My midlife crisis purchase; E86 BMW Z4 Coupe
Discussion
That looks cracking Sam- I'll admit I spotted your 335i on M3Cutters last week and was a bit surprised when I recognised the car! If I wasn't in the process of buying a flat then I'd most likely have been giving you a call- I've still got a hankering for an E92 and something a bit quicker, and yours was probably the nicest example out there...
The fact that you keep coming back to manual N52's from the turbocharged cars though probably means that it's the right decision keeping mine.
Your Z4 already looks miles nicer, looking forward to seeing how you continue to improve it.
The fact that you keep coming back to manual N52's from the turbocharged cars though probably means that it's the right decision keeping mine.
Your Z4 already looks miles nicer, looking forward to seeing how you continue to improve it.
Mr Scruff said:
Joining the photo love. Not sure what to do with mine, it’s no longer needed but I do love it. Deciding whether to keep as an occasional car and invest more money into it or move it on.
Hard choice though. I mean, look at it….
That looks lovely (#biased). Hard choice though. I mean, look at it….
I’d be tempted to hang in to it if you have the space / funds to run it as a third car.
I’m growing very fond of mine very quickly. It always manages to feel quite special.
Sofa said:
That looks cracking Sam- I'll admit I spotted your 335i on M3Cutters last week and was a bit surprised when I recognised the car! If I wasn't in the process of buying a flat then I'd most likely have been giving you a call- I've still got a hankering for an E92 and something a bit quicker, and yours was probably the nicest example out there...
The fact that you keep coming back to manual N52's from the turbocharged cars though probably means that it's the right decision keeping mine. Your Z4 already looks miles nicer, looking forward to seeing how you continue to improve it.
Cheers. As I said on my 335i thread, because I had it in my head that I was changing cars this year I thought that I’d stick it up for sale because it would make my decision for me one way or another….and so it did. The fact that you keep coming back to manual N52's from the turbocharged cars though probably means that it's the right decision keeping mine.
Your Z4 already looks miles nicer, looking forward to seeing how you continue to improve it.There is something about a manual, six cylinder BMW that I find hard to see past these days. I’m a big fan of the N52 as well.
I used my Seasucker carrier for the first time today and managed to arrived at my destination with a bike still attached, which was a result! The idea of having a fairly expensive bike held to the roof with suctioning cups is a bit daunting. I did stop a few times to check it was still OK.
Pleased with the car so far - it’s reasonably economical currently returning 28.5mpg and I’m getting more used to the driving position.
The idea of having a fairly expensive bike held to the roof with suctioning cups is a bit daunting. I did stop a few times to check it was still OK. Pleased with the car so far - it’s reasonably economical currently returning 28.5mpg and I’m getting more used to the driving position.
Court_S said:
I used my Seasucker carrier for the first time today and managed to arrived at my destination with a bike still attached, which was a result! The idea of having a fairly expensive bike held to the roof with suctioning cups is a bit daunting. I did stop a few times to check it was still OK.
Pleased with the car so far - it’s reasonably economical currently returning 28.5mpg and I’m getting more used to the driving position.
I don’t even trust phone holders with suction cups haha The idea of having a fairly expensive bike held to the roof with suctioning cups is a bit daunting. I did stop a few times to check it was still OK. Pleased with the car so far - it’s reasonably economical currently returning 28.5mpg and I’m getting more used to the driving position.
How’s does the Z4 compare to the 130i?
DKIE92 said:
I don’t even trust phone holders with suction cups haha
How’s does the Z4 compare to the 130i?
I know what you mean but people seem to love these…and it’s my only option! How’s does the Z4 compare to the 130i?
My 130i had better suspension but it was fitted with the Birds B1 kit, so not entirely fair. The engine in the Z4 is much more vocal and it feels a fair more special car to sit in….and it’s much prettier.
Mr Scruff said:
Joining the photo love. Not sure what to do with mine, it’s no longer needed but I do love it. Deciding whether to keep as an occasional car and invest more money into it or move it on.
