New Z3 owner... but it’s raining! So here are some questions...

[Zeddicus]

I’ve been a Z3 1.9i/2001 owner for less than 24hrs... and it’s raining hard & the roof leaks! Still good fun for the 10 minutes I managed to keep the hood down for.
This is a freely acquired Z3, MoT due end of October. I plan to use it for 4 weeks, MoT and then decide whether to scrap, offer up for parts, or keep on the road. I’d like to keep it on the road, but i like good value for money motoring more!

Questions:

• ASC - what does this button do. I press it and nothing seems to happen (no lights change). I assume it’s active stability control?

Might these be MoT failures?

• Headlight units cloudy & discoloured. I might be able to clean, but they are quite far gone IMO.
• Gear knob loose and held on with tape.
• Drivers Door handle broken off. Hopefully can creatively glue and screw. (Opening mech still works)
• Passenger window is stuck (white insert / guide has popped above trim on edge nearest rear.
• Drivers window is a little sticky.

Cosmetic:

• Hood (lots of answers given) might live with it, but if I’m going to keep car long term will fix (looks like £300 plus a drive to wales).
• Creaky steering wheel (mostly when turning to the right)
• Alarm too sensitive, advised not to lock car. Any pointers on how easy to fix / disable (just the alarm part) / or does operation with key not set alarm?
• Any thoughts on best way to add handsfree (without replacing existing BMW stereo) e.g. Bluetooth via cassette v. FM transmitter v. mod to CD changer in boot.

Needs inspection:

• Drivers Sill (already have a thread in progress). This is my biggest known concern.
• Engine emissions at MoT under new rules is the unknown.

If you’ve read this far, then I’d be interested in knowing how much life you think is left in a 2001 Z3 with 139,000 miles on the clock. And how much worth spending. It’s been serviced according the service interval lights all its life, but it’s looking quite tired now.
Here’s the recent MoT advisories, and servicing schedule:

Date Mileage Event/Parts
18Oct17 131958 MoT + Service/Inspection II
Service:
Spark Plugs, Oil+Air filters, Oil flush & change
MoT repair:
Tie Rod End outer RH, Rear coil springs x2,
Crank case vent valve
note: Failed emissions Lamda 1.14 & 1.17 (passed after work above)
MoT Advisory: Rear brake disk worn/pitted or scored, not seriously weakened
Service Advisory: replace front pad at next service

20Feb17 126227 Radiator & Water Pump replaced
14Oct16 124076 MoT & repairs Ball joint outer Breather hose

15Feb16 118420 Service/Inspection I
Oil & filter change Brake & Clutch fluid Micro-V XF belt

23Oct15 115210 MoT
17Sep15 114152 Repairs Starter Motor
24Oct14 107506 MoT

 

[t-tony]

Which engine size is it? 139,000 on a 1.9 could be considered harder work than on say, a 2.8.

Tony.

 

[Zeddicus]

Which engine size is it? 139,000 on a 1.9 could be considered harder work than on say, a 2.8.

Tony.

1.9i - I’ll edit original post

 

[t-tony]

ASC light should illuminate when button is pressed. Basically it's saying the traction control is disabled. An ABS light on tells you that the ABS is inoperative, also the Airbag light on is saying the Airbag system (supplementary restraint system(s) ) is inoperative.
Headlights - if they still show the correct pattern and the light output is not significantly reduced they should pass.
Drivers door - if it can be opened fron inside and outside and secured in the closed position should pass.
Windows - as long as they're clear enough to see through and not sticking out causing a projection should pass.
Gear knob - maybe an advisory.

Tony.

 

[Zeddicus]

Thanks, useful information.
ASC light does not illuminate when button pressed. ABS light comes on with ignition. ASC light does not illuminate either at ignition/test or at any other point.

 

[roadvoyager1]

Thanks, useful information.
ASC light does not illuminate when button pressed. ABS light comes on with ignition. ASC light does not illuminate either at ignition/test or at any other point.

Could be the bulb has been removed to hide a problem. As I understand it the MOT tester should check that the ABS light comes on with ignition and is extinguished after starting the engine. Could be the same for ASC but not sure, however, I am sure one of our testers will tell us if it is. @t-tony @Stevo7682 ??

 

[Stevo7682]

Abs has to follow sequence ie illuminating then out .
Traction light only a fault if illuminating but you are meant to check the operation of the switch so should have failed for incorrect operation.
Have you tried to see if traction control physically works
Stephen.

 

[Zeddicus]

Abs has to follow sequence ie illuminating then out .
Traction light only a fault if illuminating but you are meant to check the operation of the switch so should have failed for incorrect operation.
Have you tried to see if traction control physically works
Stephen.

Not yet, I will test soon. My problem is that I don’t now how to distinguish between effect of ABS (which appears to be functioning), and ASC, which might not be.

 

[t-tony]

If you can find a deserted bit of road gather some speed and lean heavily on the brake pedal, if the ABS is working you will feel a "judder" under your braking foot as the ABS pump applies and releases pressure to the brakes and the light will illuminate.
A sharp turn from standstill on a wet road will tell if the traction control is doing anything or not. If you set off and the rear wheels spin up and then the engine power cuts and the wheel spin ceases you can say it is working. However if the wheel spin continues regardless it isn't

Tony.

 

[Stevo7682]

Not yet, I will test soon. My problem is that I don’t now how to distinguish between effect of ABS (which appears to be functioning), and ASC, which might not be.

Take it to somewhere quiet (loose ground better) give it the beans see if rear wheel spin

 

[Mint]

Hi @Zeddicus to the forum from me too in Staffordshire.

 

[Shelly]

Hi and welcome to ZroadSter

 

[Tom Martin]

Hi and welcome from Oz !

 

[Ianmc]

Yours will likely be the M43 1.9 rated at 117HP. Twin cam 1.9s (M44) had 138HP.