Help me out with my Z4

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Most of you have read about my 2 rear Z4 wheel crack fiasco also most of you have read how BMW North America organization has pulled a fast one on me (in better words screwed me).

Well yesterday I made the trip to the Toronto to the 2011 International Auto Show to check out the all new 2012 SLK 350 that was on display. I took a short movie and some photos (see below).

Last night I showed the movie clip to my daughter and she said "Dad if you are thinking of trading your Z4 I'll kill you" she went on to say "from the side this car looks like a Mazda"

Click for the short Toronto Auto Show Clip

This Clip shows the SLK on the Track also some static shots

So here is the question: Should I get over the wheel issue and "enjoy my Z4" as my neighbour put it. I do know this that my now Z4 will be my last BMW.

Thanks for your help fellows.

PS. One more thing the SLK does have a spare and no RFT

[alan64]

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

Most of you have read about my 2 rear Z4 wheel crack fiasco also most of you have read how BMW North America organization has pulled a fast one on me (in better words screwed me).

Well yesterday I made the trip to the Toronto to the 2011 International Auto Show to check out the all new 2012 SLK 350 that was on display. I took a short movie and some photos (see below).

Last night I showed the movie clip to my daughter and she said "Dad if you are thinking of trading your Z4 I'll kill you" she went on to say "from the side this car looks like a Mazda"

Click for the short Toronto Auto Show Clip

This Clip shows the SLK on the Track also some static shots

So here is the question: Should I get over the wheel issue and "enjoy my Z4" as my neighbour put it. I do know this that my now Z4 will be the last BMW.

Thanks for your help fellows.

PS. One more thing the SLK does have a spare and no RFT

im on the side of giving the wheel issue a rest. Its only a wheel, and there are tons of other wheels that I have seen on the car that look fantastic.

[alan64]

but most important of all, your daughter is right. If you think that mercedes comes even close to the looks of the z4, both outside and inside, then you need your eyes checked.

[ChuckB]

Rolf:
I would cast my voe in favor of forgetting the wheels, yet I do understand the frustration you are going through, and it can't help but leave a bad feeling. So you have to ask yourself if this event has soured the entire Z4 experience for you, or can you get past it and enjoy the pieces of the Z4 experience which have not caused you stress. How each of us feels about our cars is very personal and it should be, outside of a house it is the most expensive thing most of us will every buy [boats & planes excepted], and we spend more on cars over our lives than on almost everything else combined so this is a big deal.

So I will change my vote here and state that you should do what you feel is the best answer for you...

[++Tatoz++]

Rolf,

My suggestion is to do your best to forget the wheel issue, your Z4 is one of the greatest roadster ever made, we 296 rim owners need to be more careful when driving which, after all, won't harm our Z4's in any other way.

Apart from this the more you insist on the wheels the less relish you can get and there's lot of relishing with the Z4, probably 99.90% of what happens with the car.

Go out with your car, enjoy it, and think how sad the world would be if it was ruled by SLK's.

[rori zahr]

you're daughter is right and she has keen eyes.
The SLK is a nice looking car, but as your daughter stated, SLK's side is too dull, no dynamism :-( the front is not bad though.
I wonder what dimensions SLK has? is it bigger than the Z?
I will test drive one soon and compare cabin build qualities to the Z.

[jannisa]

It 's nice to have you on this forum Rolf-Dieter.
Plus you will probably lose money if you attempt a trade.
You know best after all, we all sense the frustration you experience and you have my deepest sympathy, but since there is no other issue with your car just get another set of summer rims and go on with the 296-style-furniture venture I see in your signature.
Sometimes reaction costs more than the original action.
My ,02

[Land_Shark]

Rolf, We all understand the frustration and the disappointment you are/have experienced...
I put my vote with the others on this forum... Give the wheels a rest... The Z4 is a killer car (for its value), Your daughter is absolutely right !!!

It is not that your car is falling apart... You have a great car, most fun car to drive and yes, Even if MB offers a free 350 SLK, I won't even take it...


Update: Ok I thought of what I just wrote, I will take the 350 but sell it the next day and won't even think of driving it for a day...
Come on man... Besides, Jannisa is absolutely right, we don't want to miss seeing you on this forum!!!!

[Drjoeb]

Rolf, I know I'd be pissed. But in the end it will be you stressed out and not BMW. I would just get over it and enjoy the car. When the time comes to replace it, you certainly can go another route or or or, go back the BMW dealer and say ..... "love that new Z10k but unless I get this......" etc. The customers is always in the drivers seat when buying a new car

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

Most of you have read about my 2 rear Z4 wheel crack fiasco also most of you have read how BMW North America organization has pulled a fast one on me (in better words screwed me).

Well yesterday I made the trip to the Toronto to the 2011 International Auto Show to check out the all new 2012 SLK 350 that was on display. I took a short movie and some photos (see below).

Last night I showed the movie clip to my daughter and she said "Dad if you are thinking of trading your Z4 I'll kill you" she went on to say "from the side this car looks like a Mazda"

Click for the short Toronto Auto Show Clip

This Clip shows the SLK on the Track also some static shots

So here is the question: Should I get over the wheel issue and "enjoy my Z4" as my neighbour put it. I do know this that my now Z4 will be my last BMW.

Thanks for your help fellows.

PS. One more thing the SLK does have a spare and no RFT

To properly analyze the issues you have to separate them.

1) Continue my campaign to alert people about BMW ripping me off or not? YES

2) Should I trade my beautiful Z4 for an ugly, POS 2012 SLK 350 or not? NO

Understand, you're not facing a "one or the other" dilemma. IMO the two things are not mutually exclusive: You can continue to point out BMWs rip off and still continue to enjoy whatever car you're driving at the time.

