New Z4 Owner + First Question

[Arkay402]

To be more accurate, I'm a new Z4 lessee as we've just assumed the lease of an '06 3.0si, black on red, with 10,300 mi on the odo; 6-speed manual with Sport & Premium packages.

We've had convertibles/roadsters for a while now ('97 328i cab, '01 Boxster S, and lastly an '04 SL500 just sold last November) but with the arrival of our daughter 13 months ago, we decided to try to be responsible and not get another impractical car for the whole family.

But then the weather warmed up...

So we dipped our toes into the lease assmption market and found this Z4 in the next town with 11 months remaining on the lease so we're trying it out. If we can live with it and love the car, we'll either buy it out or extend the lease; or get another one after finding out we can have a convertible while functioning as parental units.

Just got the car this morning so have only one quick question so far: where do the members tend to put their owner's manual packet? Never have I had a car where the glove compartment can BARELY fit a pair of gloves...

TIA for any and all input...

(Do please excuse me as I'll be cross posting in the Bimmerforums as well if you should visit both...)

[Dammmittt]

I put mine behind the driver's seat

[Ski]

Under the passenger seat..

[561design]

It's in my trunk.

[daktarz4]

Lift the bottom of the trunk up. Directly in back of the battery is a space exactly the size of the zipped BMW case. Accessible if needed and completely out of the way.

[zee42]

13 month old daughter................. been there,done that..the "Z" will be the getaway car,keep it filled with fuel and pointing nose first down the driveway so in the event that someone will watch her for a little while,you and the wife can run as fast as you can and zip off before they change their minds the hard part will be coming back....don't worry about the manual...nobody ever reads those things anyway

[fire-n-ice]

Mine fits fine in the glove compartment. Along with ins. papers, registration form and directions to the next GTG. Yea, it's bent a little, but who cares? I don't see where the glove compartment is so small to folks. Oh, and I still have room.

[zednik]

This topic used to come up on the old Z4um. It seems the best answer is to buy the optional one wheeled trailer that BMW sells especially to carry the full compliment of manuals that they seem to think are so important.

The trailer costs $9000 and hitch and wiring are $5000 extra.

[takedown8]

I bought the Z4 trunk organizer (that grey thing with four pockets that attaches to the underside of the trunk lid). One of the pockets fits the manual, but it's only held closed with velcro. With how heavy the manual is, some spirited driving and repeated opening and closing of the trunk just causes it to fall right out. So it just sits in the trunk (making a short story long).

[Arkay402]

Originally Posted by zednik

This topic used to come up on the old Z4um. It seems the best answer is to buy the optional one wheeled trailer that BMW sells especially to carry the full compliment of manuals that they seem to think are so important.

The trailer costs $9000 and hitch and wiring are $5000 extra.

Well heck, if a trailer is the answer then I already have a Trailex open aluminum trailer that I tow my M3 with - they're both stored at a separate location.

And given the fact that most Z4 owners seem to put their manuals out of reach anyway, maybe I should just store the manuals with the track car...

[epbrown]

Actually, in the glove box I've got a little spiral-bound manual that came with the car - a sort of "quick tips" guide. The full complement in the vinyl binder are in the trunk.

[AlterEgo]

Mine's automatic

[155MPH]

Originally Posted by Ski

Under the passenger seat..

X2

[Rick Hunter]

I hot-glued a piece of Velcro (the hook end) to the backside of the vinyl folder and I plopped it in the trunk. It doesn't move around at all, even on hard cornering.

[Bluesharp]

I keep mine on a bookshelf in my bedroom.

[takedown8]

Originally Posted by Bluesharp

I keep mine on a bookshelf in my bedroom.

For regular bedtime reading?

[Bluesharp]

Nah... I just look at the pictures.

[20Ducks]

[takedown8]

[Arkay402]

Thanks for all the input. I've placed it in the boot next to the battery. It fits well and I don't think I'll need it often.

It came in handy the first night setting up the bluetooth connection to my CrackBerry, but haven't needed it since. So far enjoying having a car that for the first time in a LONG time sits below 4,000 lbs. in curb weight. What a delight it is to drive a (relatively) light car again...Colin Chapman's basic principal remains as true as always...

[PhilDZ4]

Good to hear you're enjoying the car. BTW, I leave my owner's manual on a bookshelf at home.

[RussRamz]

Does anyone have access to the owner's manual in .pdf format?