Finally a z4 owner! Now for some advice!

S

Sadgamble

Member
Hi guys -I've done it! I've finally bought a z4!

After only finding this forum a few weeks ago and posting a few times regarding a z4 spec that I wanted (http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=13999&start=15) I found my dream car and bought it on the weekend. I'll get round to uploading some pics soon, but this is what I ended up getting: -

2005 (55) 2.0i SE, 50,000 miles, Manual, Black with Black leather interior, upgraded 17" wheels, multi function steering wheel. Managed to haggle down to just over £10.5K!!! Well under what I was aiming for in prices and also way under many prices I've seen for cars of a worse condition! The car is spotless on bodywork (not even got wearing on the drivers leather seat like most, and even the wheels are spotless!)

So now I've got one, I want to gradually do a few bits, so was hoping you guys could help me and give me some advice :)

1) Currently its just got the standard BMW Business CD player. Seems to play MP3 CDs though which is good. Ideally I want an Ipod connecter added. Is this expensive to do? I don't feel confident doing it myself as I don't wanna mess anything up, especially after spending all that money! :thumbsup: Are the 6 CD changers worthwile? I would prefer the Ipod connection, but would get the 6Cd changer too potentially.

2) In dash sat nav? - This is just an idea and prob way out of my price range at the mo.

3) What other extras can I get for my motor? I know a lot of you a thinking "what a prat/newb/rookie" lol, but I just want some ideas and advice as this is my first proper decent car and I want to have my touches added to it if that makes sense.

4) Bluetooth/phone connectivity. - As I've already got the multi function wheel, how easy is it to set up/install the stuff where I can use my phone in the car. I've got a Samsung at the mo.

If poss, I want to keep everything as per BMW, and not other brands.

Thanks guys. If I should move this elsewhere let me know, or do it for me ;-) Look forward to your replies!
 
Here's my two penneth.

I've had mine coming up to 3 months and have so far done/got:

Changed from 18" 108s to 18" 224 Z4M wheels. I strongly suggest you get something that's 18 or 19, much better than 16 or 17s.
Stubby aerial. Gotta get one of those for a few quid. It's the rule on here :lol:
Added some seatbelt pads for those days of pushing it in the twisties
Some decent polishes and waxes
Ditch your runflats, get some Falkens (<£400 fitted for a full set), and get yourself a compressor and tin of Holt's Tyreweld for the boot.
Retrofit the storage nets if you aint got them. Very useful for spirited top-down driving.


I love the 6CD changer in mine. Definitely a worthwhile option.

Don't bother with the nav. It'll cost you £1,500 and you'll make precious little of it back come re-sale time. Stick with your £100 TomTom.


Hope that helps.
 
Congrat on the new car.

With regard to the CD changer, I have one and never used it, go for the MP3 option, you could use a cheap £40 AUX xonnection or a Dension/Intravee setup with full integration. If you go down the Dension/Intravee route though they will render any CD changer useless, so it's worth working out what you want.

With the in dash Nav I guess you mean OEM, yes easy to do but you do need to cut that hole in your dash, myself, PVR, and DHK to name but three have all done this retrofit.
 
Welcome!

Just browse the forums there's plenty to do! Trust me, had mine for 3 years and pretty much untouched until I joined the forum - never even heard of a stubby! Now there's one in a plane from the States with my name on the box.

Big wheels and non-run flats seem to be the call... although there are a few who've gone with and swear by non-Bridgestone if you want to stick with those.

I'd check with srhutch or the others on the Sat Nav retro fit as that may well determine what you do with the rest. iPod integration kits are great with the Business CD, again plenty of posts.

Cup holders if you don't have them!

Enjoy what will become an obsession!
 
Wow what a great response already!

The previous owner of the car already got rid of the runflats! However, was driving around without a spare wheel of any kind, or the tyreweld stuff you were saying about. That was gonna be one of my questions actually. Is it worth getting a space saver spare wheel, or is it better to just get the Tyreweld stuff you speak of? Just a halfords job yea?

- I'm quite happy with my 17"s to be honest. Don't know exactly what style they are, but I've seem them on 330's I think. You'll see from the pics when I get round to uploading.
- I'll prob stick with my tomtom then to be honest, but just not much space to put it, need some form of bracket (not for the window), to fit maybe to the right of the glove box or something?
- I've got the MP3 single CD player already - is there just a standard BMW aux thing I can getting added for the Ipod then? Just a booking a my local dealer needed? I'll search the forum for the "Integration Kit" you speak of!

- Oh and just to keep in line with you guys, I'll get a stubby! lol. Dunno where from, but will do a search on here!

-
 
Hi and welcome :)

Cupholders maybe a good one to start with also, there's a quide on the 'how to' section i beleive on how to fit them..

