Potential Z4 buyer in Sweden

drem · 03-14-2012, 01:54 AM

I have totally fallen in love with this car and I really want to replace my 8 year old Saab, but I have a concern. Will it work as a year-around car in Sweden, with 1-2 months of winter (snow/salt) and down to -10 degrees Celsius? Does this car have a "coating" underneath to protect from corrosion? Having two cars is not an option for me. I do have a heated garage at home, and the car is mostly going to go to- and from work.

Do we have any Swedish (or other nordic contries) Z4 owners in this forum who can share their experiences?

This is the specific car I am interested in:
http://www.blocket.se/goteborg/BMW_Z....htm?ca=15&w=1

Fragile · 03-14-2012, 03:56 AM

Hi drem,

Have a Z in southern Sweden and been driving it around during the winter. No problems so far although having it in a warm garage during the nights.
The heated seats are really warm and the middle upper air vents bring warm air quickly.
I do run the Z with studded tires (dubbdäck) because of the more icy conditions we have here.
And its the same for me, cannot have two cars.

Go ahead. make yourself happy!

drem · 03-14-2012, 07:03 AM

Thanks for the input !

NFexec · 03-14-2012, 02:25 PM

I'm sure you know you must put 4 snow tires on the car during the cold months with any chance of freezing rain or snow... not just the 2 months of snow season. High performance summer tires get hard and slick in cold weather. Not a happy place to be!

These cars today are treated with far more sensible anti-corrosion materials than cars from "yesteryear". In fact some "rust proofing" applications actually can harm the car; so if you decide to do any extra application - check the forum for others' experiences first.

If you have access to clean (warm?) water and a drain in your garage, then you are like gold. Wash the car and spray down the undercarriage completely from time to time in your heated garage. NEVER take it to a car wash!

The only time you might have trouble is if the snow gets quite deep. Do a search here on winter or snow and you'll get plenty of ideas.

Good luck - and get the car!

Doug

SHADOW4 · 03-14-2012, 08:24 PM

Go for it!
I have seen a lady in white drivning her 2009 all year around in the Sthlm area, even last winter that was one of the worst in years.
Heating is exellent and the steeringwheel get so hot you go nna need gloves ;-).
My Z is black and a pain to keep clean so i keep it in the garage until april.
Just drive it now and then so engine, gearbox and diff and other hot parts gets up to max workingtemp to get rid of condensed water. Looks like a good deal with 5 years of free service. Tax and insurance is strangly quite cheap for this kind of Joy! But you have to spend a lot on carschampoo. Dirty Zed is a sad Zed.

I still am in love with my black beauty so i know how you feel. Amazing lines!

drem · 03-14-2012, 09:45 PM

I do have warm water and drain in the garage. It's quite narrow, but I think it'll do.

cdeslandes · 03-15-2012, 09:31 AM

Several of us on this forum drive their Z4 year round in the northern US and Canada, where we get snow and -20C in winter.

Get good snow tires like Blizzaks and you'll do just fine!

The hard top makes the car very comfortable in winter.

az34 · 03-15-2012, 04:05 PM

hi Drem i live in Montreal Canada, i think weather is somehow similar to Sweden. I 'll never use the Z as a dd, summer toy only there are a lot of more practical car on the market,if you are ccompelled to own only one. Good luck.

juhap · 03-16-2012, 09:16 AM

Get winter tires and you'll be fine. I've had the previous and the new Zed as daily drivers for 5 years now, and never had any serious problems. I haven't even needed studded winter tires. I do try to stay away from routes where I might have to stop on a steep uphill, but I'd do that with any RWD car in winter without studded tires.

Those who don't drive their Zed in winter are missing out on a lot of fun.

drem · 03-16-2012, 04:19 PM

Thanks for all the input guys! Seems like the Z4 handles winter pretty good then. I have still not decided to actually go for a new car. It's a lot of money for me, but I would gladly cut off the expenses in some other areas for this

I am thinking, if you're going to own a car like this, you better do it now, before hitting 40 and before any kids arrive

I might visit the dealer and have a closer look at the car tomorrow, if they're open.

SHADOW4 · 03-16-2012, 06:11 PM

I'm 50+ and My son is 8 and we have a ball with this car!

You are not older than you still can do it in your pants!

