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Driving the Z4 during the winter?

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realhenke
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Driving the Z4 during the winter?

Post by realhenke » Sun Jul 18, 2010 12:34 pm

Hi!
I'm thinking about buying a Bmw Z4 later this year but one question has popped up in my mind.
Can you drive the car in the winter when it's freezing temperatures or can't the car manage to keep the heat up?

Kind regards!

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AlanJ
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Re: Driving the Z4 during the winter?

Post by AlanJ » Sun Jul 18, 2010 12:48 pm

Welcome to the Forum. :thumbsup: No problem with mine in the winter other than it's a rear wheel drive which is not the best on snow coverd roads (any rear wheel drive that is). Looking at your location I guess the winters are a bit more severe than northern UK but other than extreme temperatures it should only effect the time the engine needs to achieve full operating tempertature - a few extra minutes.
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Re: Driving the Z4 during the winter?

Post by WLH » Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:12 pm

realhenke, welcome to the forum... :thumbsup:
I've driven 7 winters in a Z4 and no worries about keeping warm. I always switch over to winter tires and while I avoid driving in snow that is deeper than 5 inches/12 CM I've never gotten stuck or had any real problem getting around.
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Re: Driving the Z4 during the winter?

Post by realhenke » Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:28 pm

I actually live as south as you can go in Sweden so the snow wont be any big problem and the roads are well sweept. So the in the cabin is so high that you can drive it without freezing? I was thing about buying a hardtop but if it's warm enough in the cabin then I don't need to buy it?

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Re: Driving the Z4 during the winter?

Post by WLH » Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:45 pm

You won't need a hardtop to keep warm. The cabin of a Zed is actually a pretty small area and the heater will be pushing warm air within a few miles of driving and you will be very comfortable. I would suggest heated seats as that is a really nice option to have... :thumbsup:
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AlanJ
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Re: Driving the Z4 during the winter?

Post by AlanJ » Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:49 pm

realhenke wrote:I actually live as south as you can go in Sweden so the snow wont be any big problem and the roads are well sweept. So the in the cabin is so high that you can drive it without freezing? I was thing about buying a hardtop but if it's warm enough in the cabin then I don't need to buy it?
Heating system is pretty good and the multi layerd soft top helps retain the heat. Remember you only have to heat a small volume compared to a 4 seater saloon using the same style of engine. I use a hardtop in the winter for 2 reasons, 1. I like the look and 2. it preserves the finish of the soft top in the bad weather when road spray is loaded with salt and grime.
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Re: Driving the Z4 during the winter?

Post by ksher » Sun Jul 18, 2010 3:01 pm

I had E85 with no heated seats and no hardtop. I still used it everyday in winter.
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Re: Driving the Z4 during the winter?

Post by Smokin » Sun Jul 18, 2010 4:52 pm

Mine's a daily driver (coupe) and we just had one of the coldest winters on record. Extended periods of well below freezing. Handling got a little slippery (didn't change to winter tires) but no problem with heating at all. I have heated seats, though, but had to start turning them down after just a few miles. Only takes about 2 miles for air to start flowing.
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Re: Driving the Z4 during the winter?

Post by realhenke » Sun Jul 18, 2010 5:27 pm

Ok sweet! What about rain? If I park the car on the street during a really rainy day and come back 8h later, will it be completely dry inside? I have a friend who drives a MG and his soft top leaks a bit, but off course that's a MG. :wink:

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Re: Driving the Z4 during the winter?

Post by ksher » Sun Jul 18, 2010 5:44 pm

realhenke wrote:Ok sweet! What about rain? If I park the car on the street during a really rainy day and come back 8h later, will it be completely dry inside? I have a friend who drives a MG and his soft top leaks a bit, but off course that's a MG. :wink:
Storm, snow, heavy shower rain, not a problem.
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Re: Driving the Z4 during the winter?

Post by WLH » Sun Jul 18, 2010 5:45 pm

I've had 3 Z4's and have never had a drop of water come inside... :!:
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Re: Driving the Z4 during the winter?

Post by realhenke » Sun Jul 18, 2010 6:12 pm

Fantastic! Last question, how fast can you drive with the top up and still talk to the person next to you? Or how good does it sound isolate?

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Re: Driving the Z4 during the winter?

Post by bigshurv » Sun Jul 18, 2010 8:36 pm

As fast as you like really.it is very quiet for a soft top.

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Re: Driving the Z4 during the winter?

Post by Adam D » Sun Jul 18, 2010 11:27 pm

I drove my 2003 3.0 manual in snow last winter, probably the worst car i've driven for snow and ice - wide 18" run flat tyres and no limited slip diff make for a tough time in gaining traction, especially on hills.

Comfort and dryness was great though :)
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Re: Driving the Z4 during the winter?

Post by a11y » Mon Jul 19, 2010 9:14 am

I drove mine (roadster, heated seats) all through winter last year, although the lowest temperature I drove in was "only" minus 12degC which probably doesn't compare to a lot of folk. Grip was incredibly poor at those temps on summer tyres (funny that!) but I'll be fitting winter tyres this year. Not just for improved grip but also for more rubber in the sidewalls to cope with the potholes that appear over winter...

Conversation at 70mph with the roof down isn't a problem. I obviously can't comment about higher speeds than that :wink:
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