For some time now I have been interested in fixing up my car. I drive a 1998 BMW Z3, driving it for about 4 years... Was in the family prior. I love my car but I haven' had the time to fix little things with it.. school work travel etc. Also I really don't have any close friends that drive BMWs so no help there.

I'm contemplating taking my car road tripping.


Stupid question:
Also apparently is there some sort of etiquette I should be practicing? Often when I see people driving the same make and model I sometimes get honks waves or flashing. I usually am just awkward when that happens bc I do not know if they are saying hi to someone else they know or me. Last week a Z4 was flashing there lights at me (?) ridiculously like the most a car has ever flashed me before it was awkward I didn't know if they were saying hi or if something was wrong with their car... should I be waving back/flashing back? I feel rude when I don't but I really don't know if they are acknowledging me or someone else. Plus often times they are older big dudes and I'm not too into being hit on by older big dudes..


So anyways I don't know as much about my car as I would like so I'm here to learn:)

cheers!

welcome wehre in RI are you from? I'm from Barrington but now live in Boston.

Welcome

welcome, this is a good place to learn.

I'd say wave or flash back, why not? And they probably aren't hitting on you (maybe they are :eyebrows, I could be wrong) just a mutual exchange of respect for driving a BMW.

I'm from the wack/prov since I've worked there forever.... I need to venture into Boston more often than I do.

I guess I'll start practicing waving back lol I just would feel utterly stupid if they were waving at someone else!

welcome, guy in providence here


just wave back, you've been in this religion for 4 years and you haven't learned that, tsk tsk, the big roundel in the sky will not be pleased with you

Just wave or flash back. And welcome.....

I'm from the wack/prov since I've worked there forever.... I need to venture into Boston more often than I do.

I guess I'll start practicing waving back lol I just would feel utterly stupid if they were waving at someone else!

Check GrimReefer's thread a few below this one, the Providence crew is going out next Saturday night to celebrate his 21st.

welcome
just respond back

thanks guys, yeah I'll start waving/flashing back.. I just always feel like they are saying hi to someone else haha. As for Saturday I am probably scheduled to work... But you guys can come get drunk where I work haha!

I have to admit though I haven't been taking good care of my car besides getting brand new tires ever couple of years bc I blow through them :( I have a bunch of stupid stupid questions that I am afraid to ask..

NE OT is good for questions, we're all pretty friendly here. Go ahead and ask some questions, we'd be happy to get you some answers! Also try the Z3 forum if you haven't already, some of those guys may be in a similar situation or have answers to your questions already.

okay... here goes!

Getting maintenance... Do i just go to the dealership and say I need to get some maintenance done? And how much does that usually cost?

Does anyone know where I can buy a 14" spare tire no rim? My dealership said they can't get a hold of any. and suggested that I buy a new 15" with the rim for around $360. I don't want to spend $360 on a spare to be honest.

My trunk under the tail light leaks and rusted some stuff in my trunk. I've replaced the little rubber thing in the trunk under the light and it's still leaks and is still lose, what can I do?

The area that operates the up and down of the window... I popped a piece of it and I need to replace pieces of it, Do you know what parts i should order or do I need to replace the whole thing? I've taken apart my door before because my window just wouldn't roll back up one night.. to this day I won't open my drivers side window... which kinda helped me quit smoking too which I guess is good ha.

I've searched about the tail light thing but what I've read I've already tried... And the rest of my questions I'll search through the forums.. e.i stereo, oil change, deck change stuff lol.... My car needs some major detail attention....

I didn't drive my car for about a year because I moved and didn't take my car with me so after that I started getting shitty on taking car of it. Also I'm your typical early 20 something girl that honestly doesn't know much about taking care of cars..

okay... here goes!

Getting maintenance... Do i just go to the dealership and say I need to get some maintenance done? And how much does that usually cost?

Does anyone know where I can buy a 14" spare tire no rim? My dealership said they can't get a hold of any. and suggested that I buy a new 15" with the rim for around $360. I don't want to spend $360 on a spare to be honest.

My trunk under the tail light leaks and rusted some stuff in my trunk. I've replaced the little rubber thing in the trunk under the light and it's still leaks and is still lose, what can I do?

