New 2009 2010 BMW Z4 - ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   New 2009 2010 BMW Z4 - ZPOST > BMW Z4 Forum (E89) > 2009-Current Z4 Forum (E89) General Discussion

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      01-11-2012, 09:41 AM   #1
ABRis
New Member
2
Rep
13
Posts

Drives: z4 35is
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Bahrain

iTrader: (0)

Smile New z4 35is, some questions.

Hey,

Just registered on zpost and am waiting to take delivery of a 2012 z4 35is. Had a few questions if anyone can help me with.

1. Cup holder: The car has the storage compartment package which comes with 2 cup holders under the arm rest. Read a few posts claiming that they are useless, recommending the installation of the external cup holder next to the gear. Is it truly useless having them under the arm rest? would the external cup holder bother the riding passenger?

2. How can I install a back-up camera? has anyone done so and found it useful/less? Does it cause any problems with other software? Any warranty issues?

3. Car has no comfort access. Is retrofitting CA possible? worth it in terms of cost:convenience?

appreciate the help if anyone can provide any.

Thanks.
Appreciate 0
      01-11-2012, 10:02 AM   #2
Mr. ///M3 RD
Happy Camper
Mr. ///M3 RD's Avatar
Canada
612
Rep
7,869
Posts

Drives: C63 AMG & 280 SL on Weekends :
Join Date: May 2010
Location: GTA, Ontario - Canada

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
When I owned my Z4 35i we took an extended road trip. The cup holder mounted just on the transmission dome on the passenger side never bothered anyone. There is a mod that you can add if you don't have it. Once added the cup holder can easily be removed for storage f not needed.

As for the one you will have under the arm rest I cannot comment other then it must have some use I have a similar cup holder in our DD (C350 4MATIC Benz).

You can make a search re the camera, there was discussion on this here and in the M3 forum.

I would ask your dealer ship (one of the Larger BMW dealerships if possible) about your questions 2 and 3

Good Luck
__________________
Cheers, Rolf-Dieter

Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well, now my C6.3 AMG with 487 HP does it too
---> Click here for some good stuff I found
Appreciate 0
      01-11-2012, 10:12 AM   #3
ABRis
New Member
2
Rep
13
Posts

Drives: z4 35is
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Bahrain

iTrader: (0)

Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      01-11-2012, 10:21 AM   #4
az34
Major
az34's Avatar
Canada
54
Rep
1,014
Posts

Drives: 2009 z4sdrive35i 2008 x5 3.0i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: montréal

iTrader: (0)

if your car have the 6 speed m/T you'll hate the cup holder under the armrest as your elbow will hit your beverage on each gearshift. However the one on passenger side is genial.
Appreciate 0
      01-11-2012, 11:47 AM   #5
jparnes1
Colonel
jparnes1's Avatar
No_Country
241
Rep
2,389
Posts

Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NY

iTrader: (1)

CA is wired at the factory. I don't believe you can retrofit it after it's built.
__________________
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.
Appreciate 0
      01-11-2012, 12:41 PM   #6
mstevens
Lieutenant
mstevens's Avatar
United_States
119
Rep
512
Posts

Drives: 2020 Z4 M4Misano Blue
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: New Hampshire & Cozumel, Mexico

