My new to me M44 project

[BlackBMWs]

I did get those four.

The top ones in the radio area

The one in the center of the console under the cupholders

The two that tie to the Subwoofer box

and the two on the rear sides

Seems to still be attached at the top near the radio bezel.

Hey! Nice boots BTW. Thanks for your help!

 

[Althulas]

See this thread there's four screws in the radio compartment see point D http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=15979 hope this helps.

 

[BlackBMWs]

Thanks Guys! It was the two plastic prongs that I needed to decouple. I also loosened the e-Brake to lift it high enough to clear the console. I appreciate your help!

i'll pull the seats and tidy up under the seats as well as reroute the Seat heater switch wiring to the front. I'll convert the switch plate to an OEM storage cubby. I see there was an option for a BMW phone as well as I found the pre-run wiring. .

Speaking of seats, if anyone is breaking a comfort seat bottom in great shape and would be willing to post either the material and heating pad or the entire seat bottom, I typically look for passenger seat bottoms or backs as they are typically in better shape than the driver's seat.

I believe the seat bottoms are interchangeable like most E36 seats. I am looking for the pattern shown. Sending the entire seat bottom would be easiest instead of pulling it apart from the cushions. I'm good either way as I can reattach/upholster another cover on to my existing cushion. I sure would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance!

While I have the console out, I might as well drop the glove box to check for a BMW alarm module. If there is one, I have aftermarket alarm fobs that can be programmed in.

Rich

 

[BlackBMWs]

Did a little today, mainly for preparing for weekend work.

Took the Glovebox out. Found the car had a BMW factory alarm installed after the initial order/delivery. It is an Alpine unit, not chip resettable unit. I think I have a two button remote around somewhere. I just have to search out the programming sequence. If not, I have a few programmable units somewhere.

Took pics of my drivers door lock to see if I could figure out the spinning key in the cylinder issue. I know the lock cylinder is not catching, but I can see the drift pin installed in the end of the cylinder. Hmmm. What's amiss and not catching? I can operate the central locking feature manually to lock by rotating the bottom end of the cylinder housing to the right. Once locked tho, I have to unlock the car from the passenger side or trunk. The issue seems to be with the cylinder, not the striker/catchplate mechanism. O, well, one more thing to take apart to address.

I also installed a LED replacement bulb in for the incandescent bulb. Definitely whiter and brighter with less heat.

A pic of the Infinity 5002i 5 1/4 HK replacements. They just fit under the grille. Tight fit, but they sound oh, so good.

Andy, thanks for your help today with parts. Cheers all!

 

[Low Rider]

Great to read and see your progress

 

[BlackBMWs]

OK, just a few minutes today available to work on something, so I pulled the drivers side door handle to check the spinning lock issue I am having.

So, I noted that there was gummy residue in the lock instead of grease or lubricant. It was like a soft varnish. I "Cleaned" the lock with WD-40. After repeated entry with the key and repeated sprayings, I believe the gummy stuff began to dissolve and the cylinder keys became ungummed. Once ungummed, the lock started operating more normally, but still failing intermittently. I believe the residue needs to dissolve out of the cylinder keys.

I'll let it soak a bit more to get ungummified. if consistently working, I will replace the door handle black gasket and reinstall it tomorrow. One more item addressed...

Oh, is the 97 Z3 supposed to have a trunk light somewhere? I have a LED bulb to install, but where's the light?

 

[Low Rider]

My boot light is at the rear of the boot in between the hinges

 

[BlackBMWs]

My boot light is at the rear of the boot in between the hinges
View attachment 32236

Excellent! Thank you! i'll look and install tomorrow...

 

[Low Rider]

Excellent! Thank you! i'll look and install tomorrow...

Your welcome

 

[BlackBMWs]

Lock update: The lock works 7-10 times consistently. Good enough for now until I get the cylinder lock repair kit in. I ordered a new lock actuator as well so it will last another 15 years...

Swapped the bald tires out on the Style 35s, square Conti DWS 225/50-16 for a set of DS-2s with a solid set of square Hankook 235/45-17"s. Way heavier wheel, but good for now. I have a set of Toyo R1R's I will put on the Z Stars.

Like, no like?

Also, got my rear strut tower brace. Seems to have gotten scratched up in shipping, and I am mounting it on top of the carpet, so I will repaint it to clean up it a bit before mounting it since it will be visible. I am looking forward to getting this in.

I also found my burnt out trunk light. The LED does not work and Fuse 33 is intact. I'll test it out in the AM. At least I know I have the possibility of light back there. Thanks again Low Rider!

Cheers! Rich

 

[hard top]

Like, no like?

Yep, like.

