Discussion
Good evening, my name is Number Six and this is my car. It's a 2009 E89 Z4 35i sDrive (manual) in fairly good shape and so far nothing expensive has gone pop on it.
I traded in my Mk4 MX-5 for it in September 2017 and giddy with nearly double the horsepower and an extra half-ton over the 5 I drove straight to Scotland with my friend and his Mk4 to have a go at the North Coast 500 in really crap weather. It was a great trip, even though I was left for dead by my friend in his 1.5 round most of the mountains as I was trying to get used to the increased weight and power at the same time as wondering who decided run-flats were a good choice for these things
Six months on and we've settled into a fairly standard routine - I ignore mid-20s mpg and vague-ish handling and the car gets me where I need to be without complaint, in comfort and with a fair few pops and bangs if necessary. For a 9 year old car it wears its years well and was specced with adaptive suspension, Coral Red/w
e's Blush extended leather, extended storage which allows me to carry a couple of boxes of matches, every single badge removed, a bad stereo and a fee of nearly £150 to update the maps for the first time in 9 years. Oh and parking sensors front and rear because the bonnet is so long I will run out of talent parking it at some point without them. Yes, I am blonde. The wheels are nice too.
Plans for this one include a full detail soon as I touched it with a clay bar once which turned brown almost immediately. Then... I'm debating blacking out the lower grille slits on the front as I think it'll tidy up the appearance, or chopping it in for a facelifted version but I'm getting very attached to the old thing. Possibly a Porsche at some point, seems the obvious thing to do. Gah, I don't know.
I've been reading this site for over ten years but am a terrible procrastinator; I joined up to ask an insurance question a few years back and then forgot all about it. At some point I might bore you all with my car history which at points almost bankrupted me but we'll see.
Anyway, thanks for sitting through all that. And hello, again.
I traded in my Mk4 MX-5 for it in September 2017 and giddy with nearly double the horsepower and an extra half-ton over the 5 I drove straight to Scotland with my friend and his Mk4 to have a go at the North Coast 500 in really crap weather. It was a great trip, even though I was left for dead by my friend in his 1.5 round most of the mountains as I was trying to get used to the increased weight and power at the same time as wondering who decided run-flats were a good choice for these things
Six months on and we've settled into a fairly standard routine - I ignore mid-20s mpg and vague-ish handling and the car gets me where I need to be without complaint, in comfort and with a fair few pops and bangs if necessary. For a 9 year old car it wears its years well and was specced with adaptive suspension, Coral Red/w
e's Blush extended leather, extended storage which allows me to carry a couple of boxes of matches, every single badge removed, a bad stereo and a fee of nearly £150 to update the maps for the first time in 9 years. Oh and parking sensors front and rear because the bonnet is so long I will run out of talent parking it at some point without them. Yes, I am blonde. The wheels are nice too. Plans for this one include a full detail soon as I touched it with a clay bar once which turned brown almost immediately. Then... I'm debating blacking out the lower grille slits on the front as I think it'll tidy up the appearance, or chopping it in for a facelifted version but I'm getting very attached to the old thing. Possibly a Porsche at some point, seems the obvious thing to do. Gah, I don't know.
I've been reading this site for over ten years but am a terrible procrastinator; I joined up to ask an insurance question a few years back and then forgot all about it. At some point I might bore you all with my car history which at points almost bankrupted me but we'll see.
Anyway, thanks for sitting through all that. And hello, again.
As an ex owner, get a stubby aerial! Enhances the looks greatly.
Go-flat tyres & a goop tin in the cubby, lhs of the boot is the way forward. Ride is much better.
Apart from that, enjoy - I always found the heated seats & the a/c meant that if it wasn’t raining, the hood was down. That’s the rule!
Go-flat tyres & a goop tin in the cubby, lhs of the boot is the way forward. Ride is much better.
Apart from that, enjoy - I always found the heated seats & the a/c meant that if it wasn’t raining, the hood was down. That’s the rule!
You're all too kind. I've had a lot of enjoyment and wasted hours out of this place over the years so think of it as community service, just without the hi-viz.
