A crisis of conscience

[Stuart Outram]

Thank you Ken and gookah - I will keep Shepshed in mind - but I really need 'someone' reliable who can check this out for me - as said, I ain't going under the car, the bonnet or anaesthesia anymore. Those days are O V E R.

S.

 

[roadvoyager1]

I really need 'someone' reliable who can check this out for me - as said, I ain't going under the car, the bonnet or anaesthesia anymore. Those days are O V E R.

S.

Suggest you look for a local independent BMW specialist. Should be much more cost effective than a dealer. If it is the camshaft sensor, as has been suggested, make sure they fit an OEM replacement. There a numerous tales of cheaper third party sensors failing to work correctly.
Can any body help with a recommedation for good BMW indy near Chesterfield?

 

[Stuart Outram]

"Suggest you look for a local independent BMW specialist."

Thank you roadvoyager - of course, you are right. But 'recommendation' is always better than a blind shot in the dark, and this is my Achilles heel. I really hate going to a garage with 'happy smiley' mechanics, only to find later that their happy smiles reflected poor service, a disinterest in actually doing a good job, and a thirst for your hard earned geld. To have an accredited and contented 'I know a guy, who does a good job, for a reasonable price' recommendation is what I am truly seeking. I am very poor at rolling the loaded dice.

Regards,

Stuart

(a not very trusting type)

 

[Mint]

Hi @Stuart Outram, to the forum from me too, over the border in Staffordshire. I've used a place in Stoke on a couple of occasions but probably a bit far for you. Best of luck

 

[Stuart Outram]

Thank you Mint - indeed Stoke is a mite too far for these auld legs to walk all the way back home alone.

 

[mktommo]

Welcome on board from Milton Keynes!

I had a misfire and it turned out to be the camshaft sensor - had it fitted for a reasonable amount by my local friendly BMW specialist. I bought a code reader after that and in good weather would consider tackling that job on my own next time (and I'm a long way off an expert).

I also had brakes like you describe and turned out to be a sensor which i did replace myself. I did it as part of a discs, pads and sensors all round and didn't go OEM for any of it and it all works fine. I do go OEM for lots of stuff and invest in the car for the long term - but if you're not going to race it I think off the shelf Halfords / Europarts work just great...... Mine now has 126,000 and other than the sensor and an oil leak (all fixed now) I've had no problems whatsoever.

Good luck with it all!

 

[Stuart Outram]

The Cam Shaft Sensor seems to be a favourite option, and thank you for the comment. I am, like you, generally happy to take none original parts, and the brakes are working fine. It is just the latency of standing around that is causing the rusting. 126,000 miles suggests just about run in then?

 

[littlefeller]

Hi and welcome, as said you need someone fairly local to pull the codes, only then will you know what the problems are, I would hazard a guess that they are simple fixes, items like cam shaft sensors can be swapped over in 20min (assuming yours is an M44).
im sure someone near you will have either a code reader or a copy of inpa software.

oh yeh forgot to mention - the last time I went along to the zedfest there were members there with laptops and software

 

[Stuart Outram]

Thank you 'littlefeller.'

I just dipped my toe with a 'local' alleged expert garage - they offered a kind smile and a starting 'getting things on the way' offer of "£54.00 to check the codes, with our pleasure sir!"

 

[Nodzed]

 

[littlefeller]

you can buy the software and cable cheaper, first thing I brought for my zed and has saved me shed loads over the years.

 

[littlefeller]

but then if it convenience you need then why not just let them get on with it.

 

[Z Victor 1]

Hi Stuart, A friend of mine who lives near Chesterfield has used Quarry Motors at Sheffield. They are BMW specialists and suppliers of used BM parts. He said they were good and that as they only work on BM s they knew straightaway what was wrong with his car . I don't know anything about garages in Chesterfield, but @Domenico T Diiorio (who lives there)may be able to help. I use PTR Sports & Prestige here in Ripley. Very reliable and not too expensive.
Cheers,
Ken.

 

[Bazza]

 

[Stuart Outram]

Hi Stuart, A friend of mine who lives near Chesterfield has used Quarry Motors at Sheffield. They are BMW specialists and suppliers of used BM parts. He said they were good and that as they only work on BM s they knew straightaway what was wrong with his car . I don't know anything about garages in Chesterfield, but @Domenico T Diiorio (who lives there)may be able to help. I use PTR Sports & Prestige here in Ripley. Very reliable and not too expensive.
Cheers,
Ken.

Thanks ZV1 - I will give them a look over, and thank you for the information!

S.

 

[FRANKIE]

The title sounds a bit melodramatic, but it sort of fits my present mood - I am the proud owner of a 2001 BMW Z3 1.9i. Purchased in February 2002, at 8,000 miles.

One previous owner, and I have had the exclusive pleasure of this fine car for 16 years. It has been a total joy, and the engine still purrs along, after 58,000 very sedate miles. It has mostly been a summer car, and until the last couple of years has not really shown its' age. I have not done more than the minimum to keep it in good condition, (serviced), and to get it through the annual MOT test, hence my crisis of conscience.

Recently it has started to give a couple of potentially small problems, and I now need a bit of advice on how to look for reliable and honest support on bringing it back to some of its' early glory - it is by no means 'over the hill' but I do not wish to enter the slot machine world of Main Agents, to seek out the best way forward.

Anyone with good mechanical/technical knowledge who is willing to reach out, would be greatly appreciated. I live in Derbyshire.

My issues are:

1. ABS light, (yellow) illuminating - brakes are working fine.
2. I did a trip to Norfolk recently - all went well for 80 miles, and then the car began to misfire intermittently, but still ran fine. Not on load, just generally. On the return trip it ran fine again for 80 miles or so, and then the misfire again. On local runs it has not behaved badly since, but no more long journeys since.
3. I have cut corners, and had third party brakes and discs fitted - the car stands in the open all of the year, and they are prone to bad rusting.

Stuart

Welcome to the forum from Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.....................Frankie

 

[Domenico T Diiorio]

Stuart Hi I am in chesterfield I have a few code readers and I think one will reset the air bag system. If I can help let me know.

 

[Domenico T Diiorio]

Hi Stuart just re read your initial post not certain about ABS that could just a sensor. I have a 1.9i 2002 and you have to keep a close eye on the vacuum hoses these brake down with age. I also had a issue with the ignition leads one was failing when warm. Hope this helps o and I have used quarry motors in Sheffield for parts they also have a service garage across the road.