Greetings from another later life Z3 owner.

[zedonist]

Cock a doodle doo to you Rooster, nice zed, my handle came from being totally nuts about Z3, not much I don't know, or know how to find out about the great little Z3.

 

[ARoosterinaRoadster]

Hi zedonist. Yes I am really very very Chuffed with my Z3 and I think that it is going to end up with some serious mileage on it even though I suggested circa 8,000 per annum to my insurers. My current 2005 (05) Volvo V70 D5 SE Geartronic is a really comfortable car and no slug and with the advantage of diesel fuel and averaging a calculated 38mpg.
I have just invested (yesterday - Saturday) in a hardtop for it and courtesy of a member from another Z forum. It came with the full genuine BMW fitting kit,the trolley,the cover and the rear acrylic window cover and all electrical connections and switch with converter plate.
The hardtop has totally transformed the car,this was instantly evident having driven 258 miles to buy and have it fitted and then drive back home. The glass rear window is an absolute luxury when compared to even a new acrylic one.
I invested in the hardtop because of living in rural countryside and the car being covered in algae and general atmospheric filth in the winter. It will be removed for the summer (if we get one) and fitted during a dry autumn day in readiness for the onset of winter.
I will post some images tomorrow.

 

[Titan]

Hi Titan. I don't think that buying a different Z is the answer and especially considering the length of time that I spent before finding this one

I was being facetious!
One thing I missed on the Z3 was cruise control.

One of the things that I find a little annoying is the amount of pressure that is required on the accelerator pedal and the subsequent difficulty in keeping a steady speed on longer journeys and motorway driving.
Is there a different spring rating that can be used to lighten the required pressure or is the whole set-up a technical minefield?

I don't know the answer to that. Our Z3 was fly-by-wire so there was only a fancy potentiometer under my right foot. It rather sounds as though you ay have a cable throttle that needs some lubrication.
If you enter your vehicle details into this website it will tell us what engine etc we are talking about.
http://www.bmwarchive.org/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html
Generally it will only need the last 7 digits which are usually one or two letters followed by 5 numbers.

 

[ARoosterinaRoadster]

Hi Titan. I figured that there was a bit of Tongue-in-Cheek or a tinge of facetiousness.
I checked out the link that you provided and the results are below.


Data for vehicle identification number: LG85761
Type: CL32
Katalysator: mit
Screen: nein
Steering: rechts
Transmission: keine Angabe
Series: Z3
Market: Europa
Model description: Z3 2.0
Engine: M52
Chassis: roadster
Production date: 12/1999
Assembled in: Spartanburg

 

[Titan]

OK
At this stage I have to duck your question as I am not familiar with the M52 engine.
Can anyone else pick up here please?

http://users.belgacom.net/bmw_z3/bmw_z3_engines.htm

Does the M52 have a standard throttle cable and if so:
- How do you lube it &
- Is retro cruise a possibility?

Cheers
Terry

EDIT:
Here's a direct link to OEM
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do?vin=LG85761