New BMW owner

#1

Hello,

I am in Saskatchewan Canada and just bought a used 2003 Z4 Roadster
with a soft top. It has 28 thousand kilometers on it (15 thousand miles)and
was mostly stored and driven by a middle aged couple...... It esentially is
new inside and out. Has an inline 6 cylinder 3 l motor, Automatic
Transmission with the "shift with no clutch feature" in Drive...lol... I am
totally green to BMW as I have always owned one of the "big three" so any
tips on this new girlfriend I have bought? BTW I am a very fussy "clean
freak" and my previous sports car was and still is a mint tropy winning (car
shows) all original '77 Corvette that I am selling to make room for this
BMW. Back to the BMW...I want to take this freaking car to bed with me I am
so in love with it... anything I need to know about this car? Thanks... Jim

#2

"Jim" <nospam@wherever> wrote

Quote:

I am in Saskatchewan Canada and just bought a used 2003 Z4 Roadster
with a soft top. It has 28 thousand kilometers on it (15 thousand
miles)and was mostly stored and driven by a middle aged couple...... It
esentially is new inside and out. Has an inline 6 cylinder 3 l motor,
Automatic Transmission with the "shift with no clutch feature" in
Drive...lol... I am totally green to BMW as I have always owned one of the
"big three" so any tips on this new girlfriend I have bought? BTW I am a
very fussy "clean freak" and my previous sports car was and still is a
mint tropy winning (car shows) all original '77 Corvette that I am
selling to make room for this BMW. Back to the BMW...I want to take this
freaking car to bed with me I am so in love with it... anything I need to
know about this car? Thanks... Jim

The only problem areas on BMWs (in general) are electronics and cooling
systems. Never let it overheat; maintain the cooling system and replace
things before they wear out, including radiator, expansion tank, etc.

You sound like you're the kind of guy that should join BMWCCA;
Roundel is a great resource for enthusiast owners and people that
like concours events.

FloydR

#3

"Jim" <nospam@wherever> wrote

Quote:

Hello,

I am in Saskatchewan Canada and just bought a used 2003 Z4 Roadster
with a soft top. It has 28 thousand kilometers on it (15 thousand
miles)and was mostly stored and driven by a middle aged couple...... It
esentially is new inside and out. Has an inline 6 cylinder 3 l motor,
Automatic Transmission with the "shift with no clutch feature" in
Drive...lol... I am totally green to BMW as I have always owned one of the
"big three" so any tips on this new girlfriend I have bought? BTW I am a
very fussy "clean freak" and my previous sports car was and still is a
mint tropy winning (car shows) all original '77 Corvette that I am
selling to make room for this BMW. Back to the BMW...I want to take this
freaking car to bed with me I am so in love with it... anything I need to
know about this car? Thanks... Jim
Thanks so much for your advice!... Yes I have never had to look after a
soft top before.. The car again is in new condition so what kind of
cleaner would I use on this top? Can I hurt it with a pressure washer?...
The BMW dealership said they were going to "brush" it before I took
delivery on it... so is there a special brush for such a top? Yes I will
stock up on silicicone lubricants for the skeltal top frame... Thanks for
the advice on over heating also..I will keep an eye on that...I am not a
"club person" as I am too busy trying to run my own small business and find
that any clubs take time which I don't have much of, so won't be joing any
BMW club I'm afraid...(did a Corvette club- paid my yearly dues rather and
read up on events that I didn't have time for)
...... I have my very first inaugral drive in two days....a 12-14 hr round

trip to a different city on business......including stopping here and there
and visiting family...ugh! Thanks so much for your replies... Jim

#4

In article <0qadnRxBdfXIpyjXnZ2dnUVZ_vSdnZ2d (AT) posted (DOT) sasktel>,
Jim <nospam@wherever> wrote:

Quote:

Has an inline 6 cylinder 3 l motor, Automatic
Transmission with the "shift with no clutch feature" in Drive...lol...

