Reflections on a recent purchase...

[Z4Rick]

Too much praise...Thanks to you all.

I have to admit that as I have passed into the "Golden" years and the longest part of my life is behind me, I am shocked to find I am losing friends who took far better care of themselves than I. My brother likes to remind folks that he has treated his body like a temple, while I have treated mine like an amusement park - and there is more truth than humor in that! I am convinced much of who gets to stay at the party is shear luck, but I am humbled enough with the occasional loss of someone dear that I try to be there for those I hear are dancing with the devil whenever I can. All to often the end is sudden and we never get the chance to say goodbye; progressive illnesses seem a brutal alternative, but they do allow the opportunity to spend time with people who you care about. It is a real gift and allows for some wonderful moments of serious connection with people who may have helped you become the person you are. Its in keeping with my belief that you get no more than you give, but I often fear I get more from these visits than the friend does.

Enough of this! I have a serious question for another post that maybe you all can help with... wheels and tires.....

 

[Marlon]

Too much praise...Thanks to you all.

I have to admit that as I have passed into the "Golden" years and the longest part of my life is behind me, I am shocked to find I am losing friends who took far better care of themselves than I. My brother likes to remind folks that he has treated his body like a temple, while I have treated mine like an amusement park - and there is more truth than humor in that! I am convinced much of who gets to stay at the party is shear luck, but I am humbled enough with the occasional loss of someone dear that I try to be there for those I hear are dancing with the devil whenever I can. All to often the end is sudden and we never get the chance to say goodbye; progressive illnesses seem a brutal alternative, but they do allow the opportunity to spend time with people who you care about. It is a real gift and allows for some wonderful moments of serious connection with people who may have helped you become the person you are. Its in keeping with my belief that you get no more than you give, but I often fear I get more from these visits than the friend does.

Enough of this! I have a serious question for another post that maybe you all can help with... wheels and tires.....

Don't stop - forget the wheels and tyres :wink:

 

[BSVA]

Hi Z4Rick...welcome to the forum. What an amazing article you wrote here. I started out basically as you have, owning a few sports cars. First roadster was a Fiat 850 Spider (ok not really a sports car) which I totaled head on with a Ford pickup. Never gave up after that and got me a 1967 Jaguar XKE that I sold 3 years later. Bought a 1965 Triumph TR-4A that I did a full restoration on. After the sale of the Triumph, I bought a 2000 Z3 roadster new. Sold it after 4 years and bought new my 2004 Z4. I could never part with this car because it is still awesome to this day. I am not too far from Maryland, living in SE Virginia. Travel to Cape Charles (Eastern Shore) once in a while. Most forum members here are very knowledgeable on the Z's, should help you a lot.
Once again...Welcome.

 

[Grumpyowl]

Welcome Rick,
An inspirational read but so sad.
Enjoy your new car :driving:

 

[craig3.2]

Hi,and welcome.
Good intro,and enjoyable story.
My best mates mother in law has dimentia too,and doesn't even recognise her own daughters let alone her son in law(my mate).
Awful thing to happen to people,but nice that your mate enjoyed a drive out in the z

 

[extaz]

So glad to know there are still some real roadster car guys out there. All my neighbors have SUVs. And I appreciate your way of setting it in your life situations. I will be thinking about your ideas especially about how, for people like us , the right car experience somehow comes to us when we need it. I am off to an event right now but I will get back soon.

 

[Z4Rick]

Again, I thank you all. I was unsure I should share that story with strangers, but your supportive welcome and kind words are an indication my instinct was right. The best part is there is not a single detracting comment! You all seem a truly decent lot. I hope to learn much from you.
BSVA, I am thrilled to find another Rebel amidst this group! if you ever travel north towards Deep Creek Lake, we must get together. I am considering a Skyline Drive/Blue Ridge Parkway trip this summer - no better road I can think of except maybe the Dragon's Tail for a car like this. Perhaps you might join us! (I'd be more explicit about these roads, but I am afraid our British friends would think me a braggart or a liar. If they must know - they can Google them.) Thanks, sincerely, to you all again.

