Search found 263 matches

by therealdb1
Fri 31 Aug, 2018 22:13
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Another thing after another
Replies: 7
Views: 3195

Re: Another thing after another

When checking the rubber hoses you really need to take them all off the car, squeeze and bend them including the small ones that T off the belows unless there is a really obvious tear. You cannot inspect them properly in situ by simply popping the bonnet.
by therealdb1
Sat 25 Aug, 2018 21:09
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: car dead any ideas
Replies: 8
Views: 2916

Re: car dead any ideas

Two questions: Where did you measure 12v and was your voltmeter directly across the battery terminals? What do you mean by dead? Even with only 12v available it might not turn the car over but you would expect some lights to illuminate on the dashboard. It is also confusing when you say you have had...
by therealdb1
Mon 09 Jul, 2018 12:43
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: ABS & DSC lights again!
Replies: 9
Views: 3493

Re: ABS & DSC lights again!

It might just be corrosion or a reluctor ring caked up so the fix would be easy and cheap but it would be handy if you knew which corner was causing the problem.

Perhaps mickdev can advise where to look on the C110 for that specific information.
by therealdb1
Wed 18 Apr, 2018 16:45
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: DSC light permanently on (code 163)
Replies: 7
Views: 3196

Re: DSC light permanently on (code 163)

Try here Phil: http://wedophones.com/BMWManualsLead.htm Their 'BMW Z3 - M Roadster - Z3 - M Coupe Electrical Troubleshooting' download is the same as my Bentley Manual for 2002 MY. There is some confusion over the set up applicable to your car but going by the wire colours the DSC III appears the mo...
by therealdb1
Sat 14 Apr, 2018 22:23
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: DSC light permanently on (code 163)
Replies: 7
Views: 3196

Re: DSC light permanently on (code 163)

Hi Phil, Yes that potentiometer is the sort of thing I had in mind. I am a bit confused as to the value of it though. Might be worth looking at Maplin (30p for a 10 kOhm linear) or an alternative electronics supplier. I had a quick flick through some wiring diagrams and it appears that supply goes t...
by therealdb1
Sat 14 Apr, 2018 21:52
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: ABS/DSC fault codes
Replies: 3
Views: 4164

Re: ABS/DSC fault codes

There could be a clue on your faults list.
5DF4 says the system voltage is less than 9 volts and you admit to needing a new battery.
You need a decent battery fitted first before you even start diagnosis.
by therealdb1
Wed 11 Apr, 2018 21:53
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: DSC light permanently on (code 163)
Replies: 7
Views: 3196

Re: DSC light permanently on (code 163)

It could be that you need to zero the replacement sensor. If you have a diagnostic package like INPA you should be able to see the live output from the sensor which will vary if you leave it connected electrically but move it around. It will also show you if the output is within expected parameters....
by therealdb1
Sun 25 Mar, 2018 22:44
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: ABS and ASC lights on
Replies: 3
Views: 2124

Re: ABS and ASC lights on

My car used to do that occasionally particularly if it had not been used in a while. It seemed to clear itself after a heat cycle so I put it down to damp/condensation in one of the connectors somewhere. When the car was in regular use it never seemed to be a problem.
by therealdb1
Mon 12 Feb, 2018 23:01
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Tyres!
Replies: 6
Views: 2750

Re: Tyres!

I have ZV5's on my daily driver and I would say they are the best tyres I've had all things considered like grip, noise, price, wear and I have tried most of the "premium" brands. The previous set drove from Lowestoft to Lancaster and back a couple of years ago with 10" of snow in pla...
by therealdb1
Mon 29 Jan, 2018 22:49
Forum: Z4 roadster and Z4 Coupe
Topic: Pothole!
Replies: 7
Views: 5754

Re: Pothole!

Tyre recommendations anyone? That's like asking for a favourite colour! :D Personally for the 335i I fitted Fulda Sportcontrol 2 as I didn't fancy paying the same money for some far Eastern brand I have never heard of which is all tyre places stock these days or paying £200 per corner for a "p...
by therealdb1
Fri 26 Jan, 2018 23:18
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Please help save my 2.8L all original atlanta blue!
Replies: 15
Views: 5899

Re: Please help save my 2.8L all original atlanta blue!

