Zebedee - It Begins!

[Broad Ambition]

So, Acquired my first ever Bmw on Sat 17th Dec 2022

A 2002 Z3 2:2i Sport roadster with 73'000 miles, 1 years mot. Came with four brand new tyres and a brand new battery, new rear plastic screen fitted two months ago. Very few modifications if any have been carried out, it is fully original from as far as I can see bearing in mind I'm a proper novice where Z3's are concerned. Everything seems to be in working order too. There are some items that need attention and some upgrades I may get along the way. The car is going into dry storage between Christmas and the New year and will stay there until April-ish

Anyroadup - As per normal when purchasing a 'New' second hand car, open wallet surgery commences.

'It Begins'

I've had to make a list:-

Aero wiper blades
Alloy Wheels – Refurbishment
Diff oil - change
Engine flushing oil
Engine oil and filter change
Gearbox oil - Change
Hammerite Kurust treat underneath
Lanoguard treat underneath
Lubricate doors / hinges / plates / locks etc
LED Lamps interior and exterior
Mudflaps
Number plates, replace front and rear
Power steering fluid - Change
Rimblades – On completion of alloy refurbishment
Spare wheel - Remove check / clean refit
Wheel alignment / Tracking / Camber - Check
Wheel bolts - Replace with polished stainless steel
Wheel LED floating centre caps
Workshop manual
ZX1 treatment to G-box, Diff & Power steering



Completed:-
All weather waterproof cover
Alternator & Aircon serpentine belts - Renew
Bmw toolkit screwdriver
Brake callipers front - seals / service kit
Brake callipers rear - seals / service kit
Brake fluid DOT4 - Renew
Brakes front - callipers / carriers / splash guards clean & paint
Brakes front - Replace discs
Brakes front - Replace pads
Brakes rear - Callipers / Carriers / Backplates clean & paint
Cooling system - Flush, administer new coolant
Drive belts alternator and water pump
Fabric dye - Black - For wind deflector
First Aid Kit
Handbrake shoes - Replace
Induction kit
Key – Spare
Keyring Z3
Magnetic sump plug
Owners handbook
Owners handbook Leather wallet
Thermostat / Housing / Gasket - Replace
Tonneau cover for hood
Viscous belt driven fan - Replace with electric version
Wind deflector fabric genuine BMW item
Yorkshire Rose 3D gel badges to number plates
ZX1 Treatment to engine

Griff

 

[Zephyr]

Congrats,
- ecu scanner…

 

[andyglym]

Nice. Pics

 

[Shelly]

Hope you enjoy your new Z

 

[colb]

Welcome, priority for me would be spare key, see previous threads on where to get them other than from BMW. Second would be a decent code reader scanner you will need one sooner or later can recommend the Creator 310 for circa £50 eBay or Amazon handy to keep in the boot. Full oil service would be high on priority list then you know what’s in there how to threads on here, I always do this on cars I buy.

 

[Zorro01]

Great list. Best of luck building your dream car

 

[Broad Ambition]

I've had to add on a few items to the 'Wish List' and two items now received. Just ordered yesterday the K&N induction kit, looking forward to receiving that. I've been researching the normal operating temperature which seems to be between 97 - 108c. I needed to know this as I'm about to order a replacement electric cooling fan (16 inch) with a brass auto on/off switch. This means I can do away with the huge noisy horses wasting viscous fan, There is a sensor / switch mounted onto the side of the radiator anyone know what this is supplying? (Photo) Thanks
Griff

 

[t-tony]

If your car has A/C it's likely the switch for the fan.

Tony.

 

[Broad Ambition]

Thanks and yes it does have A/C - Can I piggy back the new coolant fan wiring to this switch? (Via a relay of course)

Griff

 

[Broad Ambition]

Zebedee - Spare key procurement - Yesterday did not go well

Got to the Bmw dealership, out he came with new key, which did open the door, but it doesn't have the capability of disabling the alarm & immobiliser and as a result won't start the engine either! About as much use as a chocolate fireguard

So, he said he would look into it and ring me in due course which he did later on in the day. The upshot of their research is that they can no longer provide one. 2023 and BMW can't provide a spare key for one of their own marques - Sheesh (Or stronger words to that effect) A full refund was offered and accepted but doesn't solve the issue

I have used my circle of contacts and have a number to ring going down the non dealership route - We will see

Griff

 

[Broad Ambition]

Zebedee spare key - Result

A self employed vehicle locksmith came our to our hovel earlier today.

