Early Z4 3.0 - pros and cons?
Discussion
Getting itchy feet at the moment and toying with reducing the fleet a bit - change the TVR for a Z4 so it's a bit more useable every day.
Anyway, I've always liked the look of the original Z4 and the performance of the 3.0 manual seems pretty brisk.
I'd love to hear about ownership experiences, etc. I understand the roof motors go out to lunch - any way to reduce the chance of this happening?
Budget would be 5-6k, maybe a touch more at a pinch. Not worried about colour but would prefer to avoid silver unless it had a red interior or something interesting. Must be the 3.0, must be manual.
Not too sure what the spec levels were - ideally I'd want heated leather, cruise, climate, xenons (decent audio/bluetooth if possible?). Not too worried by high mileage but 80k seems about right.
So according to the classifieds I seem to be in the right ballpark - what are the chances of getting the spec I want? Not many ads mention xenons but I am sick of cars with rubbish headlights!
Anyway, I've always liked the look of the original Z4 and the performance of the 3.0 manual seems pretty brisk.
I'd love to hear about ownership experiences, etc. I understand the roof motors go out to lunch - any way to reduce the chance of this happening?
Budget would be 5-6k, maybe a touch more at a pinch. Not worried about colour but would prefer to avoid silver unless it had a red interior or something interesting. Must be the 3.0, must be manual.
Not too sure what the spec levels were - ideally I'd want heated leather, cruise, climate, xenons (decent audio/bluetooth if possible?). Not too worried by high mileage but 80k seems about right.
So according to the classifieds I seem to be in the right ballpark - what are the chances of getting the spec I want? Not many ads mention xenons but I am sick of cars with rubbish headlights!
I had a Z4M Roadster after a TVR Griffith ... I only managed 9 months with the M as the gearbox was awful - notchy beyond belief and so slow to change. If the 3L gearbox is anything like the Z4M I would say try driving it in some traffic to see how you find it.
I believe the steering column has a fault on earlier Z4's ... I saw it mentioned on here so maybe try a search.
They also suffer from many rattles - apparently ... I say apparently as my 56 plate Z4M had none to be fair !
I believe the steering column has a fault on earlier Z4's ... I saw it mentioned on here so maybe try a search.
They also suffer from many rattles - apparently ... I say apparently as my 56 plate Z4M had none to be fair !
hi, if you spend a little more you could stretch to the facelift si cars with the 265hp n52 engines, i got one in march for just over7k-got slightly more power than earlier cars with 60mph in 5.7secs and slightly better mpg (ive got 40mpg a few times on long runs) 1-2 shift is slightly baulky & is best done slowly/forcefully, its a mans gearbox! the other changes are slick & easy.
roof motors fail if you let the roof drains become blocked which floods the motor, easy enough to keep on top of. The straight 6 engine also sounds superb :-)
regards
roof motors fail if you let the roof drains become blocked which floods the motor, easy enough to keep on top of. The straight 6 engine also sounds superb :-)
regards
I think 0-60 in under 6 will be more than adequate for me and 6k+ is already stretching the budget TBH. Have I read a few things about the N52 and reliability problems or is that a newer engine? I assume the 3.0i is the M54.
Can anybody talk me through the specs? What's common, what's rare? Will xenon lights be hard to get? Is cruise really as easy as a £60 stalk from the dealer? Sports seats vs standard seats?
Thanks for info so far!
Can anybody talk me through the specs? What's common, what's rare? Will xenon lights be hard to get? Is cruise really as easy as a £60 stalk from the dealer? Sports seats vs standard seats?
Thanks for info so far!
NiceCupOfTea said:
I think 0-60 in under 6 will be more than adequate for me and 6k+ is already stretching the budget TBH. Have I read a few things about the N52 and reliability problems or is that a newer engine? I assume the 3.0i is the M54.
Can anybody talk me through the specs? What's common, what's rare? Will xenon lights be hard to get? Is cruise really as easy as a £60 stalk from the dealer? Sports seats vs standard seats?
Thanks for info so far!
I have a 2004 S4 3.0i Manual (that I just so happen to be selling!)Can anybody talk me through the specs? What's common, what's rare? Will xenon lights be hard to get? Is cruise really as easy as a £60 stalk from the dealer? Sports seats vs standard seats?
Thanks for info so far!
I wanted essentially what you describe, and haven't been disappointed.
FBMWSH is essential - plenty enough about with it so why bother with 'indy' (aka local superstore who won't use right oil etc)
Sports seats are essential and look so much better. Obv heated and electric
Sat Nav a good one to have (although I use iPhone tom-tom with live traffic
10 speaker sound a must
Xenons essential
And split rims...
First thing I did was take the run flats off, flog 'em, and put on a set of P Zeros, which transformed it. I love mine, just time to move on...
They're fast enough, always a pleasure to drive and pretty much bombproof if looked after. A bargain really for what youy get - for a similar spec'd/mile Boxster, you'd have to play significantly more.
I would rate SH by a reputable indy like Munich Legends higher than main dealer history.
I don't know how much more expensive a N52 car is but I wouldn't choose one for the performance but for how reliable and amazingly smooth the engine it is. Nothing wrong with the older engine. Simply not as good and presumably heavier / more thirsty.
