Z3 or Z4

[Redline]

If the car is moving, then to operate the roof the brake lights need to be lit. I think this also applies to the Z4 too Ian, although I can't remember lowering my roof on the 4 whilst moving to be honest. Again one for tomorrow.
The thing about 3 presses came from my manager at work. I asked him if our gear at work could re-programme my car to do this as he used to work at Sopers in Lincoln. He found that info on his phone as we chatted. Like I said, I don't know whether it works or not yet.

Tony.

ps. Most if not all cars with electrically operated soft tops have this safety switch in their operating mechanism, even the old Escort Cabrio's had to have the handbrake applied (lighting the warning light on the dash) to operate the roof.

Thanks for the details - haven't tried opening/closing mine while moving.

I got caught in an unexpected deluge in Gail's car with the roof down earlier in the year. The traffic was moving at over 50mph - I had to quickly scrabble for a place to stop.

 

[t-tony]

Thanks for the details - haven't tried opening/closing mine while moving.

I got caught in an unexpected deluge in Gail's car with the roof down earlier in the year. The traffic was moving at over 50mph - I had to quickly scrabble for a place to stop.

That can easily happen. Shirl's Eos has the same type of roof too. It's a dilemma sometimes when I leave work, I look up at the sky and think should I or not and then do and have to close the roof as I'm crawling along. But on the other hand I have opened the roof heading to the roundabout and about a mile further on I've had to pull in to Burton Waters and put it up again. Some days the Gods smile on me and It doesn't rain until I've reversed into the garage at home.

Tony.

 

[Rha]

Well I think it's the safety aspect cos we all know that some idiot would try to open/ close the hood at motorway speeds. Meaning you could find yourself driving behind a very dangerous roadster with a flapping hood trying its hardest to get off its mounting points and into your face. My H/book states the vehicle should be stationary with foot brake applied so no problem in a Z3 if you've got a power hood, you can stop on most A/B roads and make the traffic wait a few seconds to put it up if your court in a deluge, with four way flashers on most other drivers will wait cos they can see the predicament your in, like I said a few seconds and your away, on a duel carriageway or motorway I wouldn't have it down unless the sun was out and hardly any cloud, there's always a way round these perceived problems, watch Tiff Nedell in his first drive of a Z3 without power hood. Rha, Roy.

 

[andyglym]

Never needed to do that, but it's much easier when all you have to do is press and hold a button. I used to drop the roof on my 3 crawling up to the roundabout on the A57/A46 junction at home time, but it was tricky needing both hands to release the clamps at the front and steer with your knees (the road is dead straight by the way). Easy enough after that to push it back one handed to engage the hydraulic system. But then you still have to hold the button down, which is behind you on the centre console, whereas in the 4 it in the console just by your right knee.

tony.

Mine is on the front consul whereas my heated seats buttons are behind me in the middle obviously assembled on different days

 

[Rha]

As a PS to above; I think the pram hood on the Z3 is part of its charm and it definately looks more retro for it, when I put my hard top on it takes a lot of charm away from the car. Wouldn't say never to a Z4, but only as a daily driver if still at work covering high mileage, it's looks are too updated for me. I didn't say never.
Or did I say it twice.
Rha,Roy.

 

[Redline]

As a PS to above; I think the pram hood on the Z3 is part of its charm and it definately looks more retro for it, when I put my hard top on it takes a lot of charm away from the car. Wouldn't say never to a Z4, but only as a daily driver if still at work covering high mileage, it's looks are too updated for me. I didn't say never.
Or did I say it twice.
Rha,Roy.

Is that Never say never say never?

 

[Bozzy]

Well I think it's the safety aspect cos we all know that some idiot would try to open/ close the hood at motorway speeds. Meaning you could find yourself driving behind a very dangerous roadster with a flapping hood trying its hardest to get off its mounting points and into your face. My H/book states the vehicle should be stationary with foot brake applied so no problem in a Z3 if you've got a power hood, you can stop on most A/B roads and make the traffic wait a few seconds to put it up if your court in a deluge, with four way flashers on most other drivers will wait cos they can see the predicament your in, like I said a few seconds and your away, on a duel carriageway or motorway I wouldn't have it down unless the sun was out and hardly any cloud, there's always a way round these perceived problems, watch Tiff Nedell in his first drive of a Z3 without power hood. Rha, Roy.

Would make for a good air brake though Roy and it would certainly clear the traffic behind you

Steve

 

[t-tony]

As a PS to above; I think the pram hood on the Z3 is part of its charm and it definately looks more retro for it, when I put my hard top on it takes a lot of charm away from the car. Wouldn't say never to a Z4, but only as a daily driver if still at work covering high mileage, it's looks are too updated for me. I didn't say never.
Or did I say it twice.
Rha,Roy.

No, Mr. Bond. you only live twice!. Re the hard top applies to the Z4 too Roy, but I think, having had one on my Eunos, for a daily through the winter months it does make a car much nicer. But roll on spring to take it off !!

