Newbie Z4 owner

G

Geezah

Senior member
 Monifieth
Hi All,

I'm hoping to collect my first BMW tomorrow, a Z4, 2.0i SE 2008, facelift, 18 inch OE rims and bespoke leather Msport two tone interior. Excited? I am! never thought I would be about a mere car but anyway. I was after a gunmetal grey, every day car, friends said go for the M Sport but from what I can see the only difference is the harsher ride, this car has M Sport stuff without the harsher ride, though I stand to be corrected. Looking for some help and advice please.

The front foglights are drowning in condensation, cant find any spares or help on the 'net. Any advice on how to cure/fix/replace them?

Also, looking to replace all brakes and pads and discs, do I have to replace the sensors as well? What should I look to be paying at an independent?

The tyres are run flats but need changing, I'm looking to put ordinary tyres on in the hope it will improve the ride, any thoughts/recommendations on this please? I was thinking of carrying an inflating foam can?

I'd like to change the oil and filter when I get it, where is the dipstick, or am I being a dipstick? What oil to use?

How best to clean the leather ( white/navy)?

There is no wind defelector between the roll bars, is this an easy/inexpensive mod to carry out?

I'll be parking the car in my drive which the neighbours tree overhangs, sap, birds**te, etc, is it possible to buy a cover just for the roof and glass_ I don't think a full cover is a practical option for an everyday car in view of the accompanied faffage.

I think that's it, any help would be appreciated, I just hope it's not a Friday afternoon model, noting some of the horror stories I've read here! Wish me luck!

Ta,

Geezah

Oops, posted this in the wrong section, sorry Mods, any chance of shifting it to the new Owners section please?
 
Picked it up today! very nice. Congratulations Geezah! You're welcome Geezah!

(note to self......must try changing my aftershave, maybe people might talk to me!)
 
Welcome along :thumbsup: - everyone has been busy writing essays on the 3.0 vs M thread over the last few days :oops:

we are usually a bit more welcoming :poke:
 
Perhaps post on the how long have you owned a Z4 for thread thats running tonight - you can state hours !

a lot of your questions are fairly common questions - so try using the search thread , changing of runflats is common and most then carry a can of foam or compressor and sealant . tyre brands are much discussed with vredstein, Falken, Michelin and Goodyear all having a following on here.

in terms of leather cleaner is your Zed really blue and white inside ?

we also like car Photos - so get a photo up .. :thumbsup:

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=30

shows you how
 
Welcome Geezah. :thumbsup:

With regards to your Fog lights, this is a common problem on face lift Zeds. I think you'll find the only cure is to replace with new. BMW dealer part only. From memory the're about £70 each from Sopers in Lincoln.
 
Welcome :thumbsup:

It is possible to refurb the fog lights - do a search as one of our members has done it. You need to split them, strip them, re-paint them then stick them back together. The corrosion happens to almost all of them eventually because there's an issue with water getting under the silvering inside :( They can be bought new from dealers but they're about £130 each I think.

As said above you'll find answers to pretty much all your questions using search however...

If the pads are not at the limit and whoever changes them is careful then the sensors shouldn't need replaced, just cleaned. Not sure about costs to buy the whole lot and fit, but I bought Textar ePads earlier this year from carparts4less and paid about £110 I think. I can recommend the pads - quiet, effective and less brake dust than OEM.

RJS-Z4 retrofitted the wind deflector to his car, so have a poke round his posts or PM him. I think it was fairly easy, just takes some care. The bits are usually available on eBay, but prices vary. You could get the leather/mesh one that fits over the roll hoops (your eBay search should throw them up too, and actually there was one in the z4 related items for sale section just a couple of days ago so may still be available. It's referred to as 'the gimp mask' on here, and those who have it rate it.
 
Hi and welcome,

i will be replacing my run flats with Falkens soon, i had them on my last car and for the price i could not fault them. as said have a good look around on the forum there are loads of threads on bit that you are looking at. and lets see some photos of the car.
 
Aaaah, there you all are! Didn't even give me the chance to change my aftershave after all!

Thanks for your warm welcome and advice guys.

I think the inside is blue, well, its an almost white - light grey leather in the door trims and outside edges of the Msport seats with dark navy blue centre panels. Bespoke finish I'm told, ex dealership directors car so nicely specced up, average mileage.

I've bought this as an everyday car, hence the 2.0 litre job, but I don't intend to drive it in snow, so I imagine that normal (summer tyres) will do.

I notice that the car was a bit 'lively' in its handling coming back from Edinburgh at 80 mph last night. Discovered this morning that the offside rear RFT was at 6 psi! don't think this Zed has had much TLC!

Took it into Kwik fit with their Uber high tech tracking device and they said its all good! Pumped up the RFT and the car felt great...apart from the tramlining, is this because of the RFTs? (only on 3 wheels, normal tyre on rear nearside)

I've got 225/40/18 on the front and 255/35/18 on the rear. I was thinking of getting Falken ZE914s all around, read conflicting reviews on the tyre test forums but mainly good. Any one had direct experience of these boots?

My mates thought I was mad buying a soft top in winter, but hey, the dealers can't shift them, wrong season. They are happy to cut a deal and according to the price guides, I bought it at just about trade, great time of year to buy! Anyhow it's got heated seats so no issues.

Here it is! Ps you know you're getting old when you question your insurance quote as being too cheap! But, they tell me I need a tracker, alarm and immobiliser. Does this model have any factory fitted alarm?

Does anyone know of a cheap tracker solution, insurer does not require 24 hr monitoring or guards posted when the thing is tracked down. Come on , I mean it s not worth more than a brand new Nissan Micra after all!

