No longer a Z4 owner - new arrival on the way :-)

A

a11y

Veteran
 Central Scotland
A few eagle-eyed members might've noticed some comments from me within posts about no longer having a Z4. Well, let me explain...

A few months ago there was a bit of this: :bonk:

A few weeks later it led to this:


Which ultimately led to this:


2 + 1 =/= Z4 ownership :cry:

Mrs a11y's due in November - this'll be our first :)

Unfortunately keeping the Z4 wasn't an option: we've got 2 other vehicles in the family so there's no justification keeping the Z4 whist adding a 4th car (4-seater) for me. Gutted doesn't cover it: my Z4's simply been the best car I've owned by a HUGE margin: fun, quick, economical, 100% reliable (bar the springs), reasonable running costs, and just a nice interior to travel in. My car history previously was exclusively hot hatches and top-down driving was something I wanted to try while I could: I've just never found the appeal of 4-seater convertibles.

Ownership was helped no end by the best online forum, so (unfortunately?) I doubt you'll see the back of me even though I no longer have a Z4. I always knew Z4 ownership would end for family reasons, but knowing that didn't make the decision any easier. I'm sure our new arrival in November will more than make up for it though :).

I've yet to decide on a replacement as the sale happened much quicker than anticipated. I debated keeping and enjoying the Z4 for another summer but it made sense to try for a sale pre-summer. I was offered an opportunity I couldn't pass up so the Z4 was sold before I knew it, but not before I returned the interior back to standard heated/electric standard leather seats and alu dash trim. It did coincide right in time for me to miss bringing my Z4 along for a final outing on the Applecross meet, so we turned up in Mrs a11y's Fabia instead (hey, if gannet can do it in a Saxo...).

Anyway, here's a few photos for the memories...

First photo I took of my Z4 - original 108's and RFTs:

2008-12-27 (1) by Ally Mitchell, on Flickr

My first driving meet in the Z4 - with some folk from Pistonheads, over the Dukes Pass at Aberfoyle:

2009-01-18 PH pic18 by Ally Mitchell, on Flickr

A random hoon - now with my registration added:

2009-04-11 (2) by Ally Mitchell, on Flickr

Almost got arrested for this pic (although worth it as I won the monthly photo comp with it):

2009-09-02 (16) by Ally Mitchell, on Flickr

Nov 2009 - a change of wheels from 108s to 202s:

2009-11-28 (7) by Ally Mitchell, on Flickr

Jan 2010 - first change of seats (unheated to heated)
- no pics

A particularly harsh winter in Dec 2010 made me glad I'd invested in winter wheels and tyres a few months previously:

2010-12-04 Snow day (3) by Ally Mitchell, on Flickr

March 2011 - another new interior - black-and-yellow black-and-yellow black-and-yellow black-and-yellow...

2011-03-20 (18) by Ally Mitchell, on Flickr

Tinted my rear lights - several times before I got the level of tint correct to remove the orange tinge while keeping them flashing orange...

2011-03-28 Z4 rear (3) by Ally Mitchell, on Flickr

Inaugural z4-forum meet north of the Border:

2010-04-18 (15) by Ally Mitchell, on Flickr

First z4-forum trip to Skye (what ferry...):

2010-08-07 Skye (24) by Ally Mitchell, on Flickr

Fife meet & Anstruther chippy!

2010-10-31 z4-forum Fife (54) v2 by Ally Mitchell, on Flickr

A little drive to Oban:

2011-04-10 Oban run (3) by Ally Mitchell, on Flickr

Another long-weekender in Skye:

2011-05-14 Skye Z4 (3) by Ally Mitchell, on Flickr

Last year's Islay meet - whisky!

2011-09-02 Islay (48) by Ally Mitchell, on Flickr

A little circular route to Moffat and back:

2011-10-30 Moffat z4-forum (5) by Ally Mitchell, on Flickr

Tayside meet earlier this year:

2012-02-25 Tayside Z4 (7) by Ally Mitchell, on Flickr

Applecross just a couple of weeks ago:

2012-05-20 Applecross (31) by Ally Mitchell, on Flickr



I think I'll stick around... :)
a11y
 
Congrats on the new arrival, but commiserations on the loss of the zed - speaking from experience sticking around here helps, though if you choose the replacement wisely it aint too hard :driving:
 
Although we've said it before - congrats to you both from the Guiseley family. In our experience a 2 seater makes sense again after about 14 years (and another after 15!!).