Unless you have an "agreed value" with the insurance company, in which case you will know what it is and probably paid extra for it, it will only be insured for the market value of the car and not £8k despite whatever you write on the form. That is why they will write it off. Just looking ...
by therealdb1
Thu 25 Jan, 2018 22:27
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Please help save my 2.8L all original atlanta blue!
Replies: 15
Views: 5899

Re: Please help save my 2.8L all original atlanta blue!

Where did the quote of £3k come from? That sounds like BMW prices. Sure there is plenty of work to do but you need someone who knows what they are looking at to take a proper peek at it with the bumper and wheel off rather than just saying "insurance job + old car = write off"! You could a...
by therealdb1
Thu 25 Jan, 2018 16:31
Forum: Z4 roadster and Z4 Coupe
Topic: Pothole!
Replies: 7
Views: 5754

Re: Pothole!

What diameter wheels and profile tyres do you have? I know that 19" wheels with 30 profile runflats are prone to cracking rims. Worth taking the suspect wheel(s) off and inspecting the inside of the rim carefully and keep an eye on the tyre pressures. They can be welded by specialists but I'd r...
by therealdb1
Tue 23 Jan, 2018 16:59
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Fitting Z3 rear tonneau cover.
Replies: 10
Views: 5068

Re: Fitting Z3 rear tonneau cover.

I got one of those covers for my Z3 when I cherished it.
To be honest it was such a PIA to keep taking on and off and I was always worried that it would fly off at speed (to be fair it never did!) that I hardly ever used it.
Both car and cover long gone now though :bawl:
by therealdb1
Tue 23 Jan, 2018 16:55
Forum: Z1 roadster
Topic: Silverstone Pits
Replies: 5
Views: 3522

Re: Silverstone Pits

Hi Geoff, thanks for the photos it's always interesting to see snippets of history.
My question is "late '70's"?
I understand the Z1 was not unleashed upon an unsuspecting public until 1989 and the "F" number plate on the blue car would substantiate this date.
by therealdb1
Mon 25 Dec, 2017 23:23
Forum: M Roadster and M coupé
Topic: Were Either Model Made With Automatic Gearbox?
Replies: 7
Views: 5766

Re: Were Either Model Made With Automatic Gearbox?

It is a Japanese import since January 2011. That alone is not a reason to walk away but the seller obviously knows nothing about the car or just cannot be bothered to advertise it properly. The advert states it is a 2.8 with a manual box but also that it is an automatic (backed up by the photos) and...
by therealdb1
Wed 13 Dec, 2017 16:57
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Replacement Clutch
Replies: 3
Views: 1660

Re: Replacement Clutch

Moral of the story is when the clutch starts to slip fix it!
Don't wait to become immobile :D
400 euros sounds ok. I would not want to do the job for that money.
Hopefully he will find that the flywheel is in good condition when he gets the gearbox out and costs will not escalate.
by therealdb1
Wed 13 Dec, 2017 11:30
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Battery removal help
Replies: 6
Views: 3967

Re: Battery removal help

Is this a factory fit BMW alarm?
With the lid open to disconnect the battery the alarm will not be armed so it shouldn't be triggered.
If it is an aftermarket one you'll need to find where it gets its back up supply from and disconnect that.
by therealdb1
Wed 13 Dec, 2017 11:25
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Z3 Cold engine RPM
Replies: 18
Views: 6805

Re: Z3 Cold engine RPM

Colb has offered sensible advice but one other simple thing you could try, if you haven't already, is disconnect the electrical connection to the MAF and start up. This will force the engine management to select a fixed value for intake air rather than taking the real time value from the MAF. I had ...
by therealdb1
Fri 01 Dec, 2017 13:07
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Broken suspension springs ??
Replies: 19
Views: 8685

Re: Broken suspension springs ??