Now where is the dipstick? I really cant find it!

Z4_zps5111045e.jpg
 
Nice and quite rare wheels.
Pics of inside please!!

Rft will not help the handling and tramlining feeling.

You will find some reviews of that rubber on here

Not sure about the tracker requirement tho - not on a 2.0L anyway!!
 
Very nice :thumbsup:

Tramlining is more likely than not RFTs. Don't know about the tyres you're looking at, but I would change them soon, or get another RFT. Not sure why but running a different brand and type of tyre across an axle would make me nervous.

The car has an alarm and immobiliser. Trackers cost quite a lot of money in terms as subscriptions as far as I know, so will effectively increase your insurance. I would look for quote from a few different companies and then go back to them and tell them you're leaving because it's not justified - lots of companies don't require one (mine doesn't) and you may find they cave.

Dipstick is electronic - you need to get the car up to operating temperature and then press the right hand rectangular button in between the instrument binnacles. Can be stationary or driving, and it will tell you if the level is ok. When the indicator gets to the lowest mark it will tell you to add a litre. It's all in the manual :poke: :lol:
 
Thanks for your compliments guys,

I have been looking for an awful long time, but this one just jumped off the page and said 'Buy Me!' So I did!

It appears to be an MSport specced SE, I've never seen a set of these rims on any of the (hundreds) of ads I've seen. I'm amazed that there are no shakes or rattles, I was told convertibles are renowned for this problem.

It's got Aluminum interior trim, inc the steering wheel, with radio and mobile phone controls on the front, thumb operated. Sorry no photos yet of interior. I'll post some tomorrow, if its warm enough to get the hood down. This is Scotland you know and it's getting a wee bit nippy in the Trossachs!

Anyway, so what's the secret about the dipstick? How do I check the oil level?

I like driving in my car, glad it's not a jaguar! :driving: (apologies to Madness!
 
As you are North of the Border we look forward to seeing it on a Z4 Forum Scotland Run Next year :thumbsup: - Bing may even visit
 
ZermattV said:
As you are North of the Border we look forward to seeing it on a Z4 Forum Scotland Run Next year :thumbsup: -Bing may even visit if your out of luck !
Click to expand...
Edited that for you mate :wink: :poke:

Hi and welcome to the forum Geezah :thumbsup:
 
metal licker said:
ZermattV said:
As you are North of the Border we look forward to seeing it on a Z4 Forum Scotland Run Next year :thumbsup: -Bing may even visit if your out of luck !
Click to expand...
Edited that for you mate :wink: :poke:

Hi and welcome to the forum Geezah :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

:|



:lol:
 
Hi Geezah,

Interesting Zed - I have a 2006 2.0i Sport and I love it - underrated model and quite capable on todays roads - just use 2nd and 3rd gear for performance and you'll be surprised by its capabilities. The engine is smooth and strong - enjoy. You can find out lots of views on tyres on the forum. Regarding the Falken ZEs - I had them fitted in error on the back of my Zed (instead of Falken 453s - the fitter said he couldn't get the 453s and I didn't check till a week or so later. . .)The 453s are meant to be Falkens top performance tyre - not the ZE. I had Falken 452s on the rear before these tyres and I thought they were excellent - 453s are their replacements - not sure about their performance. Just had Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetrics 2 fitted on the fronts at the recommendation of a Forum member - not good enough weather to push them yet and still scrubbing them in. If you look about you can find quality rubber at not much more cost than mid range so take care. Many Forum members use non runflat tyres (and carry an inflation kit) to avoid excessive tramlining and to improve ride quality. Lots of advice on this Forum.
OEM wind deflectors are quite expensive - there are other options - I have a Perspex deflector from 'Just Roadsters' which works and is cheaper - just over 100 pounds but do stipulate the textile straps (which attach it to the roll hoops) rather than the plastic clear ones - grip better) - good value but the net type deflectors (OEM) have advantages but cost - the 'gimp mask' seems a mid cost option. Again, lots of info on the Forum.
I also leave my Zed out overnight and use a half cover (£50 from Just Roadsters too). There are lots of more expensive covers out there and they have their enthusiasts who want better materials and want to avoid the elastic straps which help hold my type of cover on. I'm happy with it and use it all the time to avoid water getting into the roof motor (something else to read up on!)
As with a lot of these things you pays your money and you take your choice. You have a quality product with excellent capabilities so it might be best to use quality tyres and components. Whatever - you should get yourself to the runs and you'll find a whole new area of Zed ownership to enjoy. Welcome!

:driving: :thumbsup:
 
Pleasure to be here!, yes I live just outside sunny Fundee so would be defo up for a meet.

Paul, did you mean that you are not sure about the performance of the Falken 453s or of the Falken ZE ?

Im swithering between the Kumho Ecsta Le Sport KU39 or the Falken ZEs at the moment. Decisions, decisions, its a high price to pay if you don't get it right. I'm not goimg to use the car in the snow, so ordinary summer tyres will do me year round.

I've ordered the Prestige Cabrio hood, bit pricey but it seems quality.

Might get funny looks from Mrs Geezah if she gets to the post before I do with respect to the gimp mask so ill see if I can get a more solid one the Perspex looks interesting.

Heres some photos of the interior, I think I'm going colour blind because the navy blue is more like black in certain light. Hood down today, heated seats on, Trapper hat, gloves and shades, Living the dream, idiotic grin from ear to ear! :D

IMG_0277_zpsf109b50c.jpg

And the aluminium dash.
IMG_0279_zpsd37a793b.jpg
 
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