I don't know how much more expensive a N52 car is but I wouldn't choose one for the performance but for how reliable and amazingly smooth the engine it is. Nothing wrong with the older engine. Simply not as good and presumably heavier / more thirsty.
Edited by nickfrog on Monday 1st September 23:37
I purchased a Z4 coupe in April. These all came with the later N52 engine. My feedback is obviously biased as I have never driven an M54 powered car, or the ragtop.
The N52 engine is super responsive, and lovely and torquey. The performance is brilliantly absorbing if not hair-on-fire rapid. That being said, 5.7s 0-60 isn't that slow...
It's a great car to punt down your favourite backroad, and my smile is still ear to ear after nearly 7,000miles of ownership! Servicing costs are pretty reasonable, as are consumables.
Since purchasing I've had an Inspection 2 and Clutch delay valve removal with TWG Autmotive in Camberley, and based on their level of service would highly recommend searching out a reputable indy in your area. There is no real reason to go main dealer unless you have a BMW warranty, or a very low mileage immaculate example. As has been said already, a stamp in the service book from a reputable indy goes further in my estimation than a main dealer stamp.
I don't know a huge amount about the convertible side of things, but would echo the comments on the Sport seats; definitely a must. Equally the gearshift can be a bit obstructive at lower speeds, but I've never had a real issue with it at all. The way I see it is it's a man's car; you need to be positive, but coming from a TVR I'd imagine you're used to that
Once up in the revs, changing gear is a delight, and heel and toe is intuitive (particularly with the amazing throttle response!).
Things to look out for when buying include Snapped rear springs - very common issue, and a good excuse for a set of Eibach lowering springs which are cheaper for a full set than the OEM BMW rears (as I found out to my expense!)
Hope that helps, and good luck with your search
The N52 engine is super responsive, and lovely and torquey. The performance is brilliantly absorbing if not hair-on-fire rapid. That being said, 5.7s 0-60 isn't that slow...
It's a great car to punt down your favourite backroad, and my smile is still ear to ear after nearly 7,000miles of ownership! Servicing costs are pretty reasonable, as are consumables.
Since purchasing I've had an Inspection 2 and Clutch delay valve removal with TWG Autmotive in Camberley, and based on their level of service would highly recommend searching out a reputable indy in your area. There is no real reason to go main dealer unless you have a BMW warranty, or a very low mileage immaculate example. As has been said already, a stamp in the service book from a reputable indy goes further in my estimation than a main dealer stamp.
I don't know a huge amount about the convertible side of things, but would echo the comments on the Sport seats; definitely a must. Equally the gearshift can be a bit obstructive at lower speeds, but I've never had a real issue with it at all. The way I see it is it's a man's car; you need to be positive, but coming from a TVR I'd imagine you're used to that
Once up in the revs, changing gear is a delight, and heel and toe is intuitive (particularly with the amazing throttle response!).Things to look out for when buying include Snapped rear springs - very common issue, and a good excuse for a set of Eibach lowering springs which are cheaper for a full set than the OEM BMW rears (as I found out to my expense!)
Hope that helps, and good luck with your search
Manual gearbox and sticky steering are the reasons not to buy. The gearbox is very sticky and notchy and I couldn't get on with it. Auto would be an option though.
The sticky steering becomes an issue once the footwell gets hot; heater running in winter or left out in sun all day in summer. The steering becomes sticky so feels notchy as you tunr. It's bloody horrible and does not encourage spirited driving with confidence. There are a number of "fixes" so google is your freind but the only real fix is circa £2.5k to replace the column.
It's a shame because it's a good looking nice drive.
I sold mine after 9 months.
The sticky steering becomes an issue once the footwell gets hot; heater running in winter or left out in sun all day in summer. The steering becomes sticky so feels notchy as you tunr. It's bloody horrible and does not encourage spirited driving with confidence. There are a number of "fixes" so google is your freind but the only real fix is circa £2.5k to replace the column.
It's a shame because it's a good looking nice drive.
I sold mine after 9 months.
Thanks guys, some really useful info here.
Re: the gearbox, the TVR's 'box is a bit recalcitrant but it adds to the "manly" feel I think Don't mind a mechanical "bits of metal moving" feel to it. Always found my old MX-5's gearbox notchy 
I found a buyers' guide in an old Practical Performance Car Magazine and it mentions the hot steering problem - apparently it was a warranty fix from BMW so would a lot of cars have had this done? Could you reproduce it on a test drive by whacking the heater up to full?
Re: the gearbox, the TVR's 'box is a bit recalcitrant but it adds to the "manly" feel I think
Don't mind a mechanical "bits of metal moving" feel to it. Always found my old MX-5's gearbox notchy I found a buyers' guide in an old Practical Performance Car Magazine and it mentions the hot steering problem - apparently it was a warranty fix from BMW so would a lot of cars have had this done? Could you reproduce it on a test drive by whacking the heater up to full?
billywhizzzzzz said:
FBMWSH is essential - plenty enough about with it so why bother with 'indy' (aka local superstore who won't use right oil etc)
Because BMW don't just use whatever oil is cheapest at the time?? A small indy is more likely to use the correct oil than BMW who buy it by the tanker load and use the same stuff on every car.
