What have you done to your car today?

[Tango22]

is there a reason why you didn't go for a plug and play solution like this?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charger-Adapter-Cigarette-Lighter-Compatible/dp/B08KDRBCGZ/ref=sr_1_4?crid=17SQTWSX26HJR&keywords=dual+usb+cigarette+lighter&qid=1655300452&sprefix=dual+usb+cigarette+lighter%2Caps%2C58&sr=8-4

I have had my eye on this one as my phone charges at 30W these days and I have a surface laptop that can take 45W so could trickle charge on it also.

I had a similar plug in one m8, almost identical to that one but exactly as enuff_zed said - I didn't like that you couldn't close the lid and had to wrench the thing out of the cigarette lighter socket everytime you wanted to close the lid. That and if you left that plug and play one in there permanently it would drain electricity - albeit not much as I've heard folk say they have left theirs in all the time without any starting issues. I like the ability of this one that you can press the on/off button as you see fit and that you can also close the lid down too. Picky, I know!!!

 

[enuff_zed]

is there a reason why you didn't go for a plug and play solution like this?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charger-Adapter-Cigarette-Lighter-Compatible/dp/B08KDRBCGZ/ref=sr_1_4?crid=17SQTWSX26HJR&keywords=dual+usb+cigarette+lighter&qid=1655300452&sprefix=dual+usb+cigarette+lighter%2Caps%2C58&sr=8-4

I have had my eye on this one as my phone charges at 30W these days and I have a surface laptop that can take 45W so could trickle charge on it also.

I had a similar plug in one m8, almost identical to that one but exactly as enuff_zed said - I didn't like that you couldn't close the lid and had to wrench the thing out of the cigarette lighter socket everytime you wanted to close the lid. That and if you left that plug and play one in there permanently it would drain electricity - albeit not much as I've heard folk say they have left theirs in all the time without any starting issues. I like the ability of this one that you can press the on/off button as you see fit and that you can also close the lid down too. Picky, I know!!!

May I ask where you got it please? I feel a mod coming on.

 

[Tango22]

Amazon m8, link below. There is also a slightly fancier one with a voltmeter reading but I didn't bother with that:-

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07ZJ1PSWR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[enuff_zed]

Amazon m8, link below. There is also a slightly fancier one with a voltmeter reading but I didn't bother with that:-

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07ZJ1PSWR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thank you

 

[MikeyH]

What a great idea

 

[zriha]

Like it's not inflation, so I treated my Zed with a new top centre plastic cover:


Part number: 54347016892
Offical BMW Part sales: 77 GBP

 

[Zulu4]

is there a reason why you didn't go for a plug and play solution like this?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charger-Adapter-Cigarette-Lighter-Compatible/dp/B08KDRBCGZ/ref=sr_1_4?crid=17SQTWSX26HJR&keywords=dual+usb+cigarette+lighter&qid=1655300452&sprefix=dual+usb+cigarette+lighter%2Caps%2C58&sr=8-4

I have had my eye on this one as my phone charges at 30W these days and I have a surface laptop that can take 45W so could trickle charge on it also.

I had a similar plug in one m8, almost identical to that one but exactly as enuff_zed said - I didn't like that you couldn't close the lid and had to wrench the thing out of the cigarette lighter socket everytime you wanted to close the lid. That and if you left that plug and play one in there permanently it would drain electricity - albeit not much as I've heard folk say they have left theirs in all the time without any starting issues. I like the ability of this one that you can press the on/off button as you see fit and that you can also close the lid down too. Picky, I know!!!

May I ask where you got it please? I feel a mod coming on.

I fitted the one with the voltmeter a while ago - very handy to see how the battery is doing :

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=93757&hilit=rally+chris&start=9705

 

[SonnyA85]

is there a reason why you didn't go for a plug and play solution like this?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charger-Adapter-Cigarette-Lighter-Compatible/dp/B08KDRBCGZ/ref=sr_1_4?crid=17SQTWSX26HJR&keywords=dual+usb+cigarette+lighter&qid=1655300452&sprefix=dual+usb+cigarette+lighter%2Caps%2C58&sr=8-4

I have had my eye on this one as my phone charges at 30W these days and I have a surface laptop that can take 45W so could trickle charge on it also.

I had a similar plug in one m8, almost identical to that one but exactly as enuff_zed said - I didn't like that you couldn't close the lid and had to wrench the thing out of the cigarette lighter socket everytime you wanted to close the lid. That and if you left that plug and play one in there permanently it would drain electricity - albeit not much as I've heard folk say they have left theirs in all the time without any starting issues. I like the ability of this one that you can press the on/off button as you see fit and that you can also close the lid down too. Picky, I know!!!

Yeah the on/off button is handy. I charge my Z4 battery every weekend now as part of my weekly routine to make sure it's topped up.

