Problems to expect when owning an E36\E37 Z3.
This will go over 10 very common things to expect that will happen with your E36/E37 BMW Z3.
1. SRS light
WARNING: DO NOT MESS WITH THE AIRBAGS SYSTEM WITHOUT THE PROPER KNOWLEDGE AND EQUIPMENT, OBVIOUSLY.
What an SRS light looks like. Picture from a DMV handbook.
The way I see it, this is an issue that only affects states that have safety inspections, and people who are afraid to drive a car that may or may not have working airbags. the most common reason why the SRS light will come on is usually a dead or disconnected passenger/driver side seat occupancy sensor, but in my case it is a dead MRS Module and both side crash impact sensors located under the carpet attached to the door sills. It is a shame, but at least it isn't the dreaded Check Engine light.
2. Seat Bushings.
I found this picture on the internet as an example of a botched seat bushing repair and a proper replacement. Guess which one is fixed correctly?
This issue is so common that every BMW Z3 I have seen had the same problem. It may seem like the seat bushings at first glance, but in most cases it usually isn't. Most of the time the issue is the seat motor, BMW used cheap plastic geared seat motors that would hold the seat in place when driving. When the plastic teeth break it will cause the seat to move back and forth under braking and accelerating. This is a pain to live with, which is why you see people put glue all over the bushings and over tighten the seat rails to the point where you would need to replace the seat rails, bushings, and motor to fix the problem properly.
3. Interior plastic trim starts to deteriorate in front of your eyes.
I have already replaced most of the cracked interior except for the dead pedal, which is why the hood release is broken, and the seat belt guides as seen in this photo.
I am going to stay on the topic of the interior for a while, because BMW interiors do not hold up over long periods of time; especially when it comes down to plastic trim. It becomes brittle, then it cracks, and unlike most American cars it is expensive and a pain to replace. Each screw is usually torx; and when it isn't, it is impossible to get to with a standard low profile ratchet. Most of what you need are specialty tools that you will probably never need to use again when fixing one of these. The most common plastic trim piece to find broken in a Z3 is not the dash, but instead the seat belt guides on the driver and passenger seats. Nobody knows why the seat belt guides are always broken, all we know is that it should have never been an issue to begin with.
4. Leather peeling around the doors and dashboard.
Not the best examples of this problem, but it is all I have to work with. I have fixed almost every issue with the interior, stupidly without taking a single photo since I purchased the car over three years ago.
Yes, even BMW could not stop cutting corners even when it comes to leather upholstery. The glue used to hold down every piece of leather and plastic trim just wears off. This is similar to the same problems that American cars have with cheap interiors that deteriorate over time.
5. Radio security lockout code.
Picture from a Z3 that had this issue.
In most cases this is usually an easy fix. The radio on the Z3 is connected to the car's security system, and when there is an issue with the security system the error code will flash across the led screen telling you what is wrong with the security system. Most people just find a shop and pay to clear the code, or instal an aftermarket radio. According to some forms another way to fix this problem is by unscrewing the two front radio mounting screws, and sliding the radio out just enough to read the serial number to a local dealer. Depending on what the issue is, they can give you the code to reset the radio.
6. Coolant leaks.
I personally have not had this problem, yet, but I do know this is a very common issue with 90's and early 2000's BMW models in general. Since this is a list of the most common things to expect to have happen during the ownership of your E36/E37, it only seems fitting to have this added here as well. The cooling system is mostly made of plastic parts, and unsurprisingly these parts do not age well. The plastic connectors that hold the cooling lines together become brittle to the point where if you look at it for to long it will crack. This is an issue that seems to happen more often with the non M models. In my opinion, this is not because of build quality; but instead it is because regular BMW's from the 90's and early 2000s are easier to obtain and less likely to be found maintained; compared to the rare E37 M coupe/roadster, E39 M5, and E36 M3 of their time.
7. Glovebox sagging??
Another picture from the same Z3 I looked at that had the radio issue.
Finding the glove box sagging is a common problem with every Z3 roadster and coupe. Even if it works perfectly, it still can barely hold the weight of the owner's manual. This is pretty sad, considering the fact that nothing else can fit inside of it. To fix this annoying issue, instal a glove box mounting plate. These can be found on ebay as a complete kit, but in some cases you might need to replace the entire glove box completely.
8. Electric Top Motor.
This is what the hydraulic electric top motor for a BMW Z3 Roadster looks like located in the trunk.
This only affects cars that have a power top; obviously. Not an important repair, but is a headache to deal with when you want to put the roof down. Try and find a Z3 with a manual top if possible, or just buy an E36 coupe.
9. Sensors
Speed sensors and brake pressure sensors start to go out around 100,000 miles, either one is a necessary expensive headache.
10. Valve Cover Gaskets
As cars age the rubber will start to deteriorate over time especially when it sits. This will be another expected expense with owning an E36/E37 especially the Coupe or M models that are low milage and sit as a decoration in someones garage.
References
Link for the image of the seat bushing repair. bmwz3diys.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/6/3/11632741/1482258_orig.jpg
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Comments (2)
For the glove box, convert it over to the European glove box instead. The US mandates a knee protection plate in the glove box actually you have a similar plate under the drive side too. This must have been an after thought as the weight of the plate is why it sags over time. The Euro glove box and drive side under panel gives you a lot more leg room too. The glovebox is still useless but at least it doesn't sag.
It takes a lot of love and effort to keep these cars in top shape all these years later but it's well worth the effort.
Most of the issues you point out are present in all the e model cars and the new f model cars are even worse.
You are right about the plate for the knee protection adding extra weight. But the issue is more in line with the cheap plastic used by BMW at the time, and the fact that here in the States all of our documents and receipts for repairs are usually...
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