What do I really need to fix on my crumbling Z3

Hi guys,

Had my Z3 in for some tests and they say it needs the following repairs. Which do you think definately need to be done. I'm short on cash and could do without spending ANY money!

- Cam-shaft sensor (I've been living with this prob for two years - it only causes the engine to drop out once a month on ave)
- engine O2 sensor
- Seat Belt pre-tensioner (is causing the airbag light to come on)

Would appreciate your sage advice!

- Craig

Originally Posted by SydneyZ3

Hi guys,

Had my Z3 in for some tests and they say it needs the following repairs. Which do you think definately need to be done. I'm short on cash and could do without spending ANY money!

- Cam-shaft sensor (I've been living with this prob for two years - it only causes the engine to drop out once a month on ave)
- engine O2 sensor
- Seat Belt pre-tensioner (is causing the airbag light to come on)

Would appreciate your sage advice!

- Craig

The first two are more important than the third, as long as you don't care about the airbag light.

If you can work on the car yourself, none of these are overly complicated fixes.

DIY link for the cam shaft sensor:
http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums...4057304&page=1

Originally Posted by Monolith

DIY link for the cam shaft sensor:
http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums...4057304&page=1

Thanks Monolith - I'm totally hopeless with anything more than hammering a nail into a wall so I think I'll leave this one to the experts!! It's a pity the parts are so expensive - that's what blows the cost out.

Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

The first two are more important than the third, as long as you don't care about the airbag light.

If you can work on the car yourself, none of these are overly complicated fixes.

Thanks Doc - I probably should have added that I may sell the car in the next few months and the airbag light is definately something that people will question, so it sounds like I have to get everything fixed...arrgghh.

I just replace both camshaft sensors this evening. Not too bad a job (about 1.5 hours tops), and I got both sensors from Kragen for $160. If you have a Bentley manual it helps explain things.

Regarding: Seat Belt pre-tensioner (is causing the airbag light to come on)

Does this not mean that the airbag is disabled?

I had the seatbelt assembly replaced on my 2000 Z3 (2.3) because of this.

Comments, out there?

Umm, this is a DIY and put half a day in on a Saturday and you should be able to fix all of these things for not much money compared to the stealership.

The airbag light was due to high tension on the wire caused by moisture from leaking soft top. It actually had nothing to do with the pretensioner. They cleaned up the wire and it was ok but unfortunately got more water in through the roof and its now back again.

Originally Posted by Monolith

DIY link for the cam shaft sensor:
http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums...4057304&page=1

Here's another DIY on that...
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...8&postcount=31