Folks:

I placed my order for a Z4-3.0 today - Sterling Grey/Black/Black with PP & SP (Canadian Versions), Rain Sensor/Auto Headlights, Headlight Washers & Alarm....$1700 under MSRP (CDN). My dealer was nice enough to let me "borrow" an Owner's Manual for the weekend, even though I don't get my car until March 2003. I found MANY interesting facts that I do not think have been mentioned here. Some features MAY only be available in Canada or Europe ONLY.

BTW, if you want to read a VERY positive review of the Z4, check out the December issue of CAR magazine (British)...I could not find a web site for this magazine! The author does not like the Z3, and thinks this car is a giant leap! He even states..."BMW claims that the Z4 is 259% stiffer than a Z3" (not sure about that)! He also mentions that a Z2 is coming!

Facts from the Owner's Manual:

1. There are "Check Gas Cap" and "Defective Bulb" lights on the dash display. The other normal warning lights (Service Engine Soon, etc) also are displayed sometimes. There is also an EPS (Elec. Power Steering) light.

2. There is NO Valet key (2 masters and the plastic one). Can a current owner verify this? The picture shows only the 3 keys, and there is an area of the manual that is "blacked" out in this section.

3. There will be a motion sensor available for the alarm system, along with the Tilt Sensor. The manual states that it covers motion detection in the footwells and seat area. This may be the SDR (Short Distance Radar) sensor, newly released for E46 Convertibles, that is only available in Canada and Europe...but USA owners should be able to order it from Canada, when it is released, as they can with the E46 version. I have this in my 330CiC. I was told that it is illegal in the USA due to FCC regulations (?).

4. The Wind Screen uses PERMANENTLY mounted guides on the roll-over bars. The Wind Screen slides into these guides. There is also a Clothes Hanger built into the Wind Screen Panel, that mounts INTO the roll-over bars.

5. The exterior mirrors are Auto-Dimmimg, if the PP is ordered...at least here in Canada.

6. The Low Fuel Light comes on when there are 8 litres (2 Gal.US) left in the tank. The tank holds 55 litres (14.5 Gal.US).

7. The storage compartment, between the seats, where the CD Changer would be installed, locks with the Central Locking button. There is an emergency release cord for it in the trunk if the power fails.

8. The manual fuel door release is located BEHIND the passenger-side rear tail light cover, in the trunk, and requires the removal of the cover and slightly "pulling out the luggage compartment trim". Then you remove a piece of adhesive tape and finally pull on the green knob!

9. The Hard Top "preparation" can be ordered with the Hard Top next year. Earlier booklets stated that it must be ordered with the car.

10. Recommended tire pressures on the Run-Flat tires are very standard, including Winter Tires (Z4-2.5: Front 30, Rear 33; Z4-3.0: Front 33, Rear 36). This assumes you wouldn't put the wrong tires on the front or rear. Also, Run Flat Winter tires (M+S) are recommended. I haven't seen too many of those yet!

11. The windshield washer fuild reservoir is larger when you get the headlight washer option (5 litre vs. 3 litre).

12. The fuses are located in the top panel of the opened glove box.

13. A First Aid Kit and Hazard Warning Triangle are shown as options, just like other BMW's. These will probably only be available in Canada and Europe.

14. There is no real information in the radio manual about the Hi-Fi/DSP system.

Anyway, reading the manual was an education, and I look forward to my new toy!

Sweet!
Thanks for the info.
Keep us updated on the progress! :)

eww, run-flats suck.......

Just for fun, how much, in Canadian bucks?

Also, I can't help but notice that while these are all very nice features, it sorts of ignores the minimalist yet efficient approach and spirit of the Z3.

This is all luxury, luxury, luxury. Probably explains the hefty price tag.

Just my .02$. :D

thank you hugo.... thank you.


mike, is your car sold yet.... mike?????

Hugo...total cost, including all extras and 15% tax = $76,547CDN...that's about $47,840US.

holy shit.

I saw an M roadster with an S54 in my showroom for that. Granted no tax.

What does the Z4 weigh in @ Rick?

EDIT:it was brand new.

For those of you guys out there with the Z-3 roadsters who would like to add similar protection to your factory alarm systems (shock, motion, and tilt, and for roadsters especially, a radar-based motion sensor for the interior), that can be done. It's not all that expensive or difficult to install. Most of the stereo and car security shops tell you it can't be done, (just because they don't know how to do it?). They are wrong, since I did it to my car, and it all works fine.

