What did you buy your Z4 this week?

[rsutoratosu]

Originally Posted by gpraceman

Make sure to also order the mounting bracket, as it is not included with the first aid box. The bracket costs more than the box.

BMW 52107045018 for bracket. You werent kidding, almost 2x the actual box.. lol

[wdb]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Couldn’t let The HACK be the only one to pair their Z4 with a torque monster so picked this up over the weekend



The i3 will replace my E90 commuter car

VERY interested to hear about your experiences. I see an unusually large number of these in used car lots and ponder whether it's because they suck or because they just aren't what the buyer expected.

[gpraceman]

Originally Posted by rsutoratosu

BMW 52107045018 for bracket. You werent kidding, almost 2x the actual box.. lol

Yeah, and it doesn't even come with the needed screws.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by wdb

VERY interested to hear about your experiences. I see an unusually large number of these in used car lots and ponder whether it's because they suck or because they just aren't what the buyer expected.

Probably because it doesn’t make sense to buy so every used i3 is just coming off lease. Nobody wants to get stuck with old battery technology so the resale values are crap. Yet despite that the leases are really good because you can monetize the same federal and state credits up front which brings your cap costs down considerably. I know in 2017 folks in California were getting $200/m leases with only as little as $2000 down.

Love the car so far. Having come from a catless track car not that long ago, the idea of going green was easier than I thought. The cost savings alone is really compelling but basically fuel savings alone covers $160 of my monthly lease payments.

Single pedal driving takes some getting used to, but nowhere near as hard as learning a clutch the first time. But you need to find the sweet spot for coasting else the regenerative brakes will kick in and you get the rubber band effect.

Suicide doors are cool but I can see how it can be annoying in tight parking spots and how back seat passengers can’t get out unless front doors are open. Only other quirk is driving without tints during summer is not an option. Car has so much glass it can get really warm in the car. Even with the AC on I could feel the top of my head get warm. Going with no moonroof option could solve that but so will 20% tints on top.

It’s no Tesla but the torque is still impressive. 0-30 could easily outgun my M lol. The skinny tires aren’t great and apparently the S models get wider tires with lower stance but don’t see the point for this car. Car is still RWD unlike the new 1 series so it’s still got fun handling.

Because it’s supposed to be eco friendly much of the interior uses recycled or reclaimed materials, so nowhere near luxurious as other models. But the BMW build quality is still there. The only disappointing thing is no blind spot detection system even with the tech and driver assistance package. But as long as you look over your shoulder can’t see how a car could sneak up given the almost all glass side.

Electrician installed dedicated 240v line with 6-50 nema socket. Level 2 charger arrives on Thurs so I’ll report back then. So far if I had to sum it up, it feels like driving the iPhone and you just upgraded from your Motorola RAZR lol.

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by wdb

VERY interested to hear about your experiences. I see an unusually large number of these in used car lots and ponder whether it's because they suck or because they just aren't what the buyer expected.

There’s a ton of them in used car lots because 99% of new buyers lease them. The federal incentive is geared toward leasing vs buying, since a $7,500 tax credit is applied fully to cap reduction while the same credit can only be applied on a purchase if you don’t itemize your taxes.

I have a 2016. They’re funtastic commuters, especially if you can charge for free at work, or have solar at home to offset the cost. I figured on gas savings alone we’d save 1/2 the monthly payment on the car’s lease alone compared to the venerable old 545i.

Drives shockingly like a BMW from the early 2000s, except with super skinny tires.

[Forbes]

Actually, I bought them a few weeks ago, and just had them installed. Saved my old amber ones in case the law gets on about them

[v3.2mc]

I had an i3 from 2014-2017. It was very inexpensive to operate... I calculated something like an average of $8.40 per month extra in electric bills. It was semi nerve racking to pay the $7500 at the end of the lease due to BMW USA not knowing what the F they're doing for turn-in. The "i" brand turn-in process includes a third party inspection that is done at your house, not the dealer. Furthermore, as happened for me, if that 3rd party company doesn't feel like like filing the inspection paperwork with BMW Financial, BMW Financial will try to come after you for a late turn-in... several months worth... even though the dealer had already sold the car to someone else. Not saying all transactions are like mine, just that BMW has really poor procedures for the "i" brand.
The i3 itself was fantastic though... nothing bad to say about it.

[pcube]

Gave my ///M a little refresh on her 10th birthday!

