Looking good 
Oil cooler and Fuel Tank Straps
- Thread starter Mazza
- Start date
On each of the straps is a plastic clip that holds a wire ( to wheel sensors I think) .
Looking at mine I’m not sure if the original ones would be salvageable. So asked local BMW parts dept to get me a couple of replacement ones to make sure I get the mounting hole size correct.
They could not identify them, so got on to BMW UK Technical who in turn struggled to identify them....but came up with a part number, and the spares dept got a couple in for me. Went over this morning to find they were the wrong part. They were clips that are used on the fuel lines. ( which was in the part description on the packet !)
So much for BMW Technical !!!!!!
I will now locate a good aftermarket clip to suit, as a cable tie would be a bit naff. There must be a lot out there it’s just a case of finding one.
Looking at mine I’m not sure if the original ones would be salvageable. So asked local BMW parts dept to get me a couple of replacement ones to make sure I get the mounting hole size correct.
They could not identify them, so got on to BMW UK Technical who in turn struggled to identify them....but came up with a part number, and the spares dept got a couple in for me. Went over this morning to find they were the wrong part. They were clips that are used on the fuel lines. ( which was in the part description on the packet !)
So much for BMW Technical !!!!!!
I will now locate a good aftermarket clip to suit, as a cable tie would be a bit naff. There must be a lot out there it’s just a case of finding one.
You ate making really good progress sorting out the straps. Mine are okay at the moment, but in another couple of years I may well be looking to replace them.
As a follow on project I would suggest you could look at sourcing a 2-part stainless steel replacement for the rear brake protection plates (21 in diagram) https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=CH32-EUR-02-1999-Z3-BMW-Z3_28&diagId=34_0567.
To replace them with the painted mild steel OEM part requires the rear hub assembly to be pulled (not a nice job by all reports) or the plate to be cut and rewelded after fitting. If you were to follow this up please my name on the list.
As a follow on project I would suggest you could look at sourcing a 2-part stainless steel replacement for the rear brake protection plates (21 in diagram) https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=CH32-EUR-02-1999-Z3-BMW-Z3_28&diagId=34_0567.
To replace them with the painted mild steel OEM part requires the rear hub assembly to be pulled (not a nice job by all reports) or the plate to be cut and rewelded after fitting. If you were to follow this up please my name on the list.
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@roadvoyager1 , let’s get the straps sorted first, then start looking at other projects 
Awesome work!
Re the clips, I’ve been know to be partial to the odd cable tie (or 2,000) so no issue with them for me
Massively underrated items IMO.
Duck tape on the other hand is just bodging, none of the that under my car (I think!)
I might have a clip on the other sets of straps, won't be till next weekend now though.
There are clips on your pair of sample ones that I have here, but I don’t think it will be easy to remove them without damage ( so I haven’t tried !!!)
Main problem is that BMW don’t even recognise them, so not sure if they will actually be available. I have today found a possible alternative on line, and it looks ok, so requested a sample for next week.
Main problem is that BMW don’t even recognise them, so not sure if they will actually be available. I have today found a possible alternative on line, and it looks ok, so requested a sample for next week.
Remove them if you need to, no prob if they break. A hot air gun to soften them may reduce any brittleness.
In those clips, is there a central locking pin you need to push through to allow removal? Just a thought.
Tony.
Tony.
Interesting in a set, great work and thanks.
@t-tony , no unfortunately not. Would have been a lot easier if it had been designed that way. It’s a one time push fit (fir tree type)
@Synclare good tip re heating it with a hot air gun, although I used the wife’s hairdryer.
With some maintenance spray and a lot of care it finally came loose enough to swivel it around and ease it out.
Gone through all the electrical clip pictures on RealOEM and can’t find one that looks like it.
@Synclare good tip re heating it with a hot air gun, although I used the wife’s hairdryer.
With some maintenance spray and a lot of care it finally came loose enough to swivel it around and ease it out.
Gone through all the electrical clip pictures on RealOEM and can’t find one that looks like it.
Look like the cable clips on the bonnet slam panel
Perhaps I'm wrong but thought they were on the underside of the slam panel securing the lighting loom.
Similar but the ones under that slam panel clip on the edge of it.
Darren McKinstry
Regular Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2014
- Points
- 13
Interested.
Update.
Met up with @ZedHead last week to check out prototypes as he has his car stripped down.
( I can tell you that he is doing a brilliant job on his car)
Anyway,
Small one fits ok and gives good support.
The larger one has an issue with the inner bend, where it fits behind the beam. The shape of the original needs to be replicated somehow, or some other strengthening for this bend created. I will be seeing my metalwork fabricator hopefully on friday to discuss this and find a solution.
I was sent a reel of 25mm x 8 mm neoprene rubber to test out, and it was a very close match to the original. So thats one issue that has been resolved as is the cable clip, which I also received a sample and will work ok.
Met up with @ZedHead last week to check out prototypes as he has his car stripped down.
( I can tell you that he is doing a brilliant job on his car)
Anyway,
Small one fits ok and gives good support.
The larger one has an issue with the inner bend, where it fits behind the beam. The shape of the original needs to be replicated somehow, or some other strengthening for this bend created. I will be seeing my metalwork fabricator hopefully on friday to discuss this and find a solution.
I was sent a reel of 25mm x 8 mm neoprene rubber to test out, and it was a very close match to the original. So thats one issue that has been resolved as is the cable clip, which I also received a sample and will work ok.
