A Perpetual Picture Of Your Car Thread

[Diabolical]

It was a vibe for sure! A kind of skeevy one...

Yeah. I’m not sure leaning into, “I enjoy teasing people about kidnapping children!” is a vibe that I’d want to be a part of. In fact, I’m certain I wouldn’t want to be associated with said vehicle at all.

In car related news, I saw so many BMW M3’s this morning, coming home from work. Three on the installation (white, green, black), 2 on the Pacific Coast Highway (silver, light blue), and two more in town (dark blue, white).

 

[yd]

Got a couple leads on the gear light indicator that don't involve a whole transmission/computer swap. Would require more digging by the BMW people than I suspect they usually do but hopefully I can point them in a couple new directions. BMW also mentioned something about a 'valve body' that would need recoding. So much fun!

Saw a 2006/07 Z4 convertible today in a color I have never seen before in person, a bronze kinda color. Beautiful....but the convertible still doesn't look nearly as nice as the coupe imho. edit - I think it might be 'sterling grey'.

Photo tax from the intersection

edit - did a color correction and moved up the brightness given it was in the shade - very tricky color, kinda grey depending but definitely got some kind of bronze thing going on.

 

[Jables]

The 2026 Toyota Corolla! Only 358 miles on the clock. Torquey little guy.

A very pretty 1988 911 with M491 option at Concours training this past weekend.

 

[yd]

I think I'd take the red one over the black one even though I know it would likely be a bad idea.

 

[continuum]

BMW also mentioned something about a 'valve body' that would need recoding.

Valvebody replacement/serving is very common thing. Not sure that's your issue per se, but maybe, especially since it seems like you want to keep the car.

In other news, barely clears is still clearance.

Spoiler

 

[yd]

Valvebody replacement/serving is very common thing. Not sure that's your issue per se, but maybe, especially since it seems like you want to keep the car.

In other news, barely clears is still clearance.

Spoiler

Technically, clearance is clearance hehe

Yea, I have seen this 'transmission range switch' fix mentioned which sorta could be it (other than the clunk that occasionally happens). This was a clearer video of it done on a different transmission but the same kinda thing is in mine in the Z4 transmission but that guys video was less clear.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXkLjefUYU4&list=LL&index=1

The valve body repair would be nice if that is what it is, not sure a valve body can be bought new (probably not). If new, that thing is probably a few grand. A repair would be fine by me if that is what it is.

I have also heard battery replacement and alternator check because a low battery or an alternator not putting out enough juice can do funny things.

Realistically I wish there was a transmission specialist locally but not sure there is one so for the time being I will have 'my guy' at BMW chase things down; fortunately I am not getting hammered for costs....yet.

edit, can't seem to 'spoiler' the video and have it work, so just linky

 

[Da Xiang]

Technically, clearance is clearance hehe

Yea, I have seen this 'transmission range switch' fix mentioned which sorta could be it (other than the clunk that occasionally happens). This was a clearer video of it done on a different transmission but the same kinda thing is in mine in the Z4 transmission but that guys video was less clear.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXkLjefUYU4&list=LL&index=1

The valve body repair would be nice if that is what it is, not sure a valve body can be bought new (probably not). If new, that thing is probably a few grand. A repair would be fine by me if that is what it is.

I have also heard battery replacement and alternator check because a low battery or an alternator not putting out enough juice can do funny things.

Realistically I wish there was a transmission specialist locally but not sure there is one so for the time being I will have 'my guy' at BMW chase things down; fortunately I am not getting hammered for costs....yet.

edit, can't seem to 'spoiler' the video and have it work, so just linky

https://www.aamco.com/

Perhaps there is a location near you?

 

[yd]

https://www.aamco.com/

Perhaps there is a location near you?

Maybe one in the Portland area looks the closest

Spoiler: Nearest AAMCO

 

[Diabolical]

Got a couple leads on the gear light indicator that don't involve a whole transmission/computer swap. Would require more digging by the BMW people than I suspect they usually do but hopefully I can point them in a couple new directions. BMW also mentioned something about a 'valve body' that would need recoding. So much fun!

Saw a 2006/07 Z4 convertible today in a color I have never seen before in person, a bronze kinda color. Beautiful....but the convertible still doesn't look nearly as nice as the coupe imho. edit - I think it might be 'sterling grey'.

Photo tax from the intersection

edit - did a color correction and moved up the brightness given it was in the shade - very tricky color, kinda grey depending but definitely got some kind of bronze thing going on.

My Dad’s e89 (generation after yours) Z4 was Orion Silver Metallic.
Now that he hasn’t had it in years, we can call it what it is: metallic beige.


Example from a car on Cars & Bids that I pulled from a Kagi Image search:
https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3L0jOzAy/2010-bmw-z4-sdrive35i

Considering my folks lived down a long dusty gravel/dirt road when he owned it? It hid the dust really well!

Also, I like the lines the e85 (previous gen to this, like yd’s) a lot more. More drama on the doors, a bit more flare on the ducktail.

 

[yd]

@Diabolical Oooh, purty, not a bad color at all. Looks like it could be a smidge lighter/brighter than what the previous generation one had but still really nice. I agree with you though, the previous gen looked better for lines (the 'hidden' Z (from the other side) was a lovely design touch but the E89 looks waaaay better than the previous gen soft top with the ugly top up. If I couldn't get something like a 1M, that E89 variant wouldn't hurt my feelings too much. My preference by far though is keep the current Z4 on the road as its just way nicer looking than either imho.

