First Timer 22 Report post Posted January 30, 2022 I've been riding motorbikes for 40 years and my wife wanted to get her motorbike licence. during the test she fell off. after that, she was afraid of even riding on the back of my Harley Softail. Remembering back to my older days when i had a 1971 Corvette, convertible, i saw that as as close as you can come to a motorbike. Hence we started looking for a practical convertible. My wife's friend had a 70's Mer SL350 but when thieves decided to steal (what turned out to be nothing in the car) they sliced the top and it cost $5000 to repair. My first choice for a convertible would have been a 1974 Jensen-Healey or a 70's Fiat 124 Spyder ; wife didn't like either so it came down to a Merc SLK or a E89 Z4 since they are hard top convertibles. comparing the looks and finish along with the top operation, it was a clear choice. Mercedes is less refined and the roof makes noises going up or down like my back makes when i get out of bed in the morning. we ended up buying a 2010 S-drive 2.3 N52 6 cylinder import from japan for 23k in 4.5 condition with 68k I spent a couple of thousand upgrading it to carplay which integrates with the factory CIC with NZ maps, 2016 side markers, LED headlamps with daytime driving lamps, cruise control ,parking cameras and sensors. And all for less than a 15 year old stock Mazda MX-5. Now in its present form it has every available factory option along with carplay. During my life I've had many cars; a GTS Dino, AMC AMX, a Porsche 911SE,, a 1971 LS 454 Corvette convertible and a 1978 Bandit Trans Am. I've never got more positive feedback as I have with this car. I've had 5 people ask me in the last two months if I was willing to sell it. When I was thinking of buying the E89 I thought it would be a rough riding car like my Caldina GT-four. It's a very smooth GT tour with a top speed a can't disclose here. it has exceeded all my expectations. I just wish it was easier for my old bones to get in and out of. I do have a handicap placard that I do display when i park(since I have one leg) in a handicap parking spot, but people have keyed my car inspite of that. I think they think that no pour person could afford such a car but it's cheaper than a new Suzuki swift. I do have a question about the wheels: they are staggered 19x9.5 in the back and 19x9 in the front. does anyone know the code and paint code for the wheels? I think the are LA Star Spoke. 7 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjm 3258 Report post Posted January 30, 2022 I saw the title and thought "Why not?" Lovely car. I even like the looks, which I know some people don't. Rims look like E9x Style 230, but I thought they were 9x19 all round. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
First Timer 22 Report post Posted January 30, 2022 On 1/25/2022 at 7:54 AM, promo said: 2 minutes ago, gjm said: I saw the title and thought "Why not?" Lovely car. I even like the looks, which I know some people don't. Rims look like E9x Style 230, but I thought they were 9x19 all round. Yes I agree (i thought it looks very sexy ) but that's not something i can say to my wife (since it was designed by two women). lol 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sammo 2550 Report post Posted January 30, 2022 Nice work, I think these look absolutely sensational with hardtop up in a dark colour. Hate to think what your old Dino GTS might be worth now! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
First Timer 22 Report post Posted January 30, 2022 12 minutes ago, gjm said: E9x Style 230 according to the tyres they are 9 inch in front and 9.5 in rear. maybe it's a Japanese thing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
First Timer 22 Report post Posted January 30, 2022 (edited) On 1/30/2022 at 10:29 PM, Sammo said: Nice work, I think these look absolutely sensational with hardtop up in a dark colour. Hate to think what your old Dino GTS might be worth now! yes, and also my other cars,,,,,,,,when i was younger i never thought about cars going up in value. I bought the 1974 Dino GTS for $3500 in 1977 because it had a dent in the left fender. I sold it two years later for $2500 because back then a Dino was considered a Fiat and not a Ferrari. i think if i had just parked those cars in a shed i'd make millions selling them now. Edited February 1, 2022 by nowool edit 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjm 3258 Report post Posted January 30, 2022 16 minutes ago, nowool said: according to the tyres they are 9 inch in front and 9.5 in rear. maybe it's a Japanese thing. The tyres could be different sizes, but mounted on the same width rim. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
First Timer 22 Report post Posted January 30, 2022 6 minutes ago, nowool said: 5 minutes ago, gjm said: The tyres could be different sizes, but mounted on the same width rim. thanks for that tip; could be due to steering rub. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Haggisman 35 Report post Posted January 30, 2022 9 hours ago, nowool said: Nice car, worth looking at the UK Z4 forum - www.Z4-forum.com heaps of info and help on that site. Have fun. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted January 30, 2022 BMW Style 230 8x19 225/35/19 9x19 255/30/19 One thing to note is if the tyres fitted are run flat tyres, these rims have a highish chance of getting hairline cracks if you hit a pothole or similar at speed. 19” rims with low profile runflat tyres and nz roads is not a nice combo unfortunately! 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacko 2158 Report post Posted February 1, 2022 Are these N52B25 or 30s? Cool shape, I like em. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jon dee 500 Report post Posted February 1, 2022 On 1/30/2022 at 10:04 PM, nowool said: I've been riding motorbikes for 40 years and my wife wanted to get her motorbike licence. during the test she fell off. after that, she was afraid of even riding on the back of my Harley Softail. I do have a handicap placard that I do display when i park (since I have one leg) Apologies for going off topic, but does this mean that you always do U-turns towards the side with the leg ? I met a guy once who had both hips replaced and he had power operated "trainer wheels" fitted to his Goldwing to get around this problem. Cheers... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
