Disabled use Z4?

[ScoobyR1]

Really sorry to here about your accident. As an alternative to selling yours disabled adaptions vehicle specialists offer automated clutch systems that can be retro fitted. Im not sure if theyre compatible with the zed specifically but if your particularly attached to your current zed and the cost isn't horrendous maybe this could be an option to keep your current car if you wish.

Hi Mack

Player1 also suggested this, initially I was excited unfortunately the cost was in the region of £1600. :thumbsdown:

Sorry to hear it's so expensive. However on a more positive note I can confirm a wheel chair will fit in a e85 boot. Did this myself yesterday when I took my aunt to a hospital appointment. I was quite surprised if fitted to be honest but it did, just.20170903_194357.jpg

Hi again Mack

Great pic and good effort for getting your aunts wheelchair in there, my wheelchair isn't foldable but I'll be giving it a try when I'm next home

 

[ronk]

A pal of mine was T4 injured many years ago but had a passion for his cars - He had a TVR Grif Manual it was modified by a fella in the Liverpool area, from memory he was called " Vinnie".

The car had a proximity switch in the gear knob which pulled in the clutch using vacuum - when the throttle ring on the wheel was pushed in, the vacuum was destroyed and at the same time the hand came off the gear knob and off we go!
At change up time, back off the throttle - loads of vacuum available. hand on gear knob and the clutch released - and so on etc.
The foot brake was a hand operated lever with a big mechanical advantage.

The fella's disability did not stop him driving like a hooligan and the gear changes were smooth and fas enough.
The system is well worth investigating and is transferrable from car to car if necessary. Are there no mobility grants available for help towards the mods?

Unfortunately I cannot ask him about the systems as he died of other causes a few years ago.

 

[markalp]

Have you tried getting into the car yet?

The seat is set don a fair bit - you sit down into it, which on its own may pose issues, but getting out would also be a challenge. I had a knee replacement last year and although I have no problem with pedals, heaving up out of the seat at the end of a day's driving can tax the joints. Hope that you find a solution that works for you.

Hi there wspohn

Very good point, I have tried it and I have to say that it's a heck of a lot easier than trying to get into my X3!

Being the proud owner of two metal knee replacments, and a hip held together with metal pins I have to say jow correct you are, much easier getting in and out of lower cars than large SUVs.

Does your zed have electric memory seats? i use position 3 for getting in and out (all the way back and upright) and position 1 for driving.

Do as sujested, set up a fund raiser for the conversion.

 

[ScoobyR1]

A pal of mine was T4 injured many years ago but had a passion for his cars - He had a TVR Grif Manual it was modified by a fella in the Liverpool area, from memory he was called " Vinnie".

The car had a proximity switch in the gear knob which pulled in the clutch using vacuum - when the throttle ring on the wheel was pushed in, the vacuum was destroyed and at the same time the hand came off the gear knob and off we go!
At change up time, back off the throttle - loads of vacuum available. hand on gear knob and the clutch released - and so on etc.
The foot brake was a hand operated lever with a big mechanical advantage.

The fella's disability did not stop him driving like a hooligan and the gear changes were smooth and fas enough.
The system is well worth investigating and is transferrable from car to car if necessary. Are there no mobility grants available for help towards the mods?

Unfortunately I cannot ask him about the systems as he died of other causes a few years ago.

Hi Ronk

Thanks for that, sounds much like the semi auto gearbox that was suggested by Player1. I'd love to give it a try but as it's so expensive in relation to my cars value I'm looking at this as an opportunity to swap to a 3.0 Z4 which already has an auto transmission

 

[ScoobyR1]

Have you tried getting into the car yet?

The seat is set don a fair bit - you sit down into it, which on its own may pose issues, but getting out would also be a challenge. I had a knee replacement last year and although I have no problem with pedals, heaving up out of the seat at the end of a day's driving can tax the joints. Hope that you find a solution that works for you.

Hi there wspohn

Very good point, I have tried it and I have to say that it's a heck of a lot easier than trying to get into my X3!

Being the proud owner of two metal knee replacments, and a hip held together with metal pins I have to say jow correct you are, much easier getting in and out of lower cars than large SUVs.

Does your zed have electric memory seats? i use position 3 for getting in and out (all the way back and upright) and position 1 for driving.

Do as sujested, set up a fund raiser for the conversion.