Man har inte roligare än vad man gör på sig!

drem · 03-16-2012, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHADOW4

Man har inte roligare än vad man gör på sig!

Hahaha, my former work colleague used that expression all the time

ChuckB · 03-17-2012, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

Several of us on this forum drive their Z4 year round in the northern US and Canada, where we get snow and -20C in winter.

Get good snow tires like Blizzaks and you'll do just fine!

The hard top makes the car very comfortable in winter.

Add Germany to the year round drivers list

cdeslandes · 03-18-2012, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juhap

Those who don't drive their Zed in winter are missing out on a lot of fun.

They certainly do!

drem · 03-19-2012, 06:09 AM

Love that snow picture

drem · 03-19-2012, 06:12 AM

How does the windows work when it's really cold outside? Can they freeze up? If they freeze the doors cannot be opened?

juhap · 03-19-2012, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drem

How does the windows work when it's really cold outside? Can they freeze up? If they freeze the doors cannot be opened?

You have a heated garage, so I wouldn't worry about it. They're not likely to freeze while you're driving. Normal maintenance of the rubber seals should prevent any issues. I do remember someone here having problems with doors freezing shut, but it's never happened to me even though the temperature in my garage drops below zero when it's cold enough outside.

cdeslandes · 03-19-2012, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drem

How does the windows work when it's really cold outside? Can they freeze up? If they freeze the doors cannot be opened?

Treat the rubber seals with Gummi Pfledge. In particular, the roof seals.

Other than that, it's just like any other car.

drem · 03-21-2012, 11:56 AM

Had a look at the car today and good talk with the salesman. Will think about this for a few days. Car looked even more nice IRL than in the pictures. Here are some bad quality mobile photos:

drem · 04-02-2012, 01:02 PM

Looks like wednesday is test drive day !

CeEl · 04-02-2012, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drem

Looks like wednesday is test drive day !

If you are trying to get us to talk you out of it, you are in the wrong forum!!!

Can't believe you didn't buy it yet.

drem · 04-02-2012, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CeEl

If you are trying to get us to talk you out of it, you are in the wrong forum!!!

Can't believe you didn't buy it yet.

Haha, I thought not

Really looking forward to the test drive. I didn't drive a BMW for years.