The area that operates the up and down of the window... I popped a piece of it and I need to replace pieces of it, Do you know what parts i should order or do I need to replace the whole thing? I've taken apart my door before because my window just wouldn't roll back up one night.. to this day I won't open my drivers side window... which kinda helped me quit smoking too which I guess is good ha.

I've searched about the tail light thing but what I've read I've already tried... And the rest of my questions I'll search through the forums.. e.i stereo, oil change, deck change stuff lol.... My car needs some major detail attention....

I didn't drive my car for about a year because I moved and didn't take my car with me so after that I started getting shitty on taking car of it. Also I'm your typical early 20 something girl that honestly doesn't know much about taking care of cars..


I'll come show you the ropes.....welcome!

I'll come show you the ropes.....welcome!

......................:devillook

okay... here goes!

Getting maintenance... Do i just go to the dealership and say I need to get some maintenance done? And how much does that usually cost?

Does anyone know where I can buy a 14" spare tire no rim? My dealership said they can't get a hold of any. and suggested that I buy a new 15" with the rim for around $360. I don't want to spend $360 on a spare to be honest.

My trunk under the tail light leaks and rusted some stuff in my trunk. I've replaced the little rubber thing in the trunk under the light and it's still leaks and is still lose, what can I do?

The area that operates the up and down of the window... I popped a piece of it and I need to replace pieces of it, Do you know what parts i should order or do I need to replace the whole thing? I've taken apart my door before because my window just wouldn't roll back up one night.. to this day I won't open my drivers side window... which kinda helped me quit smoking too which I guess is good ha.

I've searched about the tail light thing but what I've read I've already tried... And the rest of my questions I'll search through the forums.. e.i stereo, oil change, deck change stuff lol.... My car needs some major detail attention....

I didn't drive my car for about a year because I moved and didn't take my car with me so after that I started getting shitty on taking car of it. Also I'm your typical early 20 something girl that honestly doesn't know much about taking care of cars..



For service it depends on what kind of maintenance you need, they usually have flat rates for repairs like oil changes and brakes. But inskip is expensive overall, ive personally never had any work done there.

Any tire place should be able to get you a new tire for a spare, i'd just call around.

i've never personally dealt with those tail lights so its hard to say, If you feel confident taking it appart you can look around for what may be causing to to hang up or be loose. I'm in Ri as well, if your around i'll take a look at it and take a crack at it.

For the window switches i'd check a junkyard. But bimmer parts cars arent easy to come by at junk yards, so if you know whats broken theres a few online places to look up and order parts.

the z3 window switches look like e36 ones
http://i10.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/dd/79/a182_3.JPG

okay... here goes!

Getting maintenance... Do i just go to the dealership and say I need to get some maintenance done? And how much does that usually cost?

Inskip is probably the most expensive place......but before each thing you need done by a dealership, you should call up Inskip, BMW of Newport, Gallery BMW, etc...and find out who's cheapest.

Does anyone know where I can buy a 14" spare tire no rim? My dealership said they can't get a hold of any. and suggested that I buy a new 15" with the rim for around $360. I don't want to spend $360 on a spare to be honest.

If you know the brand, go on that tire manufacturer's website, and they should have a reseller locater. They could probably get you just the tire.

My trunk under the tail light leaks and rusted some stuff in my trunk. I've replaced the little rubber thing in the trunk under the light and it's still leaks and is still lose, what can I do?

Sounds like the gasket isn't seated correctly. Kinda hard to guess without seeing it, though.

The area that operates the up and down of the window... I popped a piece of it and I need to replace pieces of it, Do you know what parts i should order or do I need to replace the whole thing? I've taken apart my door before because my window just wouldn't roll back up one night.. to this day I won't open my drivers side window... which kinda helped me quit smoking too which I guess is good ha.

Check the parts on realoem.com, that should give you a good idea of what you need.

I've searched about the tail light thing but what I've read I've already tried... And the rest of my questions I'll search through the forums.. e.i stereo, oil change, deck change stuff lol.... My car needs some major detail attention....

