Newbie here

[lonedodger]

Hi there everyone,just purchased a silver bmw z3 (2001),from an independent dealer.It's nearly been returned with a nasty note.At last a sunny weekend,go to start up the Z3,nothing not even a buzz,flat battery.After a day charging the engine starts.Hurray,but,red air bag icon on all the time.Handbook instruction take to bmw dealer.Tried my local garage but they wouldn't touch it saying it could be a very expensive repair and difficult to diagnose.They suggested returning it to the seller and asking for him to see to the repairs.This is to be done but he can't take it on till next week.
After paying for the vehicle and taking it home ,I ran a MOT history on the car through DVLA.The day before I collected it,it had failed the MOT test through the red air bag warning light.It was tested again on the same day and passed!! Also found a history of worn tyres,just legal,and poor braking.
Have found the car quite fast and comfortable.I am looking forward to be able to drive with the roof down in the future,weather permitting.Lonedodger

 

[t-tony]

All used cars have some issues believe me but stick with it because you'll see that it's well worth it in the end.

 

[GazHyde]

Welcome @lonedodger,

Sounds like you have had an interesting introduction to the Z3! The air bag warning light is a surprisingly common issue and it's most likely going to be the wiring under the passenger seat. Can sometimes be caused by something as simple as adjusting the seat if the connectors are loose.

I bought a B800 airbag tool (around £20 these days) and it reads the codes and allows you to reset the light as well, assuming any fault is repaired. Good luck, and it shouldn't be too bad to fix. Oh, and no airbags while the light is on

Gary.

 

[hard top]

Welcome to the forum. All you need to do with the airbag light is run some diagnostics and reset it with a reset tool as Gaz pointed out.

 

[hard top]

Welcome @lonedodger,

Oh, and no airbags while the light is on

Gary.

Not exactly true Gaz, as one chap found out and posted on FB.

 

[Aceman]

Welcome aboard the good ship Zorg

As Gaz has said above the airbag fault is more than likely wiring under the seat which has come loose shouldn't take much detective work to locate it. The other issue of tyres and brakes sounds like poor maintenance by a previous owner which is obviously easily rectified. Although a little underhand by the guy you bought it off just resetting the light you could either get him to fix it properly as you have evidence it was an MOT failure or ask for some money back to fix it yourself which I am sure could be done quite easily.

The main thing is you have got a Z3 and if the rest of the car is OK don't worry too much and enjoy the upcoming good weather.

 

[t-tony]

Don't be too quick to point the finger at the tester because it only had to operate correctly " at the time of test" and there is no proof that it didn't. Considering the points raised by all the above posts they are a temperamental item and not just on Z3's most cars with the earlier types airbag light wiring suffered the same problems. It's not a huge problem and as for the M.O.T. history if there were advisory items shown that is the system working as it should.

Tony.

 

[oldcarman]

And a hardy welcome from Canada EH!! You've found the right place to be to get your car sorted out. There are few new problems which show up so someone here has a fix it for whatever your problem is. Too bad you have to have such an initiation by fire but stick it out, you'll be happy you came by. JIM

 

[jonco]

from me too.

As others have said the airbag light can be pain but it is usually something simple and not expensive to fix - the problem is finding the fault. Reading the codes may help narrow it down. If you are playing about looking for a fault make sure ignition is off or battery disconnected - a faceful of airbag can be painful!
On the positive side at least the light is working. There are quite few instances were `roguesters' have removed the bulb and concealed the back-up rather than find the fault but it is now an MOT failure if it doesn't illuminate on start-up test.

 

[Cooper]

Welcome from Tasmania Australia. Let us know when you have resolved the issue so we can sleep at night!

 

[Boysie]

Welcome to the Forum
A great time to buy a Zed
Drive it and enjoy it, don't play with it to much

 

[Mint]

from me too. Hope you get the air bag light sorted soon.

 

[Rev]

Hi,

Welcome along.

It's irritating when things aren't right, but put a little time into your car and it'll repay you in smiles.

The forum is a great place to find a lot of knowledge from people who know, understand and run these cars. Many issues when push comes to shove are not the dramas that you first think they are.

It'll all work out and you'll be pleased you bought it.

Enjoy!