03-14-2012, 01:54 AM	#1
drem Private First Class 15 Rep 126 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive23i 2011 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	Potential Z4 buyer in Sweden I have totally fallen in love with this car and I really want to replace my 8 year old Saab, but I have a concern. Will it work as a year-around car in Sweden, with 1-2 months of winter (snow/salt) and down to -10 degrees Celsius? Does this car have a "coating" underneath to protect from corrosion? Having two cars is not an option for me. I do have a heated garage at home, and the car is mostly going to go to- and from work. Do we have any Swedish (or other nordic contries) Z4 owners in this forum who can share their experiences? This is the specific car I am interested in: http://www.blocket.se/goteborg/BMW_Z....htm?ca=15&w=1
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03-14-2012, 03:56 AM	#2
Fragile New Member 2 Rep 8 Posts Drives: Havanna brown 640i Cabrio -11 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Malmoe, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Hi drem, Have a Z in southern Sweden and been driving it around during the winter. No problems so far although having it in a warm garage during the nights. The heated seats are really warm and the middle upper air vents bring warm air quickly. I do run the Z with studded tires (dubbdäck) because of the more icy conditions we have here. And its the same for me, cannot have two cars. Go ahead. make yourself happy!
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03-14-2012, 07:03 AM	#3
drem Private First Class 15 Rep 126 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive23i 2011 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the input !
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03-14-2012, 02:25 PM	#4
NFexec Private First Class 14 Rep 131 Posts Drives: '11 E91; '12 Z4 35i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Beachwood, OH iTrader: (0)	I'm sure you know you must put 4 snow tires on the car during the cold months with any chance of freezing rain or snow... not just the 2 months of snow season. High performance summer tires get hard and slick in cold weather. Not a happy place to be! These cars today are treated with far more sensible anti-corrosion materials than cars from "yesteryear". In fact some "rust proofing" applications actually can harm the car; so if you decide to do any extra application - check the forum for others' experiences first. If you have access to clean (warm?) water and a drain in your garage, then you are like gold. Wash the car and spray down the undercarriage completely from time to time in your heated garage. NEVER take it to a car wash! The only time you might have trouble is if the snow gets quite deep. Do a search here on winter or snow and you'll get plenty of ideas. Good luck - and get the car! Doug
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03-14-2012, 08:24 PM	#5
SHADOW4 Lieutenant 44 Rep 486 Posts Drives: Tanzanite M4 2018 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 E89 35i [0.00]	Go for it! I have seen a lady in white drivning her 2009 all year around in the Sthlm area, even last winter that was one of the worst in years. Heating is exellent and the steeringwheel get so hot you go nna need gloves ;-). My Z is black and a pain to keep clean so i keep it in the garage until april. Just drive it now and then so engine, gearbox and diff and other hot parts gets up to max workingtemp to get rid of condensed water. Looks like a good deal with 5 years of free service. Tax and insurance is strangly quite cheap for this kind of Joy! But you have to spend a lot on carschampoo. Dirty Zed is a sad Zed. I still am in love with my black beauty so i know how you feel. Amazing lines!
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03-14-2012, 09:45 PM	#6
drem Private First Class 15 Rep 126 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive23i 2011 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	I do have warm water and drain in the garage. It's quite narrow, but I think it'll do.
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03-15-2012, 09:31 AM	#7
cdeslandes Captain 27 Rep 676 Posts Drives: 2010 Z4 s35i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Jeep Wrangler ... [0.00] 2013 Volvo XC90 [0.00] 2010 BMW Z4 sDrive35i [8.67]	Several of us on this forum drive their Z4 year round in the northern US and Canada, where we get snow and -20C in winter. Get good snow tires like Blizzaks and you'll do just fine! The hard top makes the car very comfortable in winter. __________________ 2010 BMW Z4 s35i 2014 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2013 Volvo XC90
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03-15-2012, 04:05 PM	#8
az34 Major 54 Rep 1,014 Posts Drives: 2009 z4sdrive35i 2008 x5 3.0i Join Date: May 2011 Location: montréal iTrader: (0)	hi Drem i live in Montreal Canada, i think weather is somehow similar to Sweden. I 'll never use the Z as a dd, summer toy only there are a lot of more practical car on the market,if you are ccompelled to own only one. Good luck.
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03-16-2012, 09:16 AM	#9
juhap Lieutenant 14 Rep 530 Posts Drives: sDrive35i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Finland iTrader: (0)	Get winter tires and you'll be fine. I've had the previous and the new Zed as daily drivers for 5 years now, and never had any serious problems. I haven't even needed studded winter tires. I do try to stay away from routes where I might have to stop on a steep uphill, but I'd do that with any RWD car in winter without studded tires. Those who don't drive their Zed in winter are missing out on a lot of fun.
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03-16-2012, 04:19 PM	#10
drem Private First Class 15 Rep 126 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive23i 2011 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the input guys! Seems like the Z4 handles winter pretty good then. I have still not decided to actually go for a new car. It's a lot of money for me, but I would gladly cut off the expenses in some other areas for this I am thinking, if you're going to own a car like this, you better do it now, before hitting 40 and before any kids arrive I might visit the dealer and have a closer look at the car tomorrow, if they're open.
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03-16-2012, 06:11 PM	#11
SHADOW4 Lieutenant 44 Rep 486 Posts Drives: Tanzanite M4 2018 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 E89 35i [0.00]	Age I'm 50+ and My son is 8 and we have a ball with this car! You are not older than you still can do it in your pants! Man har inte roligare än vad man gör på sig!
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03-19-2012, 06:09 AM	#15
drem Private First Class 15 Rep 126 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive23i 2011 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	Love that snow picture
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03-19-2012, 06:12 AM	#16
drem Private First Class 15 Rep 126 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive23i 2011 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	How does the windows work when it's really cold outside? Can they freeze up? If they freeze the doors cannot be opened?
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03-21-2012, 11:56 AM	#19
drem Private First Class 15 Rep 126 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive23i 2011 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	Had a look at the car today and good talk with the salesman. Will think about this for a few days. Car looked even more nice IRL than in the pictures. Here are some bad quality mobile photos: Attached Images Last edited by drem; 03-21-2012 at 12:38 PM..
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04-02-2012, 01:02 PM	#20
drem Private First Class 15 Rep 126 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive23i 2011 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	Looks like wednesday is test drive day !
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