My BMW E85 Z4 3.0i

[stradale]

I came across that Satnav problem at the BMW where I worked Stradale. They said the same thing to customers then, that it would take some time in labour and they charge 250 euros for the dvd... An awfull lot if you ask me.

Like you said yourself there are specialists who do it but is it not possible to buy a dvd and do it yourself? My neighbour has got a 3-series and bought a dvd off the internet and did it himself. Then again he's got the new idrive system so not sure if it works the same..

My car has the mk4 DVD system, which is different from the later idrive systems. It's not just a matter of loading a new dvd. I'm told that there is some software available that could seriously disrupt the whole system, so I'm not taking any chances.

@ pterps: Dank je wel! Hopelijk hoef je niet te wachten totdat de meiden uit huis zijn!

[TopGearNL]

My car has the mk4 DVD system, which is different from the later idrive systems. It's not just a matter of loading a new dvd. I'm told that there is some software available that could seriously disrupt the whole system, so I'm not taking any chances.

Ah I see, too bad its not as simple as that. Must be a marketing strategy behind that idea 

Have you found one of those specialist yet?

[Schwalbe]

Congrats Roland for your new purchase, it must be really fun to drive with the top down and hear the cool straight 6 engine. 

[ZfrkS62]

Roland, Is there a "Settings" menu on your system? On US models with board monitor you can select between a couple of languages through that menu.

[danidmas]

Your old 320i definitely needed a replacement... and the Z4 sounds about the prefect choice if you ask me

Love the engine AND the wheels - that's the combo I would've taken. To bad about the stratch, especially considering it was the first week of ownership. Good thing of my trusty Meriveyron is that I don't give a fuck about dents or scratches anymore. I smashed my front bumper against a rock in front of Hotel Zur Burg the other day at the AvD Oldtimer GP... and all I said was "oh, well..." Things are gonna change with my next car that's for sure *wishing it's an Audi A4 Avant*

Skaala is completely right - this car deserves a couple of laps at the Ring! Do you want a experienced co-driver?

[stradale]

@ ZfrkS62: I tried everything... The funny thing is, the previous owner showed me some sort of menu where I could at least choose english instead of german. I tried all the buttons and combinations as suggested on the forums, but I can't find it anywhere. Oh well, I know for a fact that I wouldn't be able to select dutch anyway.

@ Dani: You're very welcome to give me some guidance for lines, entry points, braking points etc.  I'd probably need that!

[stradale]

Good news: the car's been repaired. The dent from the rear quarter panel has been removed and the panel has had a respray. The front bumper has also had a full respray and looks like new. Last but not least, some small dents from the left side of the car have been removed.

Even with the temperatures dropping, the top goes down every time it looks like the sun is going to shine! Heater and heated seats on and it's still a joy to drive topless! This also means I put considerably more kms on it than I expected. I bought it late July with 81k on it, this week it just passed the 90k mark... 

The only worry so far: the electric windows sometimes make a horrible noise. As I have read this is a common problem with the Z4 and means that the rollers of the mechanism need to be oiled or else I'd be expecting a complete failure of the mechanism...

[ZfrkS62]

is it a grinding noise through it's entire travel or is it a popping noise at the end of the travel? Either way, there's no way to oil or lube those things, replacement of the lifter is the only solution.

BMW used a cable lifter which has two posts, 4 plastic idler pulleys and another plastic pulley driven by a motor, all connected by a steel cable. On the posts, there is a slider which the window sits in and is connected to the steel cable. The way the cable fits in the slider is essentially just a plastic tab which weakens with age and pops out. Once that happens, your window will be stuck.

Also, be aware of the 3rd brake light in the decklid. The colored plastic lens has a tendency to delaminate from the body and allow water to leak into the trunk. I just replaced a radio amplifier/wiring harness because of this. a $50 part caused about 4k in damage

[stradale]

It's a squeeky noise, as if the rubber window linings have suddenly started pressing against the window too hard, giving too much resistance. It sounds awful. I think I hear it when the car's warm after standing in sunlight and mostly after the window hasn't been used for a while. Although in the back of my mind I knew better after reading a lot about it on different forums, I bought a can of rubber spray and sprayed it on all rubber parts surrounding the windows. So far that didn't help.

Thanks for the warning about the third brake light. I'll make sure to check for moist regularly from now on. I haven't noticed anything yet. You're right, the DSP is directly underneath the floor at the very rear of the trunk, so it's directly in the path of any water leaking in. I wouldn't like having to replace it. $4k...? Jeez... 

[gucom]

wow, somehow I totally missed this! Great car!!
The Z4 was one of the very few Bangle cars I instantly liked (the 6 series as well, but it took me a long time to get used to the other cars).
The new Z4 is actually the only Van Hooydonk car I like (in fact, I think it's one the best-looking cars being produced anywhere right now!).

Love the colour, love the wheels!

[stradale]

Thanks, Bart! As the Z4 was introduced I wasn't sure what to think of it. I've always loved the rear end, but the flame surfaced sides and the nose were not immediately to my liking. A year later I loved it!

The best thing about this car is carefully hidden from view though. Ooooooohhhh, that sweet sweet inline six.... 

