Z3 2.8 questions.

Z3 2.8 questions.

Author
Discussion

teabelly

Original Poster:

164 posts

230 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
I've just got a Z3 as a summer (!) runabout. Does it get any benefit from Vpower etc fuels or is ordinary perfectly fine? I ran my old car on vpower but it was a late 2001 so I'm assuming it would have got some benefit but the BMW might not.

I also checked the VIN thingy for mine (brilliant tool) and I have a

940 SPECIAL REQUEST EQUIPMENT.

Is that likely to be the CD autochanger itself or is there something else it could be?

I also have the standard 16 inch wheels with 225/50 R16s on them all round. What are the generally recommended tyre pressures to be running?


motco

15,919 posts

245 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
It may depend on the year and engine. My 2.2 M54 engine with fly-by-wire throttle (God damn the things!) does rev more freely and seems to redline later when on V-Max vs. 95 Ron unleaded. I suspect the knock sensor allows more ignition advance. You should join Zroadster.net and ask over there.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
Massive difference.

Mine sounded like a sewing machine on 98/99 and used to pull better, also saw around 33 average running it. The minute my wife filled up with 95 I thought there was an issue, it sounded tappety and there was almost a slight hesitation as you accelerated, the mpg dropped considerably too, it finished at 28mpg. Took two tanks of Shell 98 to get it back to normal.

The knock sensors may have sorted the tappety noise out after a couple of tanks of 95 but why bother? The mpg meant it was costing more to run it on 95 by some margin.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
Oh, and 940 is a deviation away from standard spec.
Could be anything, from individual paint or leather to having the ciggy lighter removed.

TheEnd

15,370 posts

187 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
I believe that means it's an "individual", which can be anything not on the usual options list, like interior trim or materials, paint colour or wheels etc.

teabelly

Original Poster:

164 posts

230 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
Looks like it will probably be tried with vpower very soon smile

motco

15,919 posts

245 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
By the way, the Esso Premium version seems to be nearly as good but my son claims his Z4M likes only V Power/Optimax.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
I think the main thing is you use a 98/99ron fuel, the timing is retarded quite a bit on 95.

teabelly

Original Poster:

164 posts

230 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
Oh and idiot's request... any tips on finding reverse gear more often?? I seem to get first 90% of the time even if I push the gear stick right over to the left most position in the gate. I had a 1 series diesel briefly and finding reverse was just as difficult so I'm assuming it is a bmw quirk rather than something failing in the linkage.

motco

15,919 posts

245 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
It's a strong spring for reverse.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Friday 25th September 2015
quotequote all
I changed the transmission fluid to Redline ATF and it was much better.

teabelly

Original Poster:

164 posts

230 months

Saturday 26th September 2015
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gizlaroc said:
I changed the transmission fluid to Redline ATF and it was much better.
I'll investigate that idea. Thanks. I was going to change the gearbox oil if it wasn't on the major service list of my local indy.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Saturday 26th September 2015
quotequote all
I tried the Redline D4 as well, which is what I think I preferred in the end. From memory the D4 felt thinner, the gear changes a little slicker, and I am sure you have to be a little more careful with hard changes to protect things, but it was extremely crisp and very nice to use.

Also, make sure your car has not got the Clutch Delay Valve, if it has take that straight out.

teabelly

Original Poster:

164 posts

230 months

Friday 2nd October 2015
quotequote all
Turns out someone has already taken out the clutch delay valve...

I'm also wondering what is the minimum temperature you can safely operate the hood in without cracking the plastic rear screen? Owner manual says 0c but I've cracked one before at about 10/12C as the car was in the shade... I also don't know whether the hood is an original one or a replacement so they may be better or worse than original.