Newbie help

[Go351]

Hi all. I’ve just bought a 2014 z4 28i auto in oz.

I have a couple of basic questions.

1- I think I’m missing a plastic inner tub that goes over the battery area and under the boot floor mat. But I’m not sure if the car should have one ? So on my car, when I lift up the boot floor mat, I can see the battery and components ... is that normal, my manual covers many models so it hard to know.

2- the manual says I can close the roof with the remote, I can’t make it work. Any tricks ? I press once to lock the hold lock but not roof movement.

3- I can hear a faint mechanical like noise when driving with roof up. Not bad but I think it’s always there. It sounds like the brakes are still touching the rotors or dragging of friction related issues. I’m not expecting total silence but don’t know what to expect. Is it run flats ?

And finally, I know how to code f series bmws but some pointers to coding e89 would be much appreciated. Even if there is a paid service remotely would be good.

Would love one touch roof open , closing.. to start with

Thanks in advance for any help

[firebobby]

Hi and welcome to the forum, get some photos of your car on, just to prove you really own one,

[bob4333]

Welcome to the forum Go351.

I'd need to look to confirm but I don't recall seeing a cover over the battery on my 2014 35i that I've had from new, so I'd say no, it doesn't have one.

You cannot close the roof remotely unless you fit an aftermarket module like "Smart Top". Opening the roof is simple, just hold down the unlock button on your remote. Let it go and the roof will stop, then continue when you press again.

Useful for putting it into a "service" position so you can clean the rear screen inside. Be careful where you put the key though because if the roof accidentally actuates it'll try to eat you.

Is the noise present when stationary? Is it only with the roof up? Does it disappear when roof is down? Does it rise and fall with the speed of the car? Does it go away when you lightly apply the brake, then come back when you lift your foot off?

[Go351]

Hi Bob4333
thanks.

So the noise is like a rolling friction scraping... very faint but constant
here is what I know at the moment:
noise is there loudest under initial light acceleration.
louder with roof up and night time etc. but Its there when roof down too. hard to hear though.
no difference when rolling with gear in neutral
no difference braking hard or soft

theory:
just Tyre and road noise
diff whine
missing internal panel which is why I can hear it coming from behind me.
could be stuck dust guard against rotors or rock in between
sticky calipers...

I just dont have a reference point....

[bob4333]

If it were me, and based on your descriptions, the next step would be to set a morning aside and have a good crawl around under the car with it on axle stands. The aim is to rotate each wheel freely, either one wheel at a time or the lot in one go if you can blag an hour with someone with a vehicle lift (tyre fitters or local garage etc).

Get your ear as close to each brake rotor as possible whilst a mate turns the wheel. This should start to pinpoint a "corner" for further investigation, or eliminate anything to do with wheel rotation as being the cause.

Next step is to consider the rotating parts in the drive train. Make a list of:-

1. What it could be?
2. What can't possibly be? (Be prepared to review this one a few times though!).
3. Then a list of "If I deliberately wanted to introduce this noise - what would I do?"

Just my thoughts.

Oh, get the car on a large empty space (car park etc), put it in reverse and drive it. Still there? Gone? Or maybe just different?

Anyone else?

[gnl]

If the sound is a dry shooshing noise, as you say a bit like brake backplates rubbing or similar I would be 95% sure it’s the diff pinion bearings. My 30 I sdrive is in getting new bearings for exactly the same,,,,,

[ric19]

Hi there is no cover over the battery, there is over the roof pump motor which is the same foam material as the roof motor is sat in...also I used to get a mechanical rubbing noise that was really annoying when the roof was down but since I've had all the pads and disks replaced it seems to have now gone so perhaps that's the problem

[Go351]

hi GNL

my car is out of warranty. I just got it. 59,000kms. How much is the fix for you and are you doing it at dealership? I think it's the diff as well. rolling noise. constant. doesn't change pitch with changing of direction. its booked in to next week for investigation...

[Go351]

Hi there is no cover over the battery, there is over the roof pump motor which is the same foam material as the roof motor is sat in...also I used to get a mechanical rubbing noise that was really annoying when the roof was down but since I've had all the pads and disks replaced it seems to have now gone so perhaps that's the problem

Thanks Ric19 for the info on boot bin cover. Looks like the manual is wrong about that too.

[Go351]

Hi all

Can I get an indication from you all about closing the roof via the remote please. I can open it via remote but not close it via remote - even though the manual clear states I can by holding down the remote lock button.

2014MY E89 - can you close roof via remote?

If the answer is NO, has anyone out there got a solution?

I have had a quick look at smarttop. anyone with experience ?

thanks

[wilwong1971]

Hi

To have it remotely closing and opening via the remote, you need to have the Comfort Access option on your Z4 (it also lets you unlock the car and start the car just by having your keys in your pocket)

Without that factory option it will only open via the remote, not close. The Smart Top module will do what you require though...

[Go351]

Hi

To have it remotely closing and opening via the remote, you need to have the Comfort Access option on your Z4 (it also lets you unlock the car and start the car just by having your keys in your pocket)

Without that factory option it will only open via the remote, not close. The Smart Top module will do what you require though...

Thank you. Does anyone have any advice re smart top?

[Crazy Harry]

Hi and welcome - missed you when you first posted last week.

Lots of questions but no proof of car as yet - you know what we say

[Go351]

this is me