Hello everyone. I am new to the board. Just yesterday I finalized the deal for a Z4 3.0SI triple black, 6 speed, sport package, heated seats (I live in MI) and zenon headlights.

The car is being bullt in South Carolina right now and should arrive at the dealer (Bavarian BMW) in 2 weeks. This is going to be the longest two weeks of my life. I moved up from a Subaru WRX. Fun car but really like comparing apples and oranges.

Any thoughts or things I should be aware of ?

Cheers,
Brian

Hey Brian,

I'm waiting for my z4 right now as well...its really tough...im super excited as well...

You watching all the video's on youtube as well?

Yes, I am all over the web trying to find vids. I have not found too many good ones yet. Do you have any good links?

How did you option yours out? colors, packages etc?

conrgats!

Top gear, and Fifth gear have some great videos.

If you type in top gear - z4 or fifth gear - z4 you'll find some amazing videos. Top gear the show has influenced the past 3 car choices I have made! :)

I absolutely love the show.

As for my cars features:

Here are the features:
Nav System
CD Changer preparation
Beige Soft top
Premium hi-fi system
heated front seats
wood trim
cruise control
BMW assist
Battery Switch
Xenon headlights
Smoker's package
Sport Package
Premium Package
Radion Control US
Green stripe windscreen
Convenience packageMind you mine is used, so its not as nice, but mine is a 2003 3.0i with 39,xxx miles full CPO warranty and bmw performance plan.... basically like I bought the car new, the previous owner bought $5k worth of warranty. I should have to pay for much.

Cool I will check it out. you will have to post some pics when you get it.

Cheers,
Brian

This is the car I just purchased.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=130083736782 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fse arch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26satitle%3D130083736782%2B% 2509%26fvi%3D1&item=130083736782)

Maybe you have the same questions I do.


When the top is up, can you take it through a car wash? Will it leak? How do you clean it? Will dirt/etc stain it? ..if it does how do you clean it?

You should be able to maintain it as any other car. When buying any used car i would recomend having a mechanic give it the once over or at least do a car fax inquirery before taking ownership. I drove a 97 Boxster for a little while and i took it through the car wash like any other with no problems. Some companys make special cleansers for a soft top though I am not sure what advantage they may have.

I would maybe start a new thread addressing this question as I am no expert. My car will be a lease so if i have any problems at all its straight back to the dealer.

Good luck.

Maybe you have the same questions I do.


When the top is up, can you take it through a car wash? Will it leak? How do you clean it? Will dirt/etc stain it? ..if it does how do you clean it?

Personally, I thnk there's a special place in hell for people that take their cars through tunnel washes. A place where the pizza is always cold, the soda is always flat, and the television all pledge-drive PBS.

That said, the top won't leak. It should be cleaned a couple of times a year with top-specific cleaners that will 1) remove dirt without being too harsh and 2) impregnate the top with chemicals that cause water to roll off rather than soak it. I use RaggTopp, but I've heard good things about the BMW cleaner as well.

epbrown, I agree with you on the tunnel car wash.. I'd never take a nice car through one. But there's something to be said about taking a puppy or young dog through that's just fun watching their curiosity get piqued. Oh, and I like cold pizza, especially the morning after for breakfast :)

Personally, I thnk there's a special place in hell for people that take their cars through tunnel washes. A place where the pizza is always cold, the soda is always flat, and the television all pledge-drive PBS.

That said, the top won't leak. It should be cleaned a couple of times a year with top-specific cleaners that will 1) remove dirt without being to harsh and 2) impregnate the top with chemicals that cause water to roll off rather than soak it. I use RaggTopp, but I've heard good things about the BMW cleaner as well.

Hmmm. I think somebody needs to take it down a notch. So what are your sugestions for washing a car in below freezing temperatures?

Hmmm. I think somebody needs to take it down a notch. So what are your sugestions for washing a car in below freezing temperatures?

That was down a couple notches already. I left out the part about the rack and thumbscrews. :evil2

As for washing a car when it's cold, Chicago is just as chilly as Michigan, and I get by. If it's in the mid-20s, I bucket wash the car using Optimum No-Rinse, good microfiber, and wear rubber gloves. If it's lower than that and I still need the car cleaned (typically January and early February), I take it to a quality car wash that hand washes. This applies more to my 325i than my Z4, which doesn't see much action during the winter, maybe an hour/week on clear days. The Z4 is small - it doesn't take long to do. A nice mug of tea afterwards will set you right, and the satisfaction of a clean car has a warming effect of its own.

