Vines ZDay

[pvr]

Indeed they did.

Off to Vines in an hour for the X5 MOT, so will give them feedback that there should be a dedicated M - queue for the food

Must remember to bring a bib for srhutch next time as that dribble on my car from him is getting annoying now ...

 

[flimper]

 

[gannet]

Enjoyable day out, good to meet up with some forumites. Had a test drive in the 35is, my thoughts were...

1) Flappy paddles aren't for me, I need a gearstick and a clutch peddle, didn't have the nerve to try them even Just drove in Auto, Sport mode. Rules out the M5 and M6 as my next car I think
2) The noise from the 35is is epic, very impressed
3) Love the seats, more comfortable than the M
4) Performance wise the 35is (dare I say it) might have the edge unless you are flat out
5) Didn't like the steering, too light
6) 3D satnav looks great, if I could get that in the M I wouldn't hesitate
7) Pick up on the accelerator seemed to be slightly delayed, wasn't instant

All in all a very nice car, but was more than happy to get back in the M

A thumbs up for Vines, all seemed pleasant people and the BBQ at the end was a nice touch. Can't wait for the next event.

1) As pvr has aluded to, I need a clutch pedal as well note to self when driving autos - fold left leg well away from the pedals....
I did however try out the manual mode and while the changes were indeed very smooth, it lacked interactivity
2) +1
3) Don't think I had them adjusted quite right as I wasn't impressed...
4) not sure the one I had was an 35is or 35i - and neither was the salesman :? but I felt it was quite erm... sluggish as it felt too heavy to me
5) steering felt ok to me
6) didnt notice
7) maybe what I was feeling in point 4 above.

I enjoyed the 30i auto I drove a while ago more... wierd!

do like the M-Sport body design though

 

[gannet]

oh and just had my phone call to ensure Im safe

 

[gannet]

Nice drive home too once Id cleared a coach

Yes ... "that" coach

should of followed me when I broke away - That road was nice and pretty clear with lots of overtaking places

The M23 was closed in the morning (both ways) as a drunk from a wedding party next to the motorway had crossed the motorway in the night and got hit 5 times.

Think Gannet had fun in an auto box though ...

I did...

 

[pvr]

Gannet - you drove the standard 35i as I could have a good look at it when you did your emergency stop on the grass

 

[James_G]

A fantastic day for both me and the GF but then she likes her BMWs as much as I do. Great to meet some of you (Flimper, PVR, srhutch, gannet and M44rtt) and thanks for making us welcome at lunch.

Cool to see some many Zeds, and to meet another Z4MC owner who's not fussed by the lack of Sat-Nav or heated seats. Who needs them eh??

I took a test drive and I specifically asked for a drive in a DCT equipped Z4, in this case a Z4 35i sDrive in Deep Sea Blue, which is fact becoming my favourite BMW colour in the current range. My thoughts are:

1) I really enjoyed the gearbox, even though the paddles aren't proper paddles since either one will let you change up or down rather than left =down and right = up. Can't imagine them sticking with this for long mind you. Smooth changes though and a lovely throttle blip on the down change. In auto mode it changes up very quickly, presumably for economy reasons, but other than the normal hesitancy when pulling away, I thought it was an ideal package. Shame it's so expensive really - £1700

2) Can't say I noticed the seats, must have been fine though. I did notice extended leather dash on the one I was in - nice, but £1300 worth???

3) Ride much better than my Z4MC even in Sport+ mode (you guys did fiddle with the Sport button on your test drives didn't you?), but then the new Z4 is said to be softer anyway. That having been said, it was nothing like the softy I was expecting it to be having read some reviews - I was really impressed.

4)Engine sounds superb, and clearly a fantastic flexible unit. I'm not in the market, and probably won't be again, for a Z4 at least, but I will own this engine in something one day.

Photos to follow shortly, but alas I'd forgotten to check my in camera ISO setting, so they need some tweaking.

Looking forward to the next outing though,

Cheers

James

 

[flimper]

4) not sure the one I had was an 35is or 35i - and neither was the salesman :? but I felt it was quite erm... sluggish as it felt too heavy to me

I think there was only 1 35is, it had a beigey interior and was driven by Amy

 

[gannet]

4) not sure the one I had was an 35is or 35i - and neither was the salesman :? but I felt it was quite erm... sluggish as it felt too heavy to me

I think there was only 1 35is, it had a beigey interior and was driven by Amy

so it was the 35i then, still felt sluggish to me... maybe it was the turbos spooling, dunno just didn't blow me away :|

Certainly didn't make me rush to get my wallet out

 

[Breaker]

Auto box for you!

 

[gannet]

Auto box for you!

it was DCT, but even in 'manual' mode it was unresponsive

also the 30i Auto I drove a while ago felt much better - I actually enjoyed it

as pvr already said though the only manual was a 23i M-Sport, which I was more than happy to try (and was booked in for) but the 35i was available so thought why not

 

[koolchris99]

Gutted i missed out on that one..

was "that coach" a green old shed on the way to dorchester going at circa 28mph..

if so i was stuck 5 cars behind it for at least 30 mins..

 

[gannet]

Gutted i missed out on that one..

was "that coach" a green old shed on the way to dorchester going at circa 28mph..

if so i was stuck 5 cars behind it for at least 30 mins..

nah it was a white one doing between 30 and 40 through all the nice NSL roads upto and around billingshurst

 

[pvr]

I was going to overtake it, but then I thought you would not be able to keep up with me

 

[gannet]

I was going to overtake it, but then I thought you would not be able to keep up with me

shoulda tried, you might've been surprised

 

[James_G]

Photos as promised:

Lining up at Vines in Guildford to register, collect route map and free bag of sweets. These are the Vines cars

And these are our cars

A couple of AUC Z4s lined up for the taking, including a Z4MR that was owned by somebody on here until recently

Heading for the open(ish) road

Nice coupe, sporting some alternatives to CSLs and according to the owner, soon to have a big brake kit

Quick pit stop of the A31 for us all to regroup

My own car

Further pit stop half way through the journey, and time to meet some other members

Nice, classic and simple 23i from Vines in great colour combo

Chance to have a loook at the Z1 and see a demonstration of those doors

Interesting Z3M coupe

Lovely Ruby Black Z4MR with extended champagne leather. Also sporting a wooden dash, which I love, but a source of much debate recently on this very forum

AMC in the Bond Cars exhibition at the museum

Hours later Z1 still attracting a crowd

And finally, the new Z4 that I and few of you drove.

 

[Rolf-Dieter]

Sounds more like a forum meet where Vines is invited to provide the snacks

There's FREE FOOD!!!!!!!?????

Too far for me to swim .... food you say and free hmmmm think of all the food you get and the beer at the local pub for the petrol you be using the devil made me say it

I know ,,,,, I know ... bad joke, it be a fun time to be had ...

 

[AJZ4London]

Ahh, I recognise the pics - it was you guys on the M3! I was the black Z4 that drove past everyone...nice and slowly. What a friendly bunch you are!

 

[srhutch]

Ahh, I recognise the pics - it was you guys on the M3! I was the black Z4 that drove past everyone...nice and slowly. What a friendly bunch you are!

Not me, didnt touch the M3, did you attend then AJ?

 

[James_G]

Ahh, I recognise the pics - it was you guys on the M3! I was the black Z4 that drove past everyone...nice and slowly. What a friendly bunch you are!

I think I remember seeing you. Private reg and a bit of a scrape on the passenger door (not that you probably want reminding of that :thumbsdown: )?