Hi Markalp

Unfortunately my car doesn't have electric seats, gotta say I'm a bit shy when it comes to "begging" for what seems like a luxury
Using this as an excuse to upsize to a 3.0 Z4

 

[ronk]

A pal of mine was T4 injured many years ago but had a passion for his cars - He had a TVR Grif Manual it was modified by a fella in the Liverpool area, from memory he was called " Vinnie".

The car had a proximity switch in the gear knob which pulled in the clutch using vacuum - when the throttle ring on the wheel was pushed in, the vacuum was destroyed and at the same time the hand came off the gear knob and off we go!
At change up time, back off the throttle - loads of vacuum available. hand on gear knob and the clutch released - and so on etc.
The foot brake was a hand operated lever with a big mechanical advantage.

The fella's disability did not stop him driving like a hooligan and the gear changes were smooth and fas enough.
The system is well worth investigating and is transferrable from car to car if necessary. Are there no mobility grants available for help towards the mods?

Unfortunately I cannot ask him about the systems as he died of other causes a few years ago.

Hi Ronk

Thanks for that, sounds much like the semi auto gearbox that was suggested by Player1. I'd love to give it a try but as it's so expensive in relation to my cars value I'm looking at this as an opportunity to swap to a 3.0 Z4 which already has an auto transmission

My old mate also went into a Golf (R34?) which was Dct - the same Liverpool fella fitted it with a throttle ring on the steering wheel and a brake lever.

 

[rossonr]

Hi Mack

Player1 also suggested this, initially I was excited unfortunately the cost was in the region of £1600. :thumbsdown:

Sorry to hear it's so expensive. However on a more positive note I can confirm a wheel chair will fit in a e85 boot. Did this myself yesterday when I took my aunt to a hospital appointment. I was quite surprised if fitted to be honest but it did, just.20170903_194357.jpg

Hi again Mack

Great pic and good effort for getting your aunts wheelchair in there, my wheelchair isn't foldable but I'll be giving it a try when I'm next home

Hi scooby. Sorry to hear your news. My lads chair isn't foldable and we get his chair in the boot of mine the wheels come off and just the back folds down. We have even got it in with the roof down. My lad finds it easier to get in and out of my Zed than his mums Q3

 

[ronk]

Not only is it important how a 'chair fits into the boot - its very important to know if it can be transported by the user himself - no good being able to get into the car and then leaving the 'chair or getting somebody to stow it.

 

[ScoobyR1]

Sorry to hear it's so expensive. However on a more positive note I can confirm a wheel chair will fit in a e85 boot. Did this myself yesterday when I took my aunt to a hospital appointment. I was quite surprised if fitted to be honest but it did, just.20170903_194357.jpg

Hi again Mack

Great pic and good effort for getting your aunts wheelchair in there, my wheelchair isn't foldable but I'll be giving it a try when I'm next home

Hi scooby. Sorry to hear your news. My lads chair isn't foldable and we get his chair in the boot of mine the wheels come off and just the back folds down. We have even got it in with the roof down. My lad finds it easier to get in and out of my Zed than his mums Q3

Hi Rossonr
Many thanks for that, very encouraging
Just need to find myself a 3.0 Auto E85 Roadster now

 

[ScoobyR1]

Not only is it important how a 'chair fits into the boot - its very important to know if it can be transported by the user himself - no good being able to get into the car and then leaving the 'chair or getting somebody to stow it.

Hi Ronk
Yes indeed that's my first consideration. If I can't use the car by myself then there's no point in owning it. It's cracking me up that I can't drive my car just now as it's a manual, although my wife and son are loving it

 

[ronk]

My pal used to park his chair next to the car and lug himself across into the car - he was then able to reach the wheel spindles and remove the wheels and stow behind the seats - the frame was dumped into the passenger well.

Im sure that if the bits fit into the car, you will develop a method

 

[DumfriesDik]

Sorry to be so late to the party. I have a 2008 3.0 si auto with hand controls and < 35k miles. I am thinking of selling - make me an offer I can not refuse.

My quickie Xenon2 SA fits in the boot just fine. I am in SW Scotland, if you're local, lets go for a spin.

 

[ScoobyR1]

Sorry to be so late to the party. I have a 2008 3.0 si auto with hand controls and < 35k miles. I am thinking of selling - make me an offer I can not refuse.

My quickie Xenon2 SA fits in the boot just fine. I am in SW Scotland, if you're local, lets go for a spin.

Wow that sounds awesome! I'm just south of Edinburgh so not a million miles away from you I'll pm you, perhaps arrange a meet ?