Zenon:

Curb Weight (lbs):
Manual - 2.5 - 2932; 3.0 - 2998
Auto - 2.5 - 2998; 3.0 - 3042

Gross Weight (lbs):
Manual - 2.5 - 3483; 3.0 - 3549
Auto - 2.5 - 3549; 3.0 - 3593

security? bah.

CalGuy19
Did you use the SDR from the 3 series Cabriolets?

I keep the # 3000lbs in my head, NE1 know if that's gross or net?

Runcraps.......the first thing that HAD to go in my C5:evil2

If I were to get a Z4 (Not gonna happen.......maybe my wife......but not me) the runcraps would simply have to go.

Rick -

No, I used an aftermarket SDR. Not too expensive.
Had one on my Porsche Cabrio too - wired it in to the Ungo box. Ungo turned out to be a piece of crap, last straw was when it went onto full no-start alarm mode which couldn't be turned off, in some parking lot. Had to steal my own car (uninstall the alarm and bypass its ignition interlock in the parking lot where it went berserk). Replaced it with a Clifford, and wired the SDR into that just as easily. Good peace of mind for a roadster with the top down a lot.

Oh, and DAS. Where do you park you car at night? Just wondering... :evil2

Anyone know if and when they will produce this? Any spy pics?

Hank

No problem das! :D

Rick, I didn't mean to bring the Z4 down or be a smartass, I hope I didn't offend you. :cool:

You have 15% tax in Ontario too? Man, I thought we Quebecers were the only ones getting screwed.

You know, without being offensive again, I think the Z4 is a bit like all those luxury SUVs : people will like the added convenience and creature comforts, yet it's not how it should be.

To me, a truck is a truck. That's why even though I appreciate the heated mirrors and A/C of my 4Runner, there's no leather in it, and it has a solid rear axle and a real transfer case operated with a shift lever. X5s, Cayennes and MLs make me sick.

Without being bare-bones, the Z3 didn't have every goody in the book, and I think BMW should have stuck with the Z3 spirit when designing the Z4. All those fancy features add weight, and add to the price. I'd much rather get an S54 '01 M Roadster and mod the suspension to be even with the Z4 which, as I understand, is vastly superior to the Z3, and still have money to put gas in it!

That being said, I'm sure you will like your new purchase, and I can't wait for your comments, mainly regarding the «feel» of the car. The doors seem higher, giving it a «bathtub» feeling like the S2000 or the TT.

Let us know, man...

Originally posted by Canuck BMW
Hugo...total cost, including all extras and 15% tax = $76,547CDN...that's about $47,840US.

Oh man, a fully loaded Z3 3.0 I saw last summer was going for 56 000$, so it's 64 000$ with the taxes. The Z4 is thus a full 12 000$ more expensive. :eek:

Hugo....no offense taken!:)
I agree that the Z4 is very pricey...but my wife had a big "O" when she saw it!! She had the 325i, but when I got my 330CiC, she got jealous...especially since it's a stick and she can't drive it!:redspot
Anyway, we took the Z4 out last Saturday (after a snow storm, with ice all over the roads...and summer tires on the Z4!). The car handles like a "riding a rail"! I couldn't believe how well it handled. My sales guy even took it into an ice-covered parking lot, turned off DSC and did doughnuts....again "like a rail"!
You can definitely leave rubber on the road with the DSC off. It handles SO MUCH better than my 330CiC.
Bottom line is...if you want a rag top (key point here), a BMW and don't need 4 seats, the Z4 is the choice. It's even cheaper than a fully loaded 330. To get a 2003 330CiC, configured with PP, SP, M Sport Package, Rain Sensor and Auto, it's $86K, including tax! That's $10K more than the Z4.

We look forward to its arrival in March.

86 000 bucks for a 330 CiC?! Dammit! This is ridiculous.

Too bad you're getting an automaitc Z4. This should be a capital crime... and women should learn to drive a stick shift. How hard is it... :dunno

From a technical standpoint the Z4 is pretty cool, but visually I find "Ratemypoo.com" more appealing.

But that's just me...

Originally posted by cal_guy19

Oh, and DAS. Where do you park you car at night? Just wondering... :evil2

in the garage!!!! :D:D:D:D

Congrats on the new car order and thanks for all the info!

Most welcome!

And I just found another item...headlamp/turn signal bulb replacement requires removal of a cover plate INSIDE the front fender wheel wells! You don't have to remove the wheel, but it has to be turned completely to gain access!

We'll want pics and more driving impressions once you take delivery! :)