 

[jacs]

2011 E92 MT6 (My 3rd 3 series, 4th manual BMW since '97). I bought it in late 2021 to replace a 2001 E46 (also red) that needed a new engine. After 4+ years of outdoor parking (I think it spent its 1st decade of life in a garage) it's starting to show its age

Local dealer has started spamming me with "Complimentary CarFax Reports" - I don't think I really wanted to know that the current trade-in value is 1/4 of what I paid (cash) for it 4 years ago.

 

[heySkippy]

I took ours on a 1000 mile road trip to DC a couple weeks ago. Told my GPS to avoid highways on the way there and then drove the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway all the way home and did at least 90% of the trip roof-down.

I know I gripe about this car because it's an automatic and I'm scared our crazy good luck with it will run out someday and cost a fortune but it is a damn fine convertible and it is nice to drive.

It's a 2012 model and rolled over 80,000 miles on that trip. The last of the NA straight sixes, as I understand it. I waffle on and off about replacing it and for now I'm waffling off. Ima keep it for another summer.

 

[Backstop]

Funnily enough, one of the reasons I went from a Mini to the GTI because I got tired of trying not to scrape the doors on the parking stall wall.

But yeah, gonna miss the manual when I replace this.

I was giving it some more thought n a long walk recently.

If I'm going to (or have to) break my rules of two-doors three-pedals, I think I may as well go with a battery electric. Assuming they sell something compact, of course, I shan't be going from a Mini/GTI to a Optiq or some kind of SUV.

 

[grommit!]

I was giving it some more thought n a long walk recently.

If I'm going to (or have to) break my rules of two-doors three-pedals, I think I may as well go with a battery electric. Assuming they sell something compact, of course, I shan't be going from a Mini/GTI to a Optiq or some kind of SUV.

Same. I'm just waiting on confirmation that our building will get chargers installed, but my current shortlist are the Toyota C-HR/Subaru Uncharted twins and upcoming Kia EV3. The latter is the same size as the GTI, even though it's styled an SUV.

 

[Diabolical]

What pisses me off is that it looks like VW is finally listening and potentially fixing the interior of their EV’s.

Here’s the new id.3 Neo (bring it to the US, please!):
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electric/hold-did-volkswagen-just-fix-everything-wrong-id3

Look at all of those buttons! Actual, physical buttons!

 

[Miwa]

I watched Thomas's review of it, and yeah, that's what it should've been at launch.

The platform might be aging now though, so we'll see. Since VW/Audi brings very few models here, I don't think we'll get it or the more interesting EV Polo. Especially with how expensive it'd be against the tax-favored local choices.

One of the locally produced EVs has sold like 3 cars. People are smart enough not to buy a car that you can't actually buy the whole thing, since you are forced to take a 9 year lease on the battery when purchasing the rest of the car. (9 year loans are common, which is another thing that should be illegal).

 

[yd]

Same. I'm just waiting on confirmation that our building will get chargers installed, but my current shortlist are the Toyota C-HR/Subaru Uncharted twins and upcoming Kia EV3. The latter is the same size as the GTI, even though it's styled an SUV.

I have rented a CHR a few times now down in Tasmania. The turbo one was the nicest but liked petrol more. The hybrid was actually very nice as well, way less thirsty and only reasonably not bad down on power. Biggest complaint was having to turn off the nannies - exceed the speed limit for a couple seconds and it would chime in with 'obey all local regulations' or some such. The disable is well hidden.

 

[grommit!]

Here’s the new id.3 Neo (bring it to the US, please!):
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electric/hold-did-volkswagen-just-fix-everything-wrong-id3

Look at all of those buttons! Actual, physical buttons!

Sadly, we don't get the current model, so the chances of it coming here are slim.

I have rented a CHR a few times now down in Tasmania. The turbo one was the nicest but liked petrol more. The hybrid was actually very nice as well, way less thirsty and only reasonably not bad down on power. Biggest complaint was having to turn off the nannies - exceed the speed limit for a couple seconds and it would chime in with 'obey all local regulations' or some such. The disable is well hidden.

The BEV C-HR is a different and slightly larger vehicle, and is sold as the C-HR+ in Europe. It also has a different infotainment system.

Picture tax of the Mini

 

[yd]

I am just going from my rentals, they seemed identical inside and outside down in Tasmania @grommit!

Here is the turbo in rental car white...

Here is the hybrid in rental car white...

 

[grommit!]

This is the BEV C-HR (as it's called in North America): https://media.toyota.ca/en/albums/2026/2026-toyota-c-hr.html

And a review of the C-HR+ (as it's called in Europe)

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg1eiGwBNMM

 

[yd]

Oh heck, we definitely ain't talking about the same thing there haha

 

[Jables]

Thirsty for expensive gas after a drive through the Berkeley hills.

 

[yd]

Z4 has run about 250km without any gear light coming on. I mean, that is great and all but then makes it hard to troubleshoot for BMW (or a transmission person) when its fine for such a long stretch.

Driving into town today I was seeing all kinds of posh cars but here those kind of things are a dime a dozen. There is like 6 Ferrari's on the way to my town parking spot, a Singer Porsche, multiple other Porsches, lambos, you name it.....but ain't no 2007 Z4 coupes to be seen, last time I saw another one was 2016 at BMW (a blue twin actually).