I'm new to the neighborhood

[Dean Shook]

Hello to the Z-roadster community... I just became the owner of a 1996 Z3 1.9L M44 5-speed in Boston Green with Moss Green and Beige interior, that has 38K miles on her... so far.

I am 68 and retired from BMWMC in Spartanburg SC where we built these guys, so it was a little sentimental for me to be driving one now after 22 years at the factory. I'll probably have a lot of questions for the members as I get more familiar with any/all of the issues that I find in this old of a vehicle. For instance, as I was driving it yesterday, top down, I noticed a rattle over light bumps coming from behind me on the driver's side. I was reading where it could be coming from the rear shock mount(s). But if I replace the mounts, I would think it's probably a good time to get new shocks on her as well. As I am not a fan of the 'sporty' stiff ride, I would like to just get it back to the comfortable feel of new, so any advice or product suggestions would be appreciated, like should I consider a Sachs or Bilstein replacements.
I'm looking forward to having a lot of fun with the Roadster, and reading the input of other Z owners.
Thanks.

 

[Dino D]

Oh wow you actually worked there?!

Have to say thank you for my Jan 98 Montreal Blue 2.8 which must have been made when you where there. You must have some Z3 stories!

Looks like you found a nice example of a practically new Z3 there.


Plenty of suspension talk on here, make sense to do shocks with mounts as you remove the shock to do the mount.


Ps. You didn’t work in the department that wired up the auxiliary aircon fans by any chance?

 

[t-tony]

Hi Dean, welcome to you from here near Lincoln UK. When I saw you're from SC I thought about Spartanburg, what a coincidence that you worked there, and for 22 years . I hope you enjoy your car to the full. I'll be your side of the pond in May for 3 weeks at our home in Kissimmee, Fla. My first Z was a Z3 in Oxford Green, I now have a Z4 in Sterling Grey. The rattle could also be the drop links or even something just "loose" so please check it over before parting with hard earned cash.

Tony.

 

[PHILIP BAXTER]

Hi Dean, and welcome to the forum.

 

[hard top]

Welcome on the forum @Dean Shook

 

[Jjim]

Hi, welcome from Mansfield - UK.

Looks like you have a very nice Z3

 

[Bonzeau]

Hi Dean, ...and many thanks for Z3lda!........ Bonzo.

 

[Nodzed]

Hi Dean and Welcome to the forum (if you anything to do with the design of the sills I'd keep it to yourself )

 

[Dean Shook]

Oh wow you actually worked there?!

Have to say thank you for my Jan 98 Montreal Blue 2.8 which must have been made when you where there. You must have some Z3 stories!

Looks like you found a nice example of a practically new Z3 there.


Plenty of suspension talk on here, make sense to do shocks with mounts as you remove the shock to do the mount.


Ps. You didn’t work in the department that wired up the auxiliary A/C fans by any chance?

Unfortunately, I was not part of the Assembly Department, but with a dimensional verification group (QC) that inspected most of all the puzzle pieces coming from suppliers. But in the beginning, '94/'95, I was with the Body Shop, welding and brazing the Z3 uni-bodies. Now I read that the welded design of the rear compartment really wasn't meant for the bigger 6 cylinder's horse power, and has been tearing apart from the subframe. Man, I am sorry to hear about any of that issue. Reinforcement plates was all that was needed, I guess.
I hope to spend a lot of time now driving around in the sunny weather, with top down, but will need to get some sunblock beforehand.

 

[Dean Shook]

Hi Dean, welcome to you from here near Lincoln UK. When I saw you're from SC I thought about Spartanburg, what a coincidence that you worked there, and for 22 years . I hope you enjoy your car to the full. I'll be your side of the pond in May for 3 weeks at our home in Kissimmee, Fla. My first Z was a Z3 in Oxford Green, I now have a Z4 in Sterling Grey. The rattle could also be the drop links or even something just "loose" so please check it over before parting with hard earned cash.

Tony.

Thanks Tony, and I will be underneath looking around for anything else contributing to the rattle. I know that the spare tire would rattle at one point due to a 4 contact point design, (picture a table rocking) but I was part of changing it over to only 3 points, to create a flat plane, and stop the 'rocking in the free world'...Sorry Bonzeau.

 

[hard top]

Reinforcement plates was all that was needed, I guess.

This guy on your side of the pond makes them http://www.spcarsplus.com/blog/?p=1

 

[Dean Shook]

Hi Dean, ...and many thanks for Z3lda!........ Bonzo.View attachment 74462

Very nice Z, is that Montreal Blue with a blue soft-top? One thing I don't recognize is in the center of the wheels, is that a cover?
Keep it shiny.

 

[Stevo7682]

Hi and welcome from me in Scotland

 

[hard top]

One thing I don't recognize is in the center of the wheels, is that a cover?

They are Alpina wheels.

 

[FRANKIE]

Hello to the Z-roadster community... I just became the owner of a 1996 Z3 1.9L M44 5-speed in Boston Green with Moss Green and Beige interior, that has 38K miles on her... so far.
View attachment 74454 View attachment 74455View attachment 74457 View attachment 74458
I am 68 and retired from BMWMC in Spartanburg SC where we built these guys, so it was a little sentimental for me to be driving one now after 22 years at the factory. I'll probably have a lot of questions for the members as I get more familiar with any/all of the issues that I find in this old of a vehicle. For instance, as I was driving it yesterday, top down, I noticed a rattle over light bumps coming from behind me on the driver's side. I was reading where it could be coming from the rear shock mount(s). But if I replace the mounts, I would think it's probably a good time to get new shocks on her as well. As I am not a fan of the 'sporty' stiff ride, I would like to just get it back to the comfortable feel of new, so any advice or product suggestions would be appreciated, like should I consider a Sachs or Bilstein replacements.
I'm looking forward to having a lot of fun with the Roadster, and reading the input of other Z owners.
Thanks.

Welcome to the forum from Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. I have a '96 Z3 Boston Green myself with a pic of it in front of @t-tony house

Hope you enjoy the forum....................Frankie

 

[Dean Shook]

Thank you Frankie, and I like your luggage rack too. My Z3 has a black soft-top, but your beige one looks great!

 

[Low Rider]

Welcome

 

[oldcarman]

Hi, I have a 97 1.9 in Boston Green which now has green seats to match my dash and door panels. I bought my car in the uk so RHD up here in Central Canada!! Welcome!! JIM

 

[andyglym]

to the forum from West Cumbria, England.

 

[Mint]

Hi @Dean Shook, to the forum from me too in Staffordshire, UK. I think you're the first member on here to have actually built Zeds. Lots on here modify them though