He had to remove a box from inside. Opened up read the chip, coded and cut a new key, this time with buttons on it. Put the box and trim back as he found it. All to he good. Whilst he was at it sorted out MrsG's spare key for her Q5 that had stopped working. Job lot done and sorted for £120:00 Well worth it for peace of mind too

Griff

 

[t-tony]

Some contact info for anyone local would be very useful Griff.

Tony.

 

[Broad Ambition]

Of course:-

Arrow Locks, Andy:- 07771 633612 - Based in Doncaster

Griff

 

[Broad Ambition]

Today I at last had some time to devote to Zebedee.

Out with the air box assembly and traditional paper air filter.

In with the K&N induction kit.

Improved pick up, improved mpg and of course no longer having to shell out on a replacement air filter every service

Easy job, now for a test run

Next upgrade will be to do away with the huge noisy belt driven viscous cooling fan and replace it with an electric unit. That'll save about 5hp

Griff

 

[Eddie-S]

I'm not thinking of getting one but how does the induction kit 'work' on the Z3? Is the engine bay cool enough for it to be effective?

 

[t-tony]

Easy enough to make a heat shield.

Tony.

 

[Broad Ambition]

I'm not thinking of getting one but how does the induction kit 'work' on the Z3? Is the engine bay cool enough for it to be effective?

Seems to work just fine, the air duct next to the rad directs air immediately next to the filter, also with the airbox removed the air filter can now draw from a much larger area. Heat wise it is ok, but its still winter at present. I'll have a look see / check during the warmer summer months

Griff

 

[colb]

Don't over oil that K&N filter, excess oil will ruin the Maf sensor. Thats why I stick to the oem filter set up.

 

[Broad Ambition]

Good tip Colb, it came pre-oiled so was not 'Wet' and I haven't added any more. During normal filter cleaning I'll remember to keep the oil treatment to a minimum - Thanks

Griff

 

[Broad Ambition]

Zebedee - Yesterday and today I got another upgrade ticked off the ‘To Do’ list.

I removed that huge heavy noisy viscous fan assembly along with the cowling.

I have replaced it with an electric 16” slimline fan. Removing the viscous fan and cowling was simple. Getting the electric fan mounted was not, try as I did I ended up having to remove the radiator completely consequently losing some engine coolant which is a bugger as I wasn't sure which type was in the cooling system (They mustn't be mixed of course) I replaced the lost stuff with universal coolant, this means that sometime soon I will now have to flush the whole cooling system out and refill with proper stuff - Sodding Typical. I've ordered some Comma X-Stream G48 concentrate. I'll also have to pick up some distilled Ogin too

There is now about 10mm clearance between the fan pulley and the fan motor

I noticed that the ribbed serpentine drive belt for the water pump / alternator is starting to degrade / perish

I have ordered a replacement along with the aircon drivebelt too and will fit them both at the same time asap

Wiring the fan, thermostat and relay was straight forward. Finding an ignition switched live in the main fusebox under the fuses was a right faf.

Getting the tray off in the first place was awkward (Putting it back on correctly was even worse!) and underneath it? - It’s a proper vipers nest under there with restricted access but find a suitable supply I did. I even managed to get the new electric fan power cable through the rubber loom housing fitting which I was chuffed with

Now need to fit an in-line 10amp fuse, you would have thought they would have supplied one with the electric fan cooling kit as it states one should be fitted but no and could I hellers like find one in my garage – Ordered one. Which means of course after it has arrived I’ll then come across one in my garage – Sods law to the front as per the norm

I’ve bled the cooling system, set the automatic thermostat, then gone out for a road test – Much better.

The audible noisy fan is no more. At low speed I can now hear that glorious engine and a muted induction note. I have gained 5bhp-ish which will aid acceleration and improve mpg

The engine now reaches operating temperature much quicker too

Onwards and upwards to the next issue which is a queue jumping flushing / changing the coolant and two drive belts,

Griff