zedzedthree wrote: Fri 01 Dec, 2017 11:40 have known quite a few LR variant ( Range Rover/Discovery) owners who also had no broken springs
Are they the ones with air suspension!!! :lol:
by therealdb1
Wed 29 Nov, 2017 09:31
Forum: M Roadster and M coupé
Topic: Making hard decision
Replies: 26
Views: 15703

Re: Making hard decision

So I have heard on the dedicated forum but fortunately the previous owner had already done the ditching and fitted proper tyres so I have only experienced the car without runflats. I have to say I am more than happy with how it rides but then it only has 34,000 miles on the clock the poor old Z had ...
by therealdb1
Tue 28 Nov, 2017 23:20
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Free Z3 bits
Replies: 4
Views: 3781

Re: Free Z3 bits

Hi Juvva
It is here

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z3-Drive ... Sw9mpaB4ry

For its age it seems quite solid but I wasn't getting any response on the forum so I listed it on good old ebay
by therealdb1
Tue 28 Nov, 2017 23:03
Forum: M Roadster and M coupé
Topic: Making hard decision
Replies: 26
Views: 15703

Re: Making hard decision

I was in a similar situation to you recently. Starting to struggle with entrances and exits from the Z. Added to that it needed a fair amount of tidying up to make it how I would have liked it so I cut my losses and headed for comfort. A 335i convertible auto with flappy paddles. Ok it is not an M3 ...
by therealdb1
Mon 27 Nov, 2017 22:38
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Breakdown cover
Replies: 11
Views: 5015

Re: Breakdown cover

Like most insurance companies loyalty means nothing to them and they rely on the sheep that just blindly pay their renewal each year at a premium mark up to survive. Unlike the old days where you had to involve an agent or spend an entire day on the phone, you can get multiple quotes in minutes on t...
by therealdb1
Mon 27 Nov, 2017 00:06
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Broken suspension springs ??
Replies: 19
Views: 8685

Re: Broken suspension springs ??

Rear spring had snapped but you would never know from looking at the car or driving it.
I bet the MOT tester would have spotted it. They always seem to on my cars! Its a bread and butter job for them these days.
by therealdb1
Mon 27 Nov, 2017 00:00
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Breakdown cover
Replies: 11
Views: 5015

Re: Breakdown cover

I signed myself and the wife up to Auto Aid after 20 odd years with RAC. The major assistance companies cannot get anywhere near the price. We have not had to call their services as yet so that will be the acid test but since between the pair of us we travel less than 7000 miles a year using the who...
by therealdb1
Sat 25 Nov, 2017 17:09
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Broken suspension springs ??
Replies: 19
Views: 8685

Re: Broken suspension springs ??

This was a common failure on the Vauxhall Cavalier / Chevette in the mid to late 1970's so it is not a new phenomenon. It is not a particularly difficult or expensive repair and road springs have to be seen as consumable items like suspension bushes or shock absorbers. It is just that rather than gr...
by therealdb1
Sat 25 Nov, 2017 14:14
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Free Z3 bits
Replies: 4
Views: 3781

Re: Free Z3 bits

Bump. Last call for these bits if anyone is interested.
The skip is outside and whilst it is a shame to bin them when other Zedders could use them that will be their fate as I no longer have a use and I am in a cathartic clearout mindframe at the moment.
by therealdb1
Sat 25 Nov, 2017 14:08
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Rear tracking?
Replies: 8
Views: 3737

Re: Rear tracking?

Anything is adjustable it just depends how much effort you want to go to to adjust it. When the manual states that the suspension is not adjustable they mean that the geometry is fixed from the factory but as has already been said you can change certain bushes and arms that will change that "fi...
by therealdb1
Tue 07 Nov, 2017 14:29
Forum: Let's talk
Topic: BMW Car Club special membership offer
Replies: 8
Views: 14297

Re: BMW Car Club special membership offer

Funny, Cotswold BMW are the only dealer to officially offer E90 Forum members a discount and certainly their mail order parts service is exceptional. For example, a genuine BMW replacement TPMS valve for a 335i was received next day and the price including postage was almost 30% less than I could bu...
by therealdb1
Sun 05 Nov, 2017 15:19
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Free Z3 bits
Replies: 4
Views: 3781