I suppose the only downside is that it's no longer stock OEM which someone may not like. I have been using an older one for 6 years already that I simply pull out and place it in the ash tray when I leave the car.

Is there room to install without cutting? Like could you potentially feed the wire through the hole and use some double sited tape to hold it in place on top of the existing hole and still close the lid? That way it can be reversed if ever needed in case a potential buyer wanted it stock

 

[MikeyH]

Took my wiper motor out today and cleaned out the grease, now the wipers sit better. Easier job than I thought with the forum guides. And then washed the car.

 

[Tango22]

Yeah the on/off button is handy. I charge my Z4 battery every weekend now as part of my weekly routine to make sure it's topped up.

I suppose the only downside is that it's no longer stock OEM which someone may not like. I have been using an older one for 6 years already that I simply pull out and place it in the ash tray when I leave the car.

Is there room to install without cutting? Like could you potentially feed the wire through the hole and use some double sited tape to hold it in place on top of the existing hole and still close the lid? That way it can be reversed if ever needed in case a potential buyer wanted it stock

From the size and depth of the USB unit I'd say nope - the hole in the panel needs trimming, but only slightly. That said, if someone wanted to revert back to completely stock/OEM they could easily pick up a replacement centre trim panel/ashtray unit if it really bothered them that much.

Personally I don't have any plans to sell the car anytime soon - she's a keeper, so it doesn't bother me

 

[enuff_zed]

Well 24 hours after seeing [ref]Tango22[/ref]'s USB mod, Amazon have delivered and wifey's 2.5i now has the same.
Only differences are that she wanted red lighting and we couldn't see a real need to retain the waterproof rubber cap. (Now of course she'll spill coffee in it tomorrow! :roll: )
Dead easy to fit once you get the ash tray assembly all out on the bench. I removed the switch assembly and the black plastic cover on the back just to give a bit more access. In fact, if you don't remove the black plastic trim then I don't know if you'd be able to get the retaining collar done up tight.
When you look at the cigarette lighter socket you will see there is a slight recess in the plastic around the hole. Basically this all needs to come out, but do it a little bit at a time and keep checking to ensure a snug fit.
They supply loads of wire, but you can lose a lot of it, as long as you retain the little in-line fuse on the power side.
[ref]bigwinn[/ref], linked you in so you can find it.

 

[bigwinn]

Well 24 hours after seeing [ref]Tango22[/ref]'s USB mod, Amazon have delivered and wifey's 2.5i now has the same.
Only differences are that she wanted red lighting and we couldn't see a real need to retain the waterproof rubber cap. (Now of course she'll spill coffee in it tomorrow! :roll: )
Dead easy to fit once you get the ash tray assembly all out on the bench. I removed the switch assembly and the black plastic cover on the back just to give a bit more access. In fact, if you don't remove the black plastic trim then I don't know if you'd be able to get the retaining collar done up tight.
When you look at the cigarette lighter socket you will see there is a slight recess in the plastic around the hole. Basically this all needs to come out, but do it a little bit at a time and keep checking to ensure a snug fit.
They supply loads of wire, but you can lose a lot of it, as long as you retain the little in-line fuse on the power side.
[ref]bigwinn[/ref], linked you in so you can find it.
USB Mod.JPG

Thanks matey

 

[TheDan]

Gave it a much needed bath

 

[SonnyA85]

I use my cigarette lighter to power my tyre pump/compressor. I'm going to stick with the pop in and out. I totally forgot about that otherwise it could have been a worthwhile mod.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Took it to Ross at RBM for a new cooling fan to finally sort my A/C - pretty good timing really!

 

[True-Blue]

Received an email from Auto.doc to say the suspension kit ordered for my E89 is on the way 8)

 

[Chris_D]

Plastidipped my shabby 108's.

Thought about doing a full refurb but the cost, hassle of splitting and risk of them going quickly bad again anyway put me off.
Decided to have a crack at the Plastidip aluminium finish paint after watching a few youface vids. My winters are dipped black and I've been impressed with the durability so at 12 European Euros a can it wasn't going to break the bank to try it.
To say I'm impressed is an understatement. From a distance they look like they've had a full refurb and paint/laquer and the paint catches the sun like normal spraypaint.
Close-up and you can notice where I didn't flatten down the chipped laquer enough, but I can live with that. Compared to how they looked it's a complete transformation.

Bought 4 cans but managed to use just 2 with each wheel getting about 6 coats. Cheap as chips!
I'll use another can to try and conceal the laquer ridges a bit.

 

[Zedebee]

That looks good Chris, what is the colour? How close is it to the standard BMW alloy wheel colour, which I think is “reflex silver”?

 

[MikeyH]

Looking good and much better than it was

 

[sw4nny]

Drove it,well why waste today doing anything, else just stopped at our digs for the next two days