1st MOT

[OwenT]

Sailed through with just an observation on a low tyre... Phew!

Also thought I'd get it booked in a little early (Cooper BMW in Cobham) as warranty obv due to expire as well and mention 2 things;

Squeak from handbrake when getting in & out of car, was told that this is merely due to the design of the brake system & is not covered under warranty, they could strip down etc but this would be chargeable! Tried arguing that as the car was presumeably not designed to squeak then it was a fault that needs repairing but the guy was having none of it, said that he could not reclaim the work from BMW therefore they would not do it FOC. :thumbsdown:

Secondly, I've noticed a minor loss of power, only intermittantly & minor enough that if you didnt know the car you probably would notice it. I likened it to when you switch the air con on in a low powered car (my 1.3 Ka as the example), the engine just isnt as keen to rev, not really very noticable unless you are used to the car. He asked if I would be able to show a technician on a test drive, which, as the fault is 1) minor & 2) intermittant (only notice it maybe once a week) I wasn't sure I would be able to, in which case if they took the car on an hours test drive & didn't find a fault would be chargeable time.

I pressed him & in the end he agreed to run a computer diagnostic under warranty just to keep me happy... Anyways, the upshot is they have found a hairline crack in the exhaust manifold which apparantly could cause the symptons I've described - and they will do the work under warranty!

Am glad I pushed them to look at it under warranty - I think the fact that he refused the sqeak made me more determined as when he initially mentioned the chargeable test drive I was going to leave it, but thought sod it I'm going to get my moneys worth

On a different topic.... Sat in the new Z4 in the showroom as well... think I'm now converted - can't say I was overly keen like many people seeing the photos etc but in the metal it does look great, and the interior is stunning! Now I just need a £10k payrise & I'm good to go

 

[gannet]

sounds like a good result overall

mine squeaks from the rear sometimes too...

 

[Mr Whippy]

Squeak from handbrake when getting in & out of car, was told that this is merely due to the design of the brake system & is not covered under warranty, they could strip down etc but this would be chargeable! Tried arguing that as the car was presumeably not designed to squeak then it was a fault that needs repairing but the guy was having none of it, said that he could not reclaim the work from BMW therefore they would not do it FOC. :thumbsdown:

They all squeak.

It's like complaining the fans make a whirring blowy noise... tis the nature of the mechanism

Glad it passed though, that is the main thing

Dave

 

[mmm-five]

If I'm sat waiting for someone from work who I'm giving a lift home, I sometimes get impatient with them (i.e. they start over to the car and then start chatting to someone in the car park) and start bouncing slightly in the seat to set the squeak off. Usually they look around to find the source of the noise and then I wave to them to get a bleedin' move on or I'm leaving without them.

So it does have it's uses, and it's not as obtrusive as blasting/tooting the horn at them

 

[OwenT]

Lol but it wasn't designed to squeak therefore AFAIC it should get fixed... If Kia can design a £5k hatch with a non-squeaking handbreak then I find it unbelieveable that BMW can design a £30k sports car with a squeaking one and then say its due to the nature of the design

However, as it is merely another squeak to add to the numerous other squeaks and rattles i shall try not to lose sleep over it

 

[EdButler]

If I'm sat waiting for someone from work who I'm giving a lift home, I sometimes get impatient with them (i.e. they start over to the car and then start chatting to someone in the car park) and start bouncing slightly in the seat to set the squeak off. Usually they look around to find the source of the noise and then I wave to them to get a bleedin' move on or I'm leaving without them.

So it does have it's uses, and it's not as obtrusive as blasting/tooting the horn at them

:lol: Excellent!

Its most embarrassing when you pull up outside a populated area and get the SQUEAAK when you get out! Just have to remember to just leave it in gear, get out and THEN nip the handbrake!

 

[Mr Whippy]

I'd rather have a car designed to do the job of being a car first, than designed to worry about squeaks from mechanisms to save owner embarrasment. The handbrake squeaks because it uses friction to work. Be glad you have something approaching a sports car, that actually looks sporty, rather than a pretend sports car, a sheep in wolves clothing... that is more embarassing to be seen in, imho!


Thank god TVR didn't listen to jessies when making their cars.

"Oooo, my ears hurt after I started it, that can't be right, mummmmyyyy"

Dave

 

[52 CAL]

(Cooper BMW in Cobham)

They're my local too, I'm based in Esher. Must say that I'm not surprised that they refused to do your handbrake squeak under warranty - my 108's are falling apart and they won't touch them!! (the car is 2 years old so still covered by warranty)

Well done pushing to get the manifold sorted by them.

 

[Nerra]

Yeah I get a sweaking sound from the rear tyres when I accelerate hard from a stand still. I think its disgusting and find it very embarrassing, I never get that noise in me mums clio!

 

[denzo]

So thats what the squeeking noise is. I have had it now for ages. Glad it's not a problem.

 

[Mr Whippy]

Yep, bounce the back up and down and the rear wheels can't do anything but turn a bit as the suspension moves, and as it does it obviously turns against the handbrake drum shoes.

I think the only reason it's noticeable more on the Z4 is that you get out from almost over the rear axle, so the deflection when getting out is more dramatic... so enough movement to get a squeak from it

Totally normal... I guess you could lubricate the rear drums, but it would probably defeat the handbrake

Also, I just had new rear brakes fitted to my car (last week), and the handbrake re-adjusted etc (so all new), and I think it is actually squeaking a bit more now

Dave

 

[Sticks]

If I'm sat waiting for someone from work who I'm giving a lift home, I sometimes get impatient with them (i.e. they start over to the car and then start chatting to someone in the car park) and start bouncing slightly in the seat to set the squeak off. Usually they look around to find the source of the noise and then I wave to them to get a bleedin' move on or I'm leaving without them.

So it does have it's uses, and it's not as obtrusive as blasting/tooting the horn at them

Excellent

 

[Sticks]

(Cooper BMW in Cobham)

They're my local too, I'm based in Esher. Must say that I'm not surprised that they refused to do your handbrake squeak under warranty - my 108's are falling apart and they won't touch them!! (the car is 2 years old so still covered by warranty)

Well done pushing to get the manifold sorted by them.

T Wells Cooper v good.

 

[a11y]

If I'm sat waiting for someone from work who I'm giving a lift home, I sometimes get impatient with them (i.e. they start over to the car and then start chatting to someone in the car park) and start bouncing slightly in the seat to set the squeak off. Usually they look around to find the source of the noise and then I wave to them to get a bleedin' move on or I'm leaving without them.

So it does have it's uses, and it's not as obtrusive as blasting/tooting the horn at them

Roof down, ejector seat would be awesome.

Oh wait, I'm not in a 007 film...