Newbie Intro

[scott_a_davies]

Hi guys

Im delighted to be on the forum, after owning a 2.8 in the 90's Ive just got myself a UK RHD 03 M Sport 2.2 manual, pics to follow, I looked at a few and this was definitely the straight and unmolested option.

I need to hit the search and gain insight from previous posts before I start asking stupid questions, Ive just fixed the tailights, bulbs had gone, I'm now looking into new Roadster door kick plates and what decent white bulbs you guys are using for OEM facelift clear lense headlights

What else should I be doing, checking for from the off please?. Doesnt overheat, has plenty of coolant, no major rust concerns to rear arches, sills and rubber jack points

 

[Shelly]

 

[Mint]

Hi Scott and to the forum from me too in Stafford. If there's nothing wrong just drive it. Where are you located?

 

[colb]

Welcome aboard the Forum, 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.
When looking at prospective purchases I always plug a code reader in and check for any fault codes, if the seller refuses I would walk away. Difficult to check the condition of the underside without getting the car on a lift but worth checking out, have seen some really crusty ones that have pristine bodywork topside. Always check the MOT history using the DVLA MOT Check on the web it will give you some idea how the car has been treated over the years.

 

[Rod and Kate]

Hi and welcome from Rod and Kate in York.

 

[PHILIP BAXTER]

Hi, and welcome from me in Cardiff.

 

[Paul&Di]

Welcome .to the forum..from Paul & Di in Lincoln. This site is like a z encyclopedia.
Best site on line.

 

[Ian&Sue]

from North Yorkshire.

Ian & Sue.

 

[hard top]

to the Forum.

 

[Althulas]

Hi and welcome from me. If your replacing the kick plates you may as well remove the outer sills and treat the inner box sections with your preferred wax oil type treatment as a yearly maintenance and treat the back of the outer sills, worth while taking the arch liners out and clean and treat in those areas too. Oasram night breakers are a decent oem bulb replacement.

 

[Mus Musculus]

from Cambridgeshire.