Alpina Roadster S: essentially the same as the Z4 for general maintenance, servicing and repair?

[Alpina34]

The title says it all really, but I posted it here because I’m new as well - so hi too! Kate from Kent with #098 Alpina Roadster S lux (sapphire black & dream red interior).

Navigating this forum on an iPhone SE isn’t easy for tech-less me

Anyhow, some questions for those with sapphire black paint - how do you look after it?! Would like advice about how you can polish some surface scratches out without taking the car to a workshop to be polished.

Alloys: I’m close to Lepsons, so that’s always an option for me. Is it usual for these 19” alloys to corrode by the air pressure valves?

Come to think of it, what *is* the correct tyre pressure for these? Inside sticky works on bar; I work on pounds.

Idle: are these cars ever so slightly lumpy?

“Pinking”/hydraulic lifters making rappers noise: is this usual/uncharacteristic of the 3.4 engine?

Seat repairs: has anybody had good experiences with leather connelising and, if so, which companies in the south east?

Floor mats: any good suggestions? Any old thing from eBay to preserve the carpet mats?

Central locking: is it right with the Alpina/other Z4s that you open the doors by pulling the door handle open twice - both for passenger door and the driver’s door?

Owner’s manual: I want to know how to operate the Bluetooth, sat nav and radio - I’m thick! Help!

Gearbox: are gears 1 and 2 always a bit notchy?

Rear noise: is the prop shaft and u/j difficult to replace, and expensive?

Why do other road users challenge me for a race all the time?! I never used to get that when I owned my old Porsche 968 polar silver cabriolet (sold to buy the Alpina).

I think that’s about it for now! ;-)

 

[Slam]

Hi and welcome from London, there are some alpina owners on here who I’m sure will give you advice.

 

[Jack Ratt]

I don't have a Z4 but with regards to tyre pressure 1bar is equal to 14.5psi

 

[GazHyde]

Welcome

@Nodzed has an Alpina

 

[billz]

Hello and welcome to the forum.
Regarding paint to remove swirls and or scratches you will need to use a machine polisher either a rotary or DA but also the correct pads, you will also need cutting compound and a decent polish. It is doable to do it your self but very time consuming. The tappet rattle could well mean that they are ready for adjustment.
As for the opening of the doors I only have to pull the handle once. It maybe that there is an option to change this within the programming

 

[Nodzed]

The title says it all really, but I posted it here because I’m new as well - so hi too! Kate from Kent with #098 Alpina Roadster S lux (sapphire black & dream red interior).

Navigating this forum on an iPhone SE isn’t easy for tech-less me

Anyhow, some questions for those with sapphire black paint - how do you look after it?! Would like advice about how you can polish some surface scratches out without taking the car to a workshop to be polished.

Alloys: I’m close to Lepsons, so that’s always an option for me. Is it usual for these 19” alloys to corrode by the air pressure valves?

Come to think of it, what *is* the correct tyre pressure for these? Inside sticky works on bar; I work on pounds.

Idle: are these cars ever so slightly lumpy?

“Pinking”/hydraulic lifters making rappers noise: is this usual/uncharacteristic of the 3.4 engine?

Seat repairs: has anybody had good experiences with leather connelising and, if so, which companies in the south east?

Floor mats: any good suggestions? Any old thing from eBay to preserve the carpet mats?

Central locking: is it right with the Alpina/other Z4s that you open the doors by pulling the door handle open twice - both for passenger door and the driver’s door?

Owner’s manual: I want to know how to operate the Bluetooth, sat nav and radio - I’m thick! Help!

Gearbox: are gears 1 and 2 always a bit notchy?

Rear noise: is the prop shaft and u/j difficult to replace, and expensive?

Why do other road users challenge me for a race all the time?! I never used to get that when I owned my old Porsche 968 polar silver cabriolet (sold to buy the Alpina).


Hi
Looks like we have similar Alpina's mine #105 also black but with black interior.
Here's mine

Anyway
Paint ... mine is also swirly TBH im going to get it detailed, well worth it, then use the the 2 bucket approach and a million micro cloths (yep and like I'm going to bother ) there's some threads on here somewhere about best ways to wash cars, mine is to take it to the nearest hand car wash..
Lumpy idle, yep mines the same I have been told its a Z4 thing?? and its normal.
Gearbox, well mine is spot on in all the gears but it has had the box oil changed, I would recommend you get yours done if its still factory fresh..
Pinking / rattles mine has just developed this and I cant really trace the issue at present, it does sound like a severe pinking or could be Vanos or lifters etc, mine only does it under load when a lot of torque is being used.

Rear noise, no issues for me (yet), is it diff or drive train? have you had the diff oil changed?
Bluetooth, I just cant get mine to work. Pairs OK transfers phone book etc but just wont play call through the speakers, I think the system is just to old for modern phones?? I'm sure I will get corrected if this is not the case

Wheel corrosion, if you get this corrected you can buy steel valves for the wheels with silicone spacers that protect the wheel from corrosion. Its the cheap rubber valves fitted by the tyre garaged that cause the problem.
Here's a pic I'll try to dig out the supplier name failing that @zedwheels may be able to help as purchased them for the car. Brian?

As for road users wanting to race you. well that's OK if the conditions are right ..........but to be honest I usually leave the Porsche's to the Ferrari drivers and go after the Golf Gti's with the spotty youths driving them.

Niall

 

[Low Rider]

Welcome aboard

 

[andyglym]

to the forum from West Cumbria.

 

[Grumps]

Hi from Mansfield

 

[Shelly]

Hi and welcome to ZroadSter

 

[Mint]

Hi @Alpina34, to the forum from me too in Staffordshire.

 

[zedwheels]

Hi there, the valves that have the protective washer to separate the steel part from the Alloy is special order from BMW I had them from Sytners, Cardiff. worth having because steel next to Aluminium causes a current that causes the Alloy to break down and corrode! I still miss the Alpina, I knew I should have got rid of Linda and kept the car!

 

[Clockwatcher]

Hi there.

Reference the double pull on the door handle. We have this feature on our other BMW. If you have autolocking set on your iDrive, after the doors lock it will require 2 pulls. The first unlocks it, the second opens the door. Well, that's the way I have always understood how it works.

Best regards CW

 

[zedwheels]

Hi there.

Reference the double pull on the door handle. We have this feature on our other BMW. If you have autolocking set on your iDrive, after the doors lock it will require 2 pulls. The first unlocks it, the second opens the door. Well, that's the way I have always understood how it works.

Best regards CW

I know what you mean I have it on the car I own now but this wouldn't apply to the Alpina roadster doors.

 

[pgunter]

Hello and welcome tp the forum. Hope to see yourself and the Alpina at a few events too.