New Owner: inside the M25 (UK)

[Bunnyboileravoider]

Greetings all.

I've just bought a 'mature', yet largely wrinkle-free 2.0i SE 2006 roadster, solely for the purpose of touring Europe for a few months. The service history is flawless, albeit not specialist (understandably, for most owners of a 15-year old car), and has had only 2 previous owners. I think the spec. is about the most 'vanilla' on the road: titansilber-metallic, charcoal fabric seats, black/brushed alu. interior trim, 17" alloys (so the ride is comfortable, not teeth-jarring) and a BMW Business CD/radio...all of which suits me perfectly. It tells me it hasn't been thrashed, and hasn't had a load of Carlos Fandango modifications .

With that in mind, allow me to thank those of you who are Administrators and contributors, for such an insightful forum. In the week since I took ownership, I've already learned stacks about how to turn a frog into a princess. It's amazing what you can learn from people who've "been there and done that". Actions I've completed so far:

1. replaced cam cover and gaskets
2. removed front bumper and replaced kidney grill holders (eBay)
3. ordered replacement kidney grills (newvehicleparts)
4. removed & deep cleansed/cleaned seats (they made me itch just looking at them), using a Bissell Little Green, VAX, 2001, diluted Dettol etc.
5. deep cleaned carpets and interior trim with 2001 / VAX / Auto Glym
6. full interior and exterior amateur 'detailing' using random orbital hand polisher, toothbrush, nailbrush, Auto Glym, Poorboy's, Demon, Turtle etc.
7. removed bonnet badge to replace (pending source at time of writing)
8. removed old engine badges (may or may not replace TBD)
9. ordered a fabric wind blocker (eBay)

As soon as I'm largely comfortable knowing the car and it's quirks, I plan on a test tour around the UK, learning what I like, don't like and what I think I could do to enhance the whole experience. And that's where I'd like to ask for help from those of you far more familiar with the Z4 than I am.

1. Is there a 'go to' UK-based parts and accessories supplier/site, that the experts on here tend to gravitate towards, or is it largely a case of eBay, Google and so on? I'm familiar with AliExpress, Sytner etc. (horses for courses and all that), but I just wondered if there's anything akin to superformance, that most search engines deprioritise because they don't get kickbacks?

2. Does the Z4 e85 share any 'common' specs. with anything else e.g. where it being a 'BMW part' adds 20-30% to the price of the exact same part as if it were a 'VW part'?

3. Has anyone had any experience taking an extended European road trip in their car (3-6 months), and if so, what lessons did you learn e.g.
- a breakdown cover you'd recommend based on actual use i.e. experiential recommendation?
- things that irritated you over time e.g. I have no cup holder(s), phone holder, hands-free, bluetooth yet - all of which I'm prioritising immediately - and any suggestions as to 'what', 'fitted by whom' etc.?
- any particular accessories you've added, without which you'd now be distraught?
- any recommended centre armrest(s), that genuinely don't look ugly?

4. Any other must do recommendations?

Thanks in advance, and again, congrats to the committee.

 

[buzyg]

Great start up post. (No pic though) Not sure what's required over on the continent now days. Worth getting a compressor and a rats tail repair kit to keep in the boot. Not much room for a spare tyre.

Welcome aboard.

 

[Bunnyboileravoider]

Great start up post. (No pic though) Not sure what's required over on the continent now days. Worth getting a compressor and a rats tail repair kit to keep in the boot. Not much room for a spare tyre.

Welcome aboard.

Thanks buzyg Actually bought both from Halfords on the drive home after buying it. They fit neatly in the space separated from the battery, along with a high viz jacket.

And acknowledged ref pics. The advert's been pulled (I wanted to show some 'before and after' photos of the bodywork), but strap in... I have some of the seats...

 

[buzyg]

Nice work, you can sell that respirator now. :wink:

Amazing that people sell things and don't clean them properly first.. :?

 

[Pondy]

Hello and welcome. You're a braver man than me; I would have walked from that. Was the kidney grill missing, or have you taken it out already?

One word of advice if I may; don't write an essay in one post. People get bored of reading after a few lines and will miss bits. Best to address questions etc in different posts once the thread gets going. Most of your questions will get more attention in other sections (ie E85/86 discussion and problems). Just my opinion and HTH.