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ABRis View Post
1. Cup holder: The car has the storage compartment package which comes with 2 cup holders under the arm rest. Read a few posts claiming that they are useless, recommending the installation of the external cup holder next to the gear. Is it truly useless having them under the arm rest? would the external cup holder bother the riding passenger?
The external cupholder doesn't bother my wife. It does bother me. The placement of the armrest cupholders puts them behind my elbow, which is problematic both for shifting and for reaching a cup.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ABRis View Post
2. How can I install a back-up camera? has anyone done so and found it useful/less? Does it cause any problems with other software? Any warranty issues?
I wish I knew. Someone here installed a camera on a license plate frame, which is not a solution that appeals to me. The problem isn't likely to be software so much as camera placement. I'd love one since I find backing into tight spaces quite difficult as I'm unable to see how close the rear of the car is to anything.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ABRis View Post
3. Car has no comfort access. Is retrofitting CA possible? worth it in terms of cost:convenience?
I like CA in my car. I'm sure anything is retrofittable given enough time and money. In this case, I suspect you'd have to replace a lot of wiring and that you'd be much better off selling the car and getting one with CA.
__________________
2004 E85 Z4 3.0 Sport - Sold to brother | 2004 E83 X3 xDrive3.0i - Gone | 2011 E89 Z4 35is - Gone | 2011 F25 X3 xDrive35i - Gone | 2014 E89 Z4 E89 35is - Gone | 2014 F25 X3 xDrive 30i X3 - Gone | 2017 F83 M4 Cabriolet - Gone | 2017 F25 X3 xDrive30i - Gone
2020 G29 Z4 M40i Misanoblau | 2020 G01 M40i Phytonicblau
Casa Suzana, vacation rental villa in Cozumel, Mexico
Appreciate 0
      01-11-2012, 08:26 PM   #7
Jayda
Lieutenant
Jayda's Avatar
United_States
39
Rep
509
Posts

Drives: 2009 Z4 35i
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SC

iTrader: (0)

The cup holder mounted to the right of the gearbox (in the US) really bothers my 6'2" long legged husband. I use it delicately for coffee when he is not in the car. It is kind of a stupid design to reach across the gearbox for a drink. A spill while reaching could be dangerous!
__________________
2009 Z4 35i, alpine white with beige leather and all the goodies (new to me with 4,500 miles in October, 2011)
Appreciate 0
      01-11-2012, 08:58 PM   #8
z4z4z4
Lieutenant
z4z4z4's Avatar
United_States
45
Rep
548
Posts

Drives: 2002 M3
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: mild mediterranean breezes

iTrader: (1)

We left coasters are being observed (some ticketed) for "distractions while driving", such as eating, drinking, makeup, etc...

While there is no law saying someone can't eat while driving, a distracted driver is in violation of the law.
Under California's vehicle code, a driver can be ticketed $145 to $1,000 for having "wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property." Officers will also be tracking these distractions and the number of distracted drivers, because there are not very good data on just how many distracted drivers there are.

More>> http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2...up_driving.php
__________________
Sold 2011 Z4, kept 2002 M3
PM for various e89 parts 4sale.
Appreciate 0
      01-12-2012, 01:14 AM   #9
Mayhem
Second Lieutenant
22
Rep
251
Posts

Drives: 2012 Z4 sDrive35is
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Hollywood

iTrader: (0)

I use the cup holder in the center console on my morning commute. It works ok, but I agree the position is awkward. Cup holders in all my BMWs are somewhat useless. Someone once told me that cups with drinks is more of an American thing than a European thing. I might be inclined to believe that because one thing that American cars seem to have is a great cup holder! I am sorry that I cannot answer your question about comfort access. Mine came with it, but from what I can see, there are a lot of things that go into it, including touch sensors in the door handles.

I don't have a camera, but I did get parking distance control. I love that feature. Personally, I made sure that every single feature I wanted was included on my Z4 before I agreed to purchase it.
Appreciate 0
      01-12-2012, 03:50 AM   #10
juhap
Lieutenant
juhap's Avatar
Finland
14
Rep
530
Posts

Drives: sDrive35i
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Finland

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by z4z4z4 View Post
We left coasters are being observed (some ticketed) for "distractions while driving", such as eating, drinking, makeup, etc...

While there is no law saying someone can't eat while driving, a distracted driver is in violation of the law.
Under California's vehicle code, a driver can be ticketed $145 to $1,000 for having "wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property." Officers will also be tracking these distractions and the number of distracted drivers, because there are not very good data on just how many distracted drivers there are.
+1

I don't drink coffee, so I don't know what it's like to be addicted to it, but seriously if you can't manage a short trip without coffee, I'd say you have bigger problems than poor cup holders
Appreciate 0
      01-12-2012, 01:27 PM   #11
mstevens
Lieutenant
mstevens's Avatar
United_States
119
Rep
512
Posts

Drives: 2020 Z4 M4Misano Blue
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: New Hampshire & Cozumel, Mexico

iTrader: (0)

The cupholders came in very handy for holding water bottles during recent 4 1/2 hour nonstop drives to and from Montreal.