I install all my stereo equipment and do my own oil changes, so I could help you if you have any questions or anything like that.

I didn't drive my car for about a year because I moved and didn't take my car with me so after that I started getting shitty on taking car of it. Also I'm your typical early 20 something girl that honestly doesn't know much about taking care of cars..

It's never too late to start.....just have to get back in the habit.

Thanks that was incredibly helpful and I sort of found the window parts I need... now I just have to compare the broken piece to the diagram yay!

My stereo is a piece. One of the side speaker covers is also a little rusty looking bc of my broken window that had leaked while I was away.


I'll post a picture of my trunk..

And i'll have to check out the brand of the tire.. I know that inskip called around and couldn't get a hold of any, and places like townfair, bennys, and whatever told me to go to the dealership

You can probably sand the speaker cover and spray paint it if it's just metal.

If you post the tire make/model/size/speed rating, I bet someone here could find it from a place besides the dealership.

also how would i go about getting all wood inlay like that in my car? I've seen some pieces sold but never a whole section...

You'd have to buy the parts from a user on here or from the dealer.

I actually did the exact opposite in my 328i and again in my 330i. I removed the myrtle wood trim and put in matte chrome trim that I bought from the dealer. The pieces on the door and dash could be pried off, I had to do a bit more work for the shifter trim. Not sure how it's done in a Z3, though.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/bellasole/DSC_0883.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/bellasole/DSC_0882.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/bellasole/DSC_0868.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/bellasole/DSC_0867.jpg

my dog wanted to say hi
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/bellasole/DSC_0853.jpg

dude but the the wood looks soooo good.

so is that rubber window piece replaceable too?

A small amount of sealant might be able to fix the liner in the third pic. A flathead screwdriver might work for the trim panel in the fourth. And the fifth pic is cute, lol.




Matte Chrome looks good on my black/black sedan:

http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v132/73/91/705921468/n705921468_528270_720.jpg

so is that rubber window piece replaceable too?

I'd imagine so, it's just a matter of how difficult it is to replace it. I'd imagine that it's adhered to the piece separating the two windows. Probably would have to heat it, remove the torn piece, and use adhesive/sealant to put on the new piece.

I'll try the sealant thing... also I just noticed on the third picture there is still egg residue from when my car got egged on Thayer not cool. And the fourth I was more showing the rusty gross part. The trim I'm leaving like that for a minute bc I need to take apart my door again to fix the window pieces and it's already like ripping which is really great.

I guess I'm just a big fan of wood I think it looks nice polished in everything. Plus the inside of my car is boring.

Yeah, it's usually much harder to dress up the inside of the car than the outside.

Oh, and I would destroy someone if they egged my car. :mad

No way I've been thinking of a paint job and I can't decide on a color.

Black Sapphire Metallic. :D

It was a nice surprise getting out of work at like 2:30 am with something that you aren't sure if it's vomit on your car. It's also more fun washing your car at 3 am in the cold so your car doesn't completely reek.

haha I am guessing that is the color of your car. I secretly want something with metal flakes haha

so roughly what do you think it would be for a decent system for my car to be put in and all?

haha I am guessing that is the color of your car. I secretly want something with metal flakes haha

Yeah........and it does have a flake to it.

http://photos-468.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v216/73/91/705921468/n705921468_1019969_7360.jpg

Can't see it in the pics, though.

yeah man it just looks grainy.... better pic?

i want a sparkly car!

so roughly what do you think it would be for a decent system for my car to be put in and all?

Completely depends on what you want.

You'd have to figure out:
1) whether you want an aftermarket head unit, keep the stock one, if you want an mp3 unit, a nav unit
2) how much to spend on amps.....you'd definitely need a new component amp since the stock one sucks (at least the E46 one does, not sure if the Z3 one does), and a sub amp
3) how much you're willing to spend on components
4) how much space you want to lose vs. how much bass you want
5) if you want to go the extra mile and put in sound dampening material (dynamat)


As you can tell, I'm an audio guru. :)

yeah man it just looks grainy.... better pic?

