Stuart Little (2007 E85 Z4 2.5si manual)

[MR_Y]

Ditto.
Ah, the eternal dilemma. Do we persist with the vintage charm of older BMWs and endure their 'quirks', or gracefully surrender to the effortless ease of newer models, like that white Suzuki? Getting behind the wheel of most modern cars is like stepping into your trusty sneakers, reliable, nimble enough to keep pace, and comfy enough. And while the Z4 might not be your go-to for the daily grind, it's the kind of car that should tempt you to embark on midnight bread runs just for the sheer thrill of the drive, even if your pantry is already stocked! Perhaps it's time (for me) to bid adieu to fantasies of vintage/older BM M ownership and embrace the modern marvels that promise a smoother ride without leaving a trail of oil slicks in our wake. I don't know

I think if you know your way around a spanner and other tools and enjoy spending time working on a car, then there is a lot of pleasure to derive from caring for an older car. Unfortunately, when you have to pay someone to work on the car, then its like (insert inappropriate joke here comparing car to...).

Anyway, as I said earlier there are proper OGs on this forum who have the skills, experience and patience to properly care for and appreciate an old car.

 

[Benji]

I think if you know your way around a spanner and other tools and enjoy spending time working on a car, then there is a lot of pleasure to derive from caring for an older car. Unfortunately, when you have to pay someone to work on the car, then its like (insert inappropriate joke here comparing car to...).

Anyway, as I said earlier there are proper OGs on this forum who have the skills, experience and patience to properly care for and appreciate an old car.

This is so true. I would not recommend an "old" car to anyone who isnt going to perform most of the work on their car themselves, it just isnt worth the trauma and cost of 6-monthly visits to a mechanic. This becomes especially true when your threshold for new and interesting noises/knocks/rattles/squeaks is low.

Add to this the lack of good BMW mechanics at reasonable prices

 

[PsyCLown]

This is so true. I would not recommend an "old" car to anyone who isnt going to perform most of the work on their car themselves, it just isnt worth the trauma and cost of 6-monthly visits to a mechanic. This becomes especially true when your threshold for new and interesting noises/knocks/rattles/squeaks is low.

Add to this the lack of good BMW mechanics at reasonable prices

Easy solution to this problem, get a louder exhaust or turn up the volume!

 

[Benji]

Easy solution to this problem, get a louder exhaust or turn up the volume!

This is my current situation with my daily, I am being forced to fix weird noises because I have no music at the moment due to a 2 month delay in getting my radio from China.

 

[modocrat]

My remote works.
I found out that the battery needs replacing.
The old fashioned keys have the battery soldered in, so it is a mission to replace

How was this mission accomplished?
The previous owner of my E46 wanted to replace the battery before the hand-over, he opened the key and saw what a PITA it is to replace.

Anyone else got this done?

 

[MR_Y]

How was this mission accomplished?
The previous owner of my E46 wanted to replace the battery before the hand-over, he opened the key and saw what a PITA it is to replace.

Anyone else got this done?

Central Locksmiths in Corlett Drive.

 

[Benji]

How was this mission accomplished?
The previous owner of my E46 wanted to replace the battery before the hand-over, he opened the key and saw what a PITA it is to replace.

Anyone else got this done?

I did this, you can buy the batteries online for R100 each. The biggest pita is cutting open the key. This was delegated to the wife. Use a sharp stanley knife and be patient. Replace battery and superglue the 2 halves together. Easy peasy, Bobs your aunty

You will need to relearn the keys to the car afterwards

 

[TBP88]

I did this, you can buy the batteries online for R100 each. The biggest pita is cutting open the key. This was delegated to the wife. Use a sharp stanley knife and be patient. Replace battery and superglue the 2 halves together. Easy peasy, Bobs your aunty

You will need to relearn the keys to the car afterwards

also worth getting some china #1 keys and having them cut and coded, most indies can do it on the E46and prior era keys relatively easily (E85/6 was E46 lock tech).