Back in the Zed!

[ori]

So after a near 2 year gap and getting rid of my mint 35is (something I regretted almost immediately), I am picking up my blue M40i on Thursday and I can’t wait.

It’s a 2020 blue with shadow line, tech and comfort packs.

So while I can’t wait to be back, I have a few questions.
Service pack is £900 and I will be using BMW so is it worth it? It’s a pay monthly job.

Alloy wheel and cosmetic cover. I’ve never had diamond cut alloys and I’m concerned about getting them repaired in the unlikely (cough) event of clipping a curb.

Any other tips or tricks you guys can recommend would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Wyldie85]

Hi ori,

Great news about getting back into a Z4. The M40i is a special one indeed.

As for the service pack, it depends on how long you’re planning on keeping the car. If it’s for a good while then it may well be worth taking the pack. The costs are a smidge higher when you ‘pay as you go’. If it’s monthly, it’s done and you know what’s covered.

Many wheel places deal with diamond cut alloys and can repair them. I’ve had Lepsons repair diamond cut wheels for me before with excellent results and complete colour matches. I wouldn’t say a care package was worth it. Especially as you’re going to be so careful

Take some time to get used to the car. It feels wider than it is. It’s very fast, so take it easy until you’re used to it. There’s lots of tech, so have a good play and get it setup as you would like and download the Connected app to your smartphone for over the air updates.

Most of all, enjoy it and post some pictures when you get chance.

 

[Z4monster]

Like you I was worried about the wheels. I didn't take out the cover from BMW as it was way too expensive. I did take out third party cover with Total Loss Gap Tyre and Alloy protection. This was just over £300 for 3 years cover. Not exactly cheap but worth it for me if I damage those lovely wheels.

Like you I swapped from a 35iS to the M40i I've not regretted it once. The new car is equally as powerful but feels much more planted and sorted on the road. Damp or wet roads I'm still careful with the right foot as it can still be twitchy in bad conditions. Comfort wise the new car is streets ahead of the E89.

I didn't take the Service pack as I think a lot of the added extras are not worthwhile and the dealer told me it wasn't really worth it (unlike the older packages they did)

 

[ori]

Thanks!
I can’t wait.
I think I will go with the service pack due to the monthly payment optio and I got a quote for alloy wheel insurance which will pay for itself if I need to get 2 alloys done in that time. Luckily no longer with the ex girlfriend who had a nasty habit of ruining my perfect alloys.

The cosmetic repair is far more complicated. From my previous experience of zed cars, they pick up stone chips on that long long bonnet.

Thursday can’t come soon enough. I’ll post pictures.

 

[john-e89]

Thanks!
I can’t wait.
I think I will go with the service pack due to the monthly payment optio and I got a quote for alloy wheel insurance which will pay for itself if I need to get 2 alloys done in that time. Luckily no longer with the ex girlfriend who had a nasty habit of ruining my perfect alloys.

The cosmetic repair is far more complicated. From my previous experience of zed cars, they pick up stone chips on that long long bonnet.

Thursday can’t come soon enough. I’ll post pictures.

Congrats on the new car....!!

The wheel insurance isn’t a bad deal atall form the stealers, £300 for 3 yrs also covers tyres, so if you get a screw dug in the sidewall you’re covered. I normally hate these add on insurances but the wheel and tyre and full loss gap is not bad atall over 3 yrs.

 

[buzyg]

Welcome back to the fold. Look forward to a few photo's, after you've enjoyed those first few miles behind the wheel.

 

[bonzo]

A replacement wheel is £800 so your call.

 

[Obs-Com]

I also loved my E89 35is it was/is a great car but the M40i is simply another level!

Probably the best driving BMW I’ve owned and I guarantee you will not be disappointed. The comfort and practicality are vastly improved and the tech available (especially the driving aids that keep the M40i firmly planted) make it a proper modern day roadster.

Enjoy it and hope you acknowledge any other G29s you come across. We’re a rare breed but very friendly!!

 

[ori]

You’re right. Don’t see many of them about.

My E89 was the last year of manufacture in 2016 and it was lovely, but tech wise was dated.

