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muskietwo

Regular Member
British Zeds
Joined
Oct 28, 2014
Points
18
Location
Sheffield
Model of Z
Z3 Roadster
The long-awaited Z3 has arrived! The driver's door mirror has been 'secured' I.e. will adjust but won't fold in. (common problem?) No tonneau cover (disappointing), not serviced prior to sale (as advertised). Nil Desperandum, I spent 5 hours this morning cleaning, polishing and fitting new numberplates and eventually sallied forth into Derbyshire via Ladybower, Hathersage and Hope, resulting in white fingers,chattering teeth and a recurrent need to wee. Solution.....gloves, balaclava, have prostate checked. Conclusion?.....fantastic! Not had such a good drive since my old Sunbeam Alpine. Everything feels solid and tight (the car not me), no doubt due to the comprehensive service history. Two queries, If I may, for your advice. When the hand brake is applied on a gradient, the car seems to 'dip' slightly on the right hand side rear. Could this be hand brake operating on one side only? Silly question now..... if the 'Storage-bin at the rear behind the seats, is not a 'storage-bin which it clearly isn't, what is that plastic box thingy which is inside it? " Thingy" is a technical term which I picked up over many years of messing about with cars! Regards to all......John
 

GazHyde

Administrator
Administrator
Global Moderator
M Power
Joined
Dec 2, 2011
Points
226
Location
Berkshire
Model of Z
Z4 MR
Sounds like you have most of the common issues.

The door mirrors are prone to corroding internally and snapping off. Don't be tempted to fold them in or you will need the following advice.... Either replace with units from a breakers or have a look at this thread https://zroadster.org/threads/bmw-z3-wing-mirror-upgrades.5674/. There are also some articles showing how to take them apart and rebuild them.

Sounds like the handbrake needs adjusting, or possible the shoes need replacing and cleaning up generally.

Finally it seems you have caught the roadster bug, which there is as yet no medical cure!
 

Zeti

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
Romanian Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Oct 9, 2013
Points
167
Location
Bucuresti/ Romania
Model of Z
Z3 roadster 1.9
Welcome John! :)
Reading your post I think you are the right man on the right club!;)
Winter is an excellent time to consult/ procure/ replace the parts that the Zed needs, due to it's age.
Some pics will be welcome too, to see what modell and engine you have!:watching:
 

Brian4

Zorg Guru (IV)
British Zeds
East Anglian Crew
Joined
Dec 23, 2011
Points
173
Location
Near Grantham
Model of Z
Z3 3.0i Auto
Glad you've caught the bug already and I guess the weather was sunny.

The storage boxes are for hats, gloves etc for when the urge suddenly takes you and you are then prepared.
As yours is a '97 I think it only has the one storage box with the lid that lifts up. The bit between the seats is the cover for the optional uprated stereo.

Does sound as if the handbrake needs adjusting . The shoes work on the inside of the rear discs so perhaps the linkage is partially seized, I find the handbrake to be very good on ours.

Pics please
here's how https://zroadster.org/threads/attaching-images-to-your-threads.4730/
 
Z

zedonist

Guest
Well done John, if you do not have a storage bin but a plastic box, do you also have a mesh grille at the front, if so you have a sub woofer fitted.

Hit sounds like your hand brake needs balancing, you can do this by removing the hand brake gator and adjusting one side by doing up the m8 nuts and locking back out.
 

Nifty Fifty

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Jun 26, 2014
Points
74
Location
Wylye
Model of Z
2.0
Just completed refurbishing my mirrors this weekend, as mine needed painting and to see why they did not fold. There is a thread on the forum that looked at refurbishing them and I just followed that which was very good. Loads of wd40 / plenty of grease on the spring and base together with a little persuasion they freed up, I did hold them a vice which helped. Took my time on the painting and I'm over the moon with results. Just one of many winter jobs on the list.
Seat belt guides next!
 

muskietwo

Regular Member
British Zeds
Joined
Oct 28, 2014
Points
18
Location
Sheffield
Model of Z
Z3 Roadster
Well done John, if you do not have a storage bin but a plastic box, do you also have a mesh grille at the front, if so you have a sub woofer fitted.

Hit sounds like your hand brake needs balancing, you can do this by removing the hand brake gator and adjusting one side by doing up the m8 nuts and locking back out.
Thanks for the advice, I def. have a speaker grille in that console, though the fade control on the radio is not producing any sound from the rear I will mention it to garage when I take the car in for handbrake adjustment. Regards, John
 
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