New Z3 owner

[s512]

Hi all,

Just purchased a nice shiny sienna red Z3 3.0 - great car so far! Always wanted one since I was about 8, when they came out. Now they're such great value, it would be rude not to. Few little niggles that I plan to sort out though...

I have a few questions for you guys -
1. My foot brushes against the underneath of the dash when depressing the clutch... I've adapted driving style to suit... but sometimes it gets me. Has anyone else found this?
2. Do after market stereos provide support for the BMW CD changer, or should it be removed?
3. Sometimes, when going over bumps and small pot holes, there's a very light metallic rattle sound coming from the rear - I've had a look underneath and can't see anything loose. Any ideas? No heavy metal clonks or anything.
4. The car appears to sit lower on the drivers side slightly - failed shocks/springs or just normal? Again, I can't see anything visibly odd...

Cheers!

 

[t-tony]

Hi, just awaiting lunch in Orlando so I, m sure you'll get some answers before I finish eating. Anyway welcome to the forum and enjoy it and the car. Cheers for now, Tony.

 

[GazHyde]

Welcome @s512,

Lovely looking Zed you have, Sienna red is lovely...

In (possible) answer to your questions.

1. Never had an issue with my size 9's under the dash
2. Most aftermarket head units provide better functionality than the 6 disc changer, so I took mine out to save space - and weight
3. Could be one of many things, just ask @stevie_a. Could be anything from an exhaust bracket to a fuel tank strap (https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-petrol-tank-rattle-solved.78/)
4. Broken spring?

Gary

 

[Brian4]

Hi and welcome brilliant engine in the 3.0 but I am biased.

1. mines auto so can't help
2. I doubt if most support the cd changed but most new one support usb input.
3. could possibly be loose handbrake shoes there are some threads on here about them.
4. they shouldn't sit lower could be a broken spring and probably worn suspension bushes as well.

Where about are you as usually quite a few events and opportunities to meet up advertised on the forum.

 

[badman gee]

Welcome, lovelly colour car.

 

[t-tony]

I knew someone would like a big shiny red one. As we pulled into the Ale House for lunch we followed a Chevvie of some sort, a newish car, in an almost identical colour. I like it.

 

[badman gee]

Wish I was there tony!

 

[yocky z3 2.0]

Hi welcome to the forum I would check the rear brake pads sometimes if they are loose in the caliper they rattle and you get a metallic sound as for sitting lower on the drivers side this is due to the fuel tank being more to the drivers side usually about ten mil difference cheers tony.

 

[zedwheels]

Hello s512 welcome to .org. I really do like the zed you have there that colour sets it off.

 

[g8jka]

Welcome, looks a lovely car!

My Z3 also sits slightly lower on the drivers side, which I believe is the same in most zeds but not that noticeable. Like the E36, the drivers side sits lower due to when driving a LHD vehicle it allows a little movement for when the driver is in the vehicle (meaning the extra weight of the driver evens out the suspension). Of course this is only on a LHD vehicle and was never changed over for when RHD vehicles were produced. If it was then the passenger side would be slightly lower to allow for the extra weight of the driver. This is how I have always understood it anyway and have never taken the fuel tank into consideration.

 

[zedonist]

Welcome to the .org side, most of the answers are above to your questions, I would suggest that your foot brushing is due the panel not being fitted back correctly, extra long tie nails.

Your welcome thread is also making a record run of posts without mirth........

 

[zedonist]

Just to confirm the drivers side does sit 10mm lower by design and is indeed due to the fuel tank as it's a P shape, and as said above a LHD driver would compensate. If it is lower by more than 10mm then look for a broken spring or worn damper. Nothing too expensive or hard to replace.

 

[t-tony]

Welcome to the .org side, most of the answers are above to your questions, I would suggest that your foot brushing is due the panel not being fitted back correctly, extra long tie nails.

Your welcome thread is also making a record run of posts without mirth........

Didn't you spot it Rich. " I knew someone would like a big shiny red one " Is HT having a day off?

 

[zedonist]

Ha, Tony you slipped that under the radar..........

 

[hard top]

No, I saw it but I thought I would leave everything to you guys tonight as you are all doing so well.......

 

[oldcarman]

Welcome from mid northern Canada. I will not be drawn into hijacking your welcome with comments about snow. Enjoy the forum and feel free to ask away if you have questions. JIM

 

[Cooper]

That a shiny girl you have! Great to see ya on the forum.

 

[metalmickey]

Welcome from me in Walton on Thames. Great looking car!
MM

 

[DavidM]

Welcome from Ireland! Great looking car and colour, enjoy!

David.

 

[s512]

Cheers guys, much appreciated. I'm in berkshrie, not far from Reading.

I'll look into the solutions you've suggested. The drivers side being lower is quite noticeable so I think it must be more than 10mm, but I'll check for sure later this evening! Also, the CD changer is going