Bimmer Owners Club

On 10/07/2025 at 19:29, phill Thompson said:

Hi I am after some help. I am looking to buy a z3 and have found one i like but it's a wide body with a 1.9 engine on a w plate? I thought all the wide body was 2.8? Can anyone shed any light on this please.

@phill Thompson How did you get on with the Z3 - did you buy it ?

Good morning!  

My widebodied Z3 is on a W plate (Feb 2000) and it has the 2.0 straight 6 cylinder engine.
As far as I know the 4 cylinder was fitted to some of the widebody models (I saw one in a garage recently) but not sure why you would want to go with the 4 cylinder over the 6 cylinder as they are worlds apart and the 6 cylinder will go on forever with makes for a much more exciting drive.

Plenty of Z3's on the market at the moment and they are certainly increasing in value so pick one up soon before the prices get out of hand.

I would recommend you look very thoroughly at the metalwork as rust is an issue with some, but by the time the widebody Z3 came in, they seem to have sorted a lot of issues.

Let us know how you get on with acquiring one and if you need any further info then just let us know.

On 11/04/2025 at 08:52, Brian 23 said:

Thank you I will get him to look at that.

How have you got on with diagnosing the fault?
Had to do a running repair on my Z3 in the week as the original intake trunking had perished and was drawing unregulated air through the hole and the car ran incredibly rough - replaced the part with the new one that I had in the boot for years and runs great now

Another thing worth trying when its running on song is using super-unleaded - has made the world of difference the flat spot at around 2000rpm which has disappeared since using the higher octane (and lower ethanol) fuel

congratualtions!  a new beast to the stables 🙂

Hopefully the X5 will be accepting of the its new companion

It's a good thought and may be able to create one in the near future when updating the site

First thoughts were cam / crank sensors but unless the new ones are faulty then I would start looking at the fuel system.

If the car has been stood for a while then I would firstly look at changing the fuel filter - rarely changed as its an expensive part and also tucked away under the sill.

Also look at the battery connections and it may also have an SRS power cutout on the positive cable which may also be faulty but be careful testing this as it has an explosive charge

59 minutes ago, Greydog said:

 This morning I feel like an Old Bloke who spent yesterday rolling around on the garage floor 🤣 🤣

I know that feeling Dave, same thing after rolling out from under my Z3 at the weekend and the realisation that I'm not 21 anymore 🙂

Superb news for older models of BMW, even up to the Z4 

https://www.bmwgroup-classic.com/en/offers-and-services/bmw-classic-reproductions.html

Superb news for older models of BMW, even up to the Z4 

https://www.bmwgroup-classic.com/en/offers-and-services/bmw-classic-reproductions.html

What a lovely genuine early 3 series, looks in superb condition from the photos you posted.
I'm sure there would be no problem in selling it, just a bit difficult to judge the value.

You are welcome to place an advert in the For Sale section of this forum and invite offers for it.

https://www.bimmerownersclub.com/forums/forum/29-bmw-cars-for-sale/

Merry Christmas to the members of the Bimmer Owners Club
Enjoy the festive break and see you back here in 2025

And a Happy Christmas to you also Dave, and to all the members on this forum.

Let's hope its a nice restful time for all - until New Year's Eve at least.....Enjoy!

On 11/25/2024 at 9:59 PM, X5smw said:

Hi. Do you have a light on the dash? It could be that someone fitted an emulator ?

This is what was possibly fitted to put the light out originally  EMULATOR Link

The site link has lots of information about the problem with the seat mat which causes the fault

Yes sorry about that unexpected interlude

The site had an update which inadvertently switched the site offline - but now back and should be even smoother with the new improved upgrades 🙂

Glad you found the source of the leak and hopefully the MIL will stay off

That's the part (plastic housings) that you do not want to tighten up too much as it can distort the housing and cause the flap to stick on movement

My 2.0 litre Z3 doesn't give any induction sounds on slight throttle

Just wondering if the Jubillee Clips may be tightened too much as when they clamp the can actually go out of (round) shape.
If they are new hoses then they should fit snug and the clips just lend some clamping effect to the assembly.

Worth slackening them off slightly to see if this gets rid of the noise

Hi Steven....welcome to the Club

A fine collection of Zed's and would definitely snap up the 2.8 if I had the money
Good luck with the sale and feel free to post up any content about Z3's anytime
 

Mainly issues from sitting in a garage for a couple of years, flat battery but runs beautifully once charged.

Failed on two tyres which were at the end of their life two years ago, brakes sticking in caliper carrier so removed, cleaned up, lubed and refitted with a brake fluid change.

Cleaned up headlamps and needed realigning.....jobs a good one and less than £50 in parts

Well, she's back out and on the road after a two year layup, with all the rain we've had just didn't feel inspired to dig her out of her resting place...until now!

MOT test - two tyres, brakes needed cleaning up and fluid change and headlamps cleaning.

Still surprises me (although it shouldn't really) that after jump starting and she fired up instantly after not running for two years.
Very little required to recommission back onto the road and enjoy the sunshine once more.

For a 24 year old car with 115k miles - BMW certainly did make quality cars in the day

13 hours ago, KevWils said:

yes - changed out both cam sensors - exhaust side one had engine oil inside- and all been well since

Glad that sorted the issue....cheap fix and worth carrying a spare as I seem to recall they are the same both sides?

An interesting topic, I have considering getting one for my motorbike key (cost hundreds to replace if lost) so at £35 for an AirTag it's worth a punt.
However, not sure how effective it is as it relies on Bluetooth and can only triangulate to a rough area then I guess it tracks more accurately once you are within that area.
Also, have read that some airlines won't let them be used when traveling as they can affect the plane's electronics.

Once I get one, will update this post to let you know pros and cons but I guess for that money it's worth a try as cheaper than replacing a key

18 minutes ago, Greydog said:

I believe they call that a buffer stop BMW used them on several models so should not be that hard to find.

One of our Z3/4 drivers may be along to confirm 

I think Dave has hit the nail on the head with the name of this component

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2499334.m570.l1313&_nkw=bmw+z4+bonnet+buffer+stop&_sacat=131090

feel free to post up any photos of the Z3 as may help to sell it

Hi...welcome to the Club

I have a soft top complete with the fabric (which isn't in too bad condition) but the rear screen needs replacing - you can have it free of charge and located in Bournemouth. Already removed from the car

You can get replacement screens to fit by yourself and a lot easier if you have the hood removed from the car already

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335292667774?itmmeta=01HSBDG7M4AHAARP66PWMDBHJA&hash=item4e1100177e:g:VycAAOSwux5YYXC6&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4GA%2B0WhxFIsKr0WPjb9uJ%2FhuU1p3eCP2uiWl9oAUctlVbFR7uu8zz2dcNKHi%2Fisp%2FVwMCJJb2RpN%2BJmAKFhavLBb0BVXxXwzvu70ohM2x2JyWE8ObVCSxRyytSP31SdbnIrXsQElnvmcuHqIhFmWxRqJljyattaZFRHU%2BSOw%2BztgYXPrPYdvuSBMjhWntRmE%2BckCruO7rQdeB40xXl%2BuUEhckd5MAc32yRcYDHw5i06gli5gGXwgOo2Yneq%2FAROO%2FSI9cohd59a0WWsako%2FhZTMAF2XhfK%2Bibo4RbqzIXKB6|tkp%3ABk9SR6b6wO3KYw