 

[enuff_zed]

One word of advice if I may; don't write an essay in one post. People get bored of reading after a few lines and will miss bits. Best to address questions etc in different posts once the thread gets going. Most of your questions will get more attention in other sections (ie E85/86 discussion and problems). Just my opinion and HTH.

See, I totally disagree. I get fed up with new people literally offering up a couple of grunts, then it taking days of to and fro just to glean the basics.
I actually like to see someone land here full of enthusiasm and keen to tell us all about their adventures.

Maybe it's an attention span thing?

 

[Bunnyboileravoider]

One word of advice if I may; don't write an essay in one post. People get bored of reading after a few lines and will miss bits. Best to address questions etc in different posts once the thread gets going. Most of your questions will get more attention in other sections (ie E85/86 discussion and problems). Just my opinion and HTH.

See, I totally disagree. I get fed up with new people literally offering up a couple of grunts, then it taking days of to and fro just to glean the basics.
I actually like to see someone land here full of enthusiasm and keen to tell us all about their adventures.

Maybe it's an attention span thing?

I can do succinct and brief, too "opinions are like ar**holes; everybody's got one".

The Q&A comment is fair enough. I just would've written it as: "...why not also post your questions in the xyz location?" (which I obvioulsy wouldn't know, given my opening 3 words). Or better still, tried to answer one of the questions. But hey don't sweat it - I promise you I won't.

 

[Bunnyboileravoider]

One word of advice if I may; don't write an essay in one post. People get bored of reading after a few lines and will miss bits. Best to address questions etc in different posts once the thread gets going. Most of your questions will get more attention in other sections (ie E85/86 discussion and problems). Just my opinion and HTH.

See, I totally disagree. I get fed up with new people literally offering up a couple of grunts, then it taking days of to and fro just to glean the basics.
I actually like to see someone land here full of enthusiasm and keen to tell us all about their adventures.

Maybe it's an attention span thing?

And thank you @enuff_zed and @buzyg - appreciate it

 

[Pondy]

Maybe it's an attention span thing?

Must be. It seems I have very little in common with anyone on here. Oh well at least my mum loves me....I hope :| I think I'll get me coat.

OP. The first line of my reply was actually a compliment. The rest I was just trying to help. You obviously didn't take it as such so for that I apologise. I sincerely hope you get to tour Europe and enjoy your new car

 

[Mr Tidy]

Well firstly welcome to the forum!

Those seats are a huge improvement.

I don't know about parts shared with other makes but many E85/86 parts are the same as othere BMWs, especially the E46 3 Series.
The forum can also be a good source of parts, and both Cotswold BMW and Sopers of Lincoln offer a discount if you mention the forum.

Someone found what seems to be a good source for cup-holders here:- https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=126282

I got a new front badge on Amazon for £40.45 in September 2019 - it came from BMW Park Lane.

Cruise Control is a fairly popular retro-fit. The stalk costs around £100 from BMW, and forum member "srhutch" will supply the section of wiring loom required for not much money. If you take the lower cowl off the steering column you can see the outline of where to cut it on the inside.

Hopefully others will be able to help with some of your other questions, but in the meantime I don't think anyone would mind seeing photos of your other cars!

 

[inkey$]

Looking good, OP. You've made a great start by the looks of things and those seats look [and I'm sure smell] so much improved.

Another piece of cleaning advice. get yourself some magic eraser, dip it in water and gently clean your steering wheel. Then post similar pics to the jar of dirty water when you see what comes off :lol:

Love the longer posts too btw. Gets your into the story more and you can almost hear how pleased you are with it all.

UK parts wise, I'd look at Phil Ennis at Cotswolds Sytners as they do a forum discount on all available parts ([email protected]). Also Autodoc are pretty good if you don't mind waiting a few extra days. And of course Eurocarparts/Carpartsforless always have discounts. Then its eBay and this forum via a WANTED ad.

Not sure where you are in the M25, but if you can get south then I highly recommend ETA Motorsport near Brands Hatch just of the M25. Use them for all my Beemers and they are experts n their field and really well priced.

