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Hello from New Zealand

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A4RON
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Hello from New Zealand

Post by A4RON » Tue Mar 28, 2017 3:09 am

Hi fellow Zedders!

I'm a UK expat living in New Zealand and 2 weeks ago I spontaneously purchased a 2007 BMW Z4 Coupe 3.0si Sport auto in metallic grey, 41k miles on the clock - total impulse purchase and no regrets!

I was originally after a 2007-2009 BMW 650i Coupe or 2008-2010 BMW 135i M Sport Coupe, but the stars didn't align at the time, new-car impatience set in and I spotted this Z4 Coupe at a local dealer and thought "hold on, that ticks all the boxes"... Went for a test drive, connected with the car immediately, everything checked out kosher and I signed on the dotted line there and then.

Things I love:
- The fabulous 3.0-litre straight-six motor; meaty sound, flexible, punchy, loves to rev, plenty of power for the chassis
- Handling and grip
- Driving position
- Auto 'box with paddle-shift; very very good for an Auto, love using the paddles too in Sport mode, mostly just leave it in D though.
- The looks! Especially from the rear

Not so:
- Very firm ride! We all know this
- Interior vibrations/rattles
- Lack of steering feel (EPAS setup?)

Plans: It's a certain keeper for the next 3-4 years. Currently on Bridgestone Potenza S001 run-flats - will swap them for Michelin Pilot Super Sport run-flats towards the end of their life. Read on here they're better suited to the car?

Maybe an Akrapovic exhaust system down the line too.

One concern I have is a few times when climbing out of it, I've heard the right-rear suspension creak... Could be my mind playing tricks, as I've read about the coil springs being a problem and essentially a consumable item? What else should I be listening/feeling for?

Looking forward to getting to know you all on here :) bring on the Z4 bearding 8) fascinating cars

[imghttp://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f339/A44RON/17362025_10154890301610272_549644401120601714_n_zps3erqxh7h.jpg[/img][/img]

[imghttp://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f339/A44RON/17353126_10154890301625272_4046202816196321725_n_zpsqq1x6opp.jpg[/img][/img]

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chapeau
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Hello from New Zealand

Post by chapeau » Tue Mar 28, 2017 3:19 am

Welcome to the forum A4ron, nice looking coupe you've got yourself there.
Can't help with the spring issue I'm afraid, but I'm guessing someone knowledgeable will be along soon to help you out. :driving: :thumbsup:
E85. 2.5i SE. 2004. Sterling grey, anthracite 107s, black leather heated seats, hardtop, sound gen retrofit, matt black grills, stubby, zhp, cupholders retrofit, roof motor in boot.

A4RON
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Hello from New Zealand

Post by A4RON » Tue Mar 28, 2017 3:48 am

Thanks Chapeau :) can't believe I didn't consider a Z4 sooner! They're quite rare in NZ though.

It's my daily and will be clocking up about 15-20k miles per year. Can't stop driving it. Ultimately I would've preferred a manual, but I can't fault the Auto 'box tbh. Most of the time I leave it in D. The car feels like a half GT/half sports coupe - eats up miles so easily! Very impressed so far and the fuel consumption isn't bad either. Definitely a keeper.

I've just found a good independent specialist BMW garage here for servicing/preventative maintenance when it's needed. Actually looking forward to getting it serviced lol :thumbsup:

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metal licker
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Hello from New Zealand

Post by metal licker » Tue Mar 28, 2017 6:41 am

Hi and welcome aboard :thumbsup:
718 4.0 GTS Boxster in YELLOW :driving:
718 Guards Red Boxster .........Gone!
A35 AMG saloon .........Gone!
JCW ...........Gone !
E89 35i Msport VO ................Gone !
E89 23i SE DSB ................Gone !

Hello to Jason Isaacs

Hilly30si
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Location: By the M6 Toll Rd Staffordshire

Hello from New Zealand

Post by Hilly30si » Tue Mar 28, 2017 6:54 am

Looks beautiful. You could get your back modified by Mike, to extract a great soundtrack. Big thread on here :thumbsup:
My Cars

2021 X3 M Sport loaded with Tec
1974 Triumph TR6 in Mimosa Yellow
Gone but not forgotten
2008 Z4 3.0 SI Roadster

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kis
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Hello from New Zealand

Post by kis » Tue Mar 28, 2017 8:34 am

Hi and Welcome!!