NiceCupOfTea said:
I found a buyers' guide in an old Practical Performance Car Magazine and it mentions the hot steering problem - apparently it was a warranty fix from BMW so would a lot of cars have had this done? Could you reproduce it on a test drive by whacking the heater up to full?
No one at my dealer had ever heard of the sticky column thing - despite it apparently being very common. Mine had done it a couple of times - once with heater on for full blast in winter driving down the motorway when after an hour it became notch, and another time in the boiling sun after it had been parked a while - but after I set off put aircon on v cold and seemed to cure it - doesn't seem to be a problem otherwise for meAs with any ageing BMW - repair costs can be steep. Common problems are:
The hood motor. Where it sits in the body, leaves and general shyte can block the drain hole and it fills with rain water. Exit one 600 quid hood motor - plus fitting.
These cars also have electric power steering,. The motor is built into the column and they go wrong. A 2500 quid repair, and BMW breakers will laugh when you ask for a used one.
The driveline is great but avoid the 2.0 at all costs. As well as driving lie a modern day Triumph Spitfire, the N46 engine is a pig, the crack exhaust manifolds and new ones are basically not available new or used.
Great cars and almost unbeatable for the money but be aware of repair costs.
The hood motor. Where it sits in the body, leaves and general shyte can block the drain hole and it fills with rain water. Exit one 600 quid hood motor - plus fitting.
These cars also have electric power steering,. The motor is built into the column and they go wrong. A 2500 quid repair, and BMW breakers will laugh when you ask for a used one.
The driveline is great but avoid the 2.0 at all costs. As well as driving lie a modern day Triumph Spitfire, the N46 engine is a pig, the crack exhaust manifolds and new ones are basically not available new or used.
Great cars and almost unbeatable for the money but be aware of repair costs.
I've had my Z4 10 years now and although I've not done a high mileage, it's been petty hassle free. Some of this has been mentioned but...
Yes, the Xenons are good, but apparently very expensive if they go wrong. When we had an E46 with standard candles, better bulbs made a big difference, so possibly worth considering.
It's only fairly recently I've read about the steering issues, though the set up wasn't exactly admired when new. It's Ok. two friends have had Z4s and one roof motor has failed. I've just had to replace a window regulator, which wasn't cheap. Tired battery can cause all sorts of electrical issues. I was just told I needed a G5 module, @ £600. Reconditioned the battery, all fine. DISA issues are worth checking/ reading online about.
On the early cars, sports seats are rare. Worth trying them if you get the chance, I've read some think them too narrow. It's relative I suppose. Cruise is an easy fit on pre facelift cars, stalk and half cowling, doesn't need programming. I've had it added and mfsw. Heated seats are very popular. Pro nav is good, as it adds a screen, Business nav isn't, but Bluetooth might not fully pair with later phones. Basic interior isn't very good imho, a bit cheap. 18s weren't standard on the 3.0 but are largely the norm. Personally I prefer the 107s (which I have) to the 108s (5 star spoke) which have issues.
I went from an S2 to this and I 'd say although the Z4 is faster, it doesn't feel it. Possibly because there's much less noise and it's quite smooth. At least if you've got rid of the rfts, that is. Budget up to £600 for a good set of 18s though. As I say, it's easy to live with - the dealer still collects for servicing and not much has fgone wrong - and I wouldn't rule out an auto, which is a lot of fun once you earn to get the best fro it, albeit not everyone's cup of tea.
All imho
Yes, the Xenons are good, but apparently very expensive if they go wrong. When we had an E46 with standard candles, better bulbs made a big difference, so possibly worth considering.
It's only fairly recently I've read about the steering issues, though the set up wasn't exactly admired when new. It's Ok. two friends have had Z4s and one roof motor has failed. I've just had to replace a window regulator, which wasn't cheap. Tired battery can cause all sorts of electrical issues. I was just told I needed a G5 module, @ £600. Reconditioned the battery, all fine. DISA issues are worth checking/ reading online about.
On the early cars, sports seats are rare. Worth trying them if you get the chance, I've read some think them too narrow. It's relative I suppose. Cruise is an easy fit on pre facelift cars, stalk and half cowling, doesn't need programming. I've had it added and mfsw. Heated seats are very popular. Pro nav is good, as it adds a screen, Business nav isn't, but Bluetooth might not fully pair with later phones. Basic interior isn't very good imho, a bit cheap. 18s weren't standard on the 3.0 but are largely the norm. Personally I prefer the 107s (which I have) to the 108s (5 star spoke) which have issues.
I went from an S2 to this and I 'd say although the Z4 is faster, it doesn't feel it. Possibly because there's much less noise and it's quite smooth. At least if you've got rid of the rfts, that is. Budget up to £600 for a good set of 18s though. As I say, it's easy to live with - the dealer still collects for servicing and not much has fgone wrong - and I wouldn't rule out an auto, which is a lot of fun once you earn to get the best fro it, albeit not everyone's cup of tea.
All imho
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