Hard choice though. I mean, look at it….
They look fantastic, which is what drew me to one in 2014. Hard choice though. I mean, look at it….
I'd keep it if you can, or at least be sure you were ready to live without it if you sold it.
I found out the hard way. Had a big bill for a new water pump and let someone looking for one view it, then took it for a drive the next day and realised how much I'd miss it. Then sure enough that evening I got a call from the person who'd seen it wanting to put a deposit on it, so a few days later I'd put a deposit on my next one!
I kept that for 3 and a half years until an MC was advertised at a price I couldn't ignore.
Just spotted this. Looks bloody great CS. I have to say these keep tempting me. I don't think they'll ever get cheaper. Beautifully proportioned RWD coupe, manual box and a superb engine. Ticks a lot of boxes. I'll watch how you get on with interest.
Court_S said:
Then I waxed the polished areas with Fusso Coat topped off with Kiwami Extreme:
I almost daren't ask this as I know it'll end up costing me £20 but what is the purpose of the Kiwami Extreme? I recently tried soft99 Glaco for the first time which lead onto me trying Fusso and I've been impressed by both. Does the Kiwami just add some gloss on top of the wax? Gad-Westy said:
Just spotted this. Looks bloody great CS. I have to say these keep tempting me. I don't think they'll ever get cheaper. Beautifully proportioned RWD coupe, manual box and a superb engine. Ticks a lot of boxes. I'll watch how you get on with interest.
Thanks. I think they’re a bit of a bargain too.Court_S said:
Then I waxed the polished areas with Fusso Coat topped off with Kiwami Extreme:
I almost daren't ask this as I know it'll end up costing me £20 but what is the purpose of the Kiwami Extreme? I recently tried soft99 Glaco for the first time which lead onto me trying Fusso and I've been impressed by both. Does the Kiwami just add some gloss on top of the wax? I use Fusso coat for durability and the Kiwami for extra gloss / beading. It seems to give a really nice depth to the paint colour but it’s not a very hardy wax.
I ticked off a couple more little jobs today.
First up was a replacement filler cap cord with an eBay special (very exciting)
The plastic trim around the gearstick never fitted properly because of a broken clip, so I bought a repalon eBay which was a horrible grey colour so that was painted gloss black and fitted today.
First up was a replacement filler cap cord with an eBay special (very exciting)
The plastic trim around the gearstick never fitted properly because of a broken clip, so I bought a repalon eBay which was a horrible grey colour so that was painted gloss black and fitted today.
Court_S said:
I ticked off a couple more little jobs today.
First up was a replacement filler cap cord with an eBay special (very exciting)
I did the same on my E89, though it looks like the rubber is already cracking a bit on it.First up was a replacement filler cap cord with an eBay special (very exciting)
Still, it's hardly mission critical, and cheap enough if I need to replace it again.
christhreadgill said:
Looks fantastic with the bike on top! Glad to see you're getting on with some of the little niggles on it, too. Always enjoy the "smaller" tasks on a new purchase, to bring it back up to standard after all the years gone by.
Thanks. It did look kind of cool with bikes on the roof…here’s another from yesterday. I did get a few strange looks with the bikes on the car though.
I’m looking forward to getting stuck into some of the bigger jobs this weekend.
InitialDave said:
I did the same on my E89, though it looks like the rubber is already cracking a bit on it.
Still, it's hardly mission critical, and cheap enough if I need to replace it again.
It’s one of those silly things that just annoys me when I fill up. For a coupe of quid they get replaced. BMW wanted to sell me the whole filler cap. Still, it's hardly mission critical, and cheap enough if I need to replace it again.
Court_S said:
DKIE92 said:
I don’t even trust phone holders with suction cups haha
How’s does the Z4 compare to the 130i?
I know what you mean but people seem to love these…and it’s my only option! How’s does the Z4 compare to the 130i?
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