BMW Z3 Antenna Gasket

[FRANKIE]

I have an antenna on my z3 that comes out of the body of the car straight then about half way up, spirels as if it had been wrapped around a pencil, then staightens out at the end. Where this comes out the body of the car, there is a rubber seal that is broken. Is this the original antenna that comes with the car, and can this rubber seal be bought separately?

 

[Mr-P]

If you can not get an original seal then cut one yourself from a bit of tyre inner tube.

 

[FRANKIE]

If you can not get an original seal then cut one yourself from a bit of tyre inner tube.

This looks like it surrounds the wire and has two diameters, one that pushes from inside the car to the outside, and the larger diameter thats inside the car that prevents it from coming all the way through.

 

[FRANKIE]

At wore now. Must go up the the Asian pit to open a mini-Baccarrat game. Be home at 12"30.

 

[jonco]

I have an antenna on my z3 that comes out of the body of the car straight then about half way up, spirels as if it had been wrapped around a pencil, then staightens out at the end. Where this comes out the body of the car, there is a rubber seal that is broken. Is this the original antenna that comes with the car, and can this rubber seal be bought separately?

Frankie - I think you are looking for Item5 on this http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=CH72&mospid=48079&btnr=65_0284&hg=65&fg=30
I read a thread on Facebook yesterday on similar subject - apparently there are a few going on ebay.

 

[GazHyde]

$6.95 http://www.ebay.com/itm/EDM-GENUINE...Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a79ae49a8&vxp=mtr

 

[Brian4]

Make sure you get one for the correct body shape yours is a 1996 I think so is it wide body or not. The rear wings are at a different angle for each.

 

[FRANKIE]

Make sure you get one for the correct body shape yours is a 1996 I think so is it wide body or not. The rear wings are at a different angle for each.

Went out in the rain to take a picture. Set a pen next to it for a perspective of size. I had thought that it was broken in half, however upon closer inspection, it may not be broken or ripped at all. I thought half of it was missing, but it may be that the half that is there is on the high side of the slope or curve of the body and may act as a shield for water. What do you think?

These two didn't come out so clearly.

My assistant wants to be fed.

 

[Aceman]

Looking at the picture Frankie I don't think the aerial you have screwed in is an original one by any means. Does it unscrew out of the lower black section which it should. The rubber section which does look as though half is missing is the grommet which can be picked up from eBay for a few quid (dollars in your case) but check with you BMW dealer as the ones for sale over here on eBay are more expensive than the ones from the dealer and as said there are slightly different versions depending on your body style. The original antenna that screws in can be picked up very cheap on eBay and are 16" long as standard with a spiral wire bound whip.

 

[FRANKIE]

I took another look at the antenna and took more pictures. Its still raining but not as much. It is broken. It seems that the rubber is one piece and is pushed up through the hole from the bottom and may be held in place either by the pressure of the rubber, which could be possible because of the small mass of the antenna or is actually held in place by some tightening device from underneath. I wasn't able to see because of the rain. Here are the pictures:

 

[Aceman]

OK that aerial has to go it is absolutely awful, it should just unscrew from the base if you grab it and twist. As regards to the base if you remove the boot lining inside the boot and unbolt the hydraulic softtop pump placing it to one side you will see the actual aerial base bolted in position. It is held in with one bolt/nut which when removed will allow you to withdraw the base downwards, there is also a rubber gaiter on the inner wing but you will get the gist when you do it.

Here is a link to a UK eBay link of the grommet which with the aerial base removed can easily be fitted from above just make sure you get the right one for the narrow body wing.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z3-ae...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5d3ce3e3f2

Here is also a UK eBay link to the original type aerial for your reference;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bmw-Z3-An...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4d1505108b

However a lot of Z3 owners prefer to fit a shorter beesting type aerial rather than the above whip type aerial but that is down to your own preference;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bee-Sting...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35b1ff476a

Hope that helps.

 

[Aceman]

Also check in inside the rear wing well when you remove the softtop pump (if yours is electric of course) as I would edge my bets it will be full of water considering the condition of that aerial grommet.

