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BMW Z3 Maintenance & Repair

104 messages,  Last post on Dec 28, 2012 at 10:38 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW Z3, Convertible

Messages Page 2 of 11

#9 of 104 1st Visit To The Shop.... For me anyway by spirolli

Jul 31, 2002 (5:58 pm)

When I purchased the 2001 Z3 about 1 month ago it had a plastic tab/clip missing from the CD Radio. The sales person and manager assured that they would order the clip direct from BMW and mail it to me. To make a long story short, he called me a few days ago and told me that he couldn't order the clip, that I should bring the car into the dealership and they would replace the entire radio.! I thought that was excellent customer service.
 
I am also going to see if they can take care of a few other items. 1- When pressing the auto-up drivers window...the window will go up to about 1" from the top, stop and go back down to about 4" from the top. Something is faking out the safety sensor in the window. It's something in the roof or molding in the roof since it only happens when the top is in the up position. 2- There is a mean rattle in the passenger seat. It actually sounds as if the seat is loose or something. 3- The cigarette lighter light blinks on and off at will.
 
I did have a wobble in one of the front tires at 69MPH. I had all 4 of the tires speed balanced and sure enough, one of the front tires was slightly out of balance. However, I am starting to feel a wobble at 79MPH instead of 69MPH. It's an ever so slight wobble but still a wobble. I'm thinking that either the tires were not balanced properly or it's just me.
 
Does anyone else feel an ever so slight wobble at a given speed.?
 
Other than that, the car is a great piece.
 
Steve

#10 of 104 inspection II by vjoe_udo

Aug 05, 2002 (3:15 pm)

haspelbien, did you do your own inspection II?
I did a bunch of stuffs (engine oil, spark plugs,
fuel filter, air filters, etc..) and then took
it in and paid $300 for the dealer to do the rest.

I'm going to do all the inspection myself from
now on. Try this message board for your questions.
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/z3/

#11 of 104 Harmon Kardon Sub Woofer on 2001 Z3 2.5i by spirolli

Aug 11, 2002 (5:58 pm)

I popped the cover off of the sub woofer today and noticed that there is no snorkle tube like I have read about. I bought my car used and I am wondering if anyone knows if all 2001 H&K sub-woofers have the snorkle tube ?
 
If so, I'll have to call the dealership where I purchased it.
 
Please advise.
 
Steve

#12 of 104 HK Sub Woofer on 2001 Z3 by spirolli

Aug 12, 2002 (2:06 pm)

I heard back from the dealer. Apparently, there are some (earlier) 2001 Z3 with the older style sub-woofer (no port tube) and the newer style with the port tube. I must have the older style. I can not confirm weather or I have 2 sub's or 1. When I pop off the H&K cover, I only see 1 speaker looking me right in the face. Not 2.
 
Can anyone confirm this or shed some light on this issue.
 
Steve

#13 of 104 Inspection II - vjoe_udo by haspelbein

Aug 15, 2002 (11:17 am)

Yes, I did the inspection myself. Actually, with the change of the plugs, air filter, oil change and fuel filter, you were almost there.
(Changing the large fuel filter is a real peach, isn't it ?)
 
I further changed my coolant, replaced the transmission fluid, inspected the brakes for wear, lateral runout and cleaned them. Plus a whole list of smaller items, like servicing the battery.
Overall, being the first time, it took me about half a day to complete the service. But I also didn't exactly try to set a speed record.
 
I further wanted to change the rear differential fluid, but the fluid is BMW specific. The dealer sells it only in that they call "the bucket", meaning that you'd get 5 gallons worth for $300, when you actually need about a quart.
However, the service advisor simply told me that they don't even touch the differential until 100K miles. So, I left it alone.
Maybe it's just me, but I found the service advisors and parts people at the dealers highly cooperative, and they more than once told me 'not to worry' when I was ready to 'overservice' my car again.
 
I did however read that in BMW's with traction control, a special tool is required to properly flush the brake system. So I had that done at the dealer, which set me back about $110.
I further paid around $60 for a the service light reset tool, which worked like a charm.
 
Overall, I probably paid around $400 less than what it would have cost me at the dealer.
 
P.S.: I just spent an upsetting $140 on special tools just to service my Benz, but that is a different story.

#14 of 104 Z3 Newbie by luau

Aug 27, 2002 (7:30 pm)

Hello all,
 
I am just about to purchase a 1997 6-Cyl Z3 with 25K Miles on it and I don't have access to its service records yet (or the Owners Manual).
 
It is pretty cherry and I am excited about the prospect of owning it, but I was wondering what to expect in the way of annual operating costs (expecting to put 3-5K per year). In addition, are there any issues I should look in to on the car before purchase.
 
I'm reasonably handy with a wrench, and will probably tend to the simple stuff, while taking it in to the dealer for the rest...
 
So, what do you learned (and newer Z3 owners) think? I hope to be back in this section with my first impressions of ownership.
 
THANKS for your input.

#15 of 104 Ownership Cost (luau) by haspelbein

Aug 28, 2002 (10:53 am)

That really depends on the condition of the vehicle. The Z3's weak spots are mostly the interior and (as with any convertible) the top and its seals. The windows and the top will probably need some adjustment from time to time. If you don't want to do it yourself, you're looking at BMW labor rates.
 
Other than that, here is the list of the problems I've encountered in 1.5 years of ownership:
 
- Glovebox latch replacement
- Seatrail replacement (driver's side)
- Replacement of all seals of the convertible top
- Replacement of convertible top latch (passenger side)
- Replacement of shift linkage seal on transmission
- Replacement of numerous minor fasteners in the interior
 
A major service will cost you around $600 at the dealership and should come up around 30K to 36K miles.
 
If it wasn't for the warranty, I probably would have around $1500 in that car, and that does not include the depreciation.
 
That being said, it has been a very enjoyable car, which shines through its handling and powertrain, and disappoints through the interior quality.
 
I hope this helps...
 
P.S.: The service records are normally stored electronically in BMW's service network. Depending on how the previous owner performed the service, you may have a mix of electronic and paper records.

#16 of 104 Ownership Cost by luau

Aug 29, 2002 (9:27 pm)

Thank you Haspelbein!
 
I have been talking with other owners as well and they have similar experience with the Z...
 
Should find out this weekend if it's mine...

#17 of 104 Good Luck by haspelbein

Aug 30, 2002 (8:58 am)

And I hope you'll enjoy your Z3 !

#18 of 104 Z3 Luggage rack? by larry_z3

Sep 20, 2002 (10:49 am)

I am seeking suggestions on the best possible luggage rack for my trunk.
 
The BMW rack has a puny weight limit of 40 pounds. From the web, I have discovered that www.hmsmotorsport.com is selling a Fapa rack for $195. Classic Carriers has one for $395.
 
Does anyone have another suggestion or an opinion. I would appreciate a direct email to me at: with_garlichotmail.com

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