 

[GazHyde]

Not sure I've seen "sunflowers" on a Z3 before, but I like!

 

[BlackBMWs]

I have light in the trunk! Seems simple, but, it's nice to have it. I found out that the LED light is polarity sensitive. Thanks Low Rider.

I reinstalled the drivers side handle and lock cylinder. Unlocks 8 of ten tries. Central locking is working again, I can now lock the car. I did put the rest of the door handle trim in after this picture. I have a cylinder repair kit on order along with a spare actuator. Oh, I also picked up my new car key.

Started to reroute the wiring for the seat heater this afternoon.from the rear switch area to the front console. The two carpets are held together with Velcro. What was cool, was this was the cleanest carpet I have come across in a 20 yer old car. It is nice not having to shampoo a carpet when you pull out the seats. Plus I found 87 cents and two pens.

After separating the carpet, I fished the switch connectors forward.

The wiring and switches are now are now in a position to be located in the front console.

I'll reinstall the console tomorrow and do the drivers seat bushings..

 

[BlackBMWs]

Made a little progress today...

Moved the seat heater switches from the rear switch panel to the front console panel. (oh, gotta put the radio covers back in. Just spotted that...)

Replaced the worn window switches with a fresher pair I had in storage.

Lexol leather conditioned and installed the red shift and eBrake boots I renewed a few nights ago. I conditioned the inside and outside of the boots to keep them soft and pliable.

(Oops, I did reinstall the OBD II socket after this photo)

Installed the Delrin seat bushings in the drivers seat. Easy job... I'll do the passenger side next weekend.

Cleaned, then conditioned both seats with a good dose of Lexol. (Except the drivers seat bottom which is getting replaced.) The interior plastics and vinyl got the Aerospace 303 treatment after a good cleaning.

I lubed the door hinges and door stops. Applied graphite for the ignition lock. Installed a seat belt button, so I could find the seat belt buckle more easily. Trimmed the aftermarket drivers carpet mat to actually fit and not bunch up.

Next immediate things are to figure out is how to remove the license plate lenses to install LED bulbs, determine a good reinforcement brace for broken off glove box support brackets, inspect and lube the window sliders and rails and plan my zipper sewing adventure for my top for the inbound window.

I also need to source a rear sway bar as this one has no sway bar at all. I also have somewhere, a pair of Z3 armrests that fit into the storage cubby and cupholder. Gotta look harder...

 

[5harp3y]

numberplate lights just pop out and take a wedge bulb

 

[BlackBMWs]

Thanks! I just didn't want to break any retention tabs on the lenses. I'll give that a go this evening.

Anyone have feedback in using a Powerflex bushing for the Diff housing? I read somewhere that the stock rubber may be too soft leading to subframe failure from diff twist.

 

[5harp3y]

Ive got one, but not fitted it yet

 

[Antm72]

I have replaced the bush with the powerflex one its removed all my drivetrain clunk the standard one was delaminating so the excess play over time could cause the diff mount to fail i suppose.

 

[BlackBMWs]

Good morning Zeders!

A few notes and a trio of questions for the day:

I ordered SS brake lines to stage for the brake overhaul. (Thanks Ed @BimmerBum.Co!) I'm debating swapping in vented rotors for the solid ones. Something I'd normally do on the compacts, I have a set of E36 328i calipers, carriers and rotors to swap in handy.

While it makes a material braking difference on the Compacts, I understand that will add 6 pounds per corner and may not yield a material difference as opposed to going with a better pad for normal street/AutoX driving. Should definitely make a cooling difference if I were to track the car, but I don't anticipate tracking this one. AutoX tops. I plan to use Hawk HP pads, not the HP plus as I do on the Compacts I track. (BTW, I don't do extensive track driving other than track days a few times a year and AutoX events with two of my Compacts)

So:

What are your thoughts on solid vs. vented rotors as a brake upgrade?

What brake pads do you fancy for spirited driving and superior braking response?

For extra credit: Are the rear subframe bushings an issue for the Z's? I haven't seen much mention of them being an issue.

Parts are coming in for much of the other renewal work once I get back from Bimmerfest at the end of May.

Be well! Rich

 

[BlackBMWs]

This has to be the fastest transcontinental delivery I have received for parts.

Andy sent this on Monday, I received it today on Wednesday. WOW! Thank you very much for a swift packaging and delivery. Very much appreciated. Now I just have to wait for BMW to send a new heating pad. I did receive a replacement windshield washer nozzle and misc interior trim parts. Sadly, I suspect I won't be doing much until after I return from Bimmerfest in L.A. All cool though, it will permit other parts to show up...

Nala saw I was taking a photo and had to pose for it.