My new BMW Z4 35is purchase... with pictures and report

FalconFlyer · 12-29-2011, 01:40 PM

Hello all,

Just took delivery of my 2012 BMW Z4 35is.

Not in the pictures are my painted calipers (which were just done in black... I just heard about the caliper cover... or I would have gone that route) and stubby antenna.

Smart top is on order and should be here by the end of the week.

Lux AE lights have been installed as well as the LED Amber turn signal light. Ok, here is the deal on the AE lights, they are brighter than most LED AE lights on the market, however NOT as bright as the OEM amber lights. There has been considerable trial and error over on the 7 series side on this topic. I personally have tried 6 different LED AE options and none of them are as bright as the OEM amber AE lights. I have a friend of mine that is making me some LED AE lights to my specs for the 7, so I will see how those do. The LUX lights come close, but in order for the whiter lights to be seen in bright sunlight, they actually need to be brighter than the OEM AE lights in my opinion.

I plan doing the ESS Tuning option here in a few weeks.. just need to get the thing out of the break-in period.

Ok, report on the car. I absolutely love it, I owned a Audi R8 V8 this year and a Lotus Evora, and I can say that this car is just as fast as the R8, and more fun to drive than the Evora. I will say I look forward to getting rid of these RFT (on all of my cars), the noise can be a little bothersome in the Z4....

The only issues I have had is with the BMW APP, I chose not to purchase the docking station (because I have a cover for my iPhone and did not want to remove it every time I got in the car). I have the data cables (the one with the large box), however when I hook up the phone, it sees my phone, however not the APP or anything else. Any insights on this will help.

Anyhow, a lot of your posts were great when I was making my decision, so thanks so much!

ZheHbKa · 12-29-2011, 01:45 PM

cool color, congrats! and welcome!

Colorado · 12-29-2011, 03:04 PM

I am interested in knowing about the stubby antenna. Did you order that with the car or did the dealer install it. Thank you.

FalconFlyer · 12-29-2011, 03:25 PM

Hey Colorado...

Easy as pie, go to http://www.stubbyantenna.com/

Un-screw your current antenna... and screw in the replacement..... takes about 20 seconds...

RichysBlk35i · 12-29-2011, 04:21 PM

Hi Falcon,
Looking real, real good!! I really wanted Jet Black on my 35i, but my second choice was the blue. Congrats and do enjoy your beautiful Z. We are all lucky to have a true roadster as good as the Z4.
Safe and fun driving!!

DavidJS · 12-29-2011, 04:30 PM

Beautiful! Would love to see pics of the interior as well.

So do the BMW apps require the clip-in adapter (dock) to work? Somewhere I thought I read that might be true.

Time · 12-29-2011, 06:47 PM

Congrats!

For the BMW connected app; the app has to be opened on your iPhone when you plug it into the USB port.

Do you know of any LED AE kit that is as bright as the OEM LEDs?

Jayda · 12-29-2011, 07:00 PM

Very nice! Florida is a great place for a convertible just keep the love bugs off it come spring!

FalconFlyer · 12-29-2011, 07:15 PM

DavidJS.... regarding the dock.... that is what I asked my dealership... and they said no.. but I have found in my experience with BMW dealerships...when it comes to technology, they don't know very much. So if anyone has any information please let me know...

///MMB - regarding the AE LED lights from LUX... no they are no where near the brightness of the OEM AE lights. I have a 335i that has the OEM AE lights... and they are extremely bright. I will try to get some pictures.

haxsyn · 12-29-2011, 08:58 PM

Congrats! I recently took over a lease of an '11 35is, and absolutely love it. It's no surprise you are happy with yours too

--- This car is super quick!

FalconFlyer · 12-29-2011, 10:01 PM

Yes it is..... I talked to a friend of mine that did the ESS Tuning to his 35is... and he said it now keeps up with his friends V10 R8 and his recorded 0-60 times are in the mid 3's...

GaryRudolph · 12-29-2011, 10:03 PM

re: BMW Apps
1) The iPhone App has to be running in the foreground
2) I believe you have to use the media dock

FYI I saw a 3 series that had a long cable plugged into the media dock so that you locate the phone elsewhere.

z4ps · 12-30-2011, 12:49 AM

Nice Garage!! and Congratz

Colorado · 12-30-2011, 07:35 AM

Thanks, Falconflyer.

EdM5 · 12-30-2011, 01:15 PM

Stunning!

SilverII · 12-30-2011, 02:42 PM

wow...nice

FalconFlyer · 12-30-2011, 06:48 PM

Thanks everyone.... I will give the app a try again. I will have some reviews this week on the AE lights...