I’ve heard so many good things about the new model. Can’t think about anything else!

 

[tomscott]

Problem will all BMW and mini is they don't have the facilities to diamond cut so what's the point.

My dad bought an M3 with diamond cut alloys the day he picked it up was windy, and the car had one of those dealer flags that sits under the front wheel and it was so windy it snapped and caught the wheel so they just dry sanded it back and it has a lovely little flat spot.... absolute joke.

Even when they refurb normal wheels they aren't dipped and powder coated they rub them down and spray them direct on the tyre so you get loads of overspray everywhere. When I bought my Z4M coupe this is what happened and they were an absolute state.

So the M3 was at BMW Williams stockport and the Z4M was Lloyds Carlisle.

 

[ori]

I know Stephen James in Enfield have the ability to powder coat the alloy, but I don’t know what their facilities are like with diamond cut as I didn’t have those alloys.
I’ll have to look into it.

As I understand it, you can only refurbish diamond cut alloys a couple of times anyway. So have to look after them!

 

[john-e89]

Problem will all BMW and mini is they don't have the facilities to diamond cut so what's the point.

My dad bought an M3 with diamond cut alloys the day he picked it up was windy, and the car had one of those dealer flags that sits under the front wheel and it was so windy it snapped and caught the wheel so they just dry sanded it back and it has a lovely little flat spot.... absolute joke.

Even when they refurb normal wheels they aren't dipped and powder coated they rub them down and spray them direct on the tyre so you get loads of overspray everywhere. When I bought my Z4M coupe this is what happened and they were an absolute state.

So the M3 was at BMW Williams stockport and the Z4M was Lloyds Carlisle.

It’s insurance not a warranty so they’d just replace the wheel no...?

 

[BigCheesy]

Lucky chap indeed. I got my g29 in August and plumped for wheel cover as tyres were included. Also went for the service pack but paid it all upfront just for peace of mind. Took a little time to get used to the width of the car but very happy now. Enjoy

 

[ori]

Thanks!
Really appreciate the messages welcoming me back.

I’m sure this question was answered, but the engine note coming out the pipe at the back. It changes in sport mode, but does it change even more on sports plus?
Just wondering what the deal is. I want lots of clicks and pops.

 

[tomscott]

Problem will all BMW and mini is they don't have the facilities to diamond cut so what's the point.

My dad bought an M3 with diamond cut alloys the day he picked it up was windy, and the car had one of those dealer flags that sits under the front wheel and it was so windy it snapped and caught the wheel so they just dry sanded it back and it has a lovely little flat spot.... absolute joke.

Even when they refurb normal wheels they aren't dipped and powder coated they rub them down and spray them direct on the tyre so you get loads of overspray everywhere. When I bought my Z4M coupe this is what happened and they were an absolute state.

So the M3 was at BMW Williams stockport and the Z4M was Lloyds Carlisle.

It’s insurance not a warranty so they’d just replace the wheel no...?

Not nessarilly just like any insurance premiums they wouldn't want to claim for small issues that can be sorted pretty easily it essentially just scratched the diamond cut area on the wheel.

Same at Porsche recently Paul had the same issue they curbed it while in for service and it came back a sanded flat spot rather than diamond cut with his eagle eyes he caught it and pushed for a new wheel and got one but those wheels are probably £1250 each.

Essentially diamond cutting is still niche although the wheels have been around a long time, its not something dealers do or even the mobile refurbers they use and has to go to a shop on a CNC cutting lathe. Obviously the other issue with diamond cut wheels is that they need to be protected because its just bare metal so they lacquer them but re-laquering is difficult to do correctly with multiple finishes (mine are painted black on the inside and diamond cut on the edge and main parts of the spoke) and you find that re-cut wheels wear faster as water gets under the finish. The other issue is they take material away so they can only be done so many times which is why you see so many E46 M3 wheels style 67 powder coated.

Diamond cut wheels imo are just a ball ache all round, they look nice but they wouldn't be my first choice. Unfortunately every car seems to come with them these days even really low end Kias they all seem to have them.

