Newbie

Badger169

Newbie
Joined
Nov 4, 2024
Points
3
Hi everyone, new to the Z3 fraternity so looking forward to some good advice and help. Recently purchased this little beauty, it had been stood on a drive for approx 12 months. Ever since passing my test many many years ago, I've always wanted a soft top car so when I saw this on a drive looking sad, I plucked up the courage to knock on the persons front door and luckily they agreed to sell it. Came with a mountain and I mean a mountain of paperwork and an original Z3 manual, which is more like an encyclopaedia because its that thick. Not had to do much at it at all, passed its MOT 1st time with no advisories, such a lovely car to drive. One thing I do need to replace is the DISA unit. Priced a new one and (as you all will know) they are quite expensive, so would anyone know where I could possible get my hands on a second hand one, or is it possible to replace the diaphragm as believe this is what will have failed inside the unit. Also, is there anything I could use to give the rear window some life back into it, as its quite dull at the moment. Thanks :)
 

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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
You used to be able to buy a kit to rebuild the DISA valve from eBay. I assume you still can?
Greygate plastic polish (another eBay sourced product) makes a world of difference to those old plastic rear windows.

Tony.
 

AntStark

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
May 15, 2021
Points
139
Location
Hampshire
Model of Z
2002 3.0 Sport
Local supplies of one of Disa membranes dried up a year or two ago..you can still get the rebuild kits from the states cheap enough. Alternatively there are a few rebuilt ones on eBay. It’s not as straightforward a job as you’d think to do yourself.
 

Badger169

Newbie
Joined
Nov 4, 2024
Points
3
You used to be able to buy a kit to rebuild the DISA valve from eBay. I assume you still can?
Greygate plastic polish (another eBay sourced product) makes a world of difference to those old plastic rear windows.

Tony.
Thats great :) I will look on ebay now for the Greygate plastic polish. Daft question but when searching for the kit to rebuild the DISA valve, please could you tell me what to put, in the search bar? Really dont want to get the wrong one or type, Thanks :)
 

Badger169

Newbie
Joined
Nov 4, 2024
Points
3
Local supplies of one of Disa membranes dried up a year or two ago..you can still get the rebuild kits from the states cheap enough. Alternatively there are a few rebuilt ones on eBay. It’s not as straightforward a job as you’d think to do yourself.
Ahh right ok, so failing the rebuild kit would you have any idea where I could get a second hand one? :)
 

Stevo7682

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
The M44 Massive
Scottish Zeds
Joined
Apr 1, 2016
Points
208
Location
Maybole , South Ayrshire
Model of Z
Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
Hi and welcome from me in Scotland :welcome: .

I done a thread a couple pc years ago documenting strip down and rebuild of tge 4cyl disa valve.
I will find it and post the link up onto here.

Stephen.
 

Stevo7682

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
The M44 Massive
Scottish Zeds
Joined
Apr 1, 2016
Points
208
Location
Maybole , South Ayrshire
Model of Z
Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
 

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
Thats great :) I will look on ebay now for the Greygate plastic polish. Daft question but when searching for the kit to rebuild the DISA valve, please could you tell me what to put, in the search bar? Really dont want to get the wrong one or type, Thanks :)
Look here for instance,


I just typed in "bmw z3 disa valve repair kit", there are loads of kits. Just search for the one for your engine type.

Tony.
 

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 and :welcome: to the forum from me too in Stafford. Where are you?
 

Geoff Crispin

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Points
145
Location
Somerset
Model of Z
3 1.9 & 3.0
Hi everyone, new to the Z3 fraternity so looking forward to some good advice and help. Recently purchased this little beauty, it had been stood on a drive for approx 12 months. Ever since passing my test many many years ago, I've always wanted a soft top car so when I saw this on a drive looking sad, I plucked up the courage to knock on the persons front door and luckily they agreed to sell it. Came with a mountain and I mean a mountain of paperwork and an original Z3 manual, which is more like an encyclopaedia because its that thick. Not had to do much at it at all, passed its MOT 1st time with no advisories, such a lovely car to drive. One thing I do need to replace is the DISA unit. Priced a new one and (as you all will know) they are quite expensive, so would anyone know where I could possible get my hands on a second hand one, or is it possible to replace the diaphragm as believe this is what will have failed inside the unit. Also, is there anything I could use to give the rear window some life back into it, as its quite dull at the moment. Thanks :)
Hi and welcome from me in Somerset, lots of good help and avice on here for you. Geoff
 
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