Dirty Pictures and Noob Questions

[Hackettitfc]

Hi All,

As promised yesterday here are the first pics and some Noob questions.

Doesnt look so bad today now the snows melted and the rain has rinsed some dirt away.

Last pic is for the non badge snobs on the forum, the good ladies Fiesta ST, what a fantastic car for the money, would happily use it as my daily, but I am not allowed!

So questions:-

1. Tyres are budget and different brands, rears are Churchills, fronts are Go Wind all are run flats. Should I be worried about these, I have not heard of these brands.
2. Alloys - I think these are 293's not convinced by the refurb undertaken prior to sale, is this normal or a bit of a bodge job see photo?
3. Whilst idling the engine has a fairly pronounced ticking noise, not noticeable above 1000 rpm, is this normal or something to worry about? Service history whilst annual was basic and not by a BMW specialist or dealer.
4. Already thinking car would look better with dark alloys and non run flat tyres. I know nothing about wheels and tyres, assume current alloys are 18inch? should I change or stick? if i change what are thoughts on black alloys, i hear polished are not good as daily's?

Sorry for the questions, not at all mechanically minded, hence my lease car history over last 10 years!
Thanks all
Kingman

 

[tiglon]

You'll get unanimous support on here for changing to non runflats, they will improve both grip and ride comfort. I would certainly want to upgrade what you've got on there - it's not a slow car and it's important to be confident in the amount of grip you're getting from the rubber.

I think darker wheels look good on the white Z4, perhaps anthracite or similar? All personal preference on that one.

 

[brillomaster]

id definitely ditch the run flats, especially no name budget ones. if you want the absolute best get matching michelin pilot sports, but if you're more value for money then goodyears, kumhos, hankooks or vredesteins will still all be miles better than budget no names, but at a more palatable price.

 

[B21]

The clatter at tickover is the vacuum pump, all the 18i/20i/28i do that sir..

FWIW I'd get a good servoce done by an Indy who know the marque..those tyres send a massive warming bell of being unloved!

 

[Zedebee]

2. Alloys - I think these are 293's not convinced by the refurb undertaken prior to sale, is this normal or a bit of a bodge job see photo?

If that’s supposed to be a refurb, it’s a bodge job. It looks like spray paint over existing corrosion. These haven’t been properly refurbished at all. If you are looking for another set of alloys, just bin these on the forum or fleabay “as seen”, a decent refurb will set you back £3-400.

The rest of the car looks nice though

 

[mcbutler]

2. Alloys - I think these are 293's not convinced by the refurb undertaken prior to sale, is this normal or a bit of a bodge job see photo?

If that’s supposed to be a refurb, it’s a bodge job. It looks like spray paint over existing corrosion. These haven’t been properly refurbished at all. If you are looking for another set of alloys, just bin these on the forum or fleabay “as seen”, a decent refurb will set you back £3-400.

The rest of the car looks nice though

Looks like they took the wheel centre cap off with a pipe wrench. If you want to replace them BMW do wheel centres that rotate as the wheel turns leaving the badge stationary in the wheel centre.
I have them example here but shop around as BMW accessories are currently Ebay - amazon based while they update their online shop.
These are from Listers BMW https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-BMW-Set-4-Floating-Level-Alloy-Wheel-Centre-Caps-68mm-36122455269-/283239404057?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338268676&toolid=10044&customid=Cj0KCQiAtJeNBhCVARIsANJUJ2EHqKltbFkll3sFPXYepx7pFV9Wpfbp-uj4buggG6jJ0kU9z3RH-m8aAjDOEALw_wcB

 

[Marcoose]

At the risk of sounding obvious … if you switch to non-RF, you must carry two types of patches and a pump. I carry motorbike patches; round (the most common) and the string type (in case the puncture isn’t round). I’ve only used it once, on a friend’s motorbike.

And for the love of God, switch to a stubby aerial! oke: :fuelfire:

 

[enuff_zed]

And for the love of God, switch to a stubby aerial! oke: :fuelfire:

Poor chap already has substandard wheels and tyres. Don't bring him down further with a substandard aerial. oke:

 

[Ole gits rule]

Defo switch the run flats although I still have not as I am not a speed freak and have full tread left but it is on the to do list.

Well refurb is prob £75 a wheel at the wheel specialist - that is a bodge job and if it is from garage and was part of the deal I would be asking some questions.

Other wise its a nice looking car with the red M sport seats and iDrive system

 

[Pondrew]

This thread was not what I was hoping for from the title :x

The clatter at tickover is the vacuum pump, all the 18i/20i/28i do that sir..

Mine doesn't. :?

 

[Hackettitfc]

All,

Many thanks to those that have replied, much appreciated.

Looks like I already have a "To Do" list, starting with the Stubby!

So thinking about Alloys and Tyres, does anyone use polished black alloys through the winter? it advises you not to on one of the Alloy Wheels trader sites.

Perhaps matt finish is the answer?

Looking at comfort rather than handling am I better off with 18's or 19's?

Thanks again
Kingman

 

[tiglon]

18s will be more comfortable, are you on SE or M Sport suspension? If M Sport then I would recommend not going for 19s if comfort is your priority.

I have a set of wheels for sale in Colchester, but they're 19s and silver so probably not what you're looking for.

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=132652

 

[N4LLY]

1: Deffo ditch the run flats ASAP.
2: Keep the whippy.
3: Deffo get a service done by BMW indy specialist.
4: As above a wheel refurb should be around £70 a corner.
5: The idle clatter ? you must have good hearing :lol:
6: Come on you Blue's
7: The floating wheel caps are quality

 

[mcbutler]

At the risk of sounding obvious … if you switch to non-RF, you must carry two types of patches and a pump. I carry motorbike patches; round (the most common) and the string type (in case the puncture isn’t round). I’ve only used it once, on a friend’s motorbike.

And for the love of God, switch to a stubby aerial! oke: :fuelfire:

Patches! You need the pull through kit, big needle you push through the hole, put tip of the pug through the eye and pull it through. Not sure a patch would be too safe on a car - not an expert though

 

[Marcoose]

Oh, look who’s got promoted to VP of the Hair Splitting Dept.

Patches, plugs, mushrooms, all exchangeable names.

 

[B21]

18s will be more comfortable, are you on SE or M Sport suspension? If M Sport then I would recommend not going for 19s if comfort is your priority.

I have a set of wheels for sale in Colchester, but they're 19s and silver so probably not what you're looking for.

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=132652

It’s not a MSport

 

[B21]

Oh, look who’s got promoted to VP of the Hair Splitting Dept.

Patches, plugs, mushrooms, all exchangeable names.

Being pedantic , mushrooms are not useable at the roadside..yiu need to take the tyre off to access the inside..in the UK the repair needs to be vulcanised, so it’s a specialist job

 

[Nanu]

Wheels look great, happen to be my personal favourite as I had them on my previous Zed, pig to clean though.

Well worth a proper refurb. Last time I had that done it was £70 per corner.

 

[buzyg]

Welcome to the mad house. A little less mad once those run flats are off the car. :wink:

 

[Ole gits rule]

As an SE spec car (suspension) the car should be softer than the Msport anyway, however, 18s will always provide more comfort than 19s.

Keep the whippy - forget the stubby

Wait till winters over and get a refurb and new rubber - all sorted for summer