Z4 Opinions

Author
Discussion

Vroomer

1,864 posts

179 months

Monday 27th October 2014
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Go for a Z4 Coupe. The 3.0l engine is superb and sub 6 seconds 0-60 is more than enough for most. Hatchback very useful. On a run 35mpg is easy. Around town and spirited driving 25mpg.

Polariz

867 posts

154 months

Monday 27th October 2014
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I'd echo the above. With the Coupe I managed to get two massive suitcases in the boot, a holdall, another couple of bags of bits, and 12 bottles of vino on our 16 day driving trip round Europe. The practicality helps win round SWMBO.

I'm not a big fan of red, but ended up with the first one I saw. It turns out that there's only 32 red ones in the country, and only 1500 coupes in the UK so it's nice to have something rare-ish.

The 3.0L I have is a great steer, and if anything a little over-tyred when compared to something like my old MX-5. When I first bought it, I didn't consider it very fun compared to the MX-5 but after giving it a proper run in with a Welsh B-road I have now realised how capable and serious it is as a package. I also ditched the run-flats, and can attest to the feeling coming back in droves through the steering. I've had one incidence of a flat tyre (Complete blow out so gunk wouldn't help me) and had to be recovered by RAC. This is one flat in 50,000 miles though.

Common problems I've hit, after picking up the car at 26,000 and now on 77,000 after a year and a half:

- Electric Window actuator on driver's side packed in and needed replacing. Covered on warranty but circa £500 from a dealer.
- Both wing mirror glasses have fallen off, but managed to catch the one when doing 70mph (lol!). Glued back on with superglue and no issues had since
- Had a scare when I lost both headlamps had gone and thought it was a Light Control Module that had failed after replacing the fuse to no avail. Turned out to be both bulbs!! Phew...
- DSC braking system died and turned out to be the module. Replaced on warranty, but circa £2000 from a dealer.

Get a warranty. Very much so.

burriana

16,556 posts

253 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
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Ok, here goes. First and foremost, I am a petrol head through and through and have had some wonderfully hooliganistic cars, from the 5.0 TVR Griffs, through a superb old school 911, to the mighty Testarossa, as well as a couple of the Ferrari V8s...

I bought our 2004 2.5 Z4 roadster for Louise about three and a half years ago and, can hand on heart say that it is one of the best cars I have EVER bought. It is also fantastically rewarding to drive. It isn't just me that thinks so.

StuB on here, who races superbikes as well as being no slouch around most of the UK tracks on four wheels, took the Z at my request around Cadwell a while back (to its limits), and was massively impressed at just how well it handled. Very neutral, beautifully balanced.

My mechanic guru (Talkwrench on here), who is also no mean driver had it for a short while and took it out to give it some enthusiastic driving. Again, very very impressed. So, don't let anybody tell you they don't handle well, they do; easily equal to a Boxster S for balance and poise.

I have driven it like Miss Daisy, hooned the heck out of it on early morning moors runs, taken it to Le Mans a couple of times and, over the Suisse Alps and through Italy. It has never missed a beat.

The run flats. Yes, get rid at the first opportunity. It handles well with them, albeit a bit jiggly on high speed rough surfaces, but once I put the Goodyear Eagle F1s on, it really came into its own.

Do I wish I had got the 3.0? Of course. But I got this for Lou and the colour (Sterling Grey with dark red leather) was perfect, so I made the compromise. I don't honestly think there is a huge difference though. The straight-6 engine is a dream, pulls strongly and smoothly, sounds suitably meaty and, I don't know whether mine is more, er, loosened than some, but it pops quite happily on the over-run smile

Get one that has been looked after, well serviced and you will not regret it. Great value for money. Here are a few shots: when we went to Italy the boot took a large case, matching flight case, two holdalls, tool kit, suit carrier and fur coat... with the roof fully operational.





burriana

16,556 posts

253 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
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|http://thumbsnap.com/7138bhBa[/url]





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burriana

16,556 posts

253 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
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ps: Don't leave the roof down over night when it is pouring with rain. It really didn't like that! Owner stupidity though so I can't blame the car for that and, thanks to the expertise of Talkwrench, modules and ECUs are available second hand or, can be rebuilt wink

johnfm

13,668 posts

249 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
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Just had a hoon out in a mate's 3 litre. Really really impressive car. A look nice too



AB

16,969 posts

194 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
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Change the run flats and swap the springs for Eibach and the handling problems and tram lining etc just disappear.