FalconFlyer · 01-02-2012, 05:31 PM

Just installed the Smart top.... this is a must have!! Very easy to install.... took about 30 min

Dr Stig 2 · 01-02-2012, 06:50 PM

Sigh...

I remember having a car that clean once...

Mr Breeze · 01-02-2012, 07:36 PM

FF - congrats and welcome!
That's my favorite color and wheel combo.
So why did I go silver rather than blue? Arizona dust.

FalconFlyer · 01-04-2012, 07:29 PM

Here are some more pictures of the car.. plus inside shots...

az34 · 01-05-2012, 03:23 PM

very nice but i'd rather like cars color for the mirrors instead of silver.take good care of it!

12-29-2011, 01:40 PM	#1
FalconFlyer Private First Class 13 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW M6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Tampa Florida iTrader: (0)	My new BMW Z4 35is purchase... with pictures and report Hello all, Just took delivery of my 2012 BMW Z4 35is. Not in the pictures are my painted calipers (which were just done in black... I just heard about the caliper cover... or I would have gone that route) and stubby antenna. Smart top is on order and should be here by the end of the week. Lux AE lights have been installed as well as the LED Amber turn signal light. Ok, here is the deal on the AE lights, they are brighter than most LED AE lights on the market, however NOT as bright as the OEM amber lights. There has been considerable trial and error over on the 7 series side on this topic. I personally have tried 6 different LED AE options and none of them are as bright as the OEM amber AE lights. I have a friend of mine that is making me some LED AE lights to my specs for the 7, so I will see how those do. The LUX lights come close, but in order for the whiter lights to be seen in bright sunlight, they actually need to be brighter than the OEM AE lights in my opinion. I plan doing the ESS Tuning option here in a few weeks.. just need to get the thing out of the break-in period. Ok, report on the car. I absolutely love it, I owned a Audi R8 V8 this year and a Lotus Evora, and I can say that this car is just as fast as the R8, and more fun to drive than the Evora. I will say I look forward to getting rid of these RFT (on all of my cars), the noise can be a little bothersome in the Z4.... The only issues I have had is with the BMW APP, I chose not to purchase the docking station (because I have a cover for my iPhone and did not want to remove it every time I got in the car). I have the data cables (the one with the large box), however when I hook up the phone, it sees my phone, however not the APP or anything else. Any insights on this will help. Anyhow, a lot of your posts were great when I was making my decision, so thanks so much! __________________ 2016 X6M 2016 X5M 2016 750i
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12-29-2011, 01:45 PM	#2
ZheHbKa Lieutenant Colonel 78 Rep 1,793 Posts Drives: the Wind Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 335 Xi [10.00]	cool color, congrats! and welcome! __________________ 2014 F30 335 X-Drive \| 6-MT \| Alpine White/Coral Red \| ZMM ZDH ZDA \|
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12-29-2011, 03:04 PM	#3
Colorado Private First Class 3 Rep 118 Posts Drives: 2012 Z428i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	I am interested in knowing about the stubby antenna. Did you order that with the car or did the dealer install it. Thank you.
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12-29-2011, 03:25 PM	#4
FalconFlyer Private First Class 13 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW M6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Tampa Florida iTrader: (0)	Hey Colorado... Easy as pie, go to http://www.stubbyantenna.com/ Un-screw your current antenna... and screw in the replacement..... takes about 20 seconds... __________________ 2016 X6M 2016 X5M 2016 750i
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12-29-2011, 04:21 PM	#5
RichysBlk35i Enlisted Member 0 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW Z435i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Orange County, Ca. iTrader: (0)	Hi Falcon, Looking real, real good!! I really wanted Jet Black on my 35i, but my second choice was the blue. Congrats and do enjoy your beautiful Z. We are all lucky to have a true roadster as good as the Z4. Safe and fun driving!!
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12-29-2011, 04:30 PM	#6
DavidJS Private First Class 4 Rep 119 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive 35is Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Beautiful! Would love to see pics of the interior as well. So do the BMW apps require the clip-in adapter (dock) to work? Somewhere I thought I read that might be true.
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12-29-2011, 06:47 PM	#7
Time Member 74 Rep 379 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (1) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [0.00]	Congrats! For the BMW connected app; the app has to be opened on your iPhone when you plug it into the USB port. Do you know of any LED AE kit that is as bright as the OEM LEDs? __________________ .
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12-29-2011, 07:00 PM	#8
Jayda Lieutenant 41 Rep 509 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	Very nice! Florida is a great place for a convertible just keep the love bugs off it come spring! __________________ 2009 Z4 35i, alpine white with beige leather and all the goodies (new to me with 4,500 miles in October, 2011)