Firstly lovely looking Zed! In regards to tyres, opt for non-runflats if you can. Best thing you can do for the car and also for longevity of the alloy itself's life (prone to cracking).

Creak at rear is sometimes associated to the handbrake. Try just leaving the Zed in P (park mode) and not engaging the handbrake. Test it out a few times and see if the creak is still there, or if it disappears!

Finally noticed the comment about the back box from Hilly30si :? O.P. is in NZ! :rofl:

Good luck and most importantly enjoy!! :)
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG

BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71

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buzyg
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Hello from New Zealand

Post by buzyg » Tue Mar 28, 2017 10:00 am

Welcome aboard. Recall there are a few other members in NZ. Great looking Coupe you got yourself, enjoy putting on the Kilometers. :D
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Geezah
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Hello from New Zealand

Post by Geezah » Tue Mar 28, 2017 1:01 pm

Welcome, nice Zed, Enzed is from your part of the world...bit of a clue somewhere ether methinks!
2008 Z4 2.0i SE E85, Space Grey, 18" 241 staggered rims, 255/35/18, 225/40/18, 2 tone anthracite/silverstone leather Msport heated seats, M sport MFC Steering wheel, Bluetooth, Comfort pack, Tracker, Automatic climate control, Gaptech, Blah, blah.

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Marlon
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Hello from New Zealand

Post by Marlon » Tue Mar 28, 2017 3:57 pm

Welcome to the forum, sounds like you've done your research - once you've ditched the run flats the steering feel should improve :driving:
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Gone: 3.0si 2008 E85
911 997 Carrera S

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Mr Tidy
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Hello from New Zealand

Post by Mr Tidy » Tue Mar 28, 2017 11:38 pm

Hi OP, and welcome from a fellow Coupe owner!

Your car looks fantastic - I really like those wheels. :thumbsup:

That mileage is really low, so you have no reason not to get out and enjoy it. :lol:
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black

A4RON
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Hello from New Zealand

Post by A4RON » Wed Mar 29, 2017 12:07 am

Thanks for the replies, all :) Looking forward to doing lots of reading on here and gaining knowledge from you all on these fascinating cars :thumbsup: I'll look at a set of Non-run flat tyres towards the end of the year

Thanks Mr Tidy! How are you getting on with your Coupe?

Already got a road-trip planned with the girlfriend down to Wanaka for Easter weekend. Will have to wind my neck in though - NZ has nanny state speed limits and they're very strict on enforcing them too in certain places; exceeding 85mph in a 60mph zone will get your car impounded for 28 days and licence suspended for 6 months! Yikes.

260bhp is definitely enough to keep me entertained :lol:

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NickDE
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Hello from New Zealand

Post by NickDE » Wed Mar 29, 2017 7:19 pm

Welcome ! Lovely looking car, and I totally get the Try And Buy seduction of the Z4C.

What is the small rectangular thing at the bottom of your rear window ?
Darkness gone, go Darknes2, go Frozen, go Tronic

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enzed4
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Hello from New Zealand

Post by enzed4 » Thu Mar 30, 2017 11:00 am

Hi and welcome to the forum :thumbsup:
Is it just me - the links to your photos aren't working, I just get a Photobucket error?
Where are you based? I'm in Christchurch.
Coming up to 4 years of ownership of my UK import 2.5Si and loving it, although have experienced some of the common problems (replaced the soft top motor and had the ABS/DSC pump overhauled last week when I got the unholy trinity of warning lights on the dash. Fingers crossed it was the right repair as the dash is clear now).
Last edited by enzed4 on Wed Apr 05, 2017 6:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport

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enzed4
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Hello from New Zealand

Post by enzed4 » Mon Apr 03, 2017 2:14 am

Maybe I scared him away..? :( :?
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Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport

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GBZ4
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Hello from New Zealand

Post by GBZ4 » Mon Apr 03, 2017 2:29 am

Hi and welcome, hope you enjoy the whole experience. :thumbsup: As with enzed4 the Photobucket link states page removed so I've not seen your Zed
2016 E89 18i Roadster - gone and forgotten

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