Search found 251 matches

by John Wilson
Tue 16 Aug, 2016 11:38
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Best tyres to eliminate tramlining
Replies: 26
Views: 9411

Re: Best tyres to eliminate tramlining

I agree with Bonzo. ZV5's on the front completely cured my bad tramlining. It is like driving a different car. And you have the bonus of having 'Z's enbossed all round the tyre.
by John Wilson
Sat 18 Jun, 2016 16:32
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: new tyres and rear window
Replies: 4
Views: 1536

Re: new tyres and rear window

You must have more dextrous fingers than me. Im not sure doing it again, I could be much quicker with the zip. You must be the one in the sites video doing the job in a couple of minutes. I'm glad to hear yours lasted so long. I wasnt sure about how long the double sided tape would last, but it seem...
by John Wilson
Sat 18 Jun, 2016 13:07
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: new tyres and rear window
Replies: 4
Views: 1536

Re: new tyres and rear window

Good luck with the fitting. You will need to get some linen thread for the final sewing stich. Another tip that I learnt eventually after several frustrating attempts is that of loosening off the roof. When you do the final zipping round, it is not enough just to undo the roof handles. The roof need...
by John Wilson
Sat 18 Jun, 2016 11:03
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: new tyres and rear window
Replies: 4
Views: 1536

new tyres and rear window

I'vw had the Z3 for 7 years now and it's the first time I've replaced the front tyres. Ive always thought that tramlining was something I just had to put up with in return for having 18 inch wheels on the car, the ideal size for the looks of the car (that's the most important thing, of course). I go...
by John Wilson
Mon 28 Mar, 2016 16:35
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Wheel heating up.
Replies: 13
Views: 2284

Re: Wheel heating up.

Could it be the wheel bearing, and nothing to do with the brakes?
by John Wilson
Fri 25 Mar, 2016 21:23
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: I know I'm thick but....
Replies: 12
Views: 2124

Re: I know I'm thick but....

Do you even need planks at a picnic?
by John Wilson
Sun 20 Mar, 2016 19:43
Forum: Z4 roadster and Z4 Coupe
Topic: lumpy idle on z4 2.0i sport
Replies: 3
Views: 4593

Re: lumpy idle on z4 2.0i sport

It could be the idle control valve needs a clean. I had lumpy idle for years wih my Z3 and that completely cured it. My post about it is here http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=43422&p=404881&hilit=Idle+control#p404881 But, of course, thats for a 6 pot Z3, not yuor Z4, bu...
by John Wilson
Sun 13 Mar, 2016 18:03
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: ABS and ASC LIGHTS
Replies: 6
Views: 2266

Re: ABS and ASC LIGHTS

Could be the wheel sensors needing cleaning. A common fault. Do a search as theres lots of posts about the job. Its a pain to do the first time because they get rusted in. You have to be careful not to shear the allen headed bolt.
by John Wilson
Sun 21 Feb, 2016 19:07
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: HELP needed total loss of power
Replies: 36
Views: 6585

Re: HELP needed total loss of power

Giving birth is very similar. The butterfly opens and the baby comes out. At least, I, think that's what happens.
by John Wilson
Sat 20 Feb, 2016 20:52
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Z3 2.8 power loss - help required!
Replies: 9
Views: 2702

Re: Z3 2.8 power loss - help required!

Have you seen this current thread
http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... =5&t=43817
Might be of some help
by John Wilson
Thu 18 Feb, 2016 17:38
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: HELP needed total loss of power
Replies: 36
Views: 6585

Re: HELP needed total loss of power

I just love this kind of thread. It's like everyone is there leaning over the bonnet chipping in with advice. Cant wait till its all back together and it's fired up.
by John Wilson
Mon 15 Feb, 2016 18:43
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Aceman seat bushes- how good?
Replies: 7
Views: 2208

Re: Aceman seat bushes- how good?

So, if I can do some maths here, Tillys bushes from Aceman have lasted 4 and a half years. Z3s were produced since 1995. Obviously, by at least 2010 they were wearing out, otherwise there would be no need to manufacture replacements, giving them a life of less than 5 years. So given another 6 months...
by John Wilson
Sun 14 Feb, 2016 12:04
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: idle control valve
Replies: 8
Views: 1564

Re: idle control valve

I am wondering if all the rubber boots on the air intake side have been replaced correctly. If a jubbillee clip has been tightened without the boot being properly over the lip, it might have slipped off again after the one journey. I know they are a pain to get off and on because theres not much roo...
by John Wilson
Sat 13 Feb, 2016 14:58
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Aceman seat bushes- how good?
Replies: 7
Views: 2208

Aceman seat bushes- how good?