Paint job
Windscreen and rear quarter glass
Roundels front and back
Windshield lower cowl
Window weather strips
Solar film
Valve cover emblem
Alpine Halo9 stereo and aftermarket amp

[paulromi]

Originally Posted by pcube

Gave my ///M a little refresh on her 10th birthday!

Paint job
Windscreen and rear quarter glass
Roundels front and back
Windshield lower cowl
Window weather strips
Solar film
Valve cover emblem
Alpine Halo9 stereo and aftermarket amp

That Halo9 stereo looks great. I was checking it out. Were you able to get any of the climate controls, heated seat controls working with the car?

[wyshyvanuk]

Difficult to find: YES
More than moderately expensive: YES
Fiddly to attach: YES
Totally worth it: H-E-DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS YES

[gpraceman]

Originally Posted by wyshyvanuk

Difficult to find: YES
More than moderately expensive: YES
Fiddly to attach: YES
Totally worth it: H-E-DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS YES

Attachment 1859893

Nice. I've been wanting a set, but no luck finding them (at least at a reasonable price).

I understand that you have to remember to remove them before putting up the top, or you will break them.

[wyshyvanuk]

Correct.
These came from the Netherlands. I'm too embarrassed to reveal the cost ;~).

[pcube]

Originally Posted by paulromi

That Halo9 stereo looks great. I was checking it out. Were you able to get any of the climate controls, heated seat controls working with the car?

The hvac system is not affected by the stereo at all. Knobs and buttons are all still accessible, maybe slightly blocked depending on how low you want the screen mounted. Fyi mine is already on the lowest setting... Ac vents are slightly blocked...

[paulromi]

Originally Posted by pcube

The hvac system is not affected by the stereo at all. Knobs and buttons are all still accessible, maybe slightly blocked depending on how low you want the screen mounted. Fyi mine is already on the lowest setting... Ac vents are slightly blocked...

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I noticed on a video review that on one of the screens on the stereo allowed you to control your climate controls and heated seats etc. Is that possible on the Z4? What amp did you pair this up with? I would assume your existing speakers or was it a complete gut? I would love to get this unit but want to be able to return the car to stock if I ever sell it. Possible?

[Westersund]

Originally Posted by pcube

Gave my ///M a little refresh on her 10th birthday!

Paint job
Windscreen and rear quarter glass
Roundels front and back
Windshield lower cowl
Window weather strips
Solar film
Valve cover emblem
Alpine Halo9 stereo and aftermarket amp

I see that you have fitted the brushed aluminium roundels for the "hamburgers" you bought from me, happy with them?

[Hedward]

best I can do

[pcube]

Originally Posted by paulromi

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I noticed on a video review that on one of the screens on the stereo allowed you to control your climate controls and heated seats etc. Is that possible on the Z4? What amp did you pair this up with? I would assume your existing speakers or was it a complete gut? I would love to get this unit but want to be able to return the car to stock if I ever sell it. Possible?

My car didn't come with nav, so I'm not sure about integrating the controls with the touchscreen on the alpine unit though I doubt that would be possible. I replaced my factory DSP amp with a Match Up 7BMW from audiotech fishcher. Direct plug n play replacement, no gutting involved, stock speakers retained. Reverting it back to stock condition would be a breeze.

[pcube]

Originally Posted by Westersund

I see that you have fitted the brushed aluminium roundels for the "hamburgers" you bought from me, happy with them?

They're awesome

[paulromi]

Originally Posted by pcube

My car didn't come with nav, so I'm not sure about integrating the controls with the touchscreen on the alpine unit though I doubt that would be possible. I replaced my factory DSP amp with a Match Up 7BMW from audiotech fishcher. Direct plug n play replacement, no gutting involved, stock speakers retained. Reverting it back to stock condition would be a breeze.

Well no DSP on my business stereo so it appears I can just get halo 9 without the need for a new amp ( everybody feel free to chime in here)

It does look awesome!

[Westersund]

Originally Posted by pcube

They're awesome

Happy to hear!

[Yapakanichi]

new headlight bulbs...
new hood release cable...

[Z4M_Coupe]

Vac Vanos exhaust hub, Beisan chain guide and complete vanos overhaul kit, all other oem chain guides and hardware, front main seal, hood release cables, bimmerworld vanos oil line, case of ravenol 10W60, S54 timing tool set, valve adjustment set and a Crank position sensor! Haha