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protecting my stubby

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
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Sidewaze Samm
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protecting my stubby

Post by Sidewaze Samm » Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:40 pm

Today I've put the zed to bed for the next two or three months (translate: I've put the car cover on). I'll be visiting periodically to make sure battery is ok and to turn it over etc, but one issue that cropped up last winter annoys me.

The cover is generic and not Z4-specific, but works fine (now I've attached a front-to-back strap to stop it blowing off in gales), however it struggles to accomodate the antenna. Luckily I have a stubby and not a whippy, but even so there is quite a bit of tension in the cover over the stubby, to the extent that the tip of the stubby bends slightly.

I've been trying to think of something that can fit over the stubby and that is substantial enough to withstand the pressure and has no sharp edges to damage the cover - or the zed! Something the size of a tall cup from a vending machine would be good, though with somewhat more structural integrity.

Any suggestions?
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protecting my stubby

Post by mmm-five » Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:43 pm

Take the aerial off and store it in the car?
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BumpyZ4
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protecting my stubby

Post by BumpyZ4 » Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:59 pm

mmm-five wrote: Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:43 pm Take the aerial off and store it in the car?
:thumbsup:
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Sidewaze Samm
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protecting my stubby

Post by Sidewaze Samm » Wed Nov 30, 2022 4:18 pm

BumpyZ4 wrote: Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:59 pm
mmm-five wrote: Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:43 pm Take the aerial off and store it in the car?
:thumbsup:
Nah... too much faffing about, especially if I just fancy going for a spin in some mid-winter sun. Really just need something to pop over the aerial as the cover goes on. It's not under tension all the time - depends on how the cover adjusts itself to prevailing winds.
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Space Grey, Dream Red New England heated Msports.
Xenons, MFSW, cruise, PDC, wind deflector.
ZHP, stubby, gloss black grilles, DLV box, gaptech, no CDV.

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jock156
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protecting my stubby

Post by jock156 » Wed Nov 30, 2022 4:30 pm

It’s literally 30 seconds to unscrew it 🤷🏼‍♂️

NS66
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protecting my stubby

Post by NS66 » Wed Nov 30, 2022 5:50 pm

Sidewaze Samm wrote: Wed Nov 30, 2022 4:18 pm
BumpyZ4 wrote: Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:59 pm
mmm-five wrote: Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:43 pm Take the aerial off and store it in the car?
:thumbsup:
Nah... too much faffing about, especially if I just fancy going for a spin in some mid-winter sun. Really just need something to pop over the aerial as the cover goes on. It's not under tension all the time - depends on how the cover adjusts itself to prevailing winds.
10 seconds if that !!!
and that includes opening and shutting the boot.

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MikeyH
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protecting my stubby

Post by MikeyH » Wed Nov 30, 2022 5:55 pm

A childrens' plastic drinks cup (Sainsburys?) with something soft around the rim to stop it hurting the paintwork. But yes have to agree with the others, take it off. :thumbsup:
Now, Sterling grey Z4 2.2 with cup holders, stubby aerial and sport seats. Roadsters ‘cause they’re great with the roof down.
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enuff_zed
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protecting my stubby

Post by enuff_zed » Wed Nov 30, 2022 6:01 pm

Sidewaze Samm wrote: Wed Nov 30, 2022 4:18 pm
BumpyZ4 wrote: Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:59 pm
mmm-five wrote: Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:43 pm Take the aerial off and store it in the car?
:thumbsup:
Nah... too much faffing about, especially if I just fancy going for a spin in some mid-winter sun. Really just need something to pop over the aerial as the cover goes on. It's not under tension all the time - depends on how the cover adjusts itself to prevailing winds.
Honestly? I'm with all the others here.
Don't follow how unscrewing the aerial can be more faff than removing the cover?
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protecting my stubby

Post by ronk » Wed Nov 30, 2022 6:15 pm

A Tennis Ball

Drill a hole in it - not too big and it will wedge onto the lower part of the aerial before the inner of the ball meets the tip of the aerial - the tip won’t bend after that !
Last edited by ronk on Wed Nov 30, 2022 6:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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NS66
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protecting my stubby

Post by NS66 » Wed Nov 30, 2022 6:19 pm

why not cut a 5cm circle in the cover so the stubby pokes through!!!!

:lol: :lol: :lol:

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B21
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protecting my stubby

Post by B21 » Wed Nov 30, 2022 6:48 pm

Just take the stubby off…. end off
We choose to go to on with this endeavour at this time and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard..

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protecting my stubby

Post by rdm05z4 » Wed Nov 30, 2022 7:31 pm

The best option as stated is to remove and store in the car. But if you do cut a hole in the cover, you can glue rubber Gromets to keep it from ripping. Us humans use things called condoms to protect our stubby!!! :rofl: With the title topic "protecting my stubby" just could not let it pass.
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protecting my stubby

Post by mmm-five » Wed Nov 30, 2022 8:10 pm

How about engineering the f**k out of it and using a hinge with neodymium magnets, so you can flick it up & down as you need.

Maybe take it even further and invent some method of retracting it into the wing on ignition off?
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Individual Ruby Black, Individual extended champagne leather, plus many options

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patriot66
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protecting my stubby

Post by patriot66 » Wed Nov 30, 2022 8:12 pm

Sidewaze Samm wrote: Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:40 pm Today I've put the zed to bed for the next two or three months (translate: I've put the car cover on). I'll be visiting periodically to make sure battery is ok and to turn it over etc, but one issue that cropped up last winter annoys me.

The cover is generic and not Z4-specific, but works fine (now I've attached a front-to-back strap to stop it blowing off in gales), however it struggles to accomodate the antenna. Luckily I have a stubby and not a whippy, but even so there is quite a bit of tension in the cover over the stubby, to the extent that the tip of the stubby bends slightly.

I've been trying to think of something that can fit over the stubby and that is substantial enough to withstand the pressure and has no sharp edges to damage the cover - or the zed! Something the size of a tall cup from a vending machine would be good, though with somewhat more structural integrity.

Any suggestions?
I have one of these over my outside tap in the winter. Think mine's from Aldi but this one is on Amazon. It's polystyrene with a sponge foam edge which wouldn't mark the paint :thumbsup:
Screenshot_20221130-190325_Amazon Shopping.jpg
Screenshot_20221130-190325_Amazon Shopping.jpg (126.39 KiB) Viewed 619 times
Screenshot_20221130-190613_Amazon Shopping.jpg
Screenshot_20221130-190613_Amazon Shopping.jpg (49.38 KiB) Viewed 619 times
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Mr Tidy
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protecting my stubby

Post by Mr Tidy » Wed Nov 30, 2022 10:00 pm

How has this thread got so long? :roll:

Just unscrew it!
Coupes because stunning!
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