Newbie Questions

M

Meady

Member
Hi Everyone,

Hope everyone is well.

I've just purchased my first Zed, it's a 2005 2.2L Z4 in grey which i love already! I do however have a fair few questions i was hoping to get answered :D

1) The Aircon on the car doesn't come on.. Before purchasing i did a lot of googling at it seems the issue will be that the car is in 'Transport Mode' which makes perfect sense as previous owner only drove it once a week since purchasing her new car in January. I've seen some excellent guides but if anyone has any personal experience with this some advice would be great.

2) I see one of the most costly and common problems with Z4's is the motor being corroded, i've noticed you can get the drain holes cleaned to limit the risk but the best thing to do might be to move the motor to the boot. - Any one done this, or know where i could get it done near to Brighton?

3) on the mention of Brighton, any decent mechanics / BMW Specialist anyone could recommend?

4) I've never owned a soft top before and slightly confused about keeping it clean. I usually get my cars cleaned at a hand car wash, is this now no longer a possibility?

I'm sure there's hundreds more but this should get me started :?

Thanks in advance! been lurking all weekend and forum seems very friendly
 
I can only help on the soft top. If you get someone else to wash the car, get them to leave the roof alone. Detergents etc are not good for the fabric.
Instead occasionally vacuum it carefully. I use a Dyson V6 rechargeable with the stair attachment. If very dirty use a medium brush on it first to loosen the dirt. Once or twice a year use the Autoglym two part cleaner and waterproofer.
 
NickDE said:
I can only help on the soft top. If you get someone else to wash the car, get them to leave the roof alone. Detergents etc are not good for the fabric.
Instead occasionally vacuum it carefully. I use a Dyson V6 rechargeable with the stair attachment. If very dirty use a medium brush on it first to loosen the dirt. Once or twice a year use the Autoglym two part cleaner and waterproofer.
Click to expand...

Once you are happy with the condition of the roof this is well worth having in your kit
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Auto-Finesse-Cleaner-500ml-RTC500/dp/B00VTGHKYS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493757103&sr=8-1&keywords=auto+finesse+rag+top+brush

i give the hood a quick going over every Sunday when the car goes away , just spray on & brush over with one of these

https://shop.autofinesse.co.uk/upholstery-brush

or get the full kit with sealer :thumbsup: https://shop.autofinesse.co.uk/Soft-top-kit
 
Hi and welcome!

I'm Gatwick way but that's a fair trek for an indie!

For soft top you get a special fabric cleaner which you use same application as washing normally. So wash the soft top first, then wash the metal body second.

:thumbsup:
 
Welcome to the forum :thumbsup:

I also use autoglym cleaner and protection, I do it every three months as she has to suffer the elements. This may change due to the arrival of my roof cover (custom covers - would highly recommend).

I'm interested to see if anyone replies re roof motor relocation near you. I'm only 'up the road' in Crowborough and really want to get it moved asap.
 
Thanks for the advice all - seems i need to do some research on looking after the soft top! (and... to be honest after always taking cars to someone else to clean how to correctly clean a car! :rofl: )

Having major issues posting images but here's a quick pic i took last night.

IMG_5171.jpg
 
yMead said:
Thanks for the advice all - seems i need to do some research on looking after the soft top! (and... to be honest after always taking cars to someone else to clean how to correctly clean a car! :rofl: )

Having major issues posting images but here's a quick pic i took last night.

IMG_5171.jpg
Click to expand...
Looking good! Take a look at chemical guys YouTube channel for carwashing and roof cleaning, just ignore the irritating guy presenting the vids. The roof isn't anything to be scared of, they are supposed to be pretty tough as far as soft tops go.
 
Nice Zed, love the alloys, I changed from a set of 18 inch 108 (split rims) to the same ones you have (fully refurbished), I think they look more in proportion to the size of car and a little more comfortable.

For my roof I use Autoglym cleaner with a bath brush to agitate (not to hard to damage roof but firm enough to clean it, about £3.99 from Lloyds chemist) ) and then Renovo to waterproof it. Lots of other products available.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bath-back-Scrubber-Body-Brush-Long-Wood-Handle-Reach-Shower-Bristle-Spa-Bathroom-/222159519019?hash=item33b9bd3d2b
 
csquire4 said:
Nice Zed, love the alloys, I changed from a set of 18 inch 108 (split rims) to the same ones you have (fully refurbished), I think they look more in proportion to the size of car and a little more comfortable.

For my roof I use Autoglym cleaner with a bath brush to agitate (not to hard to damage roof but firm enough to clean it, about £3.99 from Lloyds chemist) ) and then Renovo to waterproof it. Lots of other products available.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bath-back-Scrubber-Body-Brush-Long-Wood-Handle-Reach-Shower-Bristle-Spa-Bathroom-/222159519019?hash=item33b9bd3d2b
Click to expand...

Thanks! I wasn't sure on the alloys to start but they are definitely growing on me.

I received these with the car, is this the same Autoglym you use? Do you just use this with a brush everytime you clean the car?

IMG_5177.jpg
 
Your AC issue may well be transport mode related, however the system could also just be low on refrigerant or any number of other things. It's usually reported that the fan blower and rear window de mister operation are also affected by transport mode so try these yourself first. If it is transport mode then this can be reset at a dealer or independent or even by yourself if you invest in a diagnostic cable and load up DIS software. eBay seller 'bcables' sells a cable and software combo for under £30. If you like to tinker and fix things yourself then it's well worth learning this software and having the ability to diagnose future faults.

DIS will even tell you the AC refrigerant pressures and AC component status so even if not transport mode related you can get a better idea of what's going on.

Congrats on the new purchase - looking good.
 
Since my AC system was recharged and re-oiled my Mike (ducklakeview) yesterday it has made a world of difference. The AC comes on instantly and is freezing cold within ten secs. Used to take a few minutes before and was never very efficient.

Your car looks great :thumbsup: Depending on what nick it is in you may need to spend a little more to get it tip top. Mine cost me £5000 and I have spent about £1200 on it in the last two months and [hopefully] she is good for the next few years. I had to change oil/filter, rear suspension springs, rear pads and disks, wheel refurb, paint brake calipers, stubby, cup holders, relocate roof motor, exhaust mod, AC recharge. I am really happy with it now although it needs a wheel alignment to be done.
IMG_1993.jpg
 
yMead said:
csquire4 said:
Nice Zed, love the alloys, I changed from a set of 18 inch 108 (split rims) to the same ones you have (fully refurbished), I think they look more in proportion to the size of car and a little more comfortable.

For my roof I use Autoglym cleaner with a bath brush to agitate (not to hard to damage roof but firm enough to clean it, about £3.99 from Lloyds chemist) ) and then Renovo to waterproof it. Lots of other products available.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bath-back-Scrubber-Body-Brush-Long-Wood-Handle-Reach-Shower-Bristle-Spa-Bathroom-/222159519019?hash=item33b9bd3d2b
Click to expand...

Thanks! I wasn't sure on the alloys to start but they are definitely growing on me.

I received these with the car, is this the same Autoglym you use? Do you just use this with a brush everytime you clean the car?

IMG_5177.jpg
Click to expand...
I use the Autoglym Cleaner with the brush, I didn't have the Autoglym protector. With the Renovo product you put it on with a paint brush. I would buy some cleaner and then use the protector you've already got. I think you only need to spray the Autoglym proofer on.

Doing this twice a year is a good rule of thumb.
 
I can really recommend Auto Finesse for roof cleaning products, also check out their wax's and polishes top quality and not bad on price.
 
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