Questions about materials used in Z4

Jayda · 11-05-2011, 11:44 AM

I'll preface this by saying I was not able to find the answers to these questions. So forgive me if they seem obvious. I am asking these questions for reasons of detailing my car:

1. Are parts of the dash and door trim leather rather than something synthetic? It looks like leather in the lower dash and the door trim?

2. What are the stock exhaust tips made of. I like nice shiney tips and mine are a bit grungy! I tried p21S total auto wash and wheel cleaner with only minimal results. I also have P21S metal polish but it says it should not be used on anodized surfaces. Are the tips anodized (by the way I called BMW and they couldn't answer this)?

jparnes1 · 11-05-2011, 12:05 PM

Try 000 steel wool on the tips. It will remove any black exhaust accumulation as long as you don't let it build up for years.

Roadstergal · 11-05-2011, 01:26 PM

No, the tips are not anodized. I use chrome polish with excellent results to remove the black soot.

Jayda · 11-05-2011, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadstergal

No, the tips are not anodized. I use chrome polish with excellent results to remove the black soot.

No idea why we had some in the garage but the chrome polish worked great! Great tip!

35iDriver · 11-05-2011, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayda

I'll preface this by saying I was not able to find the answers to these questions. So forgive me if they seem obvious. I am asking these questions for reasons of detailing my car:

1. Are parts of the dash and door trim leather rather than something synthetic? It looks like leather in the lower dash and the door trim?

2. What are the stock exhaust tips made of. I like nice shiney tips and mine are a bit grungy! I tried p21S total auto wash and wheel cleaner with only minimal results. I also have P21S metal polish but it says it should not be used on anodized surfaces. Are the tips anodized (by the way I called BMW and they couldn't answer this)?

Question #1 cannot be answered with 100% accuracy until you indicate whether you have the Extended Leather package or not.

Jayda · 11-05-2011, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 35iDriver

Question #1 cannot be answered with 100% accuracy until you indicate whether you have the Extended Leather package or not.

No I don't have extended leather.

cdeslandes · 11-05-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayda

No I don't have extended leather.

Then the dash isn't leather.

+1 on using chrome polish on exhaust tips.

Memphis1 · 11-05-2011, 10:51 PM

+100 if you leave the exhaust black

Jayda · 11-06-2011, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

Then the dash isn't leather.

+1 on using chrome polish on exhaust tips.

Has anyone used Aerospace 303 protectant on their dash? (non extended leather).

jparnes1 · 11-06-2011, 06:49 AM

I use it on the dash and alternate it with leather dressing on the seats. The UV protection will prevent the leather from cracking from exposure to sunlight.

teezee · 11-06-2011, 08:49 AM

I use Einszett Cockpit on the non-leather interior surfaces and Mothers Mag and Aluminim polish on the exhaust tips,

Jayda · 11-06-2011, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teezee

I use Einszett Cockpit on the non-leather interior surfaces and Mothers Mag and Aluminim polish on the exhaust tips,

I have both the Einsett Cockpit and the 303 Aerospace. This is my first convertible so I didn't know if one of these products would be better on the dash. I like my interior clean so I'm sure this will be a challenge in a convertible.

teezee · 11-06-2011, 09:18 PM

Just do a wipedown after any long top down ride and you will be fine. I have been pleasantly surprised with the new BMW branded leather cleaner/conditioner. Don't forget the back of the seats and the rollbars.

mstevens · 11-07-2011, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayda

Are parts of the dash and door trim leather rather than something synthetic?

There's also the Alcantera interior, which has a synthetic suede on the lower dash and door panels.

11-05-2011, 11:44 AM	#1
Jayda Lieutenant 41 Rep 509 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	Questions about materials used in Z4 I'll preface this by saying I was not able to find the answers to these questions. So forgive me if they seem obvious. I am asking these questions for reasons of detailing my car: 1. Are parts of the dash and door trim leather rather than something synthetic? It looks like leather in the lower dash and the door trim? 2. What are the stock exhaust tips made of. I like nice shiney tips and mine are a bit grungy! I tried p21S total auto wash and wheel cleaner with only minimal results. I also have P21S metal polish but it says it should not be used on anodized surfaces. Are the tips anodized (by the way I called BMW and they couldn't answer this)? __________________ 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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11-05-2011, 12:05 PM	#2
jparnes1 Colonel 245 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	Try 000 steel wool on the tips. It will remove any black exhaust accumulation as long as you don't let it build up for years. __________________ 2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus. 2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
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11-05-2011, 01:26 PM	#3
Roadstergal First Lieutenant 27 Rep 360 Posts Drives: 2010 Z4 35i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA - East Coast iTrader: (0)	No, the tips are not anodized. I use chrome polish with excellent results to remove the black soot. __________________ E89 - 2010 Z4 35i (Orion Silver, Ivory White extended, anthracite trim) E85 - 2006 Z4 3.0i (Monaco Blue, beige leather, Dark Poplar wood trim) E85 - 2003 Z4 2.5 (Sterling Gray, black leather, Sycamore wood trim) E36 - 1998 Z3 2.8 (Red, black leather, wood trim)
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11-05-2011, 10:51 PM	#8
Memphis1 Lieutenant Colonel 90 Rep 1,838 Posts Drives: Z4 SDrive 35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	+100 if you leave the exhaust black __________________
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11-06-2011, 06:49 AM	#10
jparnes1 Colonel 245 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	I use it on the dash and alternate it with leather dressing on the seats. The UV protection will prevent the leather from cracking from exposure to sunlight. __________________ 2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus. 2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
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11-06-2011, 08:49 AM	#11
teezee Freude am Fahren 35 Rep 383 Posts Drives: E89 Z4, E46 325iT Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Here,There and Everywhere iTrader: (0)	I use Einszett Cockpit on the non-leather interior surfaces and Mothers Mag and Aluminim polish on the exhaust tips, __________________ 2011 E89 Z4 M Sport (Euro Delivery, Performance Center redelivery), Extended Nappa leather, Eisenmann Sport Exhaust 2003 E46 325i Touring
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11-06-2011, 09:18 PM	#13
teezee Freude am Fahren 35 Rep 383 Posts Drives: E89 Z4, E46 325iT Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Here,There and Everywhere iTrader: (0)	Just do a wipedown after any long top down ride and you will be fine. I have been pleasantly surprised with the new BMW branded leather cleaner/conditioner. Don't forget the back of the seats and the rollbars. __________________ 2011 E89 Z4 M Sport (Euro Delivery, Performance Center redelivery), Extended Nappa leather, Eisenmann Sport Exhaust 2003 E46 325i Touring
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