My first month with a Z4.

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freeriderdave

Member
I have now had my E85 3.0 Z4 for a month now. It's my first Z4 and i thought i would share some of my findings so far.
Firstly, why didn't i get one sooner! I now have a car that i enjoy driving and even make any excuse possible to drive it!
Yes the ride can be harsh (recently found out my car has M suspension, or at least there are 3 blue dabs of paint on the springs). But not as harsh as i expected.
The 3.0 engine is a beauty. Super smooth and rattle free even at 104,000 miles.. And sounds great too. Especially inside the cabin.
Speaking of cabin. It's a great place to be. Comfy and well appointed. Ooh. Those heated seats.
Fuel economy is better than i imagined too. Commuting to work, as its my daily driver, still returns over 35mpg.
Can't really think of any cons only that getting in and out gracefully took a few attempts. :D
Got loads of great info from the forum. Have done a few things with more to come including getting the roof motor relocated and the Gaptech roof module.

Mods on the car. Previous owner did a couple.

Stubby ariel.
K&N filter.
LED interior / number plate lights.
ZHP gear knob.
CDV delete.
Wheel spacers 20mm rear. 15mm front.
Black grills.

More to come and mamy thanks for advice and any other mod suggestions appreciated.
 
I am guessing you have a Z4 pre 2005 - M54B30 engine. I almost want to switch my 3.0si to one of these. Before I enjoyed a 325ti M54B25 engine and IMHO this was one of the most indestructible engines ever built by BMW and boy did it shift and sound great. :thumbsup:
 
Cruise control is a great mod and easily retrofitted (you only need the stalk) if it's a pre 2004 model you have.

Clear lights also updates the exterior. Can be expensive, but there are bargains to be found sometimes.

An engine bay strut brace across the strut towers is a must on these imo. I don't know whether it's placebo or not, but the front end feels much tighter when I have mine fitted. It also looks really cool 8)

DSC_0807.JPG
 
ben g said:
Cruise control is a great mod and easily retrofitted (you only need the stalk) if it's a pre 2004 model you have.
Click to expand...

Bare in mind that mpg is decreased upon use of cruise control.

My M3 has cruise control, I never use it.
 
R60BBA said:
ben g said:
Cruise control is a great mod and easily retrofitted (you only need the stalk) if it's a pre 2004 model you have.
Click to expand...

Bare in mind that mpg is decreased upon use of cruise control.

My M3 has cruise control, I never use it.
Click to expand...

Try doing 450 miles without it and then tell me about fuel economy :lol: it's an absolute god send for me, especially through the endless miles of average speed cameras, not only on my work commute, but also my drive to and from the in laws in Scotland.
 
So you've also been bitten by the Z4 bug! :lol:

I've had one for nearly 5 years now, but still wish I had got one sooner. :roll:

Mine has cruise which I find really handy with all the average speed cameras springing up these days - I can't rely on will-power alone! :lol:
 
ben g said:
R60BBA said:
ben g said:
Cruise control is a great mod and easily retrofitted (you only need the stalk) if it's a pre 2004 model you have.
Click to expand...

Bare in mind that mpg is decreased upon use of cruise control.

My M3 has cruise control, I never use it.
Click to expand...

Try doing 450 miles without it and then tell me about fuel economy :lol: it's an absolute god send for me, especially through the endless miles of average speed cameras, not only on my work commute, but also my drive to and from the in laws in Scotland.
Click to expand...

I did a 2,000 mile road trip in Germany last year.

Cruise control was not needed.

Check the link in my signature. :thumbsup:
 
R60BBA said:
ben g said:
R60BBA said:
Bare in mind that mpg is decreased upon use of cruise control.

My M3 has cruise control, I never use it.
Click to expand...

Try doing 450 miles without it and then tell me about fuel economy :lol: it's an absolute god send for me, especially through the endless miles of average speed cameras, not only on my work commute, but also my drive to and from the in laws in Scotland.
Click to expand...

I did a 2,000 mile road trip in Germany last year.

Cruise control was not needed.

Check the link in my signature. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

I did notice. Many average speed cameras that way?

Going up the M6 and sitting in approx 50 miles of average speed cameras, at night, in 3 separate parts is not my idea of a road trip :lol:
 
Great to hear you’re enjoying your Zed one month in, I’ve still got that same buzz and I bought my 3.0si in June 2015! I’ve clocked up 43k miles since then. What a car, I’ve done some mods and retrofits along the way and now its pretty much how I want it. Hope you get as much a pleasure as I have from mine. :thumbsup: :driving:
 
[ref]freeriderdave[/ref], remember to clean the roof drain pipes, ahead of the rear wheel arches. Youll find a soft rubber bung thingy either side. Dirt collects in them creating a blockage. If you keep those regularly cleaned there will be no need to relocate the roof's motor since water wont build up to the point where it'll flood the motor.
 
Thanks for the tips guys. Yes mine is a 2003 model. Will look at roof drain pipes when i get back to blighty. A brace is something I'll look into too. Mine has cruise fitted from new and i find it most handy. My commute is all motorway. 60 miles a day. Some of it through those bloody 50mph average speed cameras. :x
 
Spaniarduk said:
[ref]freeriderdave[/ref], remember to clean the roof drain pipes, ahead of the rear wheel arches. Youll find a soft rubber bung thingy either side. Dirt collects in them creating a blockage. If you keep those regularly cleaned there will be no need to relocate the roof's motor since water wont build up to the point where it'll flood the motor.
Click to expand...

It’s good practice to clean the drains at the bottom as you say but the motor can still drown, this is due to the drains blocking from the top end where the leaves & general muck blocks the holes at the top.
A little water poured down the sides of the roof tells you if they’re free flowing & clear :thumbsup:
Rob
 
[ref]skelters[/ref], i thought that too for a moment :rofl: :lol: . Then i read his commuting involves 50mph avg speed through motorway roadworks. Quite impressive nonetheless
 
I'm all for cruise through 50mph average speed cameras, I have to admit.

I don't use it otherwise, but for the endless miles of the top of the M3, and now the M27, it's very helpful.
 
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