30i v 28i

[Zikim]

My three must have are the iDrive sat nav system, heated seats and parking sensors (cruise would be nice but not a deal breaker).

I would make sure that you have sports seats (not the standard seats), and the feel of the sport steering wheel is much nicer than standard (or have it re-covered by "Royals"). These are both standard on Sport models but extra on standard models.

Cruise control can be added afterwards

 

[Big Bad Boris]

Those seats would be standard on all M-Sport models presumably?

 

[Zikim]

Those seats would be standard on all M-Sport models presumably?

Yes, both the sports seats and sport steering wheel are standard on all M-Sport models

 

[Smartbear]

Thanks guys, is the wind breaker a separate piece thats carried around and clipped in as needed, or does it disappear between the headrests when not in use ?

It’s a separate piece, it folds in half & has a storage pouch.
If retrofitting don’t forget the roll over bars have additional wind breaks in them as well
Rob

 

[enuff_zed]

Thanks guys, is the wind breaker a separate piece thats carried around and clipped in as needed, or does it disappear between the headrests when not in use ?

It’s a separate piece, it folds in half & has a storage pouch.
If retrofitting don’t forget the roll over bars have additional wind breaks in them as well
Rob

I should start by saying I have not been in an E89 WITH a windbreaker, however I wonder if the need for one depends on the type of driving you do, and maybe how much time you spend on your hair :roll:
I rarely do long motorway or main road drives, more often nipping around Norfolk's many minor roads. In addition I am not wasting many hormones growing hair anymore, and I sit quite low and far back in the seat. I have no real issues with the wind around my head or neck.
Strangely I find in the colder weather, when I put the side windows up to keep some heat in, the wind swirls more around my head than it does in the warm weather with the windows down.
So, to reiterate what's already been said, maybe get one without and see how you get on before you pay out for one. Unless you happen across the right spec car with one already fitted of course.

 

[Silverstar]

p.s. Without doubt black with tarts boudoir red interior is top of my wish list so far. Mr Silverstar sir, I just noticed that’s exactly what you have, please can you post a gratuitous photo to keep me going in these dark times. Anyone else with red leather combinations please feel free to post too, sadly for the sake of the moderators I will ask that this be kept to car interiors at this time

Here you go, enjoy! I have to say it's a real stunning combination but then I am biased As others have said seek out a car which has the sports seats!

 

[Silverstar]

I should start by saying I have not been in an E89 WITH a windbreaker, however I wonder if the need for one depends on the type of driving you do, and maybe how much time you spend on your hair
I rarely do long motorway or main road drives, more often nipping around Norfolk's many minor roads. In addition I am not wasting many hormones growing hair anymore, and I sit quite low and far back in the seat. I have no real issues with the wind around my head or neck.
Strangely I find in the colder weather, when I put the side windows up to keep some heat in, the wind swirls more around my head than it does in the warm weather with the windows down.
So, to reiterate what's already been said, maybe get one without and see how you get on before you pay out for one. Unless you happen across the right spec car with one already fitted of course.

The wind breaker does make a big difference regardless of how much hair you have, it stops the wind hitting you in the neck but saying that I don't think you need it for pottering around town but at faster speeds like on the motorway is when you will get the most benefit. Like I mentioned earlier it can be retrofitted quite easily so if the car ticked every other box except this one I would still buy it.

 

[Big Bad Boris]

Lovely car Mr Silverline, almost 100% what I have in mind right now.

Is the sports steering wheel always silver trimmed like that, or is there a plain black version too (I do prefer the silver trim).

Another thing that’s puzzled me, the z4 has 7 buttons on the tunnel, 2 for heated seats, 2 for roof operation, one for parking sensors...what are the other 2 for.... I’ve looked at loads of these online but never seen one with all 7 buttons utilised.

 

[enuff_zed]

Lovely car Mr Silverline, almost 100% what I have in mind right now.

Is the sports steering wheel always silver trimmed like that, or is there a plain black version too (I do prefer the silver trim).

