Frustrating

[SquireG]

While we all know the Z4 is a great ride, it is not without its frustrations. Here are a few of mine:

1. Why the heck can't we control the windows and top with the key fob? It has got to be a software programming issue, right? I mean, what sense does it make to require this feature with the comfort access package? The whole point of comfort access is to not have to take the fob out of your pocket to enter and start the car. Yet, to lower the windows or the roof with comfort access, you have to take the fob out of your pocket......crazy.

2. Why the heck doesn't the owners manual fit in the darn glove box? It is too big, where the heck am I supposed to put it? I currently have it sloshing around in the trunk. And what the heck is the deal with the crappy pleather binder that the manuals come in. Come on, a $50k+ car with a flimsy pleather manual holder?

3. Don't even get me started on the crappy standard stereo. I could go on but that point has been made many times before. I merely say: "WTF" were they thinking?

Well, that is all the griping for now. I have to go drop my top and drive my Z4 in the Florida sun. High of 78 degrees today.........

[DrJason]

1. I didn't realize that option was only for the Comfort Access people (which I have) but that is stupid

2. I did get the manual to fit in the glove box, you have to position it just right.

3. I agree the stereo is not great for a $50K + car, with the top up or at low speed with the top down it is not horrible but forget it when you are top down at high speed.

I wish I could be driving top down today.....low 50's today in CT

[Vintage]

1. Also did not know as we have Comfort Access, but agree it should be standard.
2. Well, all storage is a little too small on the roadster.
3. The base stereo is horrible, and doubly ridiculous that it is on a convertible - I resented paying $2k for the Premium but had to do it because the base system is pointless with the top down over 40 mph

[EandS]

Originally Posted by DrJason

2. I did get the manual to fit in the glove box, you have to position it just right.

DrJason,

We've been unable to get the manual to fit in our 2010 Z4 s35i glovebox which has the "drop down" 6 CD changer that comes with the premium sound system. If you can describe how to position it "just right" we would be greatly appreciative.

Best regards,
Ed

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by EandS

DrJason,

We've been unable to get the manual to fit in our 2010 Z4 s35i glovebox which has the "drop down" 6 CD changer that comes with the premium sound system. If you can describe how to position it "just right" we would be greatly appreciative.

Best regards,
Ed

I put the owners manual and another small booklet on the little shelf in the back the the glove box. I lay smaller things (tire gauge, etc on the glove box bottom. It closes just fine.

[rasputin]

Originally Posted by SquireG

1. Why the heck can't we control the windows and top with the key fob? It has got to be a software programming issue, right? I mean, what sense does it make to require this feature with the comfort access package? The whole point of comfort access is to not have to take the fob out of your pocket to enter and start the car. Yet, to lower the windows or the roof with comfort access, you have to take the fob out of your pocket......crazy.

Sorry what do you mean here? You cannot control the windows and the top without the key when you have the comfort access?

[DrJason]

Originally Posted by EandS

DrJason,

We've been unable to get the manual to fit in our 2010 Z4 s35i glovebox which has the "drop down" 6 CD changer that comes with the premium sound system. If you can describe how to position it "just right" we would be greatly appreciative.

Best regards,
Ed

Ed,

Ohhhhh.....I don't have the CD changer so that might be the difference......what I did was, push it back and to the side(toward the center of the car) and as far up as I could then quickly shut the glove box (with a little bit of extra pushing).

Jason

[SquireG]

Rasputin, I cannot open the windows or drop the top remotely using the key fob. The BMW web site video shows this being done with the standard key fob remote. I was told by my dealer that this feature is only available with the comfort access package. Seems very silly to me given the purpose of comfort access is to keep the fob in your pocket. If I am wrong about this, let me know if any one else can remotely drop the windows and the top who does not have comfort access.

Thanks

[clwwong]

Originally Posted by SquireG

Rasputin, I cannot open the windows or drop the top remotely using the key fob. The BMW web site video shows this being done with the ......

Thanks

you should be able to drop the top by press and hold the "unlock" button. if you wanna drop the windows only, you can release the "unlock" button after the windows drop. close the drop remotely will require comfort access.