That's got me confused. What does it mean? Only car auto I know that
changes without a clutch is the infinitely variable
'rubber band' type. ;-)

--
*Real women don't have hot flashes, they have power surges.

Dave Plowman dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

#5

"Jim" <nospam@wherever> wrote

Quote:

Hello,

I am in Saskatchewan Canada and just bought a used 2003 Z4 Roadster
with a soft top. It has 28 thousand kilometers on it (15 thousand
miles)and was mostly stored and driven by a middle aged couple...... It
esentially is new inside and out. Has an inline 6 cylinder 3 l motor,
Automatic Transmission with the "shift with no clutch feature" in
Drive...lol... I am totally green to BMW as I have always owned one of the
"big three" so any tips on this new girlfriend I have bought? BTW I am a
very fussy "clean freak" and my previous sports car was and still is a
mint tropy winning (car shows) all original '77 Corvette that I am
selling to make room for this BMW. Back to the BMW...I want to take this
freaking car to bed with me I am so in love with it... anything I need to
know about this car? Thanks... Jim

It's a soft top and you live in a area where "winters can be bitterly cold,
with high temperatures not breaking ?17 °C (0 °F) for weeks at a time.", so
I would get some electrically heated ear muffs or start looking for
realistic plastic replacements now.

#6

"Dave Plowman (News)" <dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk> wrote

Quote:

In article <0qadnRxBdfXIpyjXnZ2dnUVZ_vSdnZ2d (AT) posted (DOT) sasktel>,
Jim <nospam@wherever> wrote:
Has an inline 6 cylinder 3 l motor, Automatic
Transmission with the "shift with no clutch feature" in Drive...lol...

That's got me confused. What does it mean?

No clutch pedal in the footwell - Doh!

Quote:

Only car auto I know that
changes without a clutch is the infinitely variable
'rubber band' type. ;-)

--
*Real women don't have hot flashes, they have power surges.

Dave Plowman dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

#7

In article <kLKdnSxpN6W8lSvXnZ2dnUVZ8iudnZ2d (AT) bt (DOT) com>,
R. Mark Clayton <nospamclayton (AT) btinternet (DOT) com> wrote:

Quote:

"Dave Plowman (News)" <dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk> wrote in message
news:509da5fc5ddave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk...
In article <0qadnRxBdfXIpyjXnZ2dnUVZ_vSdnZ2d (AT) posted (DOT) sasktel>,
Jim <nospam@wherever> wrote:
Has an inline 6 cylinder 3 l motor, Automatic
Transmission with the "shift with no clutch feature" in Drive...lol...

That's got me confused. What does it mean?

No clutch pedal in the footwell - Doh!

Err, which automatic transmission has a clutch pedal?

Quote:

Only car auto I know that
changes without a clutch is the infinitely variable
'rubber band' type. ;-)

--
*It is wrong to ever split an infinitive *

Dave Plowman dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

#8

"R. Mark Clayton" <nospamclayton (AT) btinternet (DOT) com> wrote

Quote:

"Jim" <nospam@wherever> wrote in message
news:0qadnRxBdfXIpyjXnZ2dnUVZ_vSdnZ2d (AT) posted (DOT) sasktel...
Hello,

I am in Saskatchewan Canada and just bought a used 2003 Z4 Roadster
with a soft top. It has 28 thousand kilometers on it (15 thousand
miles)and was mostly stored and driven by a middle aged couple...... It
esentially is new inside and out. Has an inline 6 cylinder 3 l motor,
Automatic Transmission with the "shift with no clutch feature" in
Drive...lol... I am totally green to BMW as I have always owned one of
the "big three" so any tips on this new girlfriend I have bought? BTW I
am a very fussy "clean freak" and my previous sports car was and still is
a mint tropy winning (car shows) all original '77 Corvette that I am
selling to make room for this BMW. Back to the BMW...I want to take this
freaking car to bed with me I am so in love with it... anything I need to
know about this car? Thanks... Jim