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

Mine is on the front consul whereas my heated seats buttons are behind me in the middle obviously assembled on different days

Must have been Andy, That is one thing I miss about my Z3. The switch positioning seems to have been much better thought out for the 3 than the 4. Having said that I haven't had as much time to get used to the switch positions in the Z4 the Z3 ones are almost "there" without even thinking.

Tony.

 

[Althulas]

I had a look at a Z4 and liked the extra leg room as I find my M cramp but after an engine rebuild and if I got the rest of the car upto spec it might be worth keeping hold of. I did not like the interior compared to the M but do like the pop up sat option. Maybe one day might be able to have both

 

[Kit]

I chose my car purely on looks.

But then again, I really like tall, long legged ladies and I don't suppose I'll get one of them either

Yes thats why I went for the Z3 for the first car, but I can still look so long as I don't get caught

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

I find this debate rather strange perhaps because I have been lucky enough to own the Z3 and the E85 Z4 together. I loved them both. but the fact of the matter is, that at a certain age things start to go wrong with a car. We travelled many miles, on the continent and at home in the Z3 and found it an absolutely charming car to drive, Like Tony's it was a 2.0L but when needed the power was there. The Z4 was far closer to a true sports car than the Z3, the suspension on mine was hard and the handling was sharp, again a 2.0L it still had the power to thrill especially on the twisty turny bits. Now I'm lucky enough to own a E89 Z4, I find it a cross between the Z3 and the E85 Z4. I Love it.
At the end of the day they all have their charm and as the saying goes, you pays your money and takes your choice. Just Make sure it's a Z

Mike

 

[Grumps]

Thanks for the details - haven't tried opening/closing mine while moving.

I got caught in an unexpected deluge in Gail's car with the roof down earlier in the year. The traffic was moving at over 50mph - I had to quickly scrabble for a place to stop.

That would be when you left my cruise then Ian, sorry about that!

 

[gookah]

I have had a 3.0 sport Z3,
then a 2.5s Z4
then a Z4M roadster
and now back in a Z3 2.8.
My wife has had two 1.9 Z3 the latest being the sport.
and my son has the 2.0 Z3


No one seemed that bothered talking about my Z4's at shows, the Z3's however are a different matter. I have had way more interest in this than any other cars I have owned.
I find the social side of the Z3 comprises a more a enthusiastic group of lovers of the car itself.
I did play with the Z4 Forum for a while... there is a large element of materialistic show offs, that like to post about their watches, cameras, mountain bikes, and some look at the Z4 in the same way. They can also be a very fickle group who comment about how 'nice' a modification is to a current member's car, then slate it when they leave, just look at Project Marmite on there.

My Z4's were very accomplished cars, lots of improvements, lots of things they do very well...... But thats the thing..
Sometimes those 'very wells' meant it had lost the character.
I have had more fun with seat of the pants driving from what is a cruder machine, rather than the cosseted and engineered safe and more comfortable environment of the Z4.

some angles of the Z4 I prefer to the Z3. each has it's own look and elements of each car I either like or dislike.

It all depends on what you want from a car, I believe they offer totally different experiences

 

[gookah]

Yes, you only have to have the brake lights illuminated, not actually applying any brake pressure. Not all Z4's have the remote roof dropping feature (which is cool) but you can have it re-programmed by a technician. There are several people offering such services on eBay. One is located in Derby I think and he charges an amount to check all and any upgrades possible on your car. If you google it there is a post on there which tells you that 3 quick successive presses on your remote will do it. I haven't remembered to try it yet. One for tomorrow.

Tony.

Forget having your key programmed because you have to stand by the car holding the button all through the process, you may as well do it in the door lock.

You really need the Gap tech module for the 3 press remote. I fitted it to both of my Z4s

http://www.gap-tech.co.uk

best thing I bought,


You could press the key remote 3 times and leave the roof to open, or leave it to close while you approached or walked away.
They also do a one touch module where you hold the roof up or down button on the console for 1/2 second, and can let go then while it carries on with the operation without the need for any further involvement. You press the opposite button to stop it if you needed to.

 

[t-tony]

Cheers for that Pete, looks like a great bit of kit at a good price. Have sent them an email asking if they do one for the VW Eos.

Tony.

 

[TaffZee]

The Z4 grows on you, slowly.

 

[oldcarman]

Never having driven let alone owned a z3 or z4 it was my granddaughter that made the final choice which was a z3. This after carefully checking one out while we were on holiday and then checking a z4. She decided the z4 looked too big and modern but the z3 looked way better! That made up my mind! As they say" out of the mouths of babes come truths", she was 81/2 at that point! The grin on her face when we're out makes it all worth while and see still doesn't like z4's. You alone can decide what you like and want but I wonder why your brother wants to take on the z3?? JIM