If I keep the car, the tyres are getting changed. It's just that I'm approximately 1/4 Yorkshireman so I want the current boots to wear a bit more before cracking open the wallet. I suspect the wheels will need a refurb too. Where is best for the stubby aerial? eBay? Also, considering the car is guaranteed and currently on just under 50,000 miles am I being precious wanting to swap for the facelifted version?
I'll do the rest of my cars at some point. Well, the non-white goods among them (sorry Honda Accord, you are still the best 250 quid I ever spent).
If I keep the car, the tyres are getting changed. It's just that I'm approximately 1/4 Yorkshireman so I want the current boots to wear a bit more before cracking open the wallet. I suspect the wheels will need a refurb too. Where is best for the stubby aerial? eBay? Also, considering the car is guaranteed and currently on just under 50,000 miles am I being precious wanting to swap for the facelifted version?
I'll do the rest of my cars at some point. Well, the non-white goods among them (sorry Honda Accord, you are still the best 250 quid I ever spent).
Try cotswold bmw for the aerial, should be a couple of quid cheaper by mail order, rather than rocking up at your local dealer. In my experience, the ebay cheapie has half the reception, so not worth it.
I’m curious as to why you’d want a facelift though? If you just want a newer car, well it’s your money, your choice, but i’m struggling to think of anything other than the side repeaters that changed with the LCI, it truly was a design that’s “right first time”. You can get a set of those if you want, and stick them on... (details abound on the z4 forum).
Look on here for user Steve S Cup (also on z4forum with same name) he’s done some interesting things by way of front splitter, suspension that you might be interested in? (I also sent him a set of mini speakers for the car - again - see the z4 forum - they’re better than standard BMW).
Most of all, enjoy - the thrill of closing in on 7krpm with the hood down doesn’t get old, ever!
This is about only picture I have of my old one. But you don’t need pictures to remember the drive!
I’m curious as to why you’d want a facelift though? If you just want a newer car, well it’s your money, your choice, but i’m struggling to think of anything other than the side repeaters that changed with the LCI, it truly was a design that’s “right first time”. You can get a set of those if you want, and stick them on... (details abound on the z4 forum).
Look on here for user Steve S Cup (also on z4forum with same name) he’s done some interesting things by way of front splitter, suspension that you might be interested in? (I also sent him a set of mini speakers for the car - again - see the z4 forum - they’re better than standard BMW).
Most of all, enjoy - the thrill of closing in on 7krpm with the hood down doesn’t get old, ever!
This is about only picture I have of my old one. But you don’t need pictures to remember the drive!
Prinny said:
Try cotswold bmw for the aerial, should be a couple of quid cheaper by mail order, rather than rocking up at your local dealer. In my experience, the ebay cheapie has half the reception, so not worth it.
I’m curious as to why you’d want a facelift though? If you just want a newer car, well it’s your money, your choice, but i’m struggling to think of anything other than the side repeaters that changed with the LCI, it truly was a design that’s “right first time”. You can get a set of those if you want, and stick them on... (details abound on the z4 forum).
Look on here for user Steve S Cup (also on z4forum with same name) he’s done some interesting things by way of front splitter, suspension that you might be interested in? (I also sent him a set of mini speakers for the car - again - see the z4 forum - they’re better than standard BMW).
Most of all, enjoy - the thrill of closing in on 7krpm with the hood down doesn’t get old, ever!
Ah, Prinny - I've tried to avoid your threads due to the monster-engined content giving me ideas I’m curious as to why you’d want a facelift though? If you just want a newer car, well it’s your money, your choice, but i’m struggling to think of anything other than the side repeaters that changed with the LCI, it truly was a design that’s “right first time”. You can get a set of those if you want, and stick them on... (details abound on the z4 forum).
Look on here for user Steve S Cup (also on z4forum with same name) he’s done some interesting things by way of front splitter, suspension that you might be interested in? (I also sent him a set of mini speakers for the car - again - see the z4 forum - they’re better than standard BMW).
Most of all, enjoy - the thrill of closing in on 7krpm with the hood down doesn’t get old, ever!
I'll look for the stubby, did the same for the Mazda but I find the one on the Z less dodgem-like so may wait. I don't like the lengthy service intervals on this car so it's going in for an oil change soon.