Great pics and great story - look forward to seeing you (+1 or +2) at some future forum meet :happyclap:
 
Congratulations, and a good post. Keep on coming to the meets!

If you've returned the interior to normal, does that mean the yellow seats are up for sale?
 
gannet said:
Congrats on the new arrival, but commiserations on the loss of the zed
Click to expand...

+1 :thumbsup:

There are lots of exciting 4 seater cars to choose from though! E46 M3... mmm :thumbsup:
 
Congrats Ally, glad you finally sold the car but a real shame. Our first due in 3 weeks!!!!!!!!! :o
 
Oh my god, you're going to have me in tears! How lovely!
Don't stop posting, with your experience you can always chip in!
Huge congrats on the baby, it's the best reason to be getting rid of your other baby!
 
better to have loved & lost as they say... am sure your new bundle will compensate
 
Hey a11y, I have a question about your seats.

Did you originally have the sport seats in your car? My car has the standard heated/electric seats (which yours look to be too), did you have any trouble getting them retrimed and (if applicable) rebolstered?

Congrats on the little one :thumbsup:
 
Congrats mate it will certainly change your life in more ways than the car!!

Recently been there.... done that... and got the baby and no Z4 to prove it!

He's worth it though.... well apart from when hes kicking off at 3am for no apparent reason :D
 
Very many congratulations a11y - really genuinely chuffed for you. Your life is going to change utterly, in the very best way possible - all the best to you and Mrs a11y over coming months :thumbsup: Just a shame I never met your Zed in person...

(and by the way, my overactive imagination when asking why no Z on the Applecross thread was 100% correct :D )
 
Congrats Ally. A top forumite and I'm pleased you're sticking around and hopefully arranging more stunning meets! :thumbsup:

That final pic at Applecross is breathtaking.
 
Thanks for all the congrats comments folks - we're both really chuffed about it all. Certainly going to be a big change to our lifestyle :)

gannet said:
speaking from experience sticking around here helps, though if you choose the replacement wisely it aint too hard :driving:
Click to expand...
Yep, I'm sure the others ion the Applecross meet will confirm I kept up in Mrs a11y's Fabia vRS without too many issues... :wink:

Guiseley said:
In our experience a 2 seater makes sense again after about 14 years (and another after 15!!).
Click to expand...
I wonder what the MY2026 Z4 will look like...

cj_eds said:
If you've returned the interior to normal, does that mean the yellow seats are up for sale?
Click to expand...
They will be soon, but a certain prolific forum poster has already expressed an interest I'm afraid :lol:

FAARN said:
Congrats Ally, glad you finally sold the car but a real shame. Our first due in 3 weeks!!!!!!!!! :o
Click to expand...
Congrats to you too :thumbsup:

Bing said:
(and by the way, my overactive imagination when asking why no Z on the Applecross thread was 100% correct :D )
Click to expand...
:rofl:

Bradders75 said:
That final pic at Applecross is breathtaking.
Click to expand...
Unbelievably I've had a flickr upload on the go since yesterday morning and it's STILL not finished. Keep an eye on the Applecross thread to see what you missed :thumbsup:
 
Mitch89 said:
Did you originally have the sport seats in your car? My car has the standard heated/electric seats (which yours look to be too), did you have any trouble getting them retrimed and (if applicable) rebolstered?
Click to expand...
Well, there's a bit more history to it... I actually had 3 separate sets of seats in the car, i.e. I didn't retrim - I just replaced.

Set 1: originally fitted - unheated, leather, standard (non-sport), electric
Set 2: heated, leather, standard (non-sport), manual but I swapped the bases with set 1 seats
Set 3: heated, yellow/black leather, M Sport, electric, post-facelift but I swapped the occupancy mat to a pre-facelift one.

Set 1 (with manual bases) now reside in my VW camper complete with aftermarket retro-fitted heating pads. Set 2 were sold in the car. Set 3 are currently sitting in my spare room awaiting a buyer to decide...
 
As I've said before ally, congrats to you and Jo and as to what vehicle you decide to get next I'm sure you'll get something you can have fun in.


Now what are doing with the Yello................no stop it. :lol:
 
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