Finally here

[Scarcey]

Hello All

Not strictly a newbie to the forum. Posted a wanted ad a few months back whilst I was on the search for a Z4mr. After wanting one since they came out and not shutting up about it since(it’s been a long wait since 18 y/o) I’m finally here. Was very particular about spec and managed to find one. I compromised on a couple of things but I’m happy with the outcome. Owned for about a month. My thoughts so far...

Well, they say never meet your heroes. Utter rubbish in this case; it’s everything I dreamt it would be. Flawed, not perfect, but absolutely right for me. Love the car; the sound; the engine; the everything. Yes, there’s quicker. Yes, there’s prettier. Yes, there’s cheaper. But, my crikey, the smile it puts on my face is mega. Addictive to drive it, I can’t still believe it when I open the garage door that it’s there.

Driving: read so many things about ‘it tries to kill you’ etc etc but to be honest, if you’re respectful of what it is, it’s ok I’ve found. To be fair to that statement, I do only take it out in the dry and can’t truly open the taps up often without being trouble making quick. The sound and experience above 4500rpm is cracking. The brakes are decent enough for me. Handling and ride was much how I expected. Went for a weekend around the north Norfolk coast and had a great time recently.

Dislikes: not many, except cost tax induces a sharp intake of breath. Mpg is ok to be fair; averaging around 27mpg. I’ve done a lot of driving with my two children in the car (not at the same time ) so not stretching it lots. My son (2y/o) is a speed demon and loves the acceleration up to 4k

What’s next: rod bearings and Vanos refurb. Inspection II as well. Cars on 54k so doing it for peace of mind rather than necessity. Also going to get a good detail and machine polish when I can.

Hope to get to some meets etc.

It’ll be stored over winter. Any advice or links to threads on here on how to’s would be great. It’ll be my first stored over winter car.

Here’s some photos with my other love, my z3 sport. Ive owned that for over 10 years now and trying to justify keeping both to the wife. Slowly winning (until she hears how much the rod bearing and Vanos refurb will be). Wish me luck!!!

[Ole gits rule]

Very nice indeed

[Phippy]

They compliment each other very well! Congrats on finding your hero! even though it will be stored you can still go look at / sit in it

[Scarcey]

They compliment each other very well! Congrats on finding your hero! even though it will be stored you can still go look at / sit in it

That’s the plan. Just sat in the garage with a cuppa staring.

[Mr Tidy]

Congrtulations on finally getting your dream car.

I wanted a Z4 Coupe ever since 2008 when I saw one in the showroom when I collected my 123d.

Finally got a 3.0Si in 2014 after business mileage was no longer an issue and wished I had done it sooner. Loved it and had 2, but as time went by I started to get an itch for an M which finally got scratched in December 2019.

And I love that even more for all the reasons you have described - just starting the engine is a special occasion!

54K is quite early for rod bearings but as it seems to be a keeper you'll want to get them done at some point anyway, so why not now for peace of mind. I had mine done at 78K and they were pretty worn - but with 7 former keepers I wasn't too surprised.

There are quite a few Z4 owners in Norfolk who organise quite a few local meets that may be of interest depending on which part of Suffolk you are in.

And given the cost of road tax some time on SORN over the winter when you wouldn't use it makes sense. Sadly I can't offer any advice about storage as I'm still waiting for a house move to happen and until it does I don't have a garage.

Good luck convincing the wife you need a Z3 and a Z4!

[buzyg]

Great pair. The MR is relatively old school low tech. So happily you can just switch it off for winter. If you need to, then remove the battery without worry. Otherwise attach a smart charger. Hand brake off. I leave the top down on mine when in the garage, but many leave it up. Tyres don't like sitting for months on end, so either roll it a few feet now and then or pop it on axel stands.

[Scarcey]

Congrtulations on finally getting your dream car.

I wanted a Z4 Coupe ever since 2008 when I saw one in the showroom when I collected my 123d.

Finally got a 3.0Si in 2014 after business mileage was no longer an issue and wished I had done it sooner. Loved it and had 2, but as time went by I started to get an itch for an M which finally got scratched in December 2019.

And I love that even more for all the reasons you have described - just starting the engine is a special occasion!

54K is quite early for rod bearings but as it seems to be a keeper you'll want to get them done at some point anyway, so why not now for peace of mind. I had mine done at 78K and they were pretty worn - but with 7 former keepers I wasn't too surprised.

There are quite a few Z4 owners in Norfolk who organise quite a few local meets that may be of interest depending on which part of Suffolk you are in.

And given the cost of road tax some time on SORN over the winter when you wouldn't use it makes sense. Sadly I can't offer any advice about storage as I'm still waiting for a house move to happen and until it does I don't have a garage.

Good luck convincing the wife you need a Z3 and a Z4!

Precisely my thinking re: rod bearings. I’m going to have the Vanos done too. It’s a keeper so get it done for peace of mind.

[Scarcey]

Great pair. The MR is relatively old school low tech. So happily you can just switch it off for winter. If you need to, then remove the battery without worry. Otherwise attach a smart charger. Hand brake off. I leave the top down on mine when in the garage, but many leave it up. Tyres don't like sitting for months on end, so either roll it a few feet now and then or pop it on axel stands.

Charger is on the list. I was going to get some of those little ramp things for the car to sit on rather than stands. I can’t remember for the life of me what they’re called though.

[Pondrew]

I was going to get some of those little ramp things for the car to sit on rather than stands. I can’t remember for the life of me what they’re called though.

Think they're called ramps.
That will still leave the weight on the tyres, just higher off the ground. Axle stands take the weight off the tyres to avoid cracking and perishing IIRC.
I sit mine on squares of old carpet in the garage over winter; it insulates the tyres a bit from the cold concrete,

[Ian J]

I sit mine on squares of old carpet in the garage over winter; it insulates the tyres a bit from the cold concrete,

I leave mine on the drive over winter as it still gets driven every day

[enuff_zed]

I was going to get some of those little ramp things for the car to sit on rather than stands. I can’t remember for the life of me what they’re called though.

Think they're called ramps.
That will still leave the weight on the tyres, just higher off the ground. Axle stands take the weight off the tyres to avoid cracking and perishing IIRC.
I sit mine on squares of old carpet in the garage over winter; it insulates the tyres a bit from the cold concrete,

I think he means the small ones that curve to support the tyre across a bigger area rather than a small patch at the bottom.
I've contemplated those too. Axle stands leave the wheels hanging on the suspension at full extension and I'm not sure that does a lot of good either?

[Pondrew]

I think he means the small ones that curve to support the tyre across a bigger area rather than a small patch at the bottom.
I've contemplated those too. Axle stands leave the wheels hanging on the suspension at full extension and I'm not sure that does a lot of good either?

I thought about sticking the trolley jack under each corner and rotating the wheels by 90 degrees every week or so, but I know I'll get bored with doing that. Also I'll forget which way I turned 'em last time so would probably not help much.

[mr.tourette]

just inflate to 50psi..theyll still be sitting on one spot but less chance of a flat spot developing

[sp3ctre]

My advice would simply be not to store it over winter... some of my best drives when I had the Z4 were in the ice cold!

[maxman]

Nice introduction.Why waste money doing rod bearings at 56k ,when the car will a low miles per year car.