As for the facelift, you missed the revised front and rear. Both look nicer in my opinion, the front in particular is more cohesive but apart from that no real problem with mine.
The worst part of ownership is that I had to have the bonnet resprayed thanks to a cyclist crashing into it while parked up 3 days into ownership, then had to have a smart repair a month ago for a scrape some kind soul added (again while parked). Luckily I get family rate as my brother works for a dealership but it's not the point. When parked this car is fly-paper for d***heads it seems.
Z4 forum - I'm already on there, lovely bunch of people but less activity on there than here which is quite understandable.
D’oh! - to coin a phrase. I’d forgotten about the lights on the facelift, my apologies.
My car thread is about the follies & foibles of running older cars, I’m fortunate enough in my job to rarely need a commuting car any more, as I’m either home based, or off somewhere else in the world (169 countries & counting). On that basis, I could have gone one of two ways, shed, or eclectic. Both have their virtues, and at this point in time, eclectic is more fun!
Still, I’ve a thread for that, so won’t take up any more of yours with my stuff!
In terms of the z4, I found the swap to go-flats made a big difference in confidence pushing on. I did my usual upgrade of going up 10mm on the tyre width, so to 235f and 265r. This was much better than the run-flat standard setting in my opinion, certainly the front was much more composed & went where I pointed it. It had the similar effect on the rear, being slightly less crashy over bumps (let’s face it, it’s not a soft ride), but it did mean that on the rare occasions where it did break traction (on the public road, if you’re doing that, you’re trying too hard IMO), it was a much more sudden breakaway, and would therefore step out quite quickly if you weren’t expecting it! Nothing that the stabilty couldn’t handle, or that a quick flick of the wrists wouldn’t catch, but enough to make your passenger comment, and so therefore a fail on my part.
I suppose my major question is this; How do you find the gearbox? I’d have liked a manual, but I’m just too tall for the car in reality, seat had to be hard back on the bulkhead, so the left leg got tired quickly when I tested one (no under thigh support). I therefore went DCT, which I felt suits the engine’s delivery quite well, if not the ultimate in fun.
Anyway - I do prattle on... Would be interested in hearing about the other cars you’ve had too, as you’ve a good written style, it makes for an entertaining read!
My car thread is about the follies & foibles of running older cars, I’m fortunate enough in my job to rarely need a commuting car any more, as I’m either home based, or off somewhere else in the world (169 countries & counting). On that basis, I could have gone one of two ways, shed, or eclectic. Both have their virtues, and at this point in time, eclectic is more fun!
Still, I’ve a thread for that, so won’t take up any more of yours with my stuff!
In terms of the z4, I found the swap to go-flats made a big difference in confidence pushing on. I did my usual upgrade of going up 10mm on the tyre width, so to 235f and 265r. This was much better than the run-flat standard setting in my opinion, certainly the front was much more composed & went where I pointed it. It had the similar effect on the rear, being slightly less crashy over bumps (let’s face it, it’s not a soft ride), but it did mean that on the rare occasions where it did break traction (on the public road, if you’re doing that, you’re trying too hard IMO), it was a much more sudden breakaway, and would therefore step out quite quickly if you weren’t expecting it! Nothing that the stabilty couldn’t handle, or that a quick flick of the wrists wouldn’t catch, but enough to make your passenger comment, and so therefore a fail on my part.
I suppose my major question is this; How do you find the gearbox? I’d have liked a manual, but I’m just too tall for the car in reality, seat had to be hard back on the bulkhead, so the left leg got tired quickly when I tested one (no under thigh support). I therefore went DCT, which I felt suits the engine’s delivery quite well, if not the ultimate in fun.
Anyway - I do prattle on... Would be interested in hearing about the other cars you’ve had too, as you’ve a good written style, it makes for an entertaining read!
Prinny said:
D’oh! - to coin a phrase. I’d forgotten about the lights on the facelift, my apologies.
My car thread is about the follies & foibles of running older cars, I’m fortunate enough in my job to rarely need a commuting car any more, as I’m either home based, or off somewhere else in the world (169 countries & counting). On that basis, I could have gone one of two ways, shed, or eclectic. Both have their virtues, and at this point in time, eclectic is more fun!
Still, I’ve a thread for that, so won’t take up any more of yours with my stuff!
