///Whippy aerial - Market watch

[Ewazix]

The iconic Whippy is becoming rare and sought after so I thought it would be worth starting a market watch thread to track prices as they rise. This is a lovely original example but probably top-of-the market pricewise?

Maybe one for the serious investor to garage and use sparingly rather than as a daily, in which case the value can only go one way!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-E85-STERO-RADIO-AERIAL-ANTENNA-6902689-6913897-/262839023123?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

 

[Darren Slone]

I'll watch this with interest as mine is a low miler garage queen Whippy, I know it should really be used but I can't bring myself to put the FM airwaves through it, I'm hoping they become a collectors item in the future, better than the housing market I reckon as a future investment

 

[metal licker]

:lol:

 

[Ducklakeview]

Base looks a tad wide on that, sure it's not a counterfeit???

Mike

 

[Ducklakeview]

Ah, just realised it's the whole item, including base, probably been torn from the wing by the extra drag created by the whip, a problem I've avoided ala stubby

Wonder if we should add "holes created in rear wing during excessive winds" to the list of common problems, that can be avoided??

Mike

 

[mr wilks]

I'll watch this with interest as mine is a low miler garage queen Whippy, I know it should really be used but I can't bring myself to put the FM airwaves through it, I'm hoping they become a collectors item in the future, better than the housing market I reckon as a future investment

 

[Ducklakeview]

I'll watch this with interest as mine is a low miler garage queen Whippy, I know it should really be used but I can't bring myself to put the FM airwaves through it, I'm hoping they become a collectors item in the future, better than the housing market I reckon as a future investment

Actually, seeing as I slung mine, erm, sorry put it in a fur lined box in the garage when I got my stubby, does that make mine a garage queen also?

Mike

 

[Ewazix]

I'll watch this with interest as mine is a low miler garage queen Whippy, I know it should really be used but I can't bring myself to put the FM airwaves through it, I'm hoping they become a collectors item in the future, better than the housing market I reckon as a future investment

Your'e right! Well serviced examples will be 'blue-chip' IMHO but if they didn't have their 100 MHz running in lube I can see BIG problems for future owners, and prices!

I'm using McNett Black Silicone grease on the threads every 6k miles even though BMW say they are supposed to be 'sealed for life' :roll:
I've tried yellow and blue but they really didn't perform as well particularly on track days, so it's 'Black stuff' for me

 

[mr wilks]

can't complain with a good chuckle on a February Monday

 

[Darren Slone]

I've always insisted on copper slip for the threads, I've not looked if it's the recommended product or not in fairness, never, ever let me down, I remember a few years ago when I routinely removed it to polish it that at first touch it was a tad tight but the copper slip did its job perfectly and unscrewed without issue, it's a family favourite but each to their own

 

[Chris_D]

Expected fred to be all over this thread, but he's probably in bed, being fed, or brown bread...
:lol:

 

[mr wilks]

I've always insisted on copper slip for the threads, I've not looked if it's the recommended product or not in fairness, never, ever let me down, I remember a few years ago when I routinely removed it to polish it that at first touch it was a tad tight but the copper slip did its job perfectly and unscrewed without issue, it's a family favourite but each to their own

Have you ever been tempted to have your whippy "tuned " ive heard great things , some really healthy increases in bandwidth available with the right company

 

[Darren Slone]

I've always insisted on copper slip for the threads, I've not looked if it's the recommended product or not in fairness, never, ever let me down, I remember a few years ago when I routinely removed it to polish it that at first touch it was a tad tight but the copper slip did its job perfectly and unscrewed without issue, it's a family favourite but each to their own

Have you ever been tempted to have your whippy "tuned " ive heard great things , some really healthy increases in bandwidth available with the right company

There's a thought, don't want to put too much stress on it though, it's such a sweet performer as it is the extra bandwidths may make it tempremetal, would I have to upgrade the Speaker system if I went with the mod? Would it be expensive? How about my warranty? So many questions ......

 

[Ewazix]

I've always insisted on copper slip for the threads, I've not looked if it's the recommended product or not in fairness, never, ever let me down, I remember a few years ago when I routinely removed it to polish it that at first touch it was a tad tight but the copper slip did its job perfectly and unscrewed without issue, it's a family favourite but each to their own

Madness Darren! the Whippy tolerances are way too tight for copper slip, socket big-end wear can be a real issue so you are just asking for trouble

I honestly think you need to have it stripped down for a big-end inspection and collar re-shim. Expensive? yes, but worth it for peace of mind and to avoid big re-build bills!

 

[Darren Slone]

I've always insisted on copper slip for the threads, I've not looked if it's the recommended product or not in fairness, never, ever let me down, I remember a few years ago when I routinely removed it to polish it that at first touch it was a tad tight but the copper slip did its job perfectly and unscrewed without issue, it's a family favourite but each to their own

Madness Darren! the Whippy tolerances are way too tight for copper slip, socket big-end wear can be a real issue so you are just asking for trouble

I honestly think you need to have it stripped down for a big-end inspection and collar re-shim. Expensive? yes, but worth it for peace of mind and to avoid big re-build bills!

Crikey what was I thinking! I've just realised I've been using the same copper slip as I did on all my other Classic Aerials , my MG Midget (1968 ) TR6 ( 72 ) 924 ( 81 ) 205 GTI ( 89 ) all old school cars and obviously the Z4 is a modern classic so I should use modern products! Thanks for the heads up and fingers crossed I've not done too much damage, I'll start a thread on my rebuild along with detailed pictures to back up the history

 

[firebobby]

Expected fred to be all over this thread, but he's probably in bed, being fed, or brown bread...
:lol:

Well I have been away and just got home, can't believe all this whippy love on the forum, you guys :roll: , I was starting to think you didn't
like the lovely whippy but I got you all wrong

 

[Chris_D]

While Fred was away at bandcamp he totally lost his sense and understanding of irony and sarcasm.
:lol:

 

[co-pey]

Man. I must be one of the few who likes the long whip. I suppose it's my amateur radio (ham radio in common parlance) that enjoys a longer antenna so I can get better reception.

Besides, you know longer is better...

 

[G600]

I've always insisted on copper slip for the threads

Great idea, the improved conductivity also helps with reception!

 

[Ewazix]

Looks like there is a whippy shortage developing, apparently dealers are buying and stock-piling to drive up prices and they are now being stolen!

Argenta, one of our own had his robbed so take care not to buy a ringer!
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=94650