New Z3 Roadster members in Somerset (UK)

[Zeberdee]

Thanks for approving our membership to this group of like-minded enthusiasts. We (John & Carol) have a silver year 2000 Z3 3.0i auto roadster which was bought to take part in classic car runs and shows but has proven so much fun to drive that it is used almost daily. We are members of several Z3 related Facebook groups, the CSMA's Classic Vehicle Group, Somerset Country Classics (and several Jaguar related clubs and groups).
I'm trying to build on my limited knowledge of Z3s as I undertake a programme of modifications designed to keep this wonderful car on the road for decades to come; being 23 years old there are many plastic and rubber parts, in addition to poorly designed components, that I have or still need to replace. The latest improvement was to replace the original black roof with a new ox-blood red item and the next will be some new ox-blood leather door and seat inserts whist repairing the door-cards.
As a Forces Veteran and ex-motorsports competitor (mainly endurance karting and road-rallying), I still love driving but, with neck and back injuries, I have had to reign-in my more enthusiastic efforts and now find myself driving automatics for the first time!

 

[Mus Musculus]

Hi and to the forum from Cambridgeshire.

Very good introduction, and I am sure you will build some solid Z3 knowledge around here. What's best, is that the knowledge will be imparted by a group of very friendly people.

I've certainly learned and been helped a lot by the members of this forum.

 

[Jam03]

Welcome! Lovely looking car!

 

[Zeberdee]

Hi and to the forum from Cambridgeshire.

Very good introduction, and I am sure you will build some solid Z3 knowledge around here. What's best, is that the knowledge will be imparted by a group of very friendly people.

I've certainly learned and been helped a lot by the members of this forum.

Thanks Mus

 

[Z Victor 1]

Hi and welcome from Derbyshire.

 

[colb]

Welcome aboard the Forum from the opposite side of the Bristol Channel, you have arrived at the best Z Forum on the Web, help and advice always available here.
As our membership is Worldwide its a good idea to update your user details with your location and model of your car, it assists us in answering your questions.
You could also add a signature to show these detail so they appear in all your future posts.
If you are lucky you might be close to one of the enthusiast run Zed Sheds where members meet up and do jobs on each others cars.
If your new to OBD2 you will want to bolster your toolbox with a decent Code Scanner, bound to need one sooner or later.
I can reccomend a Creator 310+ as a good all round scanner and easy to use.
If you want to go the Laptop route then find yourself a Windows laptop running Windows 7 or above and
purchase BMW Scanner 1.4 available on ebay for little cost, it comes with its Interface, cable and software on a usb stick, you will need a 16pin to 20 pin cable changer to plug
these diagnostics in to the under bonnet diagnostic plug (Pac-man socket) to read all modules on the car.
If yours has a 16pin obd2 socket under the steering wheel inside the car that will only read the engine and transmission modules,
the Pac-man socket reads all modules. If you get hooked on Diagnostics you may want to have a go with BMW software, INPA, NCS Expert, Winkpf and DIS, these
can be problematic setting up but usually due to configering the right drive and usb settings. Help usually forthcomming on the Forum if you run into install problems.

 

[Nodzed]

to the forum.

 

[Ian&Sue]

Hi John & Carol, from North Yorkshire.

Ian & Sue.

 

[Zeberdee]

Welcome aboard the Forum from the opposite side of the Bristol Channel, you have arrived at the best Z Forum on the Web, help and advice always available here.
As our membership is Worldwide its a good idea to update your user details with your location and model of your car, it assists us in answering your questions.
You could also add a signature to show these detail so they appear in all your future posts.
If you are lucky you might be close to one of the enthusiast run Zed Sheds where members meet up and do jobs on each others cars.
If your new to OBD2 you will want to bolster your toolbox with a decent Code Scanner, bound to need one sooner or later.
I can reccomend a Creator 310+ as a good all round scanner and easy to use.
If you want to go the Laptop route then find yourself a Windows laptop running Windows 7 or above and
purchase BMW Scanner 1.4 available on ebay for little cost, it comes with its Interface, cable and software on a usb stick, you will need a 16pin to 20 pin cable changer to plug
these diagnostics in to the under bonnet diagnostic plug (Pac-man socket) to read all modules on the car.
If yours has a 16pin obd2 socket under the steering wheel inside the car that will only read the engine and transmission modules,
the Pac-man socket reads all modules. If you get hooked on Diagnostics you may want to have a go with BMW software, INPA, NCS Expert, Winkpf and DIS, these
can be problematic setting up but usually due to configering the right drive and usb settings. Help usually forthcomming on the Forum if you run into install problems.

Thanks Colb, we have just returned from Swansea & Mumbles where Ray fitted Zeberdee's new hood. So far this year we spent New Year near St Davids, Valentines in Llandrindod Wells, my birthday nr Rhayader; next we are off for another tour of Wales (this time in our XK) staying nr Beddgelert, Carmarthen and then the borders. More tours planned in Wales later in the year include the CSMA's Retro Run based around Llandrindod Wells, this time in the Z3 (only enough boot room for a 2 to 3 day trip) and looking forward to yet another stay at Llanerchindda Farm and again near Llangollen for our anniversary.
I have a Foxwell NT614 (with 20-pin adapter for the Z3) but so far I have not had much luck getting it to tell me anything useful about an intermittent DSC fault (twice the car braked its NSF whilst Carol was driving home from London) but I have a refurbished yaw sensor ready to fit on the assumption that's the cause.
I would be very interested to hear more about the Zed Sheds if they are in the vicinity.

 

[hard top]

to the Forum.

 

[Shelly]

 

[Jam03]

Your planned trips sound great. Hopefully you will post photographic evidence here. I did a weekend of driving around Mid Wales in December with a base in Llandrindod Wells. Driving highlight of my life! The roads are epic.

 

[Zeberdee]

Since we returned to the UK, after years serving in Norway, Denmark and Germany (and then Brexit issues followed by Covid), we have been spending more and more time touring back in the 'land of my fathers' either in the Jaguar or shorter tours in the Z3. Trips up to Anglesey, usually via Rhayader have been some of our most memorable drives.
I'm fairly new to forums but I am a photographer so what's the best/simplest method of adding images from our adventures?

 

[Mus Musculus]

Images can be added tp the post directly by clicking this icon:

 

[Zeberdee]

Images can be added tp the post directly by clicking this icon:

View attachment 260881

I had noticed that icon but is that the best method to add a collection/album of images or is that frowned upon?

 

[Mus Musculus]

Ah, sorry, I see what you mean.

No, I don't think this version of the forum allows batch uploads. I suppose one work around would be upload the photos to Flickr or Imgur, then add a link to the album.

Edit to add: The rules and restriction to uploading photos and images are detailed in this post (section 5):

Welcome to the Forum - Rules and Expectations

 

[Mint]

Hi John & Carol and to the forum from me too in Stafford.

 

[PHILIP BAXTER]

Hi, John and Carol, and welcome from me in Cardiff.

 

[Rod and Kate]

Hi from Rod and Kate in York

 

[Zeberdee]

Hi from Rod and Kate in York

Thanks, along with Bath, York is our favourite Christmas destination in the UK.