Apart from the soft top problem ( see my Introduction), I noticed the drivers seat moves backwards & forwards as I did the test drive & also the passeger seat electrics only work on up/down movement but not back/forward. Also on checking the MOT history it failed on 3 out of the last 4 MOT's on this fault- Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2) is this significant? Steve
Couple of minor faults?
- Thread starter Perkio
- Start date
Lynden
Regular Member
The movement of the seat (slight rocking) under braking and acceleration is a common issue. The seat bushings fail with age allowing unwanted movement. It is a relatively easy fix and is well documented on here.
The seat motor may have failed but can be checked using a spare battery after lifting out the affected seat. Second hand motors are easily found from members on here or through eBay etc. It may just be a faulty connection under the seat which could also be the cause of the fault at the MOT. If the ignition is switched on and the seat connection faulty or disconnected an air bag or seat occupancy sensor fault will be shown. This can be reset once the fault is found and resolved.
The seat motor may have failed but can be checked using a spare battery after lifting out the affected seat. Second hand motors are easily found from members on here or through eBay etc. It may just be a faulty connection under the seat which could also be the cause of the fault at the MOT. If the ignition is switched on and the seat connection faulty or disconnected an air bag or seat occupancy sensor fault will be shown. This can be reset once the fault is found and resolved.
Seat bushing fix here.
https://zroadster.org/articles/how-to-fix-your-bmw-z3-rocking-seats-changing-the-bushes-bushings.51/
Motor work help in this article
https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-stuck-seat-motor-seat-removal.21/
The airbag light is common it willl be a loose connection usually the seat belt pretentioner wire connection under the seat.
A cheap reset tool can be brought to resolve it coming on but when you fix the rocking seats you'll be able to make these good.
https://zroadster.org/articles/how-to-fix-your-bmw-z3-rocking-seats-changing-the-bushes-bushings.51/
Motor work help in this article
https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-stuck-seat-motor-seat-removal.21/
The airbag light is common it willl be a loose connection usually the seat belt pretentioner wire connection under the seat.
A cheap reset tool can be brought to resolve it coming on but when you fix the rocking seats you'll be able to make these good.
Thanks for replies, all sounds quite easy when you know how! Seller responded about the roof, didn't have his foot on the brake the other day, silly boy! So all good there then, he's gonna check out the seat motor to see if it's just a dodgy connection as well & out put fresh MOT on
Sounds like a no brainer
No answer on the seat motor problem, so I'll be doing a bit of tinkering myself, but it sailed through the MOT with no advisories just new wipers & rear foglight bulb so all good there, will be collecting Friday afternoon, wishing me life away till then now!!
Your seat motor issue can be very problematic as the seat needs to go all the way forward to get to the back bolts to remove it so you can get to the motor, so its a bit of a conundrum
Looking forward to Friday then.