My mrs has made a right mess of my mini JCW wheels and got a quote for £800 locally from the wheel specialist to have them done. Ridiculous... thankfully its only £20 per wheel on the PCP scheme but really that doesn't help the next person who buys it because referbing a set of wheels is seen as "good will" but like I said the dealer can't do it and there's no chance they would send them out to be done properly so its a loose loose.

Places like Lepsons are pretty reasonable at £100 per wheel but its like a 510 mile round trip for me. Could send them but don't have another set to swap.

 

[ori]

Pretty much my feelings about diamond cut alloys.
Reality is that are a pain.
More of a pain is my mates Porsche turbo which has one central nut like race cars.
Changing a tyre requires precise work or you could damage the hub and refurb of the diamond cut alloys is not recommended due to the balance changes.

It’s going the way of style over substance, but damn do the alloys look good on the z4.

 

[john-e89]

Problem will all BMW and mini is they don't have the facilities to diamond cut so what's the point.

My dad bought an M3 with diamond cut alloys the day he picked it up was windy, and the car had one of those dealer flags that sits under the front wheel and it was so windy it snapped and caught the wheel so they just dry sanded it back and it has a lovely little flat spot.... absolute joke.

Even when they refurb normal wheels they aren't dipped and powder coated they rub them down and spray them direct on the tyre so you get loads of overspray everywhere. When I bought my Z4M coupe this is what happened and they were an absolute state.

So the M3 was at BMW Williams stockport and the Z4M was Lloyds Carlisle.

It’s insurance not a warranty so they’d just replace the wheel no...?

Not nessarilly just like any insurance premiums they wouldn't want to claim for small issues that can be sorted pretty easily it essentially just scratched the diamond cut area on the wheel.

Same at Porsche recently Paul had the same issue they curbed it while in for service and it came back a sanded flat spot rather than diamond cut with his eagle eyes he caught it and pushed for a new wheel and got one but those wheels are probably £1250 each.

Essentially diamond cutting is still niche although the wheels have been around a long time, its not something dealers do or even the mobile refurbers they use and has to go to a shop on a CNC cutting lathe. Obviously the other issue with diamond cut wheels is that they need to be protected because its just bare metal so they lacquer them but re-laquering is difficult to do correctly with multiple finishes (mine are painted black on the inside and diamond cut on the edge and main parts of the spoke) and you find that re-cut wheels wear faster as water gets under the finish. The other issue is they take material away so they can only be done so many times which is why you see so many E46 M3 wheels style 67 powder coated.

Diamond cut wheels imo are just a ball ache all round, they look nice but they wouldn't be my first choice. Unfortunately every car seems to come with them these days even really low end Kias they all seem to have them.

My mrs has made a right mess of my mini JCW wheels and got a quote for £800 locally from the wheel specialist to have them done. Ridiculous... thankfully its only £20 per wheel on the PCP scheme but really that doesn't help the next person who buys it because referbing a set of wheels is seen as "good will" but like I said the dealer can't do it and there's no chance they would send them out to be done properly so its a loose loose.

Places like Lepsons are pretty reasonable at £100 per wheel but its like a 510 mile round trip for me. Could send them but don't have another set to swap.

I’ll ask the question before signing for it then.

 

[PaperSniper]

I’m sure this question was answered, but the engine note coming out the pipe at the back. It changes in sport mode, but does it change even more on sports plus?

Yes, at least in my car. Mine is still fairly new to me, and I am discovering things about it all the time. For instance, I always push the Sport button once on the console after starting the engine. Interesting thing happens when I park somewhere and secure the engine for just a few minutes, like to fill up, or run into the post office. When I re-start the engine, and from habit press the Sport button again, the computer puts the car into Sport-Plus mode.....and yeah, the exhaust note is much more aggressive than in Sport mode!

Apparently the car "remembers" the last setting if the car has only been turned off for a short period of time. I believe the seat heaters are included in that same memory, but it's not been cold enough yet to check that out.

 

[ori]

Ooo I like that.
Does the exhaust not change if you have it in individual settings? Like sport plus, but lighter steering?