Pangs of Regret ..

Bumpy

Senior member
 Whitby, Ontario, Canada
Ranting Here
Bare with me .
A coupla issues
Im in the middle of trouble shooting the HID Headlights
Use my diagnostic skills to identify the problem.
Notice that the Halo is also out.
Thinking that's too much of a coincidence.

:!: Just discovered that the outside halo is a function of the Xenon Bulb
That's still no excuse for not including a fuse chart in the manual !

So I think maybe I should inspect the fuses first.
Getting to the point... Damn fuses are hidden behind the glove box
And even if you expose those without breaking plastic in your effort
There is no explanation as to which fuse controls which circuit.
I check my manual ..Nothing !
I have to check a Z Post site to get the information that any Zed Owner should already privy to.

Next up Im thinking it possibly is a poor ground
And even though Im waiting on new buls from Germany and a fresh igniter from China
I decide to expose the offending parts just to check for loose or corrupt fittings.
Damn those plastic covers with the German engineered fasteners.
Somehow one of the fasteners popped off into the void under the light and behind the fender liner.
I don't find the connection or the flap fitting .... :headbang:

So I flash back to my discovery that there is no oil dip stick and all the rest of the over engineered components that are awkward or impossible to service
And Im thinking this situation sucks.
I want a machine that I can establish a connection with. Not something that requires constant returns to the Dealership.
Speaking of which -
The metal bracket that supports the brake duct for my Z4M Bumper swap ....
It's been 5 weeks and apparently a worldwide search hasn't come up with this overpriced but necessary component.
Dealership has failed twice to follow up with me as well in spite of promising to keep me updated.

So Im sitting here sucking my beer, hoping the lost fitting falls out of it's hiding in time for the parts arriving from all over the world.
Maybe this is the start ?
That Mustang GT is looking better right now and at least I can work on that.

Bumpy
 
Having come to the Z4 from classics and other more repairable sportscars I share some of your frustrations on the unnecessary complexity of some of BMW's engineering solutions, not all of which are that reliable (electric PAS, plastic/electric water pumps, VANOS, integrated ECU functions). This is my first BMW but after 4 years of ownership and fettling I'm now getting their design philosophy which is dedicated to squeezing the extra 5-10% efficiency out of every function and system.
Stick with it these are great driving machines and very reliable once you get the niggles sorted. :driving:
 
Bumpy, a Mustang GT might look attractive right now, but you will miss being able to go round corners :wink:
 
Thanks for the support ...
Calmed down now, although no closer to fixing what is broke.
I can ignore that for now.
I expect my parts are jetting closer to me by the minute.
I understand that the BMW Factory parts inventory is in a helluva mess due to some wayward attempt to streamline that division,
But apparently it will be fixed by (this ?) September.
I plan on waiting til Spring to install the ZM Bumper anyway (Don't mention this to BMW Corporate cause Im holding the Dealership to their 48 hour delivery promise from back in August)

Mustangs, Minis and Miatas were at the top of my wish list when I started this back in 2006.
XK's were also close to the top if I could have discovered why they depreciated so fast and so far.
Cayman and Boxsters became serious contenders and while I didn't plan on flipping cars ..
If I do, well those Porsches would probably get most of my attention.

Mustang GT ..Ive had a 67 GT and a 79 ....Even toured the Dearborn factory. Watched carefully as the Coyote Engine was developed.
I expect plastic clips are in their design as well. Plus you can't turn around without seeing some git behind the wheel.
Much like the New Age Harley Outlaw Riders ..An embarrassment to the Marque.

Like all relationship
You gotta learn to roll with the punches when they come at you ...

Bumpy
 
Back
Top Bottom