What is it really useful to know as a new e89 owner?

[JakeS76]

I'm a week into owning and driving my Z4, and enjoying it massively.
But what would be really helpful to know? Like with my SLK it would have been really helpful to know that you have to keep an eye on the drain hole below the front windscreen passenger side. Otherwise the battery compartment floods, then the Aircon fan and motor floods.

My car is a 20is auto with around 60k, 2012

Do I need to flush and replace the coolant?
Do I need to wrap the hydraulic pump in plastic to.protect it from any water ingress?

Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[RobbiZ4]

Welcome and have fun with your "new" E89.


As she is already 12 year old, have a look at my recommendations regarding the complex roof:


E89: Retractable Hardtop (roof) Maintenance (and additional) tasks
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=130932

 

[MarshMA10]

Risk of boot leaks and wet battery / roof motor from shoddy rear lights seal design. That’s the main one for me.

I’m only a few months into E89 35i ownership myself so
I will be interested to see responses too.

Believe the stock 19” alloys are crack-prone?

 

[JakeS76]

Robbiz4 do you put plastic just underneath the pump or on top.of it as well? And would wrapping the pump in plastic make it overheat?

 

[Pondrew]

Another important one on an E89 is to keep the battery healthy. They really do not like anything but a very well charged battery. They can have brain farts and decide there are all sorts wrong when they are not.

Treat ALL rubber seals (there's miles of the bloody things) with a silicone based goo; Gummi Pflege or similar. You can bet the previous owner(s) have never done it and it is the easiest way to help keep water out of the cabin and boot.

If it's an M Sport, watch those wheels and avoid potholes like the plague. Some of the wheels (326Ms and 296Ms especially) can crack if you look at them funny!

Good cars though! :wink:

 

[JakeS76]

Thanks, are there any issues with removing the battery to charge it? As I have to keep my car on the road or a car park

 

[Johnbmwz4]

Yes don’t close the boot lid………..

 

[javis20]

If it's a 2012, it might actually be the original battery... If it is replace it. \

Salmon colored relays on the hydraulic unit.. Replace them.

Also, if you have an android phone, you might want to consider buying the Bimmergeeks ProTool app. This will allow you to accurately diagnose convertible top issues and open the boot if there is a major roof problem. It will also tell you when the battery was last changed.

Lastly, keep an eye on the boot for water leaks. Typical areas are the tail light seal and boot seal. Here is a video I did I repairing a torn boot seal.
https://youtu.be/-0LUeMhHwWw

 

[RobbiZ4]

Robbiz4 do you put plastic just underneath the pump or on top.of it as well? And would wrapping the pump in plastic make it overheat?

I simply cut a 120-liter garden plastic bag to approx. 50 cm and place it around the pump from below. There is no heat problem, as PVC starts to melt at around 180°C, which should never be the case on the pump.

 

[RobbiZ4]

Thanks, are there any issues with removing the battery to charge it? As I have to keep my car on the road or a car park

Yes don’t close the boot lid………..

Correct, prevent the boot lid from getting closed before removing the battery. There are 2 flippers in the lid which should be pressed to block the lid before laying it down. This way no blanket or anything els is required to keep the boot accessible.

 

[JakeS76]

Thanks for the warnings on the boot lid.. Any chance of a photo of the flippers that you need to flip?

The battery is a Varta and looks recent

 

[Pondrew]

The battery is a Varta and looks recent

It's not original then. There should be a date stamp on the battery somewhere.
If you have a multimeter, it is worth checking the battery voltage daily (or every few days at least) to see how well it's holding it's charge IMO.

 

[RobbiZ4]

Any chance of a photo of the flippers that you need to flip?

=> My already linked maintenance thread.

The battery is a Varta and looks recent

It's not original then. There should be a date stamp on the battery somewhere.

IMHO not on the VARTA's, only on the OEM's.
Important is, that it got replaced in between. So I wouldn't care about it at the moment.

 

[B21]

I’d check the service history…suggest changing the oil/filter and brake fluid..

Also if it’s a keepers change the gearbox oil.

The one Achilles heel of thThe engine is the camchain so keep an eye / ear on it

Prepare for a re-map.. :driving: :driving:

 

[N4LLY]

If you have extended lighting: You can have BMW logo puddle lights.
If you have extended storage: There is a handy cubby under the head light switches. Took me 2 - 3 years before i discovered it.

 

[JakeS76]

It's got loads of options but not the extended lighting unfortunately. It has the ski hatch option and lots of netting around the cabin so I'll have a look for a driver's side cubby hole by the steering wheel.

 

[Pondrew]

It's got loads of options but not the extended lighting unfortunately. It has the ski hatch option and lots of netting around the cabin so I'll have a look for a driver's side cubby hole by the steering wheel.

If you have 'netting' and the elasticated straps in the boot, then you have 'extended storage' so you should have the coin holder drawer aswell.

 

[JakeS76]

It has a cubby hole by the steering wheel. Thanks for the pointers

 

[JakeS76]

Either side inside the boot / trunk is a warning sticker for No bags. I'm assuming this is because if you put a bag there it will block the roof opening mechanism? Or is it ok to put light bags there?

 

[javis20]

Don't even put a kernel of popcorn there. Roof will jam. Also never leave that little compartment door open. Again the roof will seriously jam.