It's a soft top and you live in a area where "winters can be bitterly
cold, with high temperatures not breaking ?17 °C (0 °F) for weeks at a
time.", so I would get some electrically heated ear muffs or start looking
for realistic plastic replacements now.
Hi Mark,

Yes.. I have a heated garage for it and once that white shit starts
falling from the sky the car will be parked and not winter driven, other
than to be fired up a few times a month to keep seals etc. from drying out
same as I do with the Corvette... I know all about winters...LOL...spent 12
years above the arctic circle...This new baby is stayin inside...

Thanks for your input...Jim

#9

"Jim" <nospam@wherever> wrote

Quote:

"R. Mark Clayton" <nospamclayton (AT) btinternet (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:4eydncRLAMEpmivXnZ2dnUVZ8gOdnZ2d (AT) bt (DOT) com...

"Jim" <nospam@wherever> wrote in message
news:0qadnRxBdfXIpyjXnZ2dnUVZ_vSdnZ2d (AT) posted (DOT) sasktel...
Hello,

I am in Saskatchewan Canada and just bought a used 2003 Z4 Roadster
with a soft top. It has 28 thousand kilometers on it (15 thousand
miles)and was mostly stored and driven by a middle aged couple...... It
esentially is new inside and out. Has an inline 6 cylinder 3 l motor,
Automatic Transmission with the "shift with no clutch feature" in
Drive...lol... I am totally green to BMW as I have always owned one of
the "big three" so any tips on this new girlfriend I have bought? BTW I
am a very fussy "clean freak" and my previous sports car was and still
is a mint tropy winning (car shows) all original '77 Corvette that I am
selling to make room for this BMW. Back to the BMW...I want to take this
freaking car to bed with me I am so in love with it... anything I need
to know about this car? Thanks... Jim

It's a soft top and you live in a area where "winters can be bitterly
cold, with high temperatures not breaking ?17 °C (0 °F) for weeks at a
time.", so I would get some electrically heated ear muffs or start
looking for realistic plastic replacements now.
Hi Mark,

Yes.. I have a heated garage for it and once that white shit starts
falling from the sky the car will be parked and not winter driven, other
than to be fired up a few times a month to keep seals etc. from drying
out same as I do with the Corvette... I know all about
winters...LOL...spent 12 years above the arctic circle...This new baby is
stayin inside...

Thanks for your input...Jim
Actually, with the Z4's a lined top, good heater and electric rear window

defroster, you'll be toasty warm. Even top down at 60oF is OK with the heat
on!

I do recommend RaggTopp fabric top protectant to keep the top looking good.
And if you'll be driving in below freezing weather, you'll want to replace
the Bridgestone 050 tires with good winter rubber.

Enjoy.

Tom

#10

"Dave Plowman (News)" <dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk> wrote

Quote:

In article <kLKdnSxpN6W8lSvXnZ2dnUVZ8iudnZ2d (AT) bt (DOT) com>,
R. Mark Clayton <nospamclayton (AT) btinternet (DOT) com> wrote:

"Dave Plowman (News)" <dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk> wrote in message
news:509da5fc5ddave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk...
In article <0qadnRxBdfXIpyjXnZ2dnUVZ_vSdnZ2d (AT) posted (DOT) sasktel>,
Jim <nospam@wherever> wrote:
Has an inline 6 cylinder 3 l motor, Automatic
Transmission with the "shift with no clutch feature" in Drive...lol...

That's got me confused. What does it mean?

No clutch pedal in the footwell - Doh!

Err, which automatic transmission has a clutch pedal?

I guess the closest would be a pre-selector gear box -- but I that does back

to pre-WWII days and few cars I recall that were around in the 50s..

Quote:

Only car auto I know that
changes without a clutch is the infinitely variable
'rubber band' type. ;-)

--
*It is wrong to ever split an infinitive *

Dave Plowman dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.