Left Exterior Door Handle Problem - In Hot Weather

[rick29690]

Tried searching thru, but couldn't find anything in Z3 area with this problem. Maybe I just overlooked.

We have a '96 Z3 1.9. In the hot summer months, in order to open the driver door you have to reach in thru the passenger side and open the drivers door using inside handle. This only happens AFTER the car has been outside.

Had her in the shop on an unrelated issue the other day and asked the mechanic about it. He said the cable was probably stretched and need to be replaced. Then hit me with a $600+ estimate to fix. From what I've researched, it seems the cable is what connects to inside handle with the latch mechanism. If so, then it would seem I need to replace the exterior door handle assembly.

Any help would be appreciated!

Rick

[s8ilver]

Try adjusting the latch striker (car side, not door side).

Open the door, loosen the two Torx bolts while leaving some tension on them (think snug enough to hold the latch in place but not so loose that it slides around too much). Close the door with handle held up. Open the door. Tighten the bolts. Save $600.

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...-having-issues

[khammack]

You may want to just try putting some white lithium grease on the latch contact point before doing anything more drastic.

[z3m.casey]

This just happened to mine too in these last couple days. So annoying.

I'll try the WD-40. If nothing happens, I'll mess with the striker itself.

[Vintage42]

... I'll mess with the striker itself.

Reading for latch and striker:
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...hlight=striker
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...or-Striker-DIY

[nc trucker]

my m roadster passenger side door handle needed some help . sprayed some white lithium grease and fixed it instantly.