I see that Aceman has been supplying his own seat bushes since 2010. All the comments about them have been positive, but,just out of interest, I was wondering how the early ones are fairing after 5 years use. What a valuable service he's provided over the years, and no price rises over that length o...
by John Wilson
Fri 12 Feb, 2016 23:51
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Idle control valve
Replies: 6
Views: 1710

Re: Idle control valve

It's these small things that make such a big difference to the experience of Z ownership. Replacing a sticky throttle cable has such a big effect for such a small outlay and not much trouble to fit. Just curing a niggling little problem like poor idling is the same. You dont realise how irratating i...
by John Wilson
Fri 12 Feb, 2016 22:39
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Idle control valve
Replies: 6
Views: 1710

Re: Idle control valve

Since getting the car, I had an annoying problem after the car had warmed up. The revs would sometimes rise and fall on idleing and then often the engine would cut out. It would happen when driving somewhere and then trying to park somewhere, it would stall. After removing and cleaning out the idle ...
by John Wilson
Fri 12 Feb, 2016 16:32
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: HELP needed total loss of power
Replies: 36
Views: 6585

Re: HELP needed total loss of power

There is the idle control valve that could need cleaning out. I've done mine because of idling issues, but I dont know why this would affect the ASC light. I did some pics of the job here. http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=43422 It's not a bad job but the rubber boots can be a b...
by John Wilson
Thu 11 Feb, 2016 18:26
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: HELP needed total loss of power
Replies: 36
Views: 6585

Re: HELP needed total loss of power

I dont think it affected the idle much on mine, or when you went at constant speed on the level. It was when you tried to accelerate or went uphill, there was no power there. If it is the sensors, it will take one or two journeys forthem to reset. I see you cleaned only one. They would probably all ...
by John Wilson
Wed 10 Feb, 2016 18:04
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: HELP needed total loss of power
Replies: 36
Views: 6585

Re: HELP needed total loss of power

It could be the wheel sensors need cleaning. My Z3 used to do the same when I first had it. When the ASC light comes on the power is reduced to a different mode. Now I remove and clean the sensors once a year and never have that trouble. The first time you do it, its hard because they get rusted in ...
by John Wilson
Tue 22 Dec, 2015 17:39
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Build a Z3 for Christmas
Replies: 13
Views: 3564

Re: Build a Z3 for Christmas

Sorry, Svenson, I cant find the button on photoshop to turn it into a coupe. It would be easier if you could change your car.
John
by John Wilson
Sun 20 Dec, 2015 20:59
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Build a Z3 for Christmas
Replies: 13
Views: 3564

Re: Build a Z3 for Christmas

A fine example of British engineering skill KF.
If anyone else does one over Christmas, it would be nice to have pictures.
by John Wilson
Fri 18 Dec, 2015 18:35
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Build a Z3 for Christmas
Replies: 13
Views: 3564

Re: Build a Z3 for Christmas

Alright, as its Christmas, heres a red one


Image
by John Wilson
Thu 17 Dec, 2015 21:34
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Build a Z3 for Christmas
Replies: 13
Views: 3564

Build a Z3 for Christmas

Image

Image

Happy Christmas
John
by John Wilson
Sat 31 Oct, 2015 22:55
Forum: The Lounge
Topic: A big old cat!
Replies: 12
Views: 6752

Re: A big old cat!

what a lovely post. We get so much about offsets, sensors, fault codes, tramlining etc, that its good to be reminded of the important bit of our Z ownership experience. And if the Z was away sorned in the garage, you would have missed out on the day.
by John Wilson
Sun 18 Oct, 2015 12:52
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Engine bay improvement
Replies: 11
Views: 1735

Re: Engine bay improvement

I know what you mean about wanting the engine bay left as standard and I have never been one for led' s all over the place, but I suppose I'm from an era where people who admired your car wanted to look under the bonnet to see the engineering there and how its all put together. All you get from the ...
by John Wilson
Sun 18 Oct, 2015 10:22
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Engine bay improvement
Replies: 11
Views: 1735

