BMW Z4... what are they like?

[keebz91]

The OH has always wanted one, for no other reason than she thinks they look good.

We are now in a position where she only drives a few miles every day so running costs aren't really an issue and insurance for a smaller engined variant is managable.

I commute to work on the train so having something more fun to drive on the weekend than the current 1.4 Corsa is pretty appealing.

I should point out this isn't a what car thread, an MX-5 etc isn't on the agenda as that's not what she wants.

We would only be able to afford an early model with average miles, so what are peoples experiences of them?

Anything I should look out for if we decide to purchase one?

[CurvaParabolica]

Bookmarked; I'm interested in responses as well as a 3.0 is on the cards for when I replace my Aero early in the new year.

[300bhp/ton]

keebz91 said:

The OH has always wanted one, for no other reason than she thinks they look good.

We are now in a position where she only drives a few miles every day so running costs aren't really an issue and insurance for a smaller engined variant is managable.

I commute to work on the train so having something more fun to drive on the weekend than the current 1.4 Corsa is pretty appealing.

I should point out this isn't a what car thread, an MX-5 etc isn't on the agenda as that's not what she wants.

We would only be able to afford an early model with average miles, so what are peoples experiences of them?

Anything I should look out for if we decide to purchase one?

It's a good handling, sporty 2 seat sports car with distinctive (good??) looks. What's not to like about them?

Personally I'd say opt for a 3.0i, a lot more power and not hugely different mpg.

[Fox-]

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.

[honest_delboy]

I love mine (3.0i), it was the right mix of fun, reliability and practicality (well sort of).

Its gets 33 mpg and the only thing besides service items has been a small oil leak.

Ditch the run flats though...

Come over to z4-forum.com and browse the FAQ section and classifieds. We're nice people.

[300bhp/ton]

CurvaParabolica said:

Bookmarked; I'm interested in responses as well as a 3.0 is on the cards for when I replace my Aero early in the new year.

lol, guess you aren't meaning a Morgan but a Saab??

[anonymous-user]

I bought this about 6 months ago. 35i M Sport and it's a hoot. In manual mode and Sports + it's very responsive on the throttle and sounds great. In full auto with normal mode it's very relaxing.

After coming from a V8 Audi R8 I'm quite surprised how much I like it.

[z4chris99]

i have a 3.0i, brought it in june 2010 and have put 25k miles on it. love it in every way...

bad points are:
the roof hydro units fails alot. buy one that has already had it replaced
the springs fail
the run flats make the ride harsh, ditch them

the good points are:
30mpg
roof down fun
straight 6 noise

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo7PqH71zZQ

some pics

[andharri]

I have a 2009 Z4 35i sDrive.

Pros:

- Great engine
- Decent interior
- Great fun and exhaust note with roof down
- Pretty good economy on long runs

Cons:

- Handling not the best, certainly not as good as a Boxster, but really the Z4 is a GT car not an out and out sports car
- Some minor rattles
- stty BMW paint on calipers and hubs needs doing properly!

[PHmember]

Driving only a few miles per day? I'd be concerned about the engine hardly ever getting up to operating temperature. Buy one, but find a longer route to work.

[300bhp/ton]

z4chris99 said:

Ummm Di-noc...

[z4chris99]

300bhp/ton said:

z4chris99 said:

Ummm Di-noc...

its di nov on the steering wheel, all other trim is actually the bmw oem carbon leather which was a pretty rare option on the Z4M

i found it on ebay, was a pretty easy job to change it over.

[kambites]

They're quite crude in the way they drive - I felt the high-speed ride in the (original) Z4 was poorer than in my Elise; they tend to tram-line rather (probably mostly the fault of the standard run-flat tyres); the dampers feel a little unresponsive and are slightly too soft for the springs; and they have disappointingly little control feedback.

On the other hand the 6-pot engines are lovely, the chassis is well balanced (albeit with too much weight over the nose for my liking) and they're definitely fun to throw around - more of a hooligan than a precision driving tool.



I'm probably unusual in this, but I consider an SLK with sports suspension to be a better drivers car than any standard non-M Z4 and the Boxster is in a different league, IMO.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 3rd October 12:20

[300bhp/ton]

PHmember said:

Driving only a few miles per day? I'd be concerned about the engine hardly ever getting up to operating temperature.

Why? I mean seriously what is the real likelihood of an issue due this? And why would the BMW be worse than any other car?

[keebz91]

Thanks for all the responses guys, on the whole very positive. Looks like she may well get what she wants.
(As if thats a novelty)

[CurvaParabolica]

300bhp/ton said:

lol, guess you aren't meaning a Morgan but a Saab??

Yeah; I don't think I'd ever give up a Morgan if I had one!

OP, what size of engine are you looking at?

[GroundEffect]

z4chris99 said:

300bhp/ton said:

z4chris99 said:

Ummm Di-noc...

its di nov on the steering wheel, all other trim is actually the bmw oem carbon leather which was a pretty rare option on the Z4M

i found it on ebay, was a pretty easy job to change it over.

The carbon leather is rare? Cool, my Z4M has it

To the OP, I had a Z4 3.0Si Coupe for about 8 months and whilst a very, very capable car (that cost little to run)...I just found it too boring to be a true sports coupe...

So I bought the M and I fking adore it.

[keebz91]

CurvaParabolica said:

Yeah; I don't think I'd ever give up a Morgan if I had one!

OP, what size of engine are you looking at?

I think the limiting factor for the engine will be insurance costs, being only 21. Obviously I would prefer the 3.0 but i expect we will have to settle for a 2.0 or 2.2.

Does anyone have any experience of these engines in the Z4?

And if the OH is driving day to day, what are they like in bad weather, as she hasn't driven a RWD before.

[z4chris99]

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.

[300bhp/ton]

keebz91 said:

I think the limiting factor for the engine will be insurance costs, being only 21. Obviously I would prefer the 3.0 but i expect we will have to settle for a 2.0 or 2.2.

Does anyone have any experience of these engines in the Z4?

And if the OH is driving day to day, what are they like in bad weather, as she hasn't driven a RWD before.

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.