automatic transmission, stereo upgrade, etc.
dr z
05-30-2005, 01:01 PM
i've got a 2002 z3 3.0 roadster with an automatic transmission and 43K on the odometer. i like the car, though i've had to spend some time at the dealer working out many of the quirks i've seen mentioned in this forum. i have the remote lock opener with the bad frequency that conflicts with nearby police stations, etc. (so i have to occasionally click the remote within 6 inches of the rear view mirror). i had the rattling gas tank (fixed by tightening the straps). i had the bad rear shock mount problem, (fixed with new stock mounts and no problems for the last 20k miles). i have the POS harmon kardon "upgraded" stereo (which i am about to really upgrade - i'll report back on this later). and i had the slight clunk sound (like a bad rocker arm bushing), which would occur when you just about came to a full stop.
this last one, the clunk, is my reason for writing. the clunk is now gone due to a combination of a software upgrade to the transmission and the installation of a "flange kit" which appears to have been added to the transmission or shaft (i've never quite understood it except that it was a special order part and the work took 8 hours including removing the exhaust system). while the result of this surgery is that the clunk is gone and the transmission is as responsive as any automatic i've ever seen (much more so than my MB 430 ML), there is one post-repair/software fix minor nagging issue, which is that, when i start the car cold in the morning (cold engine - not cold outside), and the RPMs start decreasing to normal idle, i get a very slight harmonic vibration (slightly audible and slightly felt in the steering wheel though occasionally you'll hear the exhaust system metal rattling for a couple of seconds) right when it hits 800 RPMs if I'm in gear and stopped. once the car warms up, the harmonic gets better, but it can be reproduced (though now barely audible and feelable) by reving the engine to 800 RPMs at a stop while in gear.
the dealer (sonnen bmw in marin county, CA), who's fixed all of the other issues, shop manager says that it's nothing to worry about - "just a little harmonic". even though this is a minor annoyance, i'm wondering if it has to do with the software upgrade or the flange kit and want to know if any on you have experienced this or had the software/flange repair. if so, can someone explain what was done with the flange kit and/or how did you get rid of the harmonic?
BTW, the stereo upgrade (to be done by rolling thunder in san rafael), will consist of an eclipse headunit with sirius satellite radio and upgradeable to high definition radio with a plug in module due out in july (bye bye to bad fm on 101!), which plays cd, mp3, wma and connects by cable to ipod; mb quart premium coax speakers (pce213) in the kick panels and a zapco 4x50 watt amp (360.4) driving the mb quarts at 2x50 watts and the stock subwoofer at 180 watts (though it'll be toned down so as not to blow the speaker out). the stock hk amp will continue to be used to drive the door and rear speakers. though the zapco amp is hard to find and expensive, at 7.5" wide and 2" high, it fits perfect and flush in the back of the z3 trunk. don't ask how much this costs. i am embarassed and i also don't want my wife to read this post.
i'll let you know how it sounds. for now, though, can someone respond about the flange kit purpose and the 800 RPM harmonic?
also, i'm looking for a good bmw mechanic (for after the warranty period) in the north or east bay (marin to berkeley), who can do regular maintenance and some perormance upgrades (like an exhaust) and who i can trust. (while we're at it, how about an MB mechanic as well).
dr z
this last one, the clunk, is my reason for writing. the clunk is now gone due to a combination of a software upgrade to the transmission and the installation of a "flange kit" which appears to have been added to the transmission or shaft (i've never quite understood it except that it was a special order part and the work took 8 hours including removing the exhaust system). while the result of this surgery is that the clunk is gone and the transmission is as responsive as any automatic i've ever seen (much more so than my MB 430 ML), there is one post-repair/software fix minor nagging issue, which is that, when i start the car cold in the morning (cold engine - not cold outside), and the RPMs start decreasing to normal idle, i get a very slight harmonic vibration (slightly audible and slightly felt in the steering wheel though occasionally you'll hear the exhaust system metal rattling for a couple of seconds) right when it hits 800 RPMs if I'm in gear and stopped. once the car warms up, the harmonic gets better, but it can be reproduced (though now barely audible and feelable) by reving the engine to 800 RPMs at a stop while in gear.
the dealer (sonnen bmw in marin county, CA), who's fixed all of the other issues, shop manager says that it's nothing to worry about - "just a little harmonic". even though this is a minor annoyance, i'm wondering if it has to do with the software upgrade or the flange kit and want to know if any on you have experienced this or had the software/flange repair. if so, can someone explain what was done with the flange kit and/or how did you get rid of the harmonic?
BTW, the stereo upgrade (to be done by rolling thunder in san rafael), will consist of an eclipse headunit with sirius satellite radio and upgradeable to high definition radio with a plug in module due out in july (bye bye to bad fm on 101!), which plays cd, mp3, wma and connects by cable to ipod; mb quart premium coax speakers (pce213) in the kick panels and a zapco 4x50 watt amp (360.4) driving the mb quarts at 2x50 watts and the stock subwoofer at 180 watts (though it'll be toned down so as not to blow the speaker out). the stock hk amp will continue to be used to drive the door and rear speakers. though the zapco amp is hard to find and expensive, at 7.5" wide and 2" high, it fits perfect and flush in the back of the z3 trunk. don't ask how much this costs. i am embarassed and i also don't want my wife to read this post.
i'll let you know how it sounds. for now, though, can someone respond about the flange kit purpose and the 800 RPM harmonic?
also, i'm looking for a good bmw mechanic (for after the warranty period) in the north or east bay (marin to berkeley), who can do regular maintenance and some perormance upgrades (like an exhaust) and who i can trust. (while we're at it, how about an MB mechanic as well).
dr z
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