Re: Engine bay improvement

Yes, it's looking better already. Or (just thinking outloud) how about a cover that fits underneath the coils with just holes drilled for them to go through. That way you would only see the good looking coils without seeing the messy bits around. On the link to the coil manufacturer that I mentioned...
by John Wilson
Sat 17 Oct, 2015 23:14
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Engine bay improvement
Replies: 11
Views: 1735

Re: Engine bay improvement

Ive just looked at the price of the coils.........I could probably afford some red paint.
by John Wilson
Sat 17 Oct, 2015 22:01
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Engine bay improvement
Replies: 11
Views: 1735

Re: Engine bay improvement

I realise that it doesnt look too good at the moment (I recognice a sarcastic comment when I hear one), but what about if these coils were fitted http://www.ignitionprojects.com/catalog/z3. You mght want to show them off. Im not too sure if I like the idea or not but I now find myself thinking about...
by John Wilson
Sat 17 Oct, 2015 18:18
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Engine bay improvement
Replies: 11
Views: 1735

Engine bay improvement

I know the 6 cylinder BMW engine is great, and I can't say how fond I am of it, but the trouble is, when you try to show it off to interested people, it's hard for them not to be underwhelmed by just being able to see a load of plastic covers in the engine bay. I was changing the spark plugs today a...
by John Wilson
Sat 10 Oct, 2015 22:21
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: CUTTING LOUVRES INTO BONNET
Replies: 7
Views: 1837

Re: CUTTING LOUVRES INTO BONNET

Years ago I shared a house with this bloke who had a Spartan kit car (based on a Triumph Herald chassis). That had louvres in the bonnet and when it rained, the distributor whould fill up with water resulting in a slight problem getting it started. Mind, compared to it's other problems, that was not...
by John Wilson
Sun 04 Oct, 2015 17:28
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Idle control valve
Replies: 6
Views: 1710

Idle control valve

I've just taken out the idle control valve because of occasional idling issues. I know there's other pics of how to do it but I was still unclear so heres some pictures of how I did it. http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z452/Johnzwilson/fb72c7553e105bf58eba25ea6b76a543.jpg This is the inlet manifo...
by John Wilson
Sun 23 Aug, 2015 10:16
Forum: Let's talk
Topic: essential Z3 purchase
Replies: 2
Views: 1806

Re: essential Z3 purchase

Well, it is a V12 version.
by John Wilson
Sun 09 Aug, 2015 21:21
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Z3 on next episode of Dragons Den
Replies: 2
Views: 1154

Re: Z3 on next episode of Dragons Den

I just saw the episode. It was a car security system run from an ipad. Peter Jones tried to steal the Z3 after the inventors had gone but he couldnt start it. They didnt get any money.
by John Wilson
Sat 08 Aug, 2015 11:13
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Does this need fixing?
Replies: 42
Views: 6597

Re: Does this need fixing?

Its safer because the discs have more area to stop the car, the tyres have more rubber on the road so have a shorter stopping distance (they are not worn because they recently passed an MOT), the car is light so it can stop in a shorter distance,probably half the distance of a 4x4,it has firmer susp...
by John Wilson
Sat 08 Aug, 2015 09:55
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Does this need fixing?
Replies: 42
Views: 6597

Re: Does this need fixing?

So, how often do you have to check every mechanical part of your car before you drive it. Do you have your car up on your ramps looking at every steering joint before each journey, as you seem to be suggesting? I have a car that is well capable of doing Iver 100mph, but I dont drive it on the road a...
by John Wilson
Sat 08 Aug, 2015 08:02
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Does this need fixing?
Replies: 42
Views: 6597

Re: Does this need fixing?

MOTs are the way the government has devised to check whether a car is safe. Most people dont check the thickness of their discs between MOTs or a lot of other things on their car, because they are not knowledgeable enough and havent got a fully equiped workshop. Thats why we have to pay someone else...
by John Wilson
Fri 07 Aug, 2015 13:57
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Does this need fixing?
Replies: 42
Views: 6597

Re: Does this need fixing?