 

[Havard]

Touching account. Glad you took the time to give your old friend some happiness.

When i was 15, my uncle took me on a similar day out. I didn't know that he had been diagnosed with cancer and 12 weeks later, he was gone. I always wondered why after years of family get togethers, weddings and funerals, he actually chose to have a day out with his nephew and no one else. I now realise, why...

Although there are many riches in life, time is the most valuable of them all. I will never forget that day, and it was 26 years ago.

H.

 

[extaz]

I am considering a Skyline Drive/Blue Ridge Parkway trip this summer - no better road I can think of except maybe the Dragon's Tail for a car like this. Perhaps you might join us! (I'd be more explicit about these roads, but I am afraid our British friends would think me a braggart or a liar. If they must know - they can Google them.) Thanks, sincerely, to you all again.

Had so many similar experiences to tell, but I am just glad that there are still other roadster, German and Brit car guys left and still at it. So some ideas for you: Check out the BMWCCA there are chapters near you and they love touring the Shenandoahs and the Blue ridge and the Smokies. You are lucky to be in such great roadster country. Search for some local Cars and Coffee events like this one: www.facebook.com/groups/CharlestonBMWCCA/ I am pretty sure there are many chapters near you. Cars and Coffee is getting to be a big thing nationwide and beyond. And yes there are some here or in other forums that could join you.

 

[firebobby]

What a great read, welcome to the forum.
My very good friend Simon has a brain tumor and has lost most of the power to his left side and both his legs, I so wish I could get him in my Z and take him for a ride out but he has difficulty in getting in a wheel chair, so the Z is out of he question.
As with your friend Chip, Simon is still with us, so we make the most of the time we have with him.
Thanks for your moving story

 

[Z4Rick]

I am considering a Skyline Drive/Blue Ridge Parkway trip this summer - no better road I can think of except maybe the Dragon's Tail for a car like this. Perhaps you might join us! (I'd be more explicit about these roads, but I am afraid our British friends would think me a braggart or a liar. If they must know - they can Google them.) Thanks, sincerely, to you all again.

Had so many similar experiences to tell, but I am just glad that there are still other roadster, German and Brit car guys left and still at it. So some ideas for you: Check out the BMWCCA there are chapters near you and they love touring the Shenandoahs and the Blue ridge and the Smokies. You are lucky to be in such great roadster country. Search for some local Cars and Coffee events like this one: http://www.facebook.com/groups/CharlestonBMWCCA/ I am pretty sure there are many chapters near you. Cars and Coffee is getting to be a big thing nationwide and beyond. And yes there are some here or in other forums that could join you.

Good stuff extaz - I will definitely check those sources out! Thanks much.

 

[markeg]

Wonderful story, thanks for sharing Z4Rick. Welcome to the forum

 

[BSVA]

I am considering a Skyline Drive/Blue Ridge Parkway trip this summer - no better road I can think of except maybe the Dragon's Tail for a car like this. Perhaps you might join us! (I'd be more explicit about these roads, but I am afraid our British friends would think me a braggart or a liar. If they must know - they can Google them.) Thanks, sincerely, to you all again.

Had so many similar experiences to tell, but I am just glad that there are still other roadster, German and Brit car guys left and still at it. So some ideas for you: Check out the BMWCCA there are chapters near you and they love touring the Shenandoahs and the Blue ridge and the Smokies. You are lucky to be in such great roadster country. Search for some local Cars and Coffee events like this one: http://www.facebook.com/groups/CharlestonBMWCCA/ I am pretty sure there are many chapters near you. Cars and Coffee is getting to be a big thing nationwide and beyond. And yes there are some here or in other forums that could join you.

Good stuff extaz - I will definitely check those sources out! Thanks much.

extaz, I met a few guys from ZSCCA....is this part of BMWCCA? I know this club is dedicated to Z type bimmers. Asked me to join, but have not got around to it as of yet. Also has a search @ www.facebook.com/groups/ZSCCA.