My photography skills suck. :(

I'll have to show it to you in person, it'd do the paint much more justice than any pic possibly could.

i just want a system that doesn't fart when there is somewhat of a bass. It's so awful. But I need the space. And the knob for my volume sometimes goes up when i turn down and down when i turn up. Just the sound is pretty awful My car is old so I just hook my ipod to the tape deck.

I guess I meant my speakers suck... theres like a fake sub thing in my car between the seats.. But my door speakers makes farting sounds sometimes

Best option would probably be a (relatively) cheap Alpine deck that will easily integrate with your iPod, a single 10" sub, and entry-level components.

I have a hard time since I usually like to plan fairly complicated and pricey systems like my own. :D

I guess I meant my speakers suck... theres like a fake sub thing in my car between the seats.. But my door speakers makes farting sounds sometimes

Yeah, the stock speakers blow easily. I've had my 330i for 6 months, and I already blew the right tweeter.

yeah and mine have never been changed and it's been 10 years imagine how crappy my sound sounds!
Also where did you get your paint job done?

My car came like that. :D

It's a factory color.

ohhhhh... I still don't understand the whole getting a new sound thing whats a good place i should go to have them install it?

How far are you willing to drive? I don't trust too many places since most audio shops aren't exactly the dream job for most guys, and they don't really pay too much attention. I do my work myself, but if I had to recommend anyone, there's an installer at the Tweeter in Norwood, MA named Eric who's really good at what he does.

If you don't want to go that far, there's SoundFX in West Warwick...but I'm not sure how good they are.

Uggh, you kept me up late. :confused

Seeing as how I have to work tomorrow, I think I'm going to retire. Good luck with your system and other various issues. If you have any more questions, I'm sure that the rest of the NE crew will prove to be helpful. :)

sorry and thank you!

Yeah, the stock speakers blow easily. I've had my 330i for 6 months, and I already blew the right tweeter.
Damn son, HAnnah montana has range1!!!!

I have a set of Rockford Fosgate speakers that I'm trying to sell. 4 mids and 4 tweeters. They were originally in my father's M3 and sounded a lot better than the Harmon/Kardon system that came with his car.

Damn son, HAnnah montana has range1!!!!

:buttrock

Damn son, HAnnah montana has range1!!!!

:rofl2:rofl2

I haven't read much of this thread, but welcome. I'll be based out of Rumford, RI (aka East Prov.) starting May 1

Damn son, HAnnah montana has range1!!!!

:buttrock






























:shifty
























http://data1.blog.de/blog/s/shimatsu/img/Slipknot-02.jpg

Slipknot FTW :buttrock

wow, what an erotic pic. brb ganna jag in the br now.

Fred's type of "jailbait"...

Ohhhh yeah!!! I'm gonna go to Hot Topic tonite and get a few of their shirts, maybe a sweet ass rhinestone studded belt. Maybe holler at some 160 lb goths. :buttrock

Ohhhh yeah!!! I'm gonna go to Hot Topic tonite and get a few of their shirts, maybe a sweet ass rhinestone studded belt. Maybe holler at some 160 lb goths. :buttrock

It helps me cope with my teenage angst. :help

I just like the music, I don't need to accesorize myself with urban s&m garb.

For the record, I blew the tweeter with Pulse of the Maggots.

Haha yeah, that makes sense.

For the record, I blew the tweeter with Pulse of the Maggots.

I figured it was THE RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT, THE NIGHT, OH YEAH, dun dun nun nun da da THIS IS THE RHYTHM OF THE NIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGHHHHHHTTTTTTTTT.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0X4HAIwJBEU

sorry and thank you!

lol, it's ok. Caffeine FTW. :buttrock

Glad to help any time. :D

hi and welcome... i don't understand how i never saw this thread. How much are you looking to spend on speakers? I used to be huge into car audio so im sure i can find you some that will fit your needs. Also have you tried just turning dont the bass on your stock radio? That would make your speakers stop "farting" AKA distorting. :rolleyes ;)

2 of mine crackle when they get loud :(

2 of mine crackle when they get loud :(

crackleing means the voice coil is dead or dying. There isnt much you can do about that accept turn it down lol. But distortion is an easy fix after playing with the settings for a couple minutes. It's also all in the head unit. Car manufacturers often cheap out on head units not giving the cars one with enough power to actually push the speakers. Underpowering a speaker can be just as bad as overpowering. A stock head unit in a car prob puts out like 10rms per speaker(not totally sure about bmw... but any other car ive worked on has). Any normal stock speakers in a car can handle at least 30 watts rms. My pioneer permier(they are junk don't buy em... but maybe im just alpine biased.... it came in my car) gives me 20rms per speaker. Also has all of the bass frequency controls and high pass crossovers built into the unit. My stock speakers sound better then most peoples aftermarket ones they paid 150 bucks or more for. :D :alright

EDIT: but even with an aftermarket head unit if you buy nice speakers it isn't enough. The only way to get the best sound out of your door speakers is if you amp them. With the propper amp and someone who knows how to tune them... ooo it's beautiful. ;)

crackleing means the voice coil is dead or dying. There isnt much you can do about that accept turn it down lol. But distortion is an easy fix after playing with the settings for a couple minutes. It's also all in the head unit. Car manufacturers often cheap out on head units not giving the cars one with enough power to actually push the speakers. Underpowering a speaker can be just as bad as overpowering. A stock head unit in a car prob puts out like 10rms per speaker(not totally sure about bmw... but any other car ive worked on has). Any normal stock speakers in a car can handle at least 30 watts rms. My pioneer permier(they are junk don't buy em... but maybe im just alpine biased.... it came in my car) gives me 20rms per speaker. Also has all of the bass frequency controls and high pass crossovers built into the unit. My stock speakers sound better then most peoples aftermarket ones they paid 150 bucks or more for. :D :alright

EDIT: but even with an aftermarket head unit if you buy nice speakers it isn't enough. The only way to get the best sound out of your door speakers is if you amp them. With the propper amp and someone who knows how to tune them... ooo it's beautiful. ;)

http://www.bcae1.com/2ltlpwr.htm

:nono

http://www.bcae1.com/2ltlpwr.htm

:nono
i did not mean that underpowering will make speakers explode like overpowering does.... but blaring speakers that are underpowered will cause them to distort more and in turn wear them out faster then if the had a sufficient amount of power. (hence stock car speakers always suck... :confused

I know that on the E46s, distortion is much more of a factor than underpowering. I'm not sure if that holds true on the Z3.

honestly My bass is always turned to the lowest setting, if it's up a little it'll sound wierd. I have no idea but I need to spend under $500 because I have alot of other things I need to fix in my car....

How often do you use your sound system?

every time i drive..

So it's a high priority. :D

but i am not one of those people who need you to hear my sounds from like down the road!

Yeah, but I imagine it gets annoying quickly. So you're not looking to spend a lot, but you should probably spend it soon. :shifty


I'd sell you the speakers that I had in my 328i (6.5" speakers) that I can't fit in my 330i (5.5" speakers), but you have the same size speakers as I do. :(

you mean i don't have the same speakers right? lol

You have the same size speakers as my new car. If you had the same size as my old one, you could use them...

Maybe I could find a deal on 2 pairs of speakers, and we could get the same ones since I still need a pair for my new car, lol.

just go to best buy, theres a box of sony speakers for like 100 bucks (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5230828) with a head unit

did that to my friends accord (we got them at the sony store in wrenthem), they sound better then the stock nokia speakers in e36's, bah nasty little things. these are oval shaped though, ive noticed bmw like circle ones, so no pack for next car


if you want stock z3 sound its around 214 brand new from the stealer for the speakers (5) and the are just plug and play (meaning dont dare pay stealership for install!!)
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=CH73&mospid=48091&btnr=65_0285&hg=65&fg=20
#2 is from a normal e36 so people parting a e36 will most likely have em cheap

Sony? :nono

sony speakers get the job done, and are good when you cant afford JBL speakers also the Xplod head units are backlit red so they match the color of the dash lights. the cheap alpines are good for the money to.


me...... i rather spend the 400 bucks on a pioneer flip screen dvd headunit, adds the ricer touch

JBL is also :nono

wow...pennpenn has bad taste.. lmfao

:( well the ones crackling in the mazda are harmon kardon ones