Forget about the anger. But you should not let BMW off the hook. As consumers today we can no longer afford brand loyalty. There are no "good guys" anymore in the international business scene. I always felt it was a lie anyway, they appear to be "good guys" only because it makes good long term business sense.

Just remember, when people who have been wronged don't have the courage and tenacity to stand and speak up, they set the stage for others to suffer the same fate.

[Zed Sled]

I too agree with the replies so far. Postitive customer relations appears to be waning over the years and you have every right to be upset about your treatment. That still needs to be addressed.

What also needs to be addressed is your apparent joy for your Z4. If you still enjoy its many fine attributes, keep driving it and enjoy the ownership experience.

I just ordered a new Z4 (it is in production now!) despite the known issues that have been well-documented on this board and elsewhere. But, the fact remains it wil be a 2nd car, not a daily driver, and I bought it to enjoy its numerous attributes, which far outweigh its negatives, IMO.

[flpnout]

Rolf, I would keep that lovely Z4 of yours. I had the same wheels, but I changed it out because I wanted a different style. There are plenty of nice wheels to choose from. I have had some frustrations with my Z4 and BMW service when I had a low pressure fuel pump issue. And all the back and forth at the dealership was a hassle for me. I almost sold the car, but backed out. Every time I look at it, drive it......I just fall in love with it all over again....lol

I get ongoing comments that my car looks gorgeous (especially when I'm at the gas stop)! Every time I talk about getting an M3, everyone tells me the Z4 looks sportier. Plus the folding hardtop and car is a bit lighter than the M3 coupe. It just needs a bit of a chassis tuning and it may potentially come close to an M3's razor sharp handling.

I've had my share of issues with BMW, but I still continue to drive their cars. Hope you continue to at least keep what you have for awhile. It is far more sexier than the girlie looking SLK.

[SHADOW4]

Like a marriage.................forgive and forget! She is still a beauty!

[flpnout]

On another note. I've been offered to purchase a last 2010 brand new M6 with only 35 miles on the clock at a local BMW dealership for $83600 @ 0.9% financing for 72 months and that includes taking my trade. It is White with black interior. SMG is not my cup of tea though....I was pretty close to doing it. They keep calling.

I've gone back and forth for the last 3 weeks if I should or not, but I can't seem to let go of my Z4 especially with all the mods I've done with it.

[Constant.S]

The new SLK just doesnt make it for me Rolf. I know in fact the the built quality is going to be superb on the Merc but that car just lost its character with the latest design update... Now, if you were thinking about the SL... It would be a Yes, thats the Queen of roadsters.

[tranquility]

I agree that the wheel issue is totally different from whether you should switch from the Z4 to the new SLK.

Personally, I think that the SLK looks a bit plain and is a step backwards in terms of presence vs the Z4.

[Memphis1]

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

Most of you have read about my 2 rear Z4 wheel crack fiasco also most of you have read how BMW North America organization has pulled a fast one on me (in better words screwed me).
So here is the question: Should I get over the wheel issue and "enjoy my Z4" as my neighbour put it. I do know this that my now Z4 will be my last BMW.
Thanks for your help fellows.
PS. One more thing the SLK does have a spare and no RFT

I never understood this whole "loyalty" bullshit to a brand, it's business, if they fuck up and give you a shitty product, drop them like a bad habit and get something else... it's not family... do yourself a favor and go with your own decision... you'll be happier at the end.

as for me, i'll probably pick up an SL550 after i'm thru with the Z, maybe stretch a dollar and go for an R8, my money, my decision, if you are bmw or mercedes or audi you should worry on making a good product and not in pulling bullshit moves, like a 35is that's identical to a 35i with the sport package and charge $10k just to get a few idiots to buy into the whole "it's a new product" bullshit... same thing with the shitty 1M, crappy 550i, and $60k 3series range...

[HerrK]

Originally Posted by teagueAMX

Just remember, when people who have been wronged don't have the courage and tenacity to stand and speak up, they set the stage for others to suffer the same fate.

+1000 right on!

Rolf,

Get the SLK or stay with the Z4 - whatever makes you happy. Lifes too short to contiue to simmer & stew over this wheel issue - Let it go.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by teagueAMX

Just remember, when people who have been wronged don't have the courage and tenacity to stand and speak up, they set the stage for others to suffer the same fate.

You are of course so right (as are the others) I have come to the final conclusion and will put the entire matter behind me and enjoy my Z4 after all there are more areas to explore in my retirement.

I've added the final chapter (page 9 to my long wound site). It is rather a long story and it certainly was not my doing. It took all of 6 months for BMW to hand me the final insult (see the letter).

I think I gave BMW every opportunity (lengthily e-mails, phone calls etc) to do the right thing. They choose not to, so be it. I will do no more except my signature in this forum will stand firm for all to see that like to read how one can be treated by the mighty German Firm like BMW.

I now will go on with my life and enjoy my Z4.

Thank you again for your help and support.

Cheers,

Rolf Dieter

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Thanks to ALL above for your vote of confidence and support fellows !

As my appreciation for you taking the time I like to share with you some of the photos I took Perhaps you recognize some of your old cars from the past I know I got a fuzzy kind of feeling when I saw my old Firebird. Then my daughter was born and the Firebird had to go It was traded for a family car fun was over till now with the Z4

Click for the photos I took at the Auto show

Thanks again! I will keep the Z4 .... Cheers Rolf-Dieter

[BMWZ4]

What...no pics of the yellow Z that was on the floor at the show?

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by Dave Marien

What...no pics of the yellow Z that was on the floor at the show?

Sorry Dave no, I was not in the mood. I did try out the ///M3 the fellow that held the door for me (LOL) confirmed that the M3 now also has RFT unless he was just weekend help or one of the BMW Regional Technical Managers LOL

sorry no I took no pictures at the BMW stand.