 

[extaz]

BSVA
Yes the Zscca is a sub chapter of the BMWCCA. I recently joined but have not really had a chance to be active. They welcome all Z people but from the photos I see, they are heavily E85ers and Z3 folks. Facebook is a great way for groups such as this to keep in touch and of course they all have websites.
Z4RICK
I see that there is a Blue Ridge BMWCCA Group. I also highly recommend motorcycleroads.com It is a great resource.

 

[Z4Rick]

EXCELLENT! I am no Facebook devotee, but you guys gave me a good source of other similar groups not far from here. There are even a few "Z specific" clubs out there. I'll poke around with my wife's FB account and learn some more, but looking down that road was great advice!

 

[stuartinzg]

Hi Rick

I can attest to the difficulties of dealing with someone with parkinson's disease and alzheimer's - it's a soul destroying disease. My grandfather nursed by grandmother until the day she died.

The Z is definitely a car which takes some getting used to. I first tried the 35iS 5 years ago in Germany, actually at BMW HQ, where they let you hire any BMW by the hour. I recall the first time I sat in the car and started the engine 4 levels under BMW HQ in their huge car park. The walls shook and the hairs stood up on my back! At that point I knew I was buying one, even though due to starting a business which took all my funds, I had one 5 years later!

It has taken 19k miles to feel fully comfortable with the car, I've also upgraded the wheels, tyres and suspension because it's a little too much of a beast without a few changes... almost dangerous in the wet if you are not very, very careful.

Now I feel I can throw it around and grab it by the scruff of the neck - I'm having the most fun with it now, either cruising at nice slow speeds or enjoying high speed cornering.

Definitely the car with the most character I have ever owned, except perhaps my old 924 and 944 S2, which were cars of equal merit for their era.

Here is a friend of mine doing a quick touch up detail at a recent Show'n'Shine - enjoy the car, and get to know the Sport and Sport+, it's much better in manual mode than automatic, but that's just IMHO!

:driving:

 

[Z4Rick]

Hi Rick

I can attest to the difficulties of dealing with someone with parkinson's disease and alzheimer's - it's a soul destroying disease. My grandfather nursed by grandmother until the day she died.

The Z is definitely a car which takes some getting used to. I first tried the 35iS 5 years ago in Germany, actually at BMW HQ, where they let you hire any BMW by the hour. I recall the first time I sat in the car and started the engine 4 levels under BMW HQ in their huge car park. The walls shook and the hairs stood up on my back! At that point I knew I was buying one, even though due to starting a business which took all my funds, I had one 5 years later!

It has taken 19k miles to feel fully comfortable with the car, I've also upgraded the wheels, tyres and suspension because it's a little too much of a beast without a few changes... almost dangerous in the wet if you are not very, very careful.

Now I feel I can throw it around and grab it by the scruff of the neck - I'm having the most fun with it now, either cruising at nice slow speeds or enjoying high speed cornering.

Definitely the car with the most character I have ever owned, except perhaps my old 924 and 944 S2, which were cars of equal merit for their era.

Here is a friend of mine doing a quick touch up detail at a recent Show'n'Shine - enjoy the car, and get to know the Sport and Sport+, it's much better in manual mode than automatic, but that's just IMHO!

:driving:

That's a very honest assessment of the learning curve I am discovering. In my youth, I did a little closed track racing through the Bob Bonduant school in open wheeled 1600 cc cars , (a gift from my Uncle), I think it was called Formula Ford at the time. The cars had speedos that were taped over as they taught us to watch revs only, and those cars scared the bejeezzus out of me, (I was only 18 at the time, had done no karting and the fastest I ever drove was in my MGB.) After what I thought was good progress over the 2 week school, we had an "Final Review" with the instructors and they, very tactfully, told me I had finished 8th out of 8 in the class, and had made decent progress but really didn't have the 'instincts' to drive professionally. They also pointed out, quite fairly, that I was "awful big" for a pro driver. (I was a lacrosse player all my life and was 6'3" and 225 pounds at 18!) I left that room thinking I better do well in college since i was no threat to Jackie Stewart or Jim Clarke! Well, this Z makes me feel I am back in that Cortina powered, over-sized kart.

