Winter Storage of your Zee..........

[tominizer]

I think it's just about time to put my Zee away for the winter up here. I've read up a bit over the years and have my routine. Just wondering what other's do and how over the top you go. I did a quick searc hand didn't see much here. A few things I do noted below.

• I put down roofing tar paper on the floor of the garage to prevent moisture coming up from the floor. Tar paper is cheap.
• Car sits on crappy tires on the factory OEM rims on the ground.
• I often have great intent to wash a wax her, but usually never get around to it. So the cover goes over and that's that.
• Used fuel stabilizer a few times and other time have not on my cars over the years. Haven't noticed any difference come spring.
• Pulled battery and stored in the basement. Can't say I've put it on a trickle charger although I do have one.
• Filled up the gas tank.

What other tricks or tips do you lads have ?!?!?

[johno8888]

Trickle charger is well worth the investment.

Inflate tires to max pressure to avoid flat spots.

Open windows halfway.

Put in neutral and use wheel chocks.

Steel wool in the exhausts to prevent critters from climbing in.

[wspohn]

Agree about the trickle charger or disconnect battery. I don't bother removing it.

And what is this 'Zee' stuff? It's a Zed 4, for heaven's sake (at least from a Canadian it is - are you an American immigrant?)

[Swashplate]

Well, I keep a cover on it and drive it at least once a month....I think we have varying severities of winter Hmm that is the same plan for all the other seasons too. Ok, fine I do have to deal with the rain, so it stays in the garage on those days.

[MinneapolisJeff]

I do much of the same that you do; I don't use a trickle charger on the battery either... I pull it out and give it a little recharge in the spring before putting back in.

[Caddyshk]

My "Zee" 4 winterizing... 10 years going.

40lbs tire pressure
Full Tank of Fuel with Redline SI-1 additive
Clean
BMW (by Battery Tender) Charger
BMW Car Cover
Garage

[z4chick]

I fill it up
I detail/wax it
I cover it
I put fresh cab repellent everywhere
I start it once a month.. and I wait for clear days and blue skies to come back. I've never had an issue with the battery or tires.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by z4chick

I fill it up
I detail/wax it
I cover it
I put fresh cab repellent everywhere
I start it once a month.. and I wait for clear days and blue skies to come back. I've never had an issue with the battery or tires.

Welcome! Sounds like you have a nice car there!

1. I add extra air to the tires as noted above.
2. +1 on the interior and exterior detailing and a nice coat of wax.
3. Owing to the longer Canadian winters, I typically put my car on a charger.
4. Other folks here say that you should only start the engine if you intend to drive it - there's a reason behind that which escapes me at the moment.
5. I'm also debating having the oil changed before storage. The rationale is that fresh oil does not have the build up of contaminants from a season or two of driving that can potentially cause wear during storage, I think.

I expect that if my car doesn't get tucked away for the winter this weekend, it will next weekend. I'll have to find some excuse for a few spins before then, even if it is getting cold. If there is one thing us Canucks can attest to, these cars have great heaters!

[tominizer]

It's "zee" to me cause my car was originally from 'merica. So there

[Steeler]

Originally Posted by tominizer

It's "zee" to me cause my car was originally from 'murica. So there

Fixed that for ya

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

Welcome! Sounds like you have a nice car there!

1. I add extra air to the tires as noted above.
2. +1 on the interior and exterior detailing and a nice coat of wax.
3. Owing to the longer Canadian winters, I typically put my car on a charger.
4. Other folks here say that you should only start the engine if you intend to drive it - there's a reason behind that which escapes me at the moment.
5. I'm also debating having the oil changed before storage. The rationale is that fresh oil does not have the build up of contaminants from a season or two of driving that can potentially cause wear during storage, I think.

I expect that if my car doesn't get tucked away for the winter this weekend, it will next weekend. I'll have to find some excuse for a few spins before then, even if it is getting cold. If there is one thing us Canucks can attest to, these cars have great heaters!

the reason is internal condensation, as the warm surfaces and fluids cool down again.
The moisture has no where to go if the engine isn't run through a full heat cycle regular basis.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by tominizer

I think it's just about time to put my Zee away for the winter up here. I've read up a bit over the years and have my routine. Just wondering what other's do and how over the top you go. I did a quick searc hand didn't see much here. A few things I do noted below.

• I put down roofing tar paper on the floor of the garage to prevent moisture coming up from the floor. Tar paper is cheap.
  .......

What other tricks or tips do you lads have ?!?!?

Used to seal the bottom side as well.
This is what she used to look like for winter.


...now she's cozy & warm all winter in her new digs.

[wspohn]

Originally Posted by tominizer

It's "zee" to me cause my car was originally from 'merica. So there

So was mine (a lot seem to have come in from there - maybe an indication that they didn't send enough here when they were new).

On crossing the border it went from 'zee' to 'zed'!

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by wspohn

So was mine (a lot seem to have come in from there - maybe an indication that they didn't send enough here when they were new).

On crossing the border it went from 'zee' to 'zed'!

I wouldnt be surprised if there are more US ZEEs in Canada now than original CDN ZEDs

my '06 M Roadie was a zed
my '07 M Coupe is a Zee

[wspohn]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

I wouldnt be surprised if there are more US ZEEs in Canada now than original CDN ZEDs

I think there were 127 M coupes came in and they were damn near $70K Can., so no wonder no more were sent here. As used pries dropped, you are probably right - a bunch of US cars were imported. I found a friend a nice M roadster and it turned out to also be a US import.

[rockstar93]

Originally Posted by wspohn

I think there were 127 M coupes came in and they were damn near $70K Can., so no wonder no more were sent here. As used pries dropped, you are probably right - a bunch of US cars were imported. I found a friend a nice M roadster and it turned out to also be a US import.

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

I wouldnt be surprised if there are more US ZEEs in Canada now than original CDN ZEDs

my '06 M Roadie was a zed
my '07 M Coupe is a Zee

Funny, my '07 Roadster is American and my '06 Coupe is Canadian. I know when I was shopping for both Z4's (and E46 M3's for that matter) the majority of the cars I looked at were American.

[Huz-Z]

I had a similar experience with my SI when I bought it out of the US in 2009. Compared to what was available in Canada, I paid significantly less for a car that was 3 years newer, still under original warranty, lower mileage, way better optioned with a more powerful engine, and in a color I liked better.

[Caddyshk]

Originally Posted by wspohn

I think there were 127 M coupes came in and they were damn near $70K Can., so no wonder no more were sent here. As used pries dropped, you are probably right - a bunch of US cars were imported. I found a friend a nice M roadster and it turned out to also be a US import.

The number if I recall was 197. I have the first Customer registered car in Canada. I paid $70K on the nose; no negotiations on a pre production order.

[z4chick]

The new cover arrived yesterday... so sad to put her away.. I'm trying to get as many days possible before salt hits the ground.

[MinneapolisJeff]

just cleaned the interior and exterior last night, Tues night the cover will go on... sad as well

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by jman1975

just cleaned the interior and exterior last night, Tues night the cover will go on... sad as well

Yup - I'm in much the same boat. If not one night this week, then this weekend for sure. Its crazy how much I love driving this car.