Cupholders are certainly an Americanism, but that doesn't mean they're a bad thing. My wife's new 535i in 1990 didn't have a single cupholder because at the time BMW didn't see the need since Germans didn't eat or drink in their cars. We got hooked on them with later cars since they're awfully handy for holding the bottle for the baby in the car seat in the back.

In a roadster I think arguments can be made both for and against, but I think it's useful enough to have.
__________________
2004 E85 Z4 3.0 Sport - Sold to brother | 2004 E83 X3 xDrive3.0i - Gone | 2011 E89 Z4 35is - Gone | 2011 F25 X3 xDrive35i - Gone | 2014 E89 Z4 E89 35is - Gone | 2014 F25 X3 xDrive 30i X3 - Gone | 2017 F83 M4 Cabriolet - Gone | 2017 F25 X3 xDrive30i - Gone
2020 G29 Z4 M40i Misanoblau | 2020 G01 M40i Phytonicblau
Casa Suzana, vacation rental villa in Cozumel, Mexico
Appreciate 0
      01-12-2012, 01:51 PM   #12
az34
Major
az34's Avatar
Canada
54
Rep
1,014
Posts

Drives: 2009 z4sdrive35i 2008 x5 3.0i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: montréal

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by juhap View Post
+1

I don't drink coffee, so I don't know what it's like to be addicted to it, but seriously if you can't manage a short trip without coffee, I'd say you have bigger problems than poor cup holders
back in the days i can remember driving while holding a drink (coffee or whatever) between my legs it was not really practical. Cup holders are a good thing for sure.
Appreciate 0
      01-12-2012, 04:05 PM   #13
Dr Stig 2
Criminally Insane
Dr Stig 2's Avatar
Australia
52
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]
Quote:
Originally Posted by juhap View Post
but seriously if you can't manage a short trip without coffee, I'd say you have bigger problems than poor cup holders
In Queensland they recently outlawed smoking in cars when there are children in the vehicle

Its amazing how many addicts you still see on the road who can't resist the temptation to light up a ciggie as they do the school run. (I had to write ciggie - here we call them "f.a.g.s" but the PC filter wouldn't let me write that)
Its hard to imagine any school run that is longer than say half an hour, but the amout you still see pulling into the school drop off zone with a lit cigarette is astounding. An addiction that drives its victims to get their fix after such a short period of abstinance... so sad.
__________________

Dr Stig
2010 Z4 35is
2011 X3 30d M Sport
Australia
Appreciate 0
      01-12-2012, 04:44 PM   #14
az34
Major
az34's Avatar
Canada
54
Rep
1,014
Posts

Drives: 2009 z4sdrive35i 2008 x5 3.0i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: montréal

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Stig 2 View Post
In Queensland they recently outlawed smoking in cars when there are children in the vehicle

Its amazing how many addicts you still see on the road who can't resist the temptation to light up a ciggie as they do the school run. (I had to write ciggie - here we call them "f.a.g.s" but the PC filter wouldn't let me write that)
Its hard to imagine any school run that is longer than say half an hour, but the amout you still see pulling into the school drop off zone with a lit cigarette is astounding. An addiction that drives its victims to get their fix after such a short period of abstinance... so sad.
Hi doc does the car sold in aussie come whit an ashtray?
Appreciate 0
      01-12-2012, 05:52 PM   #15
Dr Stig 2
Criminally Insane
Dr Stig 2's Avatar
Australia
52
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]
Quote:
Originally Posted by az34 View Post
Hi doc does the car sold in aussie come whit an ashtray?
Mine didn't.
I Think you can option them in.

The law doesn't ban all smoking, just when there are kids in the car...
(plus you cant smoke in a venue where you can buy food, nor inside public rooms (bars), or within 4metres of the entrance (not the door but the entrance) to a public or commercial building, or within 10 metres of any childrens playground.)
Its a good start.
__________________

Dr Stig
2010 Z4 35is
2011 X3 30d M Sport
Australia
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:27 AM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST