"Yeah, they all do that" list

[bird67]

I was thinking about all the things that we take for granted as problems with the car. If you sit down and create a list it's actually pretty discouraging and makes you wonder why we all think BMW are the pinnacle of engineering.

Having said this, of course, I still love my car and other than my present state of grumpiness I usually accentuate the positive. Maybe the list can act as a reference for the typical newbie who wants to buy one and wants to know what he/she can expect.

Here's the start of the "yeah, they all do that" list that we all take for granted. Feel free to either flame, comment or add as you see fit. In no particular order of seriousness or severity:

1. Window regulators bind up for no reason
2. Seats wobble because of bad bushings
3. Airbag light stays on until you buy a new seat belt retractor
4. Something about failure of the rear subframe I read about once (LOL)
5. HVAC blower stops blowing, requiring replacement of resistor
6. water pump fails
7. glove box sags

[2000Z3M]

airbags don't deploy

[jmc]

I was thinking about all the things that we take for granted as problems with the car. If you sit down and create a list it's actually pretty discouraging and makes you wonder why we all think BMW are the pinnacle of engineering.

Having said this, of course, I still love my car and other than my present state of grumpiness I usually accentuate the positive. Maybe the list can act as a reference for the typical newbie who wants to buy one and wants to know what he/she can expect.

Here's the start of the "yeah, they all do that" list that we all take for granted. Feel free to either flame, comment or add as you see fit. In no particular order of seriousness or severity:

1. Window regulators bind up for no reason
2. Seats wobble because of bad bushings
3. Airbag light stays on until you buy a new seat belt retractor
4. Something about failure of the rear subframe I read about once (LOL)
5. HVAC blower stops blowing, requiring replacement of resistor
6. water pump fails
7. glove box sags

8. Wacky fuel gauge.

[twozees]

#8 Seat belt clips on seat break.

[2000m]

#8 Seat belt clips on seat break.

+100

[2000m]

#9 rear shock mounts dont last long

[SunzOut]

#2 Seats wobble because of bad bushings
#10 Clutch Pedal wobbles because of bad bushings
#11 Rear End wobbles becuase of bad bushings

I see a patern here...

[2000Z3M]

Ok...

1. Window regulators bind up for no reason
2. Seats wobble because of bad bushings
3. Airbag light stays on until you buy a new seat belt retractor
4. Something about failure of the rear subframe I read about once (LOL)
5. HVAC blower stops blowing, requiring replacement of resistor
6. water pump fails
7. glove box sags
8. Air bags don't deploy
9. Wacky fuel gauge.
10. Seat belt clips on seat break.
11. rear shock mounts dont last long
12. Clutch Pedal wobbles because of bad bushings
13. Rear End wobbles becuase of bad bushings

[jr1966]

Ok...

1. Window regulators bind up for no reason
2. Seats wobble because of bad bushings
3. Airbag light stays on until you buy a new seat belt retractor
4. Something about failure of the rear subframe I read about once (LOL)
5. HVAC blower stops blowing, requiring replacement of resistor
6. water pump fails
7. glove box sags
8. Air bags don't deploy
9. Wacky fuel gauge.
10. Seat belt clips on seat break.
11. rear shock mounts dont last long
12. Clutch Pedal wobbles because of bad bushings
13. Rear End wobbles becuase of bad bushings

#2 & #7 should be considered as more Z3 specific. #1 is common BMW problem (and Mercedes too). #6 is more 2.3, 2.5 & 2.8 6-cyl family problem. #11 is a problem among all E36 chassis cars.

[organic///M]

1. Window regulators bind up for no reason
2. Seats wobble because of bad bushings
3. Airbag light stays on until you buy a new seat belt retractor
4. Something about failure of the rear subframe I read about once (LOL)
5. HVAC blower stops blowing, requiring replacement of resistor
6. water pump fails
7. glove box sags
8. Air bags don't deploy
9. Wacky fuel gauge.
10. Seat belt clips on seat break.
11. rear shock mounts dont last long
12. Clutch Pedal wobbles because of bad bushings
13. Rear End wobbles becuase of bad bushings
14. Coupe hatch latch

[bird67]

1. Window regulators bind up for no reason
2. Seats wobble because of bad bushings
3. Airbag light stays on until you buy a new seat belt retractor
4. Something about failure of the rear subframe I read about once (LOL)
5. HVAC blower stops blowing, requiring replacement of resistor
6. water pump fails
7. glove box sags
8. Air bags don't deploy
9. Wacky fuel gauge.
10. Seat belt clips on seat break.
11. rear shock mounts dont last long
12. Clutch Pedal wobbles because of bad bushings
13. Rear End wobbles becuase of bad bushings
14. Coupe hatch latch

8 and 14 I haven't heard of...my hatch latch works fine? Only problem with it is that it is balanced so well my kids always SLAM IT CLOSED!!! Aarrgh.

[JWhite]

3. Airbag light stays on until you buy a new seat belt retractor

Actually it's the seat belt pre-tensioner, not the retractor. The pre-tensioner is the pyrotechnic one.

JWhite

But you could add.....

"15 Seat belt retractors (reels) stick and the seat belt won't pull out"

[ctsiegf]

not z3 specific, but shift knobs fly off.

-Carter

[Ian 2.0]

Here's the start of the "yeah, they all do that" list that we all take for granted. Feel free to either flame, comment or add as you see fit. In no particular order of seriousness or severity:

1. Window regulators bind up for no reason
2. Seats wobble because of bad bushings
3. Airbag light stays on until you buy a new seat belt retractor
4. Something about failure of the rear subframe I read about once (LOL)
5. HVAC blower stops blowing, requiring replacement of resistor
6. water pump fails
7. glove box sags
8. Air bags don't deploy
9. Wacky fuel gauge.
10. Seat belt clips on seat break.
11. rear shock mounts dont last long
12. Clutch Pedal wobbles because of bad bushings
13. Rear End wobbles becuase of bad bushings
14. Coupe hatch latch
15. Rear window scratches & tears easily
16. Car causes severe neck cramps to innocent bystanders (specially women).

[organic///M]

8 and 14 I haven't heard of...my hatch latch works fine? Only problem with it is that it is balanced so well my kids always SLAM IT CLOSED!!! Aarrgh.

I don't have the problem either, but it seems to be fairly common: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ht=hatch+latch

1. Window regulators bind up for no reason
2. Seats wobble because of bad bushings
3. Airbag light stays on until you buy a new seat belt retractor
4. Something about failure of the rear subframe I read about once (LOL)
5. HVAC blower stops blowing, requiring replacement of resistor
6. water pump fails
7. glove box sags
8. Air bags don't deploy
9. Wacky fuel gauge.
10. Seat belt clips on seat break.
11. rear shock mounts dont last long
12. Clutch Pedal wobbles because of bad bushings
13. Rear End wobbles becuase of bad bushings
14. Coupe hatch latch
15. Rear window scratches & tears easily
16. Car causes severe neck cramps to innocent bystanders (specially women).
17. Rear view mirror fluid leak problem

[SunzOut]

1. Window regulators bind up for no reason
2. Seats wobble because of bad bushings
3. Airbag light stays on until you buy a new seat belt retractor
4. Something about failure of the rear subframe I read about once (LOL)
5. HVAC blower stops blowing, requiring replacement of resistor
6. water pump fails
7. glove box sags
8. Air bags don't deploy
9. Wacky fuel gauge.
10. Seat belt clips on seat break.
11. rear shock mounts dont last long
12. Clutch Pedal wobbles because of bad bushings
13. Rear End wobbles becuase of bad bushings
14. Coupe hatch latch
15. Rear window scratches & tears easily
16. Car causes severe neck cramps to innocent bystanders (specially women).
17. Rear view mirror fluid leak problem
18. Transmission Shift pins

[Power of M]

1. Window regulators bind up for no reason
2. Seats wobble because of bad bushings
3. Airbag light stays on until you buy a new seat belt retractor
4. Something about failure of the rear subframe I read about once (LOL)
5. HVAC blower stops blowing, requiring replacement of resistor
6. water pump fails
7. glove box sags
8. Air bags don't deploy
9. Wacky fuel gauge.
10. Seat belt clips on seat break.
11. rear shock mounts dont last long
12. Clutch Pedal wobbles because of bad bushings
13. Rear End wobbles becuase of bad bushings
14. Coupe hatch latch
15. Rear window scratches & tears easily
16. Car causes severe neck cramps to innocent bystanders (specially women).
17. Rear view mirror fluid leak problem
18. Transmission Shift pins
19. Speedo reads 5-7mph to fast

[StarReaver]

1. Window regulators bind up for no reason
2. Seats wobble because of bad bushings
3. Airbag light stays on until you buy a new seat belt retractor
4. Something about failure of the rear subframe I read about once (LOL)
5. HVAC blower stops blowing, requiring replacement of resistor
6. water pump fails
7. glove box sags
8. Air bags don't deploy
9. Wacky fuel gauge.
10. Seat belt clips on seat break.
11. rear shock mounts dont last long
12. Clutch Pedal wobbles because of bad bushings
13. Rear End wobbles becuase of bad bushings
14. Coupe hatch latch
15. Rear window scratches & tears easily
16. Car causes severe neck cramps to innocent bystanders (specially women).
17. Rear view mirror fluid leak problem
18. Transmission Shift pins
19. Speedo reads 5-7mph to fast
20. Sunroof switch is reversed and doesn't light up (coupes only)
21. Glove box rattles

[bird67]

1. Window regulators bind up for no reason
2. Seats wobble because of bad bushings
3. Airbag light stays on until you buy a new seat belt retractor
4. Something about failure of the rear subframe I read about once (LOL)
5. HVAC blower stops blowing, requiring replacement of resistor
6. water pump fails
7. glove box sags and or rattles
8. Air bags don't deploy
9. Wacky fuel gauge.
10. Seat belt clips on seat break.
11. rear shock mounts dont last long
12. Clutch Pedal wobbles because of bad bushings
13. Rear End wobbles becuase of bad bushings
14. Coupe hatch latch
15. Rear window scratches & tears easily
16. Car causes severe neck cramps to innocent bystanders (specially women).
17. Rear view mirror fluid leak problem
18. Transmission Shift pins
19. Speedo reads 5-7mph too fast
20. Sunroof switch is reversed and doesn't light up (coupes only)

Combined 7 and 21! 19 is a great addition!

[jr1966]

You guys are discouraging would-be Z3 owners.

I think Z3-specific, E36-specific, 6-cyl-engine specific, BMW-specific, German-car specific, & general should be indicated.

* = Z3 specific
** = E36-specific
*** = 6-cyl-engine-specific
**** = BMW-specific
***** = German-car-specific
****** = general auto problem

1. Window regulators bind up for no reason *****
2. Seats wobble because of bad bushings *
3. Airbag light stays on until you buy a new seat belt retractor ******
4. Something about failure of the rear subframe I read about once (LOL) *
5. HVAC blower stops blowing, requiring replacement of resistor ******
6. water pump fails ***
7. glove box sags *
8. Air bags don't deploy ******
9. Wacky fuel gauge *
10. Seat belt clips on seat break ******
11. rear shock mounts dont last long **
12. Clutch Pedal wobbles because of bad bushings
13. Rear End wobbles becuase of bad bushings
14. Coupe hatch latch
15. Rear window scratches & tears easily
16. Car causes severe neck cramps to innocent bystanders (specially women).
17. Rear view mirror fluid leak problem
18. Transmission Shift pins
19. Speedo reads 5-7mph to fast
20. Sunroof switch is reversed and doesn't light up (coupes only)
21. Glove box rattles

1-11 had been classified as an example.

[2000m]

1. Window regulators bind up for no reason *****
2. Seats wobble because of bad bushings *
3. Airbag light stays on until you buy a new seat belt retractor ******
4. Something about failure of the rear subframe I read about once (LOL) *
5. HVAC blower stops blowing, requiring replacement of resistor ******
6. water pump fails ***
7. glove box sags *
8. Air bags don't deploy ******
9. Wacky fuel gauge *
10. Seat belt clips on seat break ******
11. rear shock mounts dont last long **
12. Clutch Pedal wobbles because of bad bushings
13. Rear End wobbles becuase of bad bushings
14. Coupe hatch latch
15. Rear window scratches & tears easily
16. Car causes severe neck cramps to innocent bystanders (specially women).
17. Rear view mirror fluid leak problem
18. Transmission Shift pins
19. Speedo reads 5-7mph to fast
20. Sunroof switch is reversed and doesn't light up (coupes only)
21. Glove box rattles
22. terrible radio

1-11 had been classified as an example.[/quote]

[bird67]

LOL Maybe we should color code instead! Hey, would be z3 owners, we are all in love with our cars.

You guys are discouraging would-be Z3 owners.

I think Z3-specific, E36-specific, 6-cyl-engine specific, BMW-specific, German-car specific, & general should be indicated.

* = Z3 specific
** = E36-specific
*** = 6-cyl-engine-specific
**** = BMW-specific
***** = German-car-specific
****** = general auto problem

1. Window regulators bind up for no reason *****
2. Seats wobble because of bad bushings *
3. Airbag light stays on until you buy a new seat belt retractor ******
4. Something about failure of the rear subframe I read about once (LOL) *
5. HVAC blower stops blowing, requiring replacement of resistor ******
6. water pump fails ***
7. glove box sags *
8. Air bags don't deploy ******
9. Wacky fuel gauge *
10. Seat belt clips on seat break ******
11. rear shock mounts dont last long **
12. Clutch Pedal wobbles because of bad bushings
13. Rear End wobbles becuase of bad bushings
14. Coupe hatch latch
15. Rear window scratches & tears easily
16. Car causes severe neck cramps to innocent bystanders (specially women).
17. Rear view mirror fluid leak problem
18. Transmission Shift pins
19. Speedo reads 5-7mph to fast
20. Sunroof switch is reversed and doesn't light up (coupes only)
21. Glove box rattles

1-11 had been classified as an example.

[jr1966]

LOL Maybe we should color code instead! Hey, would be z3 owners, we are all in love with our cars.

Color coding is fine, as long as properly specified. You can add in: convertible-specific, coupe-specific, owner-specific.

And as far as #16 goes, is it due to the car or the driver? Or both? But, hey, girls loves shoes & penis!

[fefyfo]

1. Window regulators bind up for no reason *****
2. Seats wobble because of bad bushings *
3. Airbag light stays on until you buy a new seat belt retractor ******
4. Something about failure of the rear subframe I read about once (LOL) *
5. HVAC blower stops blowing, requiring replacement of resistor ******
6. water pump fails ***
7. glove box sags *
8. Air bags don't deploy ******
9. Wacky fuel gauge *
10. Seat belt clips on seat break ******
11. rear shock mounts dont last long **
12. Clutch Pedal wobbles because of bad bushings
13. Rear End wobbles becuase of bad bushings
14. Coupe hatch latch
15. Rear window scratches & tears easily
16. Car causes severe neck cramps to innocent bystanders (specially women).
17. Rear view mirror fluid leak problem
18. Transmission Shift pins
19. Speedo reads 5-7mph to fast
20. Sunroof switch is reversed and doesn't light up (coupes only)
21. Glove box rattles
22. AC doesn't blow very cold.

[mich]

23 You get soaked if you use the screen washers with the hood down.