So........
Are you going to fix it,then?
by John Wilson
Thu 06 Aug, 2015 10:27
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Second fuel tank in boot
Replies: 17
Views: 2798

Re: Second fuel tank in boot

Dont worry about fuel consumption. You can buy a good Z3 for 3 grand instead of something like a focus for 10 grand. That gives you £7000 pounds spare for the difference in fuel comsumption. If youre forever driving a Z to try and get 35 miles per gallon, you would have more fun in a Kia Picanto.
by John Wilson
Thu 30 Jul, 2015 16:23
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Beware - Aftermarket MAF
Replies: 8
Views: 1845

Re: Beware - Aftermarket MAF

You have to be really careful cleaning the MAF. You can get a aerosol type cleaner specially for them so you dont have to touch the wire with anything. I know someone at a Z outing tried cleaning one and ended up having to complete the run by disconnecting it completely. Cant remember who it was. Th...
by John Wilson
Sun 19 Jul, 2015 19:47
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Strange problem - car won't move
Replies: 25
Views: 3117

Re: Strange problem - car won't move

There's discs as well as drums on the rears. The drum is in front of the disc that is just used for the handbrake.
by John Wilson
Sun 19 Jul, 2015 18:41
Forum: Let's talk
Topic: Where's Pingu?
Replies: 13
Views: 3729

Re: Where's Pingu?

Is it the village of Diddle iddle iddle um?
by John Wilson
Sun 19 Jul, 2015 17:26
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Strange problem - car won't move
Replies: 25
Views: 3117

Re: Strange problem - car won't move

I've just spent the afternoon servicing the handbrake on my Z3. No problems with it at all. Just take a wheel off, then 2 16mls bolts holding the brake caliper on. Slide the caliper off and tuck it out of the way (be careful of the pipe). Then one screw on the front of where the wheel goes on. Its a...
by John Wilson
Sat 11 Jul, 2015 23:37
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Full Size Spare Wheel
Replies: 13
Views: 2732

Re: Full Size Spare Wheel

I suppose the boot mounted luggage rack would take the wheel with a few bungies.
by John Wilson
Sat 11 Jul, 2015 11:40
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Full Size Spare Wheel
Replies: 13
Views: 2732

Re: Full Size Spare Wheel

Injecting foam is alright for something like a nail hole but if the tyre shreds then its not a solution. I had this idea of the rack that holds the spare wheel sliding backwards from under the car which then can hold the full size wheel behind the car in a vertical position. I recall some car having...
by John Wilson
Sun 05 Jul, 2015 21:47
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Howbig is your boot
Replies: 9
Views: 1395

Re: Howbig is your boot

Waitrose shoppers will be at a big advantage in this if we are just going by cost. Aldi customers can no doubt fill the boot for a fiver. An internationally recognised measurement of volume should be used, eg an 8 pack of baked beans should be used.
by John Wilson
Sat 04 Jul, 2015 22:57
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Clear indicators, just fitted
Replies: 8
Views: 1929

Re: Clear indicators, just fitted

I quite liked using the oven. It just takes a few minutes. Mind, my wife was trying to do a flan at the same time, and the pastry wasnt going well. Lets just say that there was a certain tension around the kitchen during the operation.
by John Wilson
Sat 04 Jul, 2015 13:46
Forum: Z3 roadster
Topic: Clear indicators, just fitted
Replies: 8
Views: 1929

Clear indicators, just fitted

Just fitted clear front indicators from Barry (Southernboy). Very good service. They came in a nice sandwich box to protect them. Took about a couple of weeks to arrive from sunny South Africa (to much sunnier GB). they look great fitted. The bit with the oven that everyone worries about was easy an...
by John Wilson
Sat 27 Jun, 2015 18:08
Forum: Performance
Topic: Unintended acceleration
Replies: 6
Views: 3896

Re: Unintended acceleration

Ive just ordered a throttle cable for my 2litre z3 , from main dealer Coopers in Norwich. Total cost just under £30 including posting to me as they didnt have it in stock (the postage was free). Very good service from them and had a good look round at all the shiny new cars there.
by John Wilson
Mon 15 Jun, 2015 09:56
Forum: Check your diary
Topic: Zedfest weekend Yorkshire - Cancelled
Replies: 39
Views: 18014

Re: Zedfest weekend Yorkshire - Cancelled

I'm a bit confused about the talk of apathetic members as there is 17 cars on the list. This seems quite good to me. Or are we aiming for Glastinbury proportions.