[Rubber Ducky]

Owners Manual fits fine in the glovebox. With the 6-CD changer. The fancy black case and all that other stuff? No. But Owners Manual, yes.

Comfort Access is a BMW option - $500 on two-doors and $1000 on 4-doors. Maybe it should be free. Maybe BMWs should cost less. Maybe I should be rich. It's a cruel world and life is not fair.

[SquireG]

I cannot operate the windows or the top remotely with my key fob. Can someone confirm for me that they can open their windows and drop the top remotely using their key fob and without having comfort access?

Thanks

[twin turbo]

Just wait until your fuel pump fails like mine just did with only 6,500 miles. Then you will be really frustrated. Mine is in the shop as we speak.

[SquireG]

I have noticed recently that the engine often cranks for 3 or 4 seconds before the car starts. Is this a sign that the fuel pump is defective and or failing? Thanks.

[twin turbo]

That was the early signs of mine starting to fail. In the end, it would take 8 or 9 seconds to start. It took about 4 or five weeks of long cranks until it got really bad. Last Friday, the car didn't start after 3 attempts, the 4th time it finally started and I drove it to the dealer. Good luck with your car.

[Vintage]

great - can't wait until this happens to my bride's car

[twin turbo]

I think it only affected about 5% of the 335's if I remember correctly. Hopefully you will okay. I never had a problem with my 2007 335 coupe with 40,000 miles. I just thought that BMW would have resolved this problem by now.

[BlueZ4AZ]

I do not believe there is a section in the owners manual on how/where to store the owners manual.

I experimented by storing it upright in the netting that runs behind the seats. If you tip it at a slight angle back, then it will not tip forward and fall out of the netting when applying the brakes.

If you store it in the netting behind the drivers seat, then try to access it while sitting in the drivers seat, then you need to contort your arm in such a fashion that is humanly imposible. Thus, you will want to store it behind the passenger seat for optimal access from the drivers seat.

[rasputin]

Originally Posted by SquireG

I cannot operate the windows or the top remotely with my key fob. Can someone confirm for me that they can open their windows and drop the top remotely using their key fob and without having comfort access?

Thanks

sorry, you cannot without comfort access. But you might try installing this:

[JeF4y]

Originally Posted by twin turbo

That was the early signs of mine starting to fail. In the end, it would take 8 or 9 seconds to start. It took about 4 or five weeks of long cranks until it got really bad. Last Friday, the car didn't start after 3 attempts, the 4th time it finally started and I drove it to the dealer. Good luck with your car.

LMFAO. the tow truck will be here at 9:00am tomorrow to pick mine up. Wife started it this afternoon after I drove it home and after taking forever to start it idled REALLY rough and then said "engine malfunction - reduced power" and then it died.

Will see!!

[riccis]

Originally Posted by rasputin

sorry, you cannot without comfort access. But you might try installing this:

I test drove an sDrive23i and it *did* allow the roof and windows to be opened remotely. All I had to do was press and hold the open button on the remote key. The car didn't have comfort access.

Just to clarify, you can't close the top remotely with the remote key; you have to remove the key that's at the bottom of the remote key, insert it into the door and then turn and hold it turned until the roof and windows close, then release.

[SquireG]

Thanks rasputin. I watched the video and that module looks great. A couple of problems though:

1. Big warning that says it might invalidate the warranty.
2. They do not sell/ship to the US.
3. It costs $299 euros which comes out to $450.00 US. For that price I should have just gotten the comfort module when I ordered the car and know it would work and no warranty problem. DOH!

Anyone know if comfort access can be installed by the dealer?

Thanks

[twin turbo]

Originally Posted by JeF4y

LMFAO. the tow truck will be here at 9:00am tomorrow to pick mine up. Wife started it this afternoon after I drove it home and after taking forever to start it idled REALLY rough and then said "engine malfunction - reduced power" and then it died.

Will see!!

Sorry to here that. Just got the call that my car is ready to be picked up at the dealer. It took them 2.5 days. SA told me they installed a revised fuel pump. I hope this takes care of it for good. Good luck with your car.