 

[Aceman]

Here is a link to Realoem which shows you a diagram and part number (item 5) for the Grommet.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=CH73&mospid=48091&btnr=65_0284&hg=65&fg=30

Just cross referenced the part number and it appears it is the same grommet for all Z3's whether they are narrow or wide bodied but I too thought there was two versions so best check with your dealer before you order one but as you can see they are only a couple of dollars so peanuts to change.

 

[FRANKIE]

OK that aerial has to go it is absolutely awful, it should just unscrew from the base if you grab it and twist. As regards to the base if you remove the boot lining inside the boot and unbolt the hydraulic softtop pump placing it to one side you will see the actual aerial base bolted in position. It is held in with one bolt/nut which when removed will allow you to withdraw the base downwards, there is also a rubber gaiter on the inner wing but you will get the gist when you do it.

Here is a link to a UK eBay link of the grommet which with the aerial base removed can easily be fitted from above just make sure you get the right one for the narrow body wing.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z3-ae...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5d3ce3e3f2

Here is also a UK eBay link to the original type aerial for your reference;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bmw-Z3-An...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4d1505108b

However a lot of Z3 owners prefer to fit a shorter beesting type aerial rather than the above whip type aerial but that is down to your own preference;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bee-Sting...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35b1ff476a

Hope that helps.

Since I don't see many z's, I didn't know I had the narrow body. The softtop is not hydraulic so that's one thing I don't have to worry about. I'll check out the hyperlinks you posted. Thanks very much for the advice. I'll let you know how I make out.
Also, I don't have roll bars on the car. Are the expensive? Can I install them myself. One last question. In the trunk there is the handle that came off the interior passenger (right) door. It seems to fit and I might try some epoxy to re-attach it. There is a hole in the upper part of the handle. It looks like the same size hole that the driver's (left) side has for the external mirror controls, but I can't imagine what would go there. Do you know of some electrical switch that would go there. The handle was in the trunk so its only an assumption that its for the door because it fits in where the old one was. Thanks again. Frankie

 

[Aceman]

Rolls bars can be retro fitted although oem bars will also require all the plastics changing across the back and finding a complete set in the right colour for your car will be difficult. I will be more inclined to go for an aftermarket chrome setup where the bar is one complete piece of metal rather than two individual hoops. Here is a pic of what I mean;

You can also get pseudo roll hoops that just mount on one side but look like they mount in the middle too, here is a link;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z3-E36-4-POLISHED-STAINLESS-STEEL-SPORTS-ROLL-BAR-SET-ROLLBAR-/360411410746?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model:Z3&hash=item53ea31b13a

 

[Aceman]

With regard to the door handle this is fixed to the door by means of a screw that goes through the hole you describe. The hole is covered with a plastic blanking plate. Here is another link to Realoem showing the exploded diagram of the door card;

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=CH73&mospid=48091&btnr=51_2351&hg=51&fg=50

 

[hard top]

I would not put that crap on my car..........

 

[Aceman]

I am not keen on them either Mike but for those that do not have roll hoops and like the look they are an option.

I hasten to add Frankie the roll hoops above are purely cosmetic and do not offer any kind of protection whatsoever.

 

[FRANKIE]

Rolls bars can be retro fitted although oem bars will also require all the plastics changing across the back and finding a complete set in the right colour for your car will be difficult. I will be more inclined to go for an aftermarket chrome setup where the bar is one complete piece of metal rather than two individual hoops. Here is a pic of what I mean;

View attachment 3610

You can also get pseudo roll hoops that just mount on one side but look like they mount in the middle too, here is a link;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z3-E36-4-POLISHED-STAINLESS-STEEL-SPORTS-ROLL-BAR-SET-ROLLBAR-/360411410746?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model:Z3&hash=item53ea31b13a

Do the ones in the picture give protection? Also, I'll send a pic ofthe door and handle. Thanks, Frankie. At work.

 

[hard top]

No, they do not.