Loose seats in Z3M (seat bushing problem)

[jmk]

Hi All,

I'm about to buy a Z3M. I went for a drive in it today and noticed the seat sliding slightl forward and backwards on breaking and acceleration. Having done my research, it appears to be a known problem due to silly rubber bushings in the seat rail mechanism. These need to be replaced by hard plastic ones, which only seem to be available from Whalen Shift Machine (http://www.whalenshiftmachine.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=8&zenid=86156edf4add3d5f73aad8527b173309)

Does anyone know if this part can be sourced in the UK, and if anyone can do the replacement for me? I'd also like to know how much that service would cost. I live in London.

Thanks.

[h4pry]

Jon Murgie is the resident expert on this. I'm not sure you can get the bits from the UK though.

[RussJ]

Do a search on YouTube - there are a couple of videos showing exactly how to do this job.
Doug W will send you the bushings by return so don't worry about buying from the US.
Job took me about an hour. Do one side at a time so you don't get 'em mixed up!
BMW dealers won't do this mod as it uses non-OEM parts but an indie should be OK but will probably charge about 2 hours labour.

[twink]

I received mine from Doug in only a couple of days so no probs ordering from him direct

I was planning on doing it myself but I've added looking at this onto the list of things for Phil Crouch when it goes to him next week for a service, as among other things the wiring under the seat needs looking at as the airbag light is on

[jmk]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the responses. I've seen the videos on YouTube, thanks.
Sounds like it isn't something I should worry about in terms of whether or not to buy the car. I'll either get someone to do it, or worst comes to worst, I'll do it myself.

Thanks again.

[CLUMP]

I did this mod recently and it has improved the rocking, but not resolved it completely. Don't know if I maybe sanded the bushings too much. Took about an hour each side.

It is, I have since found out, important to disconnect the battery for about half an hour before unclipping the wiring under the seats or the airbag light comes on.

[elfhearse]

Helpful DIY link:

http://www.waycoolinc.com/z3/02/100602/shish01.html