[StanDiego]

I saw some posts on the Unicorn thread regarding cold weather driving so I thought it might be a good topic to have its own thread.

Generally, 40-85F is my top down sweet spot. Below 40, I fear the cold stresses the material and mechanism more than normal. Above 85, the top goes down for shorter spurts to avoid swamp ass, and our bodies don't do as great a job of regulating our core temperature in our senior years.
In cold weather (with the top down), I adjust the vents to blow only mid and lower area, temperature to HI, and then adjust the blower as needed. Once the engine is warmed up, the heat delivered is astounding and I typically have to turn down the blower speed and even the temperature sometimes.
Directing any warm air to upper vents seems to be a complete waste with the top down. It gets dispersed before it can be felt but, by directing all of the air to mid and lower vents, it keeps our legs and torsos warm and better distributes the heat in the cockpit.

[MisanoblueZ4]

Due to work I haven’t taken the car out in over a week. Tomorrow it’s going to be only 40 so it will spend most time in the 30’s…gonna have to get my car therapy session in

I’ve driven with top open and temp around 50, using the AUTO temp setting, I believe the car will adjust blowing speed automatically? I haven’t used the HVAC system much with top open yet. My former Miata had indicators for what hvac setting to use with the top down.

Wonder if the Z4 in auto hvac mode knows top is down and compensates/adjusts for open vs closed.

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by MisanoblueZ4

Due to work I haven’t taken the car out in over a week. Tomorrow it’s going to be only 40 so it will spend most time in the 30’s…gonna have to get my car therapy session in

I’ve driven with top open and temp around 50, using the AUTO temp setting, I believe the car will adjust blowing speed automatically? I haven’t used the HVAC system much with top open yet. My former Miata had indicators for what hvac setting to use with the top down.

Wonder if the Z4 in auto hvac mode knows top is down and compensates/adjusts for open vs closed.

Car won't adjust the blower/fan speed on auto.

[tracer bullet]

So, idiotic question for Z4 owners, but as I'm simply hoping to get one of the upcoming manuals I'm not sure about this. I believe I've seen in pictures of current cars that there's heated seats? And steering wheel as well? I didn't see these as options on the configurator so I'm guessing they're simply included. Possibly unavailable but I truly doubt that.

And if there is a heated steering wheel, is it like my X3 with a tiny orange light on the actual button which is hidden to the lower left of the steering column, or is the button more easily accessed and more easily known if it' son or off?

[lbalec]

Yes, the Z4 has heated seats and steering wheel. I don't know about other markets, but in my case it is standard equipment in the Sport package. The button to turn on the heated steering wheel is in the center, just below the airbag.

[MisanoblueZ4]

Also if you have a new or newer Z4, the seats and steering wheel can be set to come on at a predetermined outside temperature.
For instance I set it to 48 degrees, when backing out of the garage if the outside temp is 48 or below it will activate seats/wheel heater.

This unfortunately is considered part of a subscription service, once it ends you lose the ability to set those to a temperature. You will just have to hit the buttons on/off like the old days.

[Dionis Eglantier]

-13f

https://www.drive2.ru/l/666138845883940385/

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

So, idiotic question for Z4 owners, but as I'm simply hoping to get one of the upcoming manuals I'm not sure about this. I believe I've seen in pictures of current cars that there's heated seats? And steering wheel as well? I didn't see these as options on the configurator so I'm guessing they're simply included. Possibly unavailable but I truly doubt that.

And if there is a heated steering wheel, is it like my X3 with a tiny orange light on the actual button which is hidden to the lower left of the steering column, or is the button more easily accessed and more easily known if it' son or off?

Standard on M40i, optional on 30i in US.

[MisanoblueZ4]

Originally Posted by Dionis Eglantier

-13f

https://www.drive2.ru/l/666138845883940385/

Glad the Siberian cold express doesn’t make it down to South Carolina much!

[Horseman]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

So, idiotic question for Z4 owners, but as I'm simply hoping to get one of the upcoming manuals I'm not sure about this. I believe I've seen in pictures of current cars that there's heated seats? And steering wheel as well? I didn't see these as options on the configurator so I'm guessing they're simply included. Possibly unavailable but I truly doubt that.

And if there is a heated steering wheel, is it like my X3 with a tiny orange light on the actual button which is hidden to the lower left of the steering column, or is the button more easily accessed and more easily known if it' son or off?

