Z3 Antenna Swap - Grommet Issues

[ncsubowen]

So, I did the fabled Z3 antenna swap for my non-functioning retractable antenna, and everything went relatively smoothly (other than it being 25 degrees outside while I was doing it).

Several other posters mentioned that the Z3 grommet fit rather perfectly on their vehicles, so I had one of those to go along with the installation, and I'm unimpressed with how it fits in the hole.

My question is, did I get a bad grommet, is this how people have theirs, or should I work on modifying the grommet itself to better fit the opening?

Any thoughts would be very appreciated. Excuse the dusty car, there's about a million leaves falling right now so I'm going to have to wait a week or two to clean her up.

[kungfooren]

I did this recently... It's hard to get it to fit, but once you do, it's a tight fit. I lubed mine in soapy water. You need to press down really hard to get the circle cutout in the rear quarter to fit in the groove/lip. Try a little twisting action. It took me a good 10 mins or work. It should fit fine.

[ncsubowen]

Hmm.. it was pretty cold so I'm sure that didn't help anything. I'll go out there and try the soapy water thing and maybe hit it with a hair dryer to soften up the rubber a bit.

Do you have any pictures of how yours sits?

[E30NJ]

yep. did the same, had to use soapy water and a good amount of force. you could try trimming down the grommet with sandpaper to try to make it fit a little easier.

[StereoInstaller1]

Dawn dish soap, no water needed. Use it for all rubber bits you install, forever, including windshields, subframe bushings, everything

[Boris3]

Grommet too loose

Apologies for resurrecting the old thread but I have the opposite problem. The grommet is too small/loose to the point that i can easily push the entire thing through the hole in the body and it falls into the trunk well. This is on 1991 318is.

I ordered part number 65218389698 which is listed as the Z3 grommet. Is this the correct part?

[george graves]

Not sure. IIRC there where two different antennas used on e30. Maybe some had a larger hole?

[Boris3]

Could be, or different grommets for the Z3 model years? Anyway for now some black RTV around the grommet to improve the seal seems to be the solution.

[g.ruff561]

Resurrecting this old thread. What grommet part number is the best fit? I want to get it right the first time. I already have the mast and radio module. There are about 6 different grommets available. Thanks......G.

[M-technik-3]

My suggestion is purchase one for a 318Ti it matches the fender line better. It's probably cheaper too.

[g.ruff561]

Anybody got a junkyard 318TI vin to cross reference at the dealer? IJS.

[george graves]

Ijs?

[g.ruff561]

........I'm Just Saying.......

[s1uma1]

Resurrecting this old thread. What grommet part number is the best fit? I want to get it right the first time. I already have the mast and radio module. There are about 6 different grommets available. Thanks......G.

If you're still looking, this is the grommet i used and it fits perfectly in my 91 318is.

BMW Grommet 65218362369
BMW Antenna Base 65218375159

Good luck!