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12-29-2011, 07:15 PM	#9
FalconFlyer Private First Class 13 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW M6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Tampa Florida iTrader: (0)	DavidJS.... regarding the dock.... that is what I asked my dealership... and they said no.. but I have found in my experience with BMW dealerships...when it comes to technology, they don't know very much. So if anyone has any information please let me know... ///MMB - regarding the AE LED lights from LUX... no they are no where near the brightness of the OEM AE lights. I have a 335i that has the OEM AE lights... and they are extremely bright. I will try to get some pictures. __________________ 2016 X6M 2016 X5M 2016 750i
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12-29-2011, 08:58 PM	#10
haxsyn Enlisted Member 3 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 35is Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Miami iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW Z4 35is [7.00]	Congrats! I recently took over a lease of an '11 35is, and absolutely love it. It's no surprise you are happy with yours too --- This car is super quick!
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12-29-2011, 10:01 PM	#11
FalconFlyer Private First Class 13 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW M6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Tampa Florida iTrader: (0)	Yes it is..... I talked to a friend of mine that did the ESS Tuning to his 35is... and he said it now keeps up with his friends V10 R8 and his recorded 0-60 times are in the mid 3's... __________________ 2016 X6M 2016 X5M 2016 750i
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12-29-2011, 10:03 PM	#12
GaryRudolph Private 10 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 2012 Z4 sDrive35is Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	re: BMW Apps 1) The iPhone App has to be running in the foreground 2) I believe you have to use the media dock FYI I saw a 3 series that had a long cable plugged into the media dock so that you locate the phone elsewhere.
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12-30-2011, 12:49 AM	#13
z4ps Lieutenant 28 Rep 507 Posts Drives: F32 M4 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Socal iTrader: (13)	Nice Garage!! and Congratz
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12-30-2011, 07:35 AM	#14
Colorado Private First Class 3 Rep 118 Posts Drives: 2012 Z428i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	Thanks, Falconflyer.
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12-30-2011, 01:15 PM	#15
EdM5 Colonel 4066 Rep 2,064 Posts Drives: G26 i4 M50 & E70 X5 Xdrive35d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Amsterdam iTrader: (0)	Stunning! __________________ 2004 e87 118d (ret.), 2007 e92 330d (ret.), 2007 e87 130i M-sport (ret.), 2009 e92 M3 (ret.), 2010 f10 535d M-sport (ret.), 2015 f10 M5 CP (ret.), 2017 f82 M4 CP (ret.) 2022 g26 i4 M50 & 2009 e70 X5 35d
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12-30-2011, 02:42 PM	#16
SilverII Colonel 40 Rep 2,334 Posts Drives: '11 335IS Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: DFW iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335IS [9.66]	wow...nice
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12-30-2011, 06:48 PM	#17
FalconFlyer Private First Class 13 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW M6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Tampa Florida iTrader: (0)	Thanks everyone.... I will give the app a try again. I will have some reviews this week on the AE lights... __________________ 2016 X6M 2016 X5M 2016 750i
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01-02-2012, 05:31 PM	#18
FalconFlyer Private First Class 13 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW M6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Tampa Florida iTrader: (0)	Just installed the Smart top.... this is a must have!! Very easy to install.... took about 30 min __________________ 2016 X6M 2016 X5M 2016 750i
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01-02-2012, 06:50 PM	#19
Dr Stig 2 Criminally Insane 53 Rep 1,464 Posts Drives: Like a Demon! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW Z4 35is [10.00] 2013 BMW X5 30d [0.00]	Sigh... I remember having a car that clean once... __________________ Dr Stig 2010 Z4 35is 2011 X3 30d M Sport Australia
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01-02-2012, 07:36 PM	#20
Mr Breeze Private First Class 22 Rep 140 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 35is Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (1)	FF - congrats and welcome! That's my favorite color and wheel combo. So why did I go silver rather than blue? Arizona dust.
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01-04-2012, 07:29 PM	#21
FalconFlyer Private First Class 13 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW M6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Tampa Florida iTrader: (0)	Here are some more pictures of the car.. plus inside shots... __________________ 2016 X6M 2016 X5M 2016 750i
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01-05-2012, 03:23 PM	#22
az34 Major 54 Rep 1,014 Posts Drives: 2009 z4sdrive35i 2008 x5 3.0i Join Date: May 2011 Location: montréal iTrader: (0)	very nice but i'd rather like cars color for the mirrors instead of silver.take good care of it!
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