Bluetooth can be added via the BlueMusic dongle (search my posts for install instructions (easier in a roadster than a coupe).

Annoyances include random rattles and generally not enough time to drive it as much as I want to.

Accessories: I've got a Brodit phone holder which is great, but there are tons of options so the search tool on here is your friend. Stubby arial if thats your thing. Maybe a waterproof roof cover if you leave it outside when the weather gets gnarly again.

Anyway, have fun and look forward to reading about your progress

 

[Zedebee]

Another piece of cleaning advice. get yourself some magic eraser, dip it in water and gently clean your steering wheel. Then post similar pics to the jar of dirty water when you see what comes off :lol:

Dirty water? I thought it was peanut butter

Welcome to the forum OP, and to Z4 ownership. They’re nice cars to work on, if that’s your thing, and even better to drive. Very occasionally Mini parts are interchangeable and tend to be cheaper. Many screws and fixings etc are generic and readily available for peanuts if you know how to measure them up.

 

[enuff_zed]

It seems I have very little in common with anyone on here.

You have a sense of humour, that's the main thing.
I should apologise though, I was making my own point but the last line was a bit unnecessary in hindsight.

 

[Argyll Andy]

You have a sense of humour, that's the main thing.

[ref]Pondrew[/ref], and a cracking taste in V8 convertibles, oh wait Ford Focus’……………………..

 

[Pondy]

You have a sense of humour, that's the main thing.
I should apologise though, I was making my own point but the last line was a bit unnecessary in hindsight.

I try not to take this all too seriously. You don't need to apologise.

 

[Bunnyboileravoider]

Well firstly welcome to the forum!

Those seats are a huge improvement.

I don't know about parts shared with other makes but many E85/86 parts are the same as othere BMWs, especially the E46 3 Series.
The forum can also be a good source of parts, and both Cotswold BMW and Sopers of Lincoln offer a discount if you mention the forum.

Someone found what seems to be a good source for cup-holders here:- https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=126282

I got a new front badge on Amazon for £40.45 in September 2019 - it came from BMW Park Lane.

Cruise Control is a fairly popular retro-fit. The stalk costs around £100 from BMW, and forum member "srhutch" will supply the section of wiring loom required for not much money. If you take the lower cowl off the steering column you can see the outline of where to cut it on the inside.

Hopefully others will be able to help with some of your other questions, but in the meantime I don't think anyone would mind seeing photos of your other cars!

Superb - exactly the sort of advice I was hoping for, so many thanks

Since that time I've done the cup holder (similar price to you, but with the current eBay discount), the bonnet badge and wheel centres. I took the silver badges off because some were tatty and I'm not looking to compete on a concourse ;-) I also found a wind breaker and an indoor cover (both good quality and madly inexpensive).

Like the idea of the cruise control though, and also the bluetooth trick. I'll have a look. Thanks!

 

[Bunnyboileravoider]

Genuinely, thanks everyone for the support. A week on…

1) new wheel centres
2) new bonnet badge
3) ++ (non OEM) wind deflector (alt thread)
4) ++ (non OEM) indoor cover (alt thread)
5) ++ & fitted OEM o/s cup holder
6) wet’n’dry sanded & polished headlamps
7) ++ garage backboard
8] ++ dog safety harness
9) ++ Jabra visor mount installed between mph/rev dials
10) ++ wireless phone charger/holder
11) ++ bespoke first aid kit in boot where ++ visible
12) ++ fire extinguisher (n/s footwell)

Some photos here, but in all honesty, I think I’m not far off now. Car drives smoothly, feels better equipped for a European tour and I’m more familiar with the running and riding. Test drive around the UK next week I think; see how much the tent and so on restrict me. Retrofit of TV and DVD hopefully next week, so might not have to do the Bluetooth hack (but thanks for the links and posts on that especially).

 

[Mr Tidy]

Great photos there.

And your car has a fantastic home!

 

[Bunnyboileravoider]

Thanks

Also 3 x GoPros on various settings going in tomorrow :

1) hidden behind the new kidney grills
2) n/s windscreen (inside facing in), and
3) rear-facing, under n/s roll bar.

And if that seems weird, try it. You’ll be amazed at what’s on them after a month .