BMW Z4... what are they like?
Discussion
300bhp/ton said:
21 
sorry thought more like 51 by the way you'd been talking old fella.
Insurance - best to shop around. But mainstream cars tend to have mainstream prices. Something more niche would likely be cheaper to insure, but then it'd be more niche.
Engines, well they are all mass produced engines fitted in BMW's biggest selling cars. I wouldn't worry about them specifically.
Is that a compliment or an insult? sorry thought more like 51 by the way you'd been talking old fella.Insurance - best to shop around. But mainstream cars tend to have mainstream prices. Something more niche would likely be cheaper to insure, but then it'd be more niche.
Engines, well they are all mass produced engines fitted in BMW's biggest selling cars. I wouldn't worry about them specifically.
I don't know but I will put it down to not speaking like a chav. Thanks for all your help. Providing insurance is manageable looks like the Z4 is a winner!
Note to self: must get 3.0!!
ETA: Insurance on the 3.0 comes in at £2300. Ouch!! Might have to put that one off for a year or two!
Edited by keebz91 on Wednesday 3rd October 14:54
Fox- said:
They are great fun as a second car. Quick, handle nicely, engine sounds great, roof mechanism is great. Downsides are lifeless electric steering, bonkers-hard ride and it's not all that nice a place to be with the roof up.
If it's the original model you mean I had a 2004 2.2 when they first came out. From a driving perspective the ride was harsh to such a degree that it felt like you would be bounced off the road and meant that progress on bumpy roads was slower than in my 1.6 Golf and tramlining awful. As a comparison an S Line equipped A4 convertible seemed compliant next to the Z4.The car was also unreliable and the dealer not interested in fixing despite the car being brand new.
Dashboard lights would stay on when headlights off, driveshafts replaced, hand brake failed, so many rattles inside the brittle interior. When I px'd it at 18,000 miles the gearbox was whining with an undiagnosed fault for which the garage said a full replacement was required. Worst car I have owned and a friend had an almost identical experience, just didn't feel built like the German made BMWs.
z4chris99 said:
i wouldn't bother with the smaller engines, they also have a lower standard spec.
insurance isnt too bad, i was 22 when i got mine and was paying £750 odd.
i drive mine come rain or shine, even in the snow and its pretty capable. it is fairly easy to lose traction if you want to but in normal driving you never will..
there are three stages of TC on it too, full on, DTC off, and then everything off. the 3.0i has a sport button too which does something to the throttle and the steering.
on the snow it was a bit hairy but rather fun.
Chris, who was that with? Looking at z4's both 2.5 and 3.0 and can't get quotes under £1800. I'm 21, with 3 ncb etc..insurance isnt too bad, i was 22 when i got mine and was paying £750 odd.
i drive mine come rain or shine, even in the snow and its pretty capable. it is fairly easy to lose traction if you want to but in normal driving you never will..
there are three stages of TC on it too, full on, DTC off, and then everything off. the 3.0i has a sport button too which does something to the throttle and the steering.
on the snow it was a bit hairy but rather fun.
I had one previously. A 3.0i in grey with red leather. Fantastic motorway car, pretty effortless power, lovely noise and could average 40mpg on a lengthy run. (41.2 mpg to Scarborough and back!)Run flats were annoying. Apart from that no other bad points for me.
Edit: Oh at 22 insurance was £1400 through Bell.
Edit: Oh at 22 insurance was £1400 through Bell.
I've had mine since 04. Every so often I think about changing it for the new model, but driving it I'm reminded how much I like it.
It's been pretty hassle free, and despite the ride on rfts (which wasn't as bad as my 120d M Sport), it's easy to get comfortable. Very easy to drive whether as a 2 seater 'saloon' or sports car.
Negatives: hard ride; poor quality trim and interior storage; high seating position; costly if roof motor fails.
Positives: easy to live with; ok mpg; reliable; fun when driven enthusiastically.
I find my local dealer very good, and can be cheaer than non BMW garage. I did read a review of the 2.2 ages ago which rated it, not least as it was lighter. Sports seats are rare on early cars, but I regret not getting them. That's about allI do regret though.
It's been pretty hassle free, and despite the ride on rfts (which wasn't as bad as my 120d M Sport), it's easy to get comfortable. Very easy to drive whether as a 2 seater 'saloon' or sports car.
Negatives: hard ride; poor quality trim and interior storage; high seating position; costly if roof motor fails.
Positives: easy to live with; ok mpg; reliable; fun when driven enthusiastically.
I find my local dealer very good, and can be cheaer than non BMW garage. I did read a review of the 2.2 ages ago which rated it, not least as it was lighter. Sports seats are rare on early cars, but I regret not getting them. That's about allI do regret though.
Had mine for 3 years now, 2004 3.0i. Love it to bits, only down side is the electric steering lacks feel, not allot else really other then interior trim quality could be better.
Tramlined like hell and rattled my fillings out until I ditched the runcraps, tramlining gone and ride much improved. Handles in a much more predictable manner on the limit too. Boot is deceptively large for a roadster too.
3.0 engine is a peach, pull a bit of foam out the sound generator and it sounds ace. I've averaged about 32mpg since I've had it but can get close to 40 on a long run. Insurance aside no reason for going for the smaller motors, mpg doesn't really suffer over the 2.2 or 2.5 and the 3.0 has a 6 speed box too which lowers the revs on the open road. Cruise control is an easy retrofit on the pre FL cars too.
Nothing has gone wrong since I got it 3 years ago, most reliable car I have ever had. For what little it is worth now I cant see any reason to ever get rid. Even had mine serviced at the main BMW dealer, their 4+ plan is very reasonable with fixed price services.
Tramlined like hell and rattled my fillings out until I ditched the runcraps, tramlining gone and ride much improved. Handles in a much more predictable manner on the limit too. Boot is deceptively large for a roadster too.
3.0 engine is a peach, pull a bit of foam out the sound generator and it sounds ace. I've averaged about 32mpg since I've had it but can get close to 40 on a long run. Insurance aside no reason for going for the smaller motors, mpg doesn't really suffer over the 2.2 or 2.5 and the 3.0 has a 6 speed box too which lowers the revs on the open road. Cruise control is an easy retrofit on the pre FL cars too.
Nothing has gone wrong since I got it 3 years ago, most reliable car I have ever had. For what little it is worth now I cant see any reason to ever get rid. Even had mine serviced at the main BMW dealer, their 4+ plan is very reasonable with fixed price services.
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