Free Z3 bits

Similar to our favourite young lady from Canada I have a couple of bits ready to find a good home here in the UK and I do not want anything for them provided that you cover the cost of postage. I have a used washer bottle which I believe fits the 4 cylinder cars at the front of the engine bay. It is...
by therealdb1
Fri 22 Sep, 2017 21:47
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Hesitating throttle,
Replies: 2
Views: 1863

Re: Hesitating throttle,

Sounds like it could be a throttle position sensor which I believe is integral with the throttle body on the 3l or maybe the throttle motor. I am guessing you have been around all the hoses checking for air leaks. Two things to try, do the test you have already done but with the MAF electrically dis...
by therealdb1
Fri 22 Sep, 2017 21:37
Forum: Stock exchange
Topic: WANTED. lateral load sensor
Replies: 7
Views: 3315

Re: WANTED. lateral load sensor

With INPA you should be able to check the yaw sensor. Bring up the sensor live data on the screen, unbolt the sensor from the floor, and twist the sensor side to side whilst it is still plugged into the car. You will be able to see the straight ahead position and if it is reacting to sideways moveme...
by therealdb1
Fri 15 Sep, 2017 13:17
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Erratic starter???
Replies: 5
Views: 2580

Re: Erratic starter???

The other free test you can do then is when it fails to start check if the ignition light on the dashboard dims. Then if you can reach, give the starter motor a gentle tap with a hammer. Yes really! Sometimes when the motor brushes wear out there is not enough tension in the spring to keep them in c...
by therealdb1
Fri 15 Sep, 2017 12:06
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Erratic starter???
Replies: 5
Views: 2580

Re: Erratic starter???

Does anything happen at all when you turn the key? I have yet to work out why but quite a common problem on the Z, well I've had it twice and I know of others who have noticed it, is that the battery leads can become loose on the terminals. There is enough contact to light up the instrument panel bu...
by therealdb1
Tue 12 Sep, 2017 21:45
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: where is the sensor that reads vacuum ?
Replies: 17
Views: 8830

Re: where is the sensor that reads vacuum ?

I do not believe there is a vacuum sensor. Sparing you the physics, gas flowrate is proportional to gas density, temperature and pressure. Air density is fairly well known so pressure could be calculated rather than measured. Of concern to me are the anomolies in the screenshot you show. Throttle sa...
by therealdb1
Mon 11 Sep, 2017 21:27
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: where is the sensor that reads vacuum ?
Replies: 17
Views: 8830

Re: where is the sensor that reads vacuum ?

Why do you need to know vacuum?
The MAF gives the mass of air going in and the ECU controls the fuel going in through the injectors and then gets feedback from the lambda sensor(s) to tweak the fuelling accordingly.
by therealdb1
Wed 06 Sep, 2017 22:49
Forum: Let's talk
Topic: Secondary air pump M52 TU any tips thoughts?
Replies: 4
Views: 5892

Re: Secondary air pump M52 TU any tips thoughts?

As ZZ3 has done along with many others drop kick the pump down the road and blank off the port in the manifold. You will not need to remap anything as all this pump does is to blow fresh air into the exhaust while the engine is warming up to get the car through stupidly low emissions requirements in...
by therealdb1
Mon 04 Sep, 2017 22:05
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Pinking (pre-ignition) 1999 2ltre
Replies: 69
Views: 22417

Re: Pinking (pre-ignition) 1999 2ltre

You should try Pennsylvania in December! That was my last trip to the States and I got diverted from New York to Atlanta as that was the only airport recieving International flights at the time due to the East Coast being under 4 feet of snow. We could learn a lot from from those guys. Get up early ...
by therealdb1
Mon 04 Sep, 2017 13:47
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Pinking (pre-ignition) 1999 2ltre
Replies: 69
Views: 22417

Re: Pinking (pre-ignition) 1999 2ltre

All right for some! :D
I hope Florida lived up to expectations.
by therealdb1
Mon 04 Sep, 2017 13:44
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Advice needed
Replies: 5
Views: 2394