[ARMAN]

^^

[stradale]

All hail to the prophet called Zfrk…  The corner on the far right of my third brake light has broken off. No idea how that happened. As a result I regularly find myself checking for moist in the boot. So far no sign of anything, but I want to have it replaced before water does leak in.

[rant]After hearing terrible experiences of customers with the local BMW dealer, I rang a supposedly better dealer 30 kms away. Better yet, I rang them three times. Every time the service desk was occupied and every time the receptionist said they’d call me back. Which they didn’t, except for the last time. At which point I spoke to someone who couldn’t see whether the part was available, who didn’t know the cost and who didn’t know when I could swing by to have it fixed.  I’m aware it’s not the biggest job that needs to be done on my car, but it seems these people refuse to make money… They’re supposed to ring me back with the answers, but I’m not planning on waiting till they do. Perhaps they’re more interested in doing the Inspection II (due in 2,500 km) for me.[/rant]

The windows have stopped squeaking. I guess it’s the temperatures. No peace of mind though, as I’m afraid complete failure of the mechanism is only a matter of time. 

If you get the impression I’m not enjoying ownership of the Z4 right now, I blame it on the gloomy season. Every drive is a joy, whether it’s an all-out blast on some curvy B-roads or a two hour schlep on the motorways. With sun shining and the top down it’s the best. But even in rainy conditions it’s fun. This thing does everything. Of course its best trick is full throttle from second through third and fourth, brake as you come up to a corner, shift back to third, enter the corner, feed in the power and make a slingshot exit. Stomp on the throttle in a wet corner and the back wheels slide wide a bit (with the safety systems on, that is, haven’t had the opportunity to see what it does with the systems off). Or a series of corners, flowing through, using nothing but third gear and the brakes. It feels like a sports car all the time, but if you want to make smooth, fast and relatively comfortable progress, shift to sixth gear (just north of 3,000 rpm at 150 km/h), turn up the sound system and the climate controlled cabin is a great place to sit in. A Lotus it ain’t.

Temperatures are dropping quite rapidly, so I’ll swap the bigger and wider summer tyres for the cold weather tyres on 17” wheels shortly. I bought a new trolley jack low enough (80mm) to go underneath the car, so I’m all set. Can’t wait to drive it on a dry sunny winter day with the top down through snow white scenery.

[danidmas]

I hate when people do that (in general): they tell you they're gonna call you back, and you keep waiting and waiting for nothing. Don't they want to make money? 'Cause sometimes it seems not!


On the Z4 3.0 experience, I'm glad you're enjoying to the fullest!   I bet you use it with the top down everytime you can. I'd do the same. Here, on the other hand, people rarely use their convertibles as such - I don't know if it's for the jealousy in our society, for the über-hot weather in summer, or the cold temperatures in winter. The fact is that out of 10 cabrios you see on the street/road, only one is driving with the top down

[ZfrkS62]

Roland, try not to get too upset with not being called back. My advisor fields damn near every call that comes her way and sometimes it's just difficult to get hold of the parts department and by the time they are free, you've got 3 clients waiting to check in, one in front of you, 3 repair orders to close and 2 call with price estimates on work that needs to be done. By then an hour or more has passed and 5 voicemails need to be listened to and returned. In all of that, it's easy to lose track of a phone number. Which is not to say that SOMEONE couldn't have called you back by now.

It's almost better to just get hold of your dealer's parts department directly and ask them what the cost of the tail light is. It's not a difficult part to install on your own at all. In all honesty, the Inspection 2 is bullshit. The only things on top of the only change that get done are the replacement of the engine air filters and ac microfilters. All in all, you can do the oil change yourself and reset the service light on your own.

[stradale]

@ Dani: all you need is dry weather, although rain doesn't do much harm either as long as you're driving. As soon as you stop at a traffic light, the top is closed within 10 seconds. There's no reason not to drop the top, except for when the top itself is wet. If it's cold, a scarf and perhaps gloves will do. The heater and the heated seats do the rest. If it's very hot it can be uncomfortable driving around town with the top down.

@ Zfrk: I was planning on replacing the third brake light myself now. As far as servicing the car though, I don't have a suitable place and I'd like to have it carried out by a pro. I thought Inspection 2 also meant replacement of the spark plugs.  And then there's also the fact that the car has always been serviced at a dealer and I'd like to keep it that way.

[Daggernite]

Awesome car, I like this Z4 better than the latest one. Im a roadster fanatic and bet the Z4 is great fun.

[stradale]

I wouldn't say no to a new E89 Sdrive 35i, but I also like the E85 better. I saw them side by side last Saturday and the E89 is quite big and soft in comparison. I haven't driven an E89, but from what I've read about it I gather that most petrolheads prefer the old one. Supposedly it has more of a sports car feel and is more nimble.

[ZfrkS62]

US spec gets plugs at 100,000 miles. They are supposed to measure the parking brake shoes as well I believe, but unless you're well over 100k, or have driven with the parking brake on, they'll be fine.

[stradale]

^^^ I'm still in doubt. (And still no phonecall, so plenty of time to continue pondering) 

unless you (...) have driven with the parking brake on (...)

What's wrong with that? It's the only way to prevent myself speeding...