Newbie Z4... ready to roll.

rollingstone

Member
 Richmond, Va.
Greetings all!

Obviously a "newbie" Z4 owner here, though not new to fine Bavarian motoring. But it's been a while... My last car to wear the BMW marque was a (then new) '99 Z3 2.3. Last week I picked up a perfectly sculpted Z4c 3.0si, jet black with dream red leather, M-seats (w/ bun warmers), dark poplar trim. Sports and Premium, iPod link and a few other treats I'm still discovering.

I'd fallen hard for the coupe the first time I saw the prototype... It bore all the traits and earmarks of classic european motor sports and was, and still is to me, one of the finest contemprary interpretations of a bygone era.

First on the list... debadging...then tint, clear front reflectors (not a fan of the amber on black), a "stubby," and getting rid of the front plate (maybe an M front facia). Then, years of motor bliss and hopefully meeting a few other Z4 enthusiasts.

Cheers!

z4-side1-NoBadge.jpg
 
Pmeloche,

De-badging may be a misnomer on my part. Naturally the BMW emblems remain, but getting rid of the "Z4" on the rump and the "3.0si" just aft of the side signal lamps will clean up the car a bit. I love the lines and think the little chrome "bling" of theses badges is a bit unfortunate... especially on such a well-balanced automotive buttox.

Here is a quick Photoshop of the rump with the badge removed. As you know, usually a "Z4" would appear to the lower left between the emblem and the light... without that bit of off-balance bling, the tail is just as pure as the day she was born from steel.

I only wish they would have found a better solution to the whip-style antenna... It almost makes her feel like a remote controlled model (ha ha).

Cheers.

z4-rump2-NoBadge.jpg
 
Welcome and love the car. The style 203 wheels came with the sport suspension, another very desireable option along with the M seats. I do like the look of the 203s, I did go with some aftermarket wheels, but still have some thoughts about putting the 203s back on. Yes, Yes, Yes, remove those badges, it really improves the lines of the car and has the added benefit of making it easier to wash and wax. The oem antenna does make the coupes look somewhat like an RC model, I still haven't decided what to do with it. The euro clear front reflectors also add a nice touch.
 
Get a mango walk stubby!

I don't believe the z4 comes with the 203 style wheels in any spec over here... mine were aftermarket and had to be ordered from germany :) I've not seen another one over here with them on - makes me unique :D
 
gannet said:
Get a mango walk stubby!

I don't believe the z4 comes with the 203 style wheels in any spec over here... mine were aftermarket and had to be ordered from germany :) I've not seen another one over here with them on - makes me unique :D
I've been trying to decide between the mango stubby with a little loss of signal and the oem honda s2000 antenna, no signal loss but a little longer at 7 inches.
If I'm correct, the 203 style wheels were only on the 2007 sport package option over here. Now I'm thinking about putting them back on again. :headbang:
 
gannet said:
I've hardly noticed any change to reception with the mango one :)
I read or was told, I can't remember, that the standard length antenna was necessary for the BMW Assist signal to work properly. I've never had anyone be able to answer that question. I guess I could always carry around the oem antenna in the car.
 
Incompatible said:
gannet said:
I've hardly noticed any change to reception with the mango one :)
I read or was told, I can't remember, that the standard length antenna was necessary for the BMW Assist signal to work properly. I've never had anyone be able to answer that question. I guess I could always carry around the oem antenna in the car.

You maybe right there - carrying it around with you in the car won't help if you are in a crash and are unconscious....

I don't have those options on mine :)
 
Incompatible said:
gannet said:
I've hardly noticed any change to reception with the mango one :)
I read or was told, I can't remember, that the standard length antenna was necessary for the BMW Assist signal to work properly. I've never had anyone be able to answer that question. I guess I could always carry around the oem antenna in the car.

I ordered a MongoWalk stubby... when it comes in I could install it and then try calling BMW Assist. If it works -- great! If not, the OEM stows behind the seats. Aesthetics trump antenna function every time! :lol: On that note, I think shops like LeatherZ sell OEM-style whips that are about 5" or so shorter with no signal loss.
 
rollingstone said:
Incompatible said:
gannet said:
I've hardly noticed any change to reception with the mango one :)
I read or was told, I can't remember, that the standard length antenna was necessary for the BMW Assist signal to work properly. I've never had anyone be able to answer that question. I guess I could always carry around the oem antenna in the car.

I ordered a MongoWalk stubby... when it comes in I could install it and then try calling BMW Assist. If it works -- great! If not, the OEM stows behind the seats.

That would be great. I'm sure the info would be helpful to some of the forum members beside myself. Thanks :thumbsup:
 
Back
Top Bottom