The best car I have ever owned. Not the most expensive, not the best put together but I loved chucking it about.

More frugal than a nice big straight 6 has any right to be.


PHmember

2,487 posts

170 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
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Plenty of room in the Coupe boot:


carl_w

9,154 posts

257 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
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M Coupe boot isn't quite as practical as it has a big battery box in it. Still not bad though.


smartbear

11 posts

129 months

Friday 31st October 2014
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my previous car was an elise & compared to that the z4 feels a little lardy but that would apply to almost any other car made i suppose! It actually handles very well indeed.
I changed because i found the lotus a little wearing as a daily driver, my 3.0si is a good compromise plus the straight 6 sounds fantastic (i never turn the radio on,ever)
recommended

burriana

16,556 posts

253 months

Saturday 1st November 2014
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johnfm said:
Just had a hoon out in a mate's 3 litre. Really really impressive car. A look nice too

I'll see you in mine bright and early tomorrow John for some similar road scenery smile


Clivey

5,108 posts

203 months

Sunday 2nd November 2014
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You lot are making me question why I just bought a Mini JCW (despite the fact that I couldn't find the "ideal" 3.0Si at the time)...wobble

Bennet

2,119 posts

130 months

Monday 3rd November 2014
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I can only think of two reasons why anyone would say the z4 has good handling.

- They haven't spent much time behind the wheel of anything that actually has good handling.
- When they say handling, what they are thinking of is grip.

Or possibly the one we own is for some reason significantly less communicative than everyone elses.

Clivey

5,108 posts

203 months

Monday 3rd November 2014
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Bennet said:
I can only think of two reasons why anyone would say the z4 has good handling.

- They haven't spent much time behind the wheel of anything that actually has good handling.
- When they say handling, what they are thinking of is grip.

Or possibly the one we own is for some reason significantly less communicative than everyone elses.
Interesting. What would you say is a "good handling" equivalent (by equivalent, I mean a car designed for everyday use)?

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 3rd November 2014
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Clivey said:
Bennet said:
I can only think of two reasons why anyone would say the z4 has good handling.

- They haven't spent much time behind the wheel of anything that actually has good handling.
- When they say handling, what they are thinking of is grip.

Or possibly the one we own is for some reason significantly less communicative than everyone elses.
Interesting. What would you say is a "good handling" equivalent (by equivalent, I mean a car designed for everyday use)?
Having just got rid of our Z4 after 6.5 years of excellent service, whilst it is fine, it is no where near as good as a boxster, in all honesty. I also moved on my 911 after 7 years and had quite a bit of time in boxsters during that period. Whilst I preferred the 911 as a drive, the Boxster is so competent and would beat the Z4 on every level; ride, grip, poise, steering. The downsides are the cost and customer service.

We've replaced the Z4 with a 350SLK, after considering the latest Z4, and the SLK is arguably the better all round drive, though in truth they are just different to each other.

All IMO.

Babw

886 posts

145 months

Monday 3rd November 2014
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As standard my Z4 was fairly light at the front with some understeer.

You need to make sure the electric power steering is functioning properly, then ditching the run flats but sticking to something like 235 40's all around with moving to the Z4M geo settings will completely transform the car.

I find a staggered setup on the Z4 gives that understeer on turn in and 235's at the back are wide enough as the car doesn't have enough power to overcome them.

Like lots of other BMW's, out of the factory they have a certain "numbness" dialled into them for safety I guess. The chassis is more than capable if you're willing to slightly modify/tune the car, I'd say the Z4 is now more exciting, handles better and is more stable on the brakes than my M3.

Bennet

2,119 posts

130 months

Monday 3rd November 2014
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Clivey said:
Bennet said:
I can only think of two reasons why anyone would say the z4 has good handling.

- They haven't spent much time behind the wheel of anything that actually has good handling.
- When they say handling, what they are thinking of is grip.

