by John Wilson
Fri 07 Apr, 2017 23:02
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Engine Light and strange idle.
Replies: 8
Views: 2412

Re: Engine Light and strange idle.

Theres the idle control valve. It could need cleaning. Its not a bad job except for access to the jubillee clips around the boots. While the inlet side is off, also check that the butterfly is not sticking when closed. Search the forum for how to do it.
by John Wilson
Fri 07 Apr, 2017 09:51
Forum: Let's talk
Topic: London congestion charges
Replies: 11
Views: 7486

Re: London congestion charges

How do you enforce 30 million vehicles? Once a year at an MOT. Youve answered your own question there. Theres loads of people on this forum who have had failed emissions on their MOT. Charging batteries from power stations is an incredibly inefficient way of powering cars. I cant remember the figur...
by John Wilson
Tue 04 Apr, 2017 21:54
Forum: Let's talk
Topic: London congestion charges
Replies: 11
Views: 7486

London congestion charges

I see that for Z1, Z3 and some Z4 drivers, we'll have to pay to drive through London. I think it will be £24 a day. The real problem on our roads are diesel cars. They produce the PM10 paticles that are small enough to penetrate into the lungs and have caused such a huge increase in asthma amongst y...
by John Wilson
Sun 02 Apr, 2017 10:25
Forum: Spotted!
Topic: Z3 Wideboy
Replies: 5
Views: 4418

Re: Z3 Wideboy

I quite like the term 'Wideboy'. It sounds a bit Harley Davidson like 'Softtail'
by John Wilson
Sun 19 Mar, 2017 16:35
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Helpful Tips?
Replies: 20
Views: 7576

Re: Helpful Tips?

Nick some of your significant other's E45 cream, massage it liberally into your leather seats and other leather bit on your Z. Leave it overnight to soak in then go over it with a microfibre to remove residue. I heard somewhere that the top leather guy at Aston Martin does this. It was just on the ...
by John Wilson
Sun 19 Mar, 2017 12:18
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Help! Wipers stopping when stationary
Replies: 10
Views: 3549

Re: Help! Wipers stopping when stationary

I think your boyfriend is just making a meal of it so that next time out, you'll be driving and he can have a few drinks. My wipers stop at traffic lights, by the way.
by John Wilson
Thu 09 Mar, 2017 23:09
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Helpful Tips?
Replies: 20
Views: 7576

Re: Helpful Tips?

Not for z's but, I used to own an old MG Magnette which had an electric fuel pump at the side of the boot. The points on it used to sometimes stick causing the engine to splutter and stop. I used to have a spanner hanging in the boot by a string. When I could feel fuel stavation happening, a small j...
by John Wilson
Sat 11 Feb, 2017 11:22
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Calling all lowered zeds! post a pic please..
Replies: 18
Views: 5756

Re: Calling all lowered zeds! post a pic please..

Looking back on this post, its nice to see Tori's Z3 back in 2011. Tori was a regular contributor on the site back in those days and I always thought that was the best looking Z3 I have seen. I wonder who bought it (for £6000?) and whether it's still around.
by John Wilson
Fri 06 Jan, 2017 20:14
Forum: The Lounge
Topic: To my .org friends!
Replies: 39
Views: 13889

Re: To my .org friends!

I cant work out whats happening here. Bonzos post has been removed just for mentioning the Sandringham meet on the org site. My post in support and being purely complementary about org members has also been removed. Ar we we not allowed to mention the 'other' site or what. I'm not trying to stir thi...
by John Wilson
Thu 29 Dec, 2016 09:41
Forum: The Lounge
Topic: To my .org friends!
Replies: 39
Views: 13889

Re: To my .org friends!

Go faster stripes anyone?
You're banned!
by John Wilson
Tue 27 Dec, 2016 23:23
Forum: The Lounge
Topic: To my .org friends!
Replies: 39
Views: 13889

Re: To my .org friends!

Well, keep posting on the net. If any of us disagrees about gills, I think we can get over it (though it might take some time).
by John Wilson
Tue 27 Dec, 2016 12:23
Forum: The Lounge
Topic: To my .org friends!
Replies: 39
Views: 13889

Re: To my .org friends!

Something to do with crome gills? I believe its an automatic ban if you dont like them -harsh but fair.
by John Wilson
Sat 19 Nov, 2016 16:44
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: tool box
Replies: 8
Views: 2538

Re: tool box

I've never seen Halfords advanced socket sets at anything other than half price, a bit like a DFS sale. They are good though except the box doesnt keep the sockets in place when closed, so you either have to keep the box upright or use the bit of foam to keep them in place, which quickly disintegrat...
by John Wilson
Thu 17 Nov, 2016 18:30
Forum: Site Announcements and Feedback
Topic: Performance Problems
Replies: 6
Views: 6025

Re: Performance Problems

Thanks for sorting it out, Robert. You re a hero. Now just come round and sort out my landline cold calling.
by John Wilson
Tue 25 Oct, 2016 20:01
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Northern Spain in a Z3M
Replies: 10
Views: 7747

Re: Northern Spain in a Z3M

Really interesting account. And fortunately the views didnt get in the way of the lovely Z3M.
by John Wilson
Tue 25 Oct, 2016 19:45
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Paint and where to purchase
Replies: 2
Views: 1404

Re: Paint and where to purchase

I dont know about topas blue, but after trying a couple of specialist paint firms, that he best match for titan silver was from Halfords! The touch up pen is also really nice to use.
by John Wilson
Mon 19 Sep, 2016 11:02
Forum: The Lounge
Topic: More loutish behaviour...
Replies: 4
Views: 5059

Re: More loutish behaviour...

I'm not sure what point is being made here. Surely he boot floor problems and the vanos problems are the fault of poor design by BMW and not that you should never accelerate hard in a Z3M. I have never had an M but I cant really see the point of owning one if you never put your foot down hard to exp...
by John Wilson
Sun 18 Sep, 2016 07:57
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Kwik Fit MOT – ABS & ASC+T lights on like a Christmas tree
Replies: 18
Views: 5014

Re: Kwik Fit MOT – ABS & ASC+T lights on like a Christmas tr

I think we're being a bit unfair to Kwik Fit. It's more BMWs fault for having such tempremental sensors. I take my wheel sensors out and clean them at least once a year to stop the lights going on together with the limp mode. If this happens in a Kwik Fit or other garage, they have to fail it if it ...
by John Wilson
Sun 11 Sep, 2016 21:17
Forum: Let's talk
Topic: What the..........
Replies: 8
Views: 5882

Re: What the..........

When we first got the Z3, we used to have the top down all the time, even at night and in winter, except when raining. Now the top is still mostly down, but on busy motorways (in this country) we sometimes put it up. Its just so noisy with the traffic noise and it's just not fun anymore. I know the ...
by John Wilson
Fri 09 Sep, 2016 17:38
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: accelerator pedal sticking
Replies: 6
Views: 2671

Re: accelerator pedal sticking

I would go for a new cable. Its not a lot of money, easy to replace, and it makes such a difference in the driving. I used to be of the opinion that oiling it would do, put it tends to break down on the inside so doesnt work properly. Theres threads telling how to remove it- theres a ball on one end...
by John Wilson
Thu 08 Sep, 2016 20:08
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Rust compared to SLKs
Replies: 5
Views: 2020

Rust compared to SLKs

I was talking to someone at work. He has an SLK from 2001. He is just getting a full respray because of rust problems. It's apparently all over, including between the skins in the bonnet. With Z3s you might get a bonnet respray because of road chips but not rust from inside (mine is a year older tha...