**Z3** How-tos (post links here)

If you have a Z3 (coupes or roadsters) related how to, please post a link to it here. This includes anything from mods to DIY maintenance to audio to whatever. If you write a Z-series related how to, please reply to this post with a link to it.

I'll start with a few basic ones:

Ron Stygar's Website

LeatherZ Instructions and Posts

LeatherZ Leather Care Recommendations

368s.com Reference

JonM
i think www.mz3.net is a good one and Tim's site for info http://www.zroadster.net/tim/index.html
and of course the z3 bible but ill let Ron post that is he wants to, never mind i see it now in your post

but they are not mine so if this is not what you had in mind please delete my post
thanks

Skin's Whalen seat bushing writeup.

Primpin' - Caliper and gill painting.

Went to your highlighted "Skins seat bushing lineup" but I was taken to an unrelated site. I have an 98 Roadster with about 52K and the seats are loose. Will the bushing kit from BMW fix this problem?

Thanks.

BB

http://www.europeanspeed.com/z3seat.htm

http://www.europeanspeed.com/z3glovebox.htm

Many Many fixes and hints over on Esmerelda's Fixit Page

Tim's Color Gallery ... best site on the planet for seeing various colors of Z3s and Individual colors.

Tim's Custom Gallery ... includes how to remove instrument cluster, custom garage door opener, how to relocate power top switch, and more.

David Miles' Site... Z3Roadster.net Lots of how-tos, owner galleries, event notices.

Originally Posted by JonM

If you have a Z-series (threes, fours, coupes, or roadsters) related how to, please post a link to it here. This includes anything from mods to DIY maintenance to audio to whatever. If you write a Z-series related how to, please reply to this post with a link to it.

I'll start with a few basic ones:

Ron Stygar's Website

LeatherZ Instructions and Posts

LeatherZ Leather Care Recommendations

368s.com Reference

Would anybody like free use of the domain www.z3i.com fully hosted, with your own control panel and a host of extra's. Z3 owners only need apply.

Jon

New to the group, but have found http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/z3/ to be very friendly and useful.

How to remove center console on Z3 cars

Z3 Stereo Installation for Dummies

-Scott

Can be found here...


http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums...5225821-1.html

How to Install Traffic Pro

Nicely done write up.

Online Parts Look-up, courtesy of 01silber...

http://rust.mine.nu/bmw/

Nice user-friendly interface.

Here are some links about the discovery and repair of my cars. Some of them overlap each other and may include both cars. The picture links on rfdm.com are 99 or 01 specific.


The 99:



All pictures at

http://www.rfdm.com/Randy/BMW/pics/p...99-TrunkFloor/

b'fest threads

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55752
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61546
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62310

The 01:



All pictures at

http://www.rfdm.com/Randy/BMW/pics/p...Reinforcement/

b'fest threads

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56333
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65076
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67121
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68658
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69456

Other relevant posts:

http://www.thelargeglass.com/bmw/subframe/
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...light=subframe
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67837

the rattle/noise thread....some good links in there (thanks JohnS54Coupe)

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums...5698361-1.html

Rogue Engineering's guide to installing an E46 (M3) Steering Wheel in a Z4

Z4-FAQ for German readers

http://www.jokin.de/z4-faq

regards,
Jokin

Install was pretty easy overall below is a list of part numbers and info on this mod

63128381081 & 082 headlights with the aim motors installed
61129410627 wiring harness
61318363640 switch for dash

Start off my removing and replacing your headlights with the new euro ones
Then take the new harness and plug it into the passenger side headlight and rout it over to the drivers side headlight
Now remove the upper radiator holding clamps which will allow the radiator to fall toward the engine.
Take the harness and push it into the clips that are holding the oem harness starting from pass side moving to drivers side, look at the clips to see how the harness is clipped in, it takes about 3 seconds per clip to push the wire in once you see how the clips work.
SOME MODELS: you will need to take the drivers side motor connector apart be sure to take pictures and document how the wires were in the connector, you will then need to take a razor blade and cut a small slit in the rubber grommet of the plastic air ducting shield that is behind the drivers side lamp, you will see this because the factory headlight wiring goes through this grommet. once done re assemble the connector and plug it into the drivers side headlight motor.
Now you will see a eye lit connector coming from the new harness, it is the ground wire for the system, it is attached to the main grounding point on the fender well, you will see 2 or 3 brown wires already there being grounded
Now route the new harness up the drivers side of the car following the oem harness path, take the cover off the fuse box and you will see 4 torx bit screws at each corner of the box, you need to remove them so the top of the box can be lifted up. once you have done this
Now take the white connector that goes to the dash switch and take it apart as well BE SURE TO DOCUMENT exactly which wire went where, once you have the wires taken out of the connector tape them all together at the tip.
Now go inside and take apart the lower drivers side dash trim, once you have it out you will see a big oval plastic cover at the base of the firewall, you will see 2 1/2in un-used holes, take a 1/2in. drill bit of your choice and drill one of them out CAREFULLY do not run the bit deep into the hole.
Now you have access for the wires
take a coat hanger and tape up the end so there are no sharp areas and slowly run it into and up wards through the hole you just drilled, it will come out of the electrical box you just took apart.
Now take the wires onto the end of the hanger, and slowly pull them into the cabin taking care not to snag them or jerk them when you are pulling them in, you will see a black flat connector in the harness this piece is layed down into the power box it is NOT connected to anything, its just a junction for multiple wires in the harness.
when you are done there you will see a rubber grommet at the front of the power box with a hole not being used, the new harness is layed into that hole. be sure you take all the slack of the new harness into the cabin before closing up the power box..
Now all your work from here on should be under the dash
You will need to add about a foot onto the wires that go to the white connector for the dash switch to allow them to reach

For wiring of the interior wires see this thread : http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75122

More picture of install, with some PDF documents I used for install

Too bad you cant buy euro headlights anymore.