Or possibly the one we own is for some reason significantly less communicative than everyone elses.
Interesting. What would you say is a "good handling" equivalent (by equivalent, I mean a car designed for everyday use)?
I've been on and on about this on other threads, so it's possible I'm starting to sound like a broken record. (I'm basically just bitter because it's my wife's car and she chose it for her own reasons but every time I drive it, it annoys me that it isn't better.)

My mk1 mr2 is massively more communicative. The mk3 mr2 (I have never driven) but is reputed to be better even than the mk1. The mx-5, obviously. Same again for the boxster.

My mk2 mondeo is more communicative than the z4 about what is going on between the tyres and the road and has more steering feel. Significantly less grip. A fair bit more communication. Handling is all about what you say to the car, and what it says back.

Polariz

867 posts

154 months

Monday 3rd November 2014
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Bennet said:
Clivey said:
Bennet said:
I can only think of two reasons why anyone would say the z4 has good handling.

- They haven't spent much time behind the wheel of anything that actually has good handling.
- When they say handling, what they are thinking of is grip.

Or possibly the one we own is for some reason significantly less communicative than everyone elses.
Interesting. What would you say is a "good handling" equivalent (by equivalent, I mean a car designed for everyday use)?
I've been on and on about this on other threads, so it's possible I'm starting to sound like a broken record. (I'm basically just bitter because it's my wife's car and she chose it for her own reasons but every time I drive it, it annoys me that it isn't better.)

My mk1 mr2 is massively more communicative. The mk3 mr2 (I have never driven) but is reputed to be better even than the mk1. The mx-5, obviously. Same again for the boxster.

My mk2 mondeo is more communicative than the z4 about what is going on between the tyres and the road and has more steering feel. Significantly less grip. A fair bit more communication. Handling is all about what you say to the car, and what it says back.
Around 10 years ago I attended a lecture from a chief engineer of a WRC rally team. He defined (And I'd say I agree with it) is that a "good handling" car is one that encourages, and gives confidence to the driver to use all the available grip. Good cars defined: Original Mini (gives oodles of confidence but obviously runs out of grip pretty easily) and a BMW M5. Bad car: Older 911.

Where the Z4 sits then for me - it's not a "bad" handling car. It communicates enough to inform me what it's going to do when pushed hard, and doesn't suddenly snap or fall off a cliff. Is it fun? Ish - it has too much grip, and that covers up the communication issues a bit, so I can see why you'd say some people think good handling = grip.

Clivey

5,108 posts

203 months

Monday 3rd November 2014
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Some good points & discussion here. I'll reply to them all ASAP but I'm "working" at the moment. hehe

Babw

886 posts

145 months

Monday 3rd November 2014
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Bennet said:
I've been on and on about this on other threads, so it's possible I'm starting to sound like a broken record. (I'm basically just bitter because it's my wife's car and she chose it for her own reasons but every time I drive it, it annoys me that it isn't better.)

My mk1 mr2 is massively more communicative. The mk3 mr2 (I have never driven) but is reputed to be better even than the mk1. The mx-5, obviously. Same again for the boxster.

My mk2 mondeo is more communicative than the z4 about what is going on between the tyres and the road and has more steering feel. Significantly less grip. A fair bit more communication. Handling is all about what you say to the car, and what it says back.
I would disagree with your description on the basis that "handling" is an umbrella term used to generalise finer points of a cars dynamics. Something like an MX5 is an a good handling car but the limits of grip are lesser than that of a Z4 and beyond grip levels the feedback doesn't matter so much but the balance of the chassis. I would say a stock Z4 may not be as pointy as an MX5 (mine is more than any MX5 I've tried but it's probably had more money ploughed into it than most MX5's) but the balance of the chassis is better.

Also when driving quickly the stiffness of the chassis matters as well as the balance on braking. Compared to a Porsche I've yet to come across a more communicative BMW so a Boxster will win on that front but I personally can't drive a mid engined car as aggressively as a FR setup due to that fine balance on the limit.

In the summer months invest in a set of R888's for your Z4 if you want your steering feel to increase tenfold.