I am considering a HPDE weekend course at a local closed course, (http://www.motorsportreg.com/events/ncc-may-2016-summit-point-main-circuit-hpde-raceway-bmw-cca-national-626111?utm_source=apis&utm_medium=apim&utm_campaign=apic&utm_content=rss#.VydclIQrLIW) to get some instruction from BMW savvy instructors since this car is an entirely new experience for me. I am trying to work out details and schedule now. I hope it gives me a small confidence boost since I still feel out-of-my-league, but I am determined now that I am into it waist deep. Its good to hear an honest man say it took him a lot of miles to 'know' the car - thanks for that!

 

[stuartinzg]

That's a very honest assessment of the learning curve I am discovering. In my youth, I did a little closed track racing through the Bob Bonduant school in open wheeled 1600 cc cars , (a gift from my Uncle), I think it was called Formula Ford at the time. The cars had speedos that were taped over as they taught us to watch revs only, and those cars scared the bejeezzus out of me, (I was only 18 at the time, had done no karting and the fastest I ever drove was in my MGB.) After what I thought was good progress over the 2 week school, we had an "Final Review" with the instructors and they, very tactfully, told me I had finished 8th out of 8 in the class, and had made decent progress but really didn't have the 'instincts' to drive professionally. They also pointed out, quite fairly, that I was "awful big" for a pro driver. (I was a lacrosse player all my life and was 6'3" and 225 pounds at 18!) I left that room thinking I better do well in college since i was no threat to Jackie Stewart or Jim Clarke! Well, this Z makes me feel I am back in that Cortina powered, over-sized kart.

I am considering a HPDE weekend course at a local closed course, (http://www.motorsportreg.com/events/ncc-may-2016-summit-point-main-circuit-hpde-raceway-bmw-cca-national-626111?utm_source=apis&utm_medium=apim&utm_campaign=apic&utm_content=rss#.VydclIQrLIW) to get some instruction from BMW savvy instructors since this car is an entirely new experience for me. I am trying to work out details and schedule now. I hope it gives me a small confidence boost since I still feel out-of-my-league, but I am determined now that I am into it waist deep. Its good to hear an honest man say it took him a lot of miles to 'know' the car - thanks for that!

Hi Rick

If it makes you feel any better, the chap in the picture was the Croatian drift king and also rallies a Toyota AE86. Even he said the car is a handful and he's driven an 800 BHP GT-R R34 without complaining!

It comes down to the short wheel base and almost instant torque overpowering the not overly wide rear tyres without an LSD. Plus, as standard, the suspension and tyres setup that is less than ideal.

However... reduce the rear camber, change tyres, springs, M3 front struts, and of course an LSD; then the car transforms (i'm yet to do the M3 upgrade plus LSD, coming next) You are looking at $4000 of upgrades - but given the cheap price of the car second hand, very much worth the investment.

The car feels like it was setup for a 2.0 engine, but BMW engineers in their wisdom decided to throw in the N54 & N54T engine (the latter is shared with the 1M, but the car does not have M suspension components, although I'm not complaining- but it does need work).

As you enjoy the car more and become more confident, you'll start to see its shortcomings - but they are easily overcome.

 

[Z4Rick]

That is helpful. Its good to know what I should look for. I suspect, with low miles on this Z, I'll run it a bit stock for a while and as tires begin to wear, begin looking at enhancing them first before changing suspension of differential - probably be wise to get it out of warranty before making those tweaks too.....

 

[SeanConnor]

Z4Rick

Welcome to the forum. You are a real old fashioned gentleman sir. there are not many of us around these days.
Just what we need here

Enjoy your Z

Sean