Heated steering wheel used to be an option in the 30i at least in 2021. I opted NOT to get it because I live in San Antonio... doesn't REALLY get cold enough to where I'd need it THAT BAD. Wasn't an option with my 2024 M40i though.

[stlcdr]

I'll run down to freezing (with top down) as long as it's dry. I have the summer tires, and they don't like it. If I had all-season, I'd drive in lower temperatures. Heat blowing max, seat and steering wheel are on - although the wheel heater is a bit weak.

Don't think much about the top going up and down, though. Is there any warning in the manual about that?

[stlcdr]

Originally Posted by Dionis Eglantier

-13f

https://www.drive2.ru/l/666138845883940385/

That's a nice hat! I've got to get myself one for the two days of winter!

I guess you either drive with the top down when it's cold, or you shouldn't have got a convertible

[Balr14]

I drove my M40i until the road conditions made it difficult. Generally, as long as the roads are clean and dry, I don't care what the temperature is. We have about 20" of snow on the ground, temperatures below zero and packed ice on the roads, so time to drive the SUV. Even that gets scary on some roads. It looks like it will be awhile before I can drive my M40i again. Time to get the battery tender out.

I made sure to get all weather tires and 18" or 19" wheels on my M40i. Past experience with 20" wheels and summer tires was too much hassle and ride quality was poor.

[Argo]

Originally Posted by Horseman

Heated steering wheel used to be an option in the 30i at least in 2021. I opted NOT to get it because I live in San Antonio... doesn't REALLY get cold enough to where I'd need it THAT BAD. Wasn't an option with my 2024 M40i though.

I live in California and a heated steering wheel is definitely not needed but it sure as hell is nice.

[mdoneinvt]

4f this morning and nice and toasty warm inside

[Horseman]

Originally Posted by Argo

I live in California and a heated steering wheel is definitely not needed but it sure as hell is nice.

Yeah ... honestly now that I have it... it is very nice haha!

When I said it wasn't an option... I mean that I had no choice but to get it. There wasn't an option to remove it in the 2024 M40i. Today it's hella cold though, I think I'll go pick up my boy in the Z4 and test out my own convictions on how toasty it can be (top up of course) It was 12F this morning in my town in central texas.

[Balr14]

I always forget about the heated steering wheel!

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by Argo

I live in California and a heated steering wheel is definitely not needed but it sure as hell is nice.

My s30i came with heated seats but not heated steering, ridiculous considering it was a (only) $150 option that dealer decided not to add when they built it. It had previously been a part of the Premium package but when the COVID era supply chain shortages hit, BMW replaced the Premium package with a Premium 2 package that omitted the HUD and heated steering. Heated steering could be added separately but not the HUD. In the summer of '22 the HUD was only available on the M40i.

Hindsight 20/20, I would have waited for the '23 models when all of the options became available again.

I've looked into retrofitting heated steering, would require new steering wheel, wiring, and steering wheel cover plus coding. $1K+ retrofitted vs $150 if the option had been ordered.

I'd probably have it done if not for concern for warranty implications but it might be worth a discussion with a service department.

[MisanoblueZ4]

Was out for a couple hours today with top up in 37 degree temps, had heat set to auto/70 with lowest speed blower and heated seat on mid, steering wheel heat on.
Was super comfy, almost too warm.
Cruised around in comfort/adaptive averaging 30+mpg during errands.
Threw it into Sports+ for a bit and crushed the mpg on way home down into the mid 20’s. Still at 30.1 mpg for this tankful at shutdown. My remainng estimated range went from 200miles down to 150 within the 15 mile drive home in Sport+

One thing too about Cold Weather driving, turbo motors love it.

[DM6]

In TN we have been single digits into the teens last week or so with ice and snow on the roads mixed with heavy salt. My Z4 will not see the light of day until temps improve and a nice rain washes this crap away.

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by DM6

In TN we have been single digits into the teens last week or so with ice and snow on the roads mixed with heavy salt. My Z4 will not see the light of day until temps improve and a nice rain washes this crap away.

Ditto.

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by DM6

In TN we have been single digits into the teens last week or so with ice and snow on the roads mixed with heavy salt. My Z4 will not see the light of day until temps improve and a nice rain washes this crap away.

Same here in Chicago. I don’t want to get it all full of that crap, and I’m fortunate enough I don’t have to drive if I don’t want to.

My concern is the battery. It’s been sitting for like a week and 1/2 now. I may need to get a charger.