On weekend i fitted the chrome exhaust trim (part no: 82120405099) available for the 2.0l

these are the 1st things i purchased, along with some decent cleaning items..
 
the "integration kit" is a 20mins install for about £35, there's an awesome thread in the how to section (called Aux in) which is a bit lengthy now but you'll get the idea after a 5 min read. this gives you a line-in socket which you plug straight to your ipod, job done.

if you want better integration, about £150 gets you the bits needed for something like an intravee which is brilliant and perfectly integrated, but maybe not worth the money if you don't have the nav screen.

good luck and enjoy, sounds like a lovely car !
 
Hi and welcome! I'm new to this forum and the Zed as well.

So far, my "mod" has been;

1. Richbrook boot lid liner - sad, but wanted to stop the car from scratching when I'm putting in my bicycle in the boot
2. Bought the stabby on ebay, on its way across the pond
3. Richbrook alloy tax disc holder

Thnking of;
1. Non RFT
2. Cruise control
3. Aerodynamic kit
4. Snap in phone adaptor
5. Aluminium door lock pin
6. New gear knob
7. Oh and the all important illuminated door entry strips :oops:
8. Almost for got - blue led "xenon looks" interior lights

Given up on;
1. iPod connector (already have CD changer)
2. Bigger tires (too expensive!)
3. Xenon lights (ditto)
4. Aluminium pedals (got no DIY skills)

p.s. If you have tomtom, have you tried the Novus camera overlay? I bought the program instead of buying a camera detector and it seems to warm me of most fixed and many possible mobile camera areas.
 
Sadgamble said:
Wow what a great response already!

The previous owner of the car already got rid of the runflats! However, was driving around without a spare wheel of any kind, or the tyreweld stuff you were saying about. That was gonna be one of my questions actually. Is it worth getting a space saver spare wheel, or is it better to just get the Tyreweld stuff you speak of? Just a halfords job yea?

- I'm quite happy with my 17"s to be honest. Don't know exactly what style they are, but I've seem them on 330's I think. You'll see from the pics when I get round to uploading.
- I'll prob stick with my tomtom then to be honest, but just not much space to put it, need some form of bracket (not for the window), to fit maybe to the right of the glove box or something?
- I've got the MP3 single CD player already - is there just a standard BMW aux thing I can getting added for the Ipod then? Just a booking a my local dealer needed? I'll search the forum for the "Integration Kit" you speak of!

- Oh and just to keep in line with you guys, I'll get a stubby! lol. Dunno where from, but will do a search on here!

-
Click to expand...
The alloys are probably MV2s, I'd imagine?
 
WelshGirl2009 said:
On weekend i fitted the chrome exhaust trim (part no: 82120405099) available for the 2.0l
Click to expand...

This is a MUST for the 2.0i - makes a world of difference and pretty cheap from the dealers. Also the easiest mod (perhaps as easy as the stubby) to do.
Recommended Stubby is the Mangowalk 3" - eBay is your friend but you have to order from the states sadly.

Since I got my 2.0i I have changed:

Parts available from the Dealers
Exhaust Trim (~£15)
Cup Holders (~£45)
Aux-in - (£40 & easy to fit)
ZHP weighted M Gear knob (£40)

non-dealer stuff
16" RFTs -> 18" non-rfts (£plenty)
Mangowalk Stubby (~£10)


Welcome to the club! Good choice on the 2.0i sounds like you got a very good deal let's see the pics then - I've always wanted to do this :evil:
:worthless:
 
If you have non runflats get yourself some tyre weld (2 cans) and a small compressor I found one that fits in the gap next to the battery, snug fit but a decent make.

CJ has a space saver but only for long drives IIRC and also a few others have but it takes space in the boot also.

Hopefully I wont need to use though. :cry:
 
Definitely recommend a compressor after this weekend - I got a puncture in my non-RFTs but was able to pump it up and get home without needing the tyreweld. I think it would have been excessive to use the TyreWeld as I only had about 15 miles to go and the pressure held up.
Out of interest, srhutch why do you recommend 2 cans?
 
just incase one isnt enough :wink:

I have never used the stuff before but know a few members on here have two, I'm not sure what area the weld would fill, although I guess you could probably tp up with the compressor.

Just belt and braces
 
I've used my cup holders about twice, the rest of the time they just squeak like mad.

Not sure I'd miss not having them :)
 
Well done on the purchase!!

I've had my car for 1 month and so far I have done...

Stubby aerial! - A must!

ZHP Gear knob - It makes such a HUUUUGE difference to the gearchanges. I use to fight with 2nd into 3rd, now we get along fine :-)

Clear side indicators

Clear 3rd brake light

My next purchase will be the cruise control retrofit. Looking forward to it :-)
 
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