Re: Advice needed

The air pump only operates for about a minute after start up and its sole function is to blow fresh air into the exhaust to meet some mamby pamby American legislation not applicable to the UK. In fact now they are starting to age and cause hassle many British drivers blank off the port in the manifo...
by therealdb1
Sun 20 Aug, 2017 21:29
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: MOT concern
Replies: 13
Views: 5850

Re: MOT concern

The most ridiculous advisory I have had is the "removal of an object from the windscreen obscuring the driver's view". Any guesses what that object was??? The removal of the tax disc holder that was correctly positioned in the bottom left of the windscreen and until the previous month had ...
by therealdb1
Mon 31 Jul, 2017 21:05
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Pinking (pre-ignition) 1999 2ltre
Replies: 69
Views: 22417

Re: Pinking (pre-ignition) 1999 2ltre

Sorry Paul I cannot put you out of your misery. My new (2nd hand MAF) worked straight out of the jiffy bag it arrived in! I still think the temperature thing is a bit of a red herring. If your engine was coked up I could see how a higher temperature could pre-ignite the fuel but I still feel that th...
by therealdb1
Sat 29 Jul, 2017 23:04
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Handbrake service - calliper removal
Replies: 2
Views: 1415

Re: Handbrake service - calliper removal

It is probably because whoever wrote the procedure expects there to be a lip around the outer edge of the disc and it will be difficult to lift the caliper off the disc without removal of the pads. To get the pads out you have to do what it says. You can often find a simple workaround on many jobs w...
by therealdb1
Sat 29 Jul, 2017 18:14
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: PAS fluid on the drive
Replies: 5
Views: 2058

Re: PAS fluid on the drive

Just an update, ready made pipes arrived from Power Steering Store situated between Coventry and Solihull complete with o-rings. I was happy with the inclusive price of £30 for both pipes, four seals and postage and they arrived the following day. Fitted with only moderate swearing once I found it w...
by therealdb1
Wed 26 Jul, 2017 18:51
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Pinking (pre-ignition) 1999 2ltre
Replies: 69
Views: 22417

Re: Pinking (pre-ignition) 1999 2ltre

:lol: That's exactly what I did Paul just to prove it was the MAF.
3 years later I am still using it!
by therealdb1
Mon 24 Jul, 2017 22:14
Forum: Spotted!
Topic: w reg blue z3 3 ltr lidles
Replies: 2
Views: 3789

Re: w reg blue z3 3 ltr lidles

Really John? The Lidl round here is full of the ridiculous Porsche SUV things! I think there should be a law that enforces manufacturers to only make what they are good at and companies such as Porsche, Jaguar and Bentley should leave soft roaders to nondescript mass market box manufacturers. :head:...
by therealdb1
Mon 24 Jul, 2017 21:55
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Pinking (pre-ignition) 1999 2ltre
Replies: 69
Views: 22417

Re: Pinking (pre-ignition) 1999 2ltre

The bad news for the OP is that a malfunctioning MAF will probably not show up on any code reader. Substitution is the only test and they are not cheap!
As I have said before my MAF failed so catastrophically that the engine would not even start when it was plugged in. No errors and no warning lights.
by therealdb1
Mon 24 Jul, 2017 10:18
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: PAS fluid on the drive
Replies: 5
Views: 2058

Re: PAS fluid on the drive

Thanks Colb but that post appears to relate to the high pressure hose which is the common failure but not the one that is leaking on my car. That is why it is a surprise. It is the shorter of the two pipes listed as #4 here http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=CL32-EUR-09_1998_Z3_BMW_Z3_20&a...
by therealdb1
Mon 24 Jul, 2017 08:40
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: PAS fluid on the drive
Replies: 5
Views: 2058

PAS fluid on the drive

An unusual one this, to me at least! Drove the Z with no problems in the morning. Jumped in late afternoon and started up to hear an unpleasant noise and no power assistance to the steering. Popped the lid and opened the PAS fluid reservoir and all that was left was a few bubbles. Locked up the Z an...