Your car is Jet Black using BMWs water-based paint, meaning it's a swirl-magnet; you'll learn to be careful washing it, or it will look like you went over it with a Brillo pad.

"That was down a couple notches already. I left out the part about the rack and thumbscrews."

LOL, WOW Hate to catch you on a bad day. I have seen the swirleys on black cars before and I certainly do not want that for my new baby.

There is a upscale tunnel wash close to my house (Grose Pointe). It is independantly owned and operated. The owner happens to be a family friend and is a long time BMW driver. He also has a jet black Z4. Now granted, I have not examined his car with a microscope but it looks pretty sharp.

I will most likely take your advice though. What type of suds do you recomend? do you also use a clay bar?

Thanks

Hello everyone. I am new to the board. Just yesterday I finalized the deal for a Z4 3.0SI triple black, 6 speed, sport package, heated seats (I live in MI) and zenon headlights.

The car is being bullt in South Carolina right now and should arrive at the dealer (Bavarian BMW) in 2 weeks. This is going to be the longest two weeks of my life. I moved up from a Subaru WRX. Fun car but really like comparing apples and oranges.


Wow - I am jealous of the short wait you are getting here. I ordered a Z4 3.0si Coupe in late January and still have another 3-4 weeks to go before it makes it to my dealer.

Congratulations!

I will most likely take your advice though. What type of suds do you recomend? do you also use a clay bar?


Every detailing fanatic has his preferences, for various reasons. I use Zymol's line because they make my cars beautiful, however the results don't last. Not a problem for someone like me, who'd skip his grandmother's birthday to wax his cars, but not everyone is that ...dedicated. For them, there are synthetics that look nearly as good and last much longer. If time constraints were an issue, I'd likely go with Meguiar's Pro line - which is available at my local BMW dealer.

The ultimate in low maintenance is supposedly Zaino, but the Z-heads I know don't save any time because they become obsessed with putting it on everything! Zymol may evaporate after a month, but I've never had the urge to apply it to a lawnmower.

As for claying: I do both cars twice a year, in April for spring cleaning when I polish out swirls and begin the warm weather waxing regimen, and late October/early November as part of my winter prep, when I also apply Klasse All-in-one sealant/glaze. I don't need to clay often as my cars are garaged at home and work, so they don't pick up a lot of contaminants.

Btw, on the detailing forums I frequent the current formula for Jet Black has a reputation for being very soft and picking up swirls if you look at it. I'd love your impressions once you've got the car.

Wow - I am jealous of the short wait you are getting here. I ordered a Z4 3.0si Coupe in late January and still have another 3-4 weeks to go before it makes it to my dealer.

Congratulations!

Thanks man,

I really lucked out. The exact car with all the options I wanted is currently being built in South Carolina.

Cheers,
Brian

Every detailing fanatic has his preferences, for various reasons. I use Zymol's line because they make my cars beautiful, however the results don't last. Not a problem for someone like me, who'd skip his grandmother's birthday to wax his cars, but not everyone is that ...dedicated. For them, there are synthetics that look nearly as good and last much longer. If time constraints were an issue, I'd likely go with Meguiar's Pro line - which is available at my local BMW dealer.

The ultimate in low maintenance is supposedly Zaino, but the Z-heads I know don't save any time because they become obsessed with putting it on everything! Zymol may evaporate after a month, but I've never had the urge to apply it to a lawnmower.

As for claying: I do both cars twice a year, in April for spring cleaning when I polish out swirls and begin the warm weather waxing regimen, and late October/early November as part of my winter prep, when I also apply Klasse All-in-one sealant/glaze. I don't need to clay often as my cars are garaged at home and work, so they don't pick up a lot of contaminants.

Btw, on the detailing forums I frequent the current formula for Jet Black has a reputation for being very soft and picking up swirls if you look at it. I'd love your impressions once you've got the car.

Cool, Thanks for the input. I will certainly post as time goes by about my experience.

Right now I just want the car!!!

Cheers,
Brian