In terms of the z4, I found the swap to go-flats made a big difference in confidence pushing on. I did my usual upgrade of going up 10mm on the tyre width, so to 235f and 265r. This was much better than the run-flat standard setting in my opinion, certainly the front was much more composed & went where I pointed it. It had the similar effect on the rear, being slightly less crashy over bumps (let’s face it, it’s not a soft ride), but it did mean that on the rare occasions where it did break traction (on the public road, if you’re doing that, you’re trying too hard IMO), it was a much more sudden breakaway, and would therefore step out quite quickly if you weren’t expecting it! Nothing that the stabilty couldn’t handle, or that a quick flick of the wrists wouldn’t catch, but enough to make your passenger comment, and so therefore a fail on my part.
I suppose my major question is this; How do you find the gearbox? I’d have liked a manual, but I’m just too tall for the car in reality, seat had to be hard back on the bulkhead, so the left leg got tired quickly when I tested one (no under thigh support). I therefore went DCT, which I felt suits the engine’s delivery quite well, if not the ultimate in fun.
Anyway - I do prattle on... Would be interested in hearing about the other cars you’ve had too, as you’ve a good written style, it makes for an entertaining read!
That's a fair number of countries - thought about chopping one of yours in for a private jet? Or a cannon, if that's a bit of a stretch? Either way, feel free to pitch in here as I plan on taking the 10mm tyre advice once I have the time to have them changed. Pilot Sport 4s seem to be the favourites according to the Z forum gang.My car thread is about the follies & foibles of running older cars, I’m fortunate enough in my job to rarely need a commuting car any more, as I’m either home based, or off somewhere else in the world (169 countries & counting). On that basis, I could have gone one of two ways, shed, or eclectic. Both have their virtues, and at this point in time, eclectic is more fun!
Still, I’ve a thread for that, so won’t take up any more of yours with my stuff!
In terms of the z4, I found the swap to go-flats made a big difference in confidence pushing on. I did my usual upgrade of going up 10mm on the tyre width, so to 235f and 265r. This was much better than the run-flat standard setting in my opinion, certainly the front was much more composed & went where I pointed it. It had the similar effect on the rear, being slightly less crashy over bumps (let’s face it, it’s not a soft ride), but it did mean that on the rare occasions where it did break traction (on the public road, if you’re doing that, you’re trying too hard IMO), it was a much more sudden breakaway, and would therefore step out quite quickly if you weren’t expecting it! Nothing that the stabilty couldn’t handle, or that a quick flick of the wrists wouldn’t catch, but enough to make your passenger comment, and so therefore a fail on my part.
I suppose my major question is this; How do you find the gearbox? I’d have liked a manual, but I’m just too tall for the car in reality, seat had to be hard back on the bulkhead, so the left leg got tired quickly when I tested one (no under thigh support). I therefore went DCT, which I felt suits the engine’s delivery quite well, if not the ultimate in fun.
Anyway - I do prattle on... Would be interested in hearing about the other cars you’ve had too, as you’ve a good written style, it makes for an entertaining read!
The gearbox is... adequate. You have to treat it gently so that it doesn't thump in and out of gear and it can be a little reluctant but when you get it right it is satisfying. The best gearbox I have ever experienced is in the Ford Puma, strangely. It snicked in and out of gear so beautifully, it was a shame the engine spat its innards out not long after purchase.
I've only owned an automatic Capri, which put me off for life despite the tech improvements in the 40 years since that car was made. I'll have to do another thread at some point, I fancied a bit of action in NP and E but I'm probably still a bit green for that
As for the writing style, I'm obliged. I'm working on a story and it's lost traction recently so I'll try to use your kind words as a kick up the backside! Anyone reading this can feel free to plonk their own pictures in, it's nice to see them.
Number_Six said:
Mr Alan/Tidy - they are lovely. Much nicer than the E85 soft top I think, nearly bought one instead of what I have but the child in me was seduced by the words '3 litre twin turbo' and 300+ bhp. I'm a simple soul 
Well you could always have looked for a Z4 M Coupe - more than 300 bhp and a manual gearbox! But to be honest I don't (yet) find 265 bhp in my 3 litre Coupe feeling too lethargic!
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