Another thing that’s puzzled me, the z4 has 7 buttons on the tunnel, 2 for heated seats, 2 for roof operation, one for parking sensors...what are the other 2 for.... I’ve looked at loads of these online but never seen one with all 7 buttons utilised.

On mine, left to right are:

Heated passenger seat - blank - blank - roof up - roof down - auto stop/start off - heated driver seat.

I don't have parking sensors, but that still leaves one unaccounted for?

 

[R.E92]

Lovely car Mr Silverline, almost 100% what I have in mind right now.

Is the sports steering wheel always silver trimmed like that, or is there a plain black version too (I do prefer the silver trim).

Another thing that’s puzzled me, the z4 has 7 buttons on the tunnel, 2 for heated seats, 2 for roof operation, one for parking sensors...what are the other 2 for.... I’ve looked at loads of these online but never seen one with all 7 buttons utilised.

On mine, left to right are:

Heated passenger seat - blank - blank - roof up - roof down - auto stop/start off - heated driver seat.

I don't have parking sensors, but that still leaves one unaccounted for?

Heated steering wheel?

 

[enuff_zed]

Lovely car Mr Silverline, almost 100% what I have in mind right now.

Is the sports steering wheel always silver trimmed like that, or is there a plain black version too (I do prefer the silver trim).

Another thing that’s puzzled me, the z4 has 7 buttons on the tunnel, 2 for heated seats, 2 for roof operation, one for parking sensors...what are the other 2 for.... I’ve looked at loads of these online but never seen one with all 7 buttons utilised.

On mine, left to right are:

Heated passenger seat - blank - blank - roof up - roof down - auto stop/start off - heated driver seat.

I don't have parking sensors, but that still leaves one unaccounted for?

Heated steering wheel?

Nope. Mine has one and it's a button on the lower steering column shroud

 

[Big Bad Boris]

Yep, it always seems the one next to the passengers heated seat is blank??

 

[Big Bad Boris]

 

[clarker63]

they were saving this for the ejector seat version... just you had to wait 12 seconds for the roof to retract fully!

 

[clarker63]

Yep, it always seems the one next to the passengers heated seat is blank??

the manual shows it blank... and usually they have all options available

 

[Silverstar]

Lovely car Mr Silverline, almost 100% what I have in mind right now.

Is the sports steering wheel always silver trimmed like that, or is there a plain black version too (I do prefer the silver trim).

Another thing that’s puzzled me, the z4 has 7 buttons on the tunnel, 2 for heated seats, 2 for roof operation, one for parking sensors...what are the other 2 for.... I’ve looked at loads of these online but never seen one with all 7 buttons utilised.

The standard car which mine is, has the silver trim on the steering wheel which just like you I prefer. The M Sport cars have steering wheels with all black trim, the rim on the M sport wheel is a little thicker though which some people prefer. Just to add confusion I think you could specify the M sport wheel as an option on the standard car and there are some owners who changed the standard wheel to the M sport wheel.

 

[Silverstar]

Yep, it always seems the one next to the passengers heated seat is blank??

The 30i won't have the start stop button since start stop wasn't fitted on the Z4 until much much later. Having had a car with start stop I must say good riddance and I am glad the 30i doesn't have it. I don't believe I have seen any car with an actual button going second from the left, I think there must have been an option that BMW forgot to put on the list

 

[Silverstar]

they were saving this for the ejector seat version... just you had to wait 12 seconds for the roof to retract fully!

Do you have a turbo fitted to your roof? mine takes around 20 seconds!

 

[clarker63]

Do you have a turbo fitted to your roof? mine takes around 20 seconds!

Good point... having said that, 12 seconds would be enough once the main shell of the roof had lifted off... BUT you'd have to be doing less than 20 MPH (or possibly less than 30 MPH if you've got big balls and have set that option!) before you would be able to use it...

 

[Baza]

Well Big Bad Boris ,you ask 10 people and you will get 10 different answers all points made are valid and constructive but at the end of the day "you pay's your money and you make a choice" for me it was always going to be a 3.0i straight 6 it just has that something never considered any other.