HiQuick hello to everyone, just bought myself my first Z4, a 2008 2.0i Sport, I really wanted the 2.5 or 3.0, but found (what I think / hope... is) a decent low mileage 2.0i.
So far, absolutely love it, not fast by any stretch of the imagination, but is everything I was looking for in a roadster.
I've found a few jobs to do, but nothing drastic.
Biggest so far is tyres. Having read several posts on this forum on the topic of tyres, also having owned a couple of E30's a few years back I am fully aware tramlining issues which can result from a poor choice of rubber. I have what I believe may be the worst possible combination on the car at the moment. Tracking and geometry (from what I could tell) seem OK. Suspension and bushes all seem ok and from what I can see without the benefit of a ramp look to be in decent condition. On a flat surface, it goes and stops dead straight, with little pull from side to side, and the steering wheel is centred correctly too. Anything other than autobahn smooth surface, or dry and the handling is terrifying - and that's compared with a 1991 E30 318is on 16's (quite big rims in the day....) The slightest groove, pothole, white line, undulation, camber, water, or insect on the road and you are instantly a foot from where you want to be, so an....engaging drive.
So the car has 108 fitted - which look great, with 225 40 18s on the front and 255 35 18s on the rear, so far so good. Now, on the front there is one Bridgestone run flat on the drivers side, and a cheap ditch finder on the passenger side - ditch finder looks about new, Bridgestone looks about shot - about 2mm above wear bar. Bridgestone is run flat cheap one is not, so less than ideal situation there....
Rear same story, a Bridgestone about 2mm above wear bar on passenger side, and cheap no name rubbish about new on passenger side. Again Bridgestone is run flat, cheap one is not. They are also different speed ratings, one W and one Y cant remember which is which.
Altogether terrible combination and yes, it tram lines like the best!!!
I was planning on putting decent rubber on whatever I bought, and unless it already has decent newish rubber already I always do on a new car - I never scrimp on tyres, so had already budgeted for that. I have ordered a set of Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5s, non run flat, all the same speed rating too
--- I have a compressor and tyre weld kit already.I've managed to connect my phone to the Bluetooth, which was a bit of a trial, involving taking the boot carpet out to get the pair code from the module behind the passenger seat, but my Android phone is not connected to the primitive BMW Business head unit. I made a test call on it and was told that the audio quality was pretty bad - is this a known issue, poor voice quality? It will do for now, if I start missing DAB too much Ill put an aftermarket single DIN DAB head unit.
Looking forward to getting the new tyres, and glad the only journey I have to make will be the one to the fitting centre.
Here are the obligatory pics, hope you approve. Ill hopefully upload a few more over the coming weeks in a bit better location than on my drive.....
North West Surrey