First Timer 22 Report post Posted February 1, 2022 Just now, jon dee said: Apologies for going off topic, but does this mean that you always do U-turns towards the side with the leg ? I met a guy once who had both hips replaced and he had power operated "trainer wheels" fitted to his Goldwing to get around this problem. Cheers... my leg was was a high tech one replaced by the US NAVY, not the stump supplied to people in NZ. it interacts with my nervous system . not the peg leg offered in NZ. I still compete in Shotokan karate and the new leg is much faster. If i was left with your NZ healthcare i would have a stump like a pirate from the 1700's 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
First Timer 22 Report post Posted February 1, 2022 (edited) On 1/31/2022 at 10:11 AM, qube said: BMW Style 230 8x19 225/35/19 9x19 255/30/19 One thing to note is if the tyres fitted are run flat tyres, these rims have a highish chance of getting hairline cracks if you hit a pothole or similar at speed. 19” rims with low profile runflat tyres and nz roads is not a nice combo unfortunately! they are not runflats. they are antenzo very smooth ride but i keep a inflator patch can in the trunk. also the previous owner removed the wheel lock thanks for the info: i didn't know they were rare versions of the E90 230 wheels. the tyres and rims have a very smooth ride. when it comes time to replace the tyres i'll refinish the wheels back to factory spec. I've ordered a used set of 17x8 staggered wheels and tyres(that i imagine it would have come with) Edited February 2, 2022 by nowool edit Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
First Timer 22 Report post Posted February 2, 2022 On 1/31/2022 at 8:36 AM, Haggisman said: Nice car, worth looking at the UK Z4 forum - www.Z4-forum.com heaps of info and help on that site. Have fun. i've been looking over that forum. still yet to find a manual for a s-line 2.3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Haggisman 35 Report post Posted February 2, 2022 6 hours ago, nowool said: i've been looking over that forum. still yet to find a manual for a s-line 2.3 If you haven’t done so already worth asking the question on the uk forum, someone may have one or know where to look. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
First Timer 22 Report post Posted February 13, 2022 On 1/31/2022 at 8:36 AM, Haggisman said: Nice car, worth looking at the UK Z4 forum - www.Z4-forum.com heaps of info and help on that site. Have fun. I went and joined that forum and they are very hostile to any Japanese cars. I think it's because of the higher compression and 98 Ron requirements. it was sort of like like walking in to a VFW bar and supporting Hitler, lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
First Timer 22 Report post Posted February 13, 2022 On 1/31/2022 at 8:36 AM, Haggisman said: Nice car, worth looking at the UK Z4 forum - www.Z4-forum.com heaps of info and help on that site. Have fun. went and joined that forum and they are very hostile to any Japanese cars. I think it's because of the higher compression and 98 Ron requirements. it was sort of like like walking in to a VFW bar and supporting Hitler, lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
First Timer 22 Report post Posted February 13, 2022 On 2/2/2022 at 12:27 AM, nowool said: they are not runflats. they are antenzo very smooth ride but i keep a inflator patch can in the trunk. also the previous owner removed the wheel lock thanks for the info: i didn't know they were rare versions of the E90 230 wheels. the tyres and rims have a very smooth ride. when it comes time to replace the tyres i'll refinish the wheels back to factory spec. I've ordered a used set of 17x8 staggered wheels and tyres(that i imagine it would have come with) i bought a set of 17"x5 E89 10 spoke BMW wheels with RFT for $350 they are within roadworthy spec so they will be useful for spares. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
First Timer 22 Report post Posted February 13, 2022 (edited) On 1/31/2022 at 8:36 AM, Haggisman said: Nice car, worth looking at the UK Z4 forum - www.Z4-forum.com heaps of info and help on that site. Have fun. On 2/1/2022 at 3:01 PM, Jacko said: Are these N52B25 or 30s? Cool shape, I like em. they are very hostile , just look up my member name nowool and look at the comments. its like 'how dare your Z4 have more power than mine! you should be crucified! I'm now ashamed my American great-grandfather fought in the war what did the american;s fight for? the whole country is now socialist. God save the Queen. F+++ck the rest. Edited February 13, 2022 by nowool comments Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
First Timer 22 Report post Posted February 13, 2022 On 2/3/2022 at 8:16 AM, Haggisman said: If you haven’t done so already worth asking the question on the uk forum, someone may have one or know where to look. the whole point of the forum is for advice............the brit forum amswer is about attack Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Haggisman 35 Report post Posted February 13, 2022 7 hours ago, nowool said: the whole point of the forum is for advice............the brit forum amswer is about attack My experience of the UK Z4-forum.com site has been quite different to yours. I searched for posts made under nowool and it came up as 0 posts so can’t comment. Anyway, I guess things are as we see it and regardless you are enjoying your Z Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leonard 3 Report post Posted March 26, 2022 Hi Edward, Very nice! I bought the sibling to yours in the middle of last year. For reference, the wheels are off the gen 2 Z4M. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3341 Report post Posted March 26, 2022 On 2/14/2022 at 12:23 AM, First Timer said: the whole point of the forum is for advice............the brit forum amswer is about attack lots of Brit-based fora are in that space now; it's a reflection of the country. Brexit is the backdrop, they're in turmoil. I dig your car Mr First Timer, it's well-cool. Welcome to Bimmersport! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
