My first car

Alin S

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Sep 4, 2014
Points
68
Location
Wantage
Model of Z
Z3
Right, so I've been on roadster.org for a while but never actually introduced myself. I recently bought my first ever car, a '99 BMW Z3 1,9 M43 (affectionately named 'Zachary') with 60k miles on the clock. You will find a specification sheet and some photos attached to the post.

The first thing I did was replace the awful sound system with: 2 way component Infinity 5000CS speakers, Pioneer mid bass speakers (can't remember the model), Blaupunkt Blue Magic XLF200A underseat subwoofer in the footwell and a Pioneer DEH4600BT headunit which blends in well with the interior in terms of colour scheme. It now sounds quite good with nice clean bass which is is heard only in the cabin.

It is a lovely car but it has an intermittent starting issue: very rarely there a small hesitation when the car stays around 300-500 rpm after which it starts normally with no other issues. Any idea what that might be about? I was thinking maybe the camshaft position sensor? Thank you


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Shelly

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
East Anglian Crew
Joined
Jul 9, 2013
Points
201
Location
Norfolk
Model of Z
Z4 2.0 20i M Sport sDrive
Welcome to the forum Alin ;)
From Bradwell near Great Yarmouth :)
Wow what a first car to own a Z3 ;)
Hope you enjoy our site , it's full of fun and laughter :)
 

Jack Ratt

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
The West Country
Joined
Dec 3, 2013
Points
200
Location
TRURO, CORNWALL
Model of Z
2.8i AUTO and 2.8i MANUAL
Hello and welcome from Cornwall. 300-500rpm seems a little on the low side. Don't think I've ever had a car or a bike that would idle that low.

Increase your idle speed and see how it runs
 
Z

zedonist

Guest
Welcome Alin, the best way to know for sure is to read the cides from the ECU, that said, if you meant 3000 - 5000 rpm then it could be cam sensor. The cam sensor on the M43 is easier to replace than the M44 as it is plug and play and one screw.

My M44 suffered from a bad cam sendor when I bought it, it would be hard to start but then run fine, later on it would develop a loss of power at 3500 rpm back Fire then regain all power, pretty scary on the motorway. A bit further down the line it just used to stall and not start, changing the cam sensor cured it, but it forced me to buy a code reader.

Rich
 

FRANKIE

Zorg Guru (V)
American Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Sep 2, 2013
Points
193
Location
Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, USA
Model of Z
Z3
Right, so I've been on roadster.org for a while but never actually introduced myself. I recently bought my first ever car, a '99 BMW Z3 1,9 M43 (affectionately named 'Zachary') with 60k miles on the clock. You will find a specification sheet and some photos attached to the post.

The first thing I did was replace the awful sound system with: 2 way component Infinity 5000CS speakers, Pioneer mid bass speakers (can't remember the model), Blaupunkt Blue Magic XLF200A underseat subwoofer in the footwell and a Pioneer DEH4600BT headunit which blends in well with the interior in terms of colour scheme. It now sounds quite good with nice clean bass which is is heard only in the cabin.

It is a lovely car but it has an intermittent starting issue: very rarely there a small hesitation when the car stays around 300-500 rpm after which it starts normally with no other issues. Any idea what that might be about? I was thinking maybe the camshaft position sensor? Thank you


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Welcome to the forum from the other side of the pond. Frankie
 

Zeti

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
Romanian Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Oct 9, 2013
Points
167
Location
Bucuresti/ Romania
Model of Z
Z3 roadster 1.9
Welcome Alin!
Not too many Zedders here, had this chance of the first car!
The 1.9 facelift is a very reliable and economic model.
Many miles together!:)
 

Alin S

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Sep 4, 2014
Points
68
Location
Wantage
Model of Z
Z3
Thank you all for the warm welcome. It's very useful and informative forum.

Zedonist, I certainly hope it's the CPS as it would be a nice and easy fix. Will see what the problem was when my mechanic looks at it (Mark Purcell in Oxford - really knowledgeable and helpful). I will keep you guys posted.
 

Mint

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
East Anglian Crew
Joined
Sep 23, 2012
Points
222
Location
Stafford
Model of Z
2.2 & 3.0 Sport
Hi Alin, :welcome: from me too in Staffordshire.
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
Hi Alin, welcome from near Lincoln. Very nice car you have there. Good to hear from you. Enjoy.

Tony.
 

Bazza

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
The West Country
Joined
Oct 15, 2013
Points
156
Location
Verwood Dorset
Model of Z
2.8 Roadster
Hi, Alin and welcome from Dorset plenty of meets you can get to living in Oxford enjoy:coolsteer)
 

BMBabe

Zorg Expert (I)
Staff member
Supporter
British Zeds
Community Admin
Joined
Sep 4, 2014
Points
206
Location
Aylesbury
Model of Z
Z3
A BIG welcome from just down the road in Aylesbury :happy: I have a Zed meet up near Silverstone next weekend Sunday the 8th Hope you can make it :happy::happy:
 

Alin S

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Sep 4, 2014
Points
68
Location
Wantage
Model of Z
Z3
Thank you everyone.

That meet up sounds really good, I'll do my best to try and be there. Where can I get updates about meet ups and other such things?
 
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