Picked her up today

dopper85 · Post by **dopper85** » Sat Nov 10, 2018 5:42 pm

Hi All,

I picked up my first Z4 today a 57 plate roadster sport with M seats, wheels etc and the 2.0 litre petrol engine.

The car seems fantastic however I have noticed that on initial start up and pulling away there seems to be a little bit of white / grey smoke from the exhaust that disappears with use until next start up when it returns for a few seconds? Im assuming that this is quite normal?

: Z4 2 copy.jpg (182 KiB) Viewed 1162 times

philbo909 · Post by **philbo909** » Sat Nov 10, 2018 6:08 pm

Welcome to the forum

NickDE · Post by **NickDE** » Sat Nov 10, 2018 6:57 pm

Some condensation from the exhaust is normal, particularly on cold days. A 3 litre looks like a steam train on a frosty morning.

Kevoz4 · Post by **Kevoz4** » Sat Nov 10, 2018 7:25 pm

Welcome, great looking car. Great colour and great wheels.

Big Andra · Post by **Big Andra** » Sat Nov 10, 2018 7:29 pm

Welcome to the forum. Looks like a tidy car

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Sat Nov 10, 2018 7:48 pm

Hi and welcome to the forum OP.

Phoenixboy · Post by **Phoenixboy** » Sat Nov 10, 2018 7:55 pm

Welcome, looking good

Adil_3 · Post by **Adil_3** » Sat Nov 10, 2018 8:11 pm

eyyy congratulations welcomee to the Z gang!!!

dopper85 · Post by **dopper85** » Sat Nov 10, 2018 8:15 pm

Thanks for the comments and warm welcome guys. Ive only done around 50 miles in her but I can certainly see it being a long term car - all being well.

Ive been a bit paranoid with the exhaust smoke about possible head gasket failure or crank case ventilation but surely that would result in a consistent smoking?

As I say it just seems to smoke when first started (either hot or cold) and first dip of the loud pedal then disappear after a minute or so.

EDIT - Ive also read a lot of advice on here regarding ditching the run flats and changing the stock gear stick to a weighted ZHP one. Do they really make that big of a difference to the drive?

firebobby · Post by **firebobby** » Sat Nov 10, 2018 8:34 pm

Welcome to the forum, run flats are not good on these cars and you will notice a difference once you ditch them.

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Sat Nov 10, 2018 8:48 pm

I haven't tried non-runflats yet, but I did buy a ZHP gear-knob and it's much better than the standard one!

dopper85 · Post by **dopper85** » Sat Nov 10, 2018 8:54 pm

Mr Tidy wrote: ↑Sat Nov 10, 2018 8:48 pm I haven't tried non-runflats yet, but I did buy a ZHP gear-knob and it's much better than the standard one!

Hi, how is it better? The manual box is quite firm (almost notchy) on all the Z4's I've had a go of - does the extra weight compensate for this?

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Sat Nov 10, 2018 9:00 pm

dopper85 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 10, 2018 8:54 pm Hi, how is it better? The manual box is quite firm (almost notchy) on all the Z4's I've had a go of - does the extra weight compensate for this?

Well I think the extra weight helps overcome the notchiness - it's still notchy, but less reluctant if that makes sense.

Around the time I fitted it I also had the gearbox oil changed, so that may have been a factor too. BMW say the gearbox oil never needs changing, but plenty on here have it done and my car had done over 80K by then so I thought it couldn't be a bad idea - after all the gearbox does have a drain plug!

dopper85 · Post by **dopper85** » Sat Nov 10, 2018 9:03 pm

Mr Tidy wrote: ↑Sat Nov 10, 2018 9:00 pm
dopper85 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 10, 2018 8:54 pm Hi, how is it better? The manual box is quite firm (almost notchy) on all the Z4's I've had a go of - does the extra weight compensate for this?
Well I think the extra weight helps overcome the notchiness - it's still notchy, but less reluctant if that makes sense.

Around the time I fitted it I also had the gearbox oil changed, so that may have been a factor too. BMW say the gearbox oil never needs changing, but plenty on here have it done and my car had done over 80K by then so I thought it couldn't be a bad idea - after all the gearbox does have a drain plug!

Yeah that makes sense. I will take a look through the service history to see if there is anything specific on the gear box oil. Luckily I have noticed receipts for ABS pump and roof motor reconditioning in the last 10k.

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Sat Nov 10, 2018 9:13 pm

dopper85 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 10, 2018 9:03 pm Luckily I have noticed receipts for ABS pump and roof motor reconditioning in the last 10k.

ABS pump is big money, so it's good it has been done.

On the roof motors, does it say if it has been relocated? Only BMW fitted them where they get drowned by water from the roof drains, which is why they often need reconditioning!

Relocating them prevents that from happening - there are forum members who will do that for a sensible price. Who you contact depends on where you are.

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