wildbill

What a mess! I searched extensively online for an OEM manual. Apparently BMW has thoroughly locked up availability for this. eBay has a lot of ads for a workshop manual hinting that they're OEM's used by the dealers. They come from a few sources mostly in the UK, with charges from about $11+ up to almost $14. The ads are from several sellers. But, the format of the UK ads is the same for each of them, obviously the same seller. I ordered one of them in the $13 range. It was nothing more than a copy of the freebie mentioned earlier in this thread. I was able to get it cancelled. Other than the one mentioned earlier in this thread, all I can find is a link to order a Haynes manual. I've always used OEM manuals and have a fairly low opinion of Haines. But, that's all I can find, so I have one on order. After looking a bit more, I probably have enough enough experience that having an OEM manual may not be an absolute necessity. I've just diagnosed that it's ignition switch has gone bad and am about to order a new replacement.

Hi GD, Thanks for your response. Quote: You and all other owners of previous models are just as much a victim of BMW as I am. I've run into similar from other's. They only give assistance to buyers of new vehicles, or such, with no concern that I'll buy new parts they manufacture. ------------------ I'm still looking. There are so many people supposedly offering versions of this on eBay and elsewhere. My one bad choice so far, has left me very leery of where I can get a good one. It's looking to me, because they're so hard to find, that there is a multitude of people out there trying to sell anything they can just to make a buck. Maybe there's also a lot of buyers that just aren't very knowledgeable. My first choice was a bad one. I don't want to acquire a stack of bad choices before I finally get a good one. I'll look at your recommendations to see if I can find something there. My biggest problem is that no one really shows what they're trying to sell you. They seem to expect faith on the buyer's part: ... yeah, on the internet. Thx again, Bill

Addendum: I found the following note on a closed [shut down by BMW] website: That could explain why their so hard to find.

Bought my Z4 back in the end of January, and have spent the last couple of months trying to get familiar with and knowledgeable about it. What a job! The last 50 years, or so, living 35 of them in Alaska, I have owned and driven Ford, or Dodge pickups. I have always been a shade tree mechanic. I always kept a set of Factory Service/Repair manuals for each vehicle I owned, the same as what the dealers use in shop. I have tried to accomplish the same for my Z4. You Europeans have whipped me to a stand still. Don't quibble with me. I'm from 1/2 way around the world and include the British in that category. I have looked around on line trying to acquire a set[?] of repair manuals for my 2005 Z4 E85 Roadster. Being a skin flint, I did buy a fairly cheap downloaded PDF copy of a repair CD. I chose it because someone here spoke well of it. It is a piece of garbage, and all but useless. I did find a freebie here: https://www.allcarmanuals.com/factory-service-manual-380-BMW-Z4-E85.html It does contain at least some schematics. But, It's still just a collection of PDF's. I have little to no faith in it's completeness, or even accuracy. Is there a true factory repair manual available for this car, either buyable or as a freebie?

At first I was a bit miffed when I found out that run-flats are used and no jack or spare are included with the vehicle. I have been a hard core DIY all my life. But on second thought, I'm on an island now. Before moving here I lived in Alaska for 35 years and drove 60k miles/year regularly. Big Island is only 93 X 80 mi. A big difference, I don't drive nearly as much as I used to. I live on the wetter-windward side. The BMW dealer is on the drier-leeward side, as far from me as it can get, but still only a 2-1/2 hr drive. I'm taking the car into a mechanic tomorrow to have the oil and filter changed, then go find the upholsterer to look into seats. Got to look at getting a spare and jack, but don't thing there's room jn the trunk for them. Gotta' measure things up to figure it out out. While the car is 17 years old the body is in very good condition with only 2 very small hard to see dings with no paint damage. I will want to look into having them faired out. The X4 is a Titan Grey color. How difficult is it to match the repair paint with the existing BMW paint, quality and color? Any more posts will be in the proper forums Thx, Mike

Thanks Stu. I've owned and driven a pickup as my main ride for the last 40 years. This is the first smaller sports type vehicle I've owned in 50 years. I figured it was time for a change. I'm happy with it. The seats are in better condition than I thought. But, I'll get an upholster to look at them. It looks as if only a few seams are giving out, but the leather is holding up well. Getting them resewn should clean up the interior nicely, almost renewing it. Island roads tend to be narrow and windy. Just made for a vehicle like this.

I didn't expect to end up here, in the UK. I'm in Hawaii. I just bought a used 2005 - Z4 on a trip to another island about a week & a half ago, then had it shipped here to Big Island. As far as I can tell, it's the only Z4 on the island. Took it for my first ride today. I'm ecstatic with it. I'm planning to make up-dates/up-grades to a few minor age related less than perfect interior items, maybe even having the seats reupholstered. Not sure if being here will be much help in that. I'm glad to be here, but let me know if I need to move on. Thx, Mike