 

[mcbeee]

Actually haven't tried it for space in the boot yet, was thinking more of putting it into the front passenger seat! I know, a bit selfish :lol:

I was in town the other day and I saw a fellow with a wheelchair that comes apart into small bits . He was sitting in the front seat of his car, pops a wheel off and puts it in the car, pops another wheel off and does the same, then the centre folds up and he puts it in the car, minimum space required. Smaller wheels, quick releases etc, neat design ...I stopped and stared because this was a really good idea, unfortunately I didn't ask for details about the chair just chatted for a minute then moved on. iYears ago, a close friend was a wheelie and had a "normal " chair" that closed up but it had large fixed wheels so it was a pain to put in vehicles. (He also had a Chevelle with over 400HP and hand controls, swapped out later for a Beetle convertible, much easier to store the chair, top down and throw it behind the front seats)

 

[Sticks]

Very sorry to hear about your injury and hope you're doing well otherwise. I had a RTA in 99, now walk with sticks.

It'd probably worth having a chat with the Spinal Injury Association, not only about what adaptions you could have done to your car, but also the best wheelchair, if you haven't got a suitable one yet. I still have a Quickie which I think would fit in the passenger seat, but being fairly SWB it wasn't very good on uneven roads, paths, or if being pushed, so check it out thoroughly.

https://www.spinal.co.uk/

I bet these folk have info on options too. https://www.disabledmotoring.org/

I've had my Z4 13 years so I totally get why you'd want to keep it, or a similar one if you couldn't. I did think about another TVR but once bitten....

Great to see the support on here too, excellent stuff

Although there will be plenty of challenges, you'll be amazed at what you can still do. You will, really.

Nick

 

[ronk]

Although there will be plenty of challenges, you'll be amazed at what you can still do. You will, really.

Nick

I would agree with all of that !
My old mate (T4) skied, snow and water and also had a micro light aircraft. It was adapted and approved by the aviation authorities.
So yes, there's still plenty to do if you put your mind to it.

 

[ScoobyR1]

Very sorry to hear about your injury and hope you're doing well otherwise. I had a RTA in 99, now walk with sticks.

It'd probably worth having a chat with the Spinal Injury Association, not only about what adaptions you could have done to your car, but also the best wheelchair, if you haven't got a suitable one yet. I still have a Quickie which I think would fit in the passenger seat, but being fairly SWB it wasn't very good on uneven roads, paths, or if being pushed, so check it out thoroughly.

https://www.spinal.co.uk/

I bet these folk have info on options too. https://www.disabledmotoring.org/

I've had my Z4 13 years so I totally get why you'd want to keep it, or a similar one if you couldn't. I did think about another TVR but once bitten....

Great to see the support on here too, excellent stuff

Although there will be plenty of challenges, you'll be amazed at what you can still do. You will, really.

Nick

Thanks for the info and support, Sticks. I'll certainly check out the links as well.
Cheers

 

[ScoobyR1]

Although there will be plenty of challenges, you'll be amazed at what you can still do. You will, really.

Nick

I would agree with all of that !
My old mate (T4) skied, snow and water and also had a micro light aircraft. It was adapted and approved by the aviation authorities.
So yes, there's still plenty to do if you put your mind to it.

Hi Ronk

Thanks also for your tales of your friends exploits, which are an inspiration. It's funny how sometimes you can be so limited by your own lack of ambition, my mate and I were on an adventure, into a shopping centre not far from the spinal unit, on the bus on the way back there were 3 of us in wheelchairs, strictly speaking not allowed. when we asked the other guy where he was travelling from, he told us Warsaw. He was travelling by himself and told us he had been to many places throughout the world, travelling alone ! We felt that our adventure was aiming pretty low after this conversation !

 

[ronk]

I well remember my old mate telling me that when he was in Hexham spinal unit that he and the other folk who were bedbound at the time, could see some other patients outside doing training in wheelchairs and he said they all dreamed of the day they were mended enough to get a chair !

I saw the fella conquer one ambition/ pursuit at a time - it’s worth saying that his accident was motorcycle related but it didn’t stop him riding pillion on his mates Goldwing with feet Velcroed to the pegs!

 

[ScoobyR1]

I well remember my old mate telling me that when he was in Hexham spinal unit that he and the other folk who were bedbound at the time, could see some other patients outside doing training in wheelchairs and he said they all dreamed of the day they were mended enough to get a chair !

I saw the fella conquer one ambition/ pursuit at a time - it’s worth saying that his accident was motorcycle related but it didn’t stop him riding pillion on his mates Goldwing with feet Velcroed to the pegs!

He He
Sounds like your mate had a heck of a lot of spirit