BMW Z4 3ltr SI
Discussion
Back in February I waved goodbye to my swift sport which I loved. Was a cracking car and couldn't fault it one bit. I decided to sell it as felt I had done as much as I'd like to it, as I was hungry for more power. Also fancied something that I could love as standard, without getting stung by the insurance companies.
Whilst I was trying to sell the swift, I looked at escaping the jap scene as I knew if I get another I will find myself in the black hole again, that is modifying. I have a hunger for Subaru's
I spent ages looking at focus st-3's, Mazda 3 mps's, Evo 8's, Impreza's and the like all at reasonable prices but insurance quotes were well over my budget at over £1k. I then decided to seek advice on PH, after numerous suggestions went out the window, one hit me in the head, which was the Z4.
Jeremy Clarkson had one as did Jason Plato, so I thought it surely must be a hoot to drive! Which opened to idea of soft top motoring, I then looked at Mazda mx5, s2000 and old boxsters. Did the man maths and the 6 pot z4 was on top of the list.
I spent a good month researching the z4's engine's, specifications and faults to decide what I should be looking out for. Which was before I sold the swift
Anyway, after spending 2-3 months looking down the country on the PH classifieds, auto trader and the z4-forum, a very clean and well looked after z4 popped up not too far from me. It had had a great spec and history so I phoned up immediately to arrange a viewing. I sold the swift to a petrol head that travelled a good 300-400 miles to come view it then the next day I traveled 20 miles to view and eventually buy the Z4
Few days after I bought it
Fast forward nearly 4 months
I have loved every minute of it, its somehow saved me money as Iam no longer buying parts for the swift. I get almost the same mpg, some cases better. I've had it at 40.3 mpg cruising along the motorway which is fantastic for a 3ltr straight 6!
I've taken it to a couple of piston head runs which I normally take the swift on. And I will be honest, I would rather be in the swift sometimes when it came to the narrow, bumpy and twisty roads. It still has the run flats fitted which I think is effecting my confidence in taking corners. I will probably see if Knockhill or other race track do a car handling course to get some tips.
Anyway, enough babbling. Heres a pictures of of the Z at some PH runs and meets and a few of my own.
Yeah, Daniel Craig can go f
k himself!
IMG_2596 by brad_mutter, on Flickr
IMG_2600 by brad_mutter, on Flickr
IMG_2605 by brad_mutter, on Flickr
I have tried doing the sound mod, gave it a week and put the foam back in as I disliked the drone.
It had a K&N panel filter in when I bought it
I've also had straight pipes made up to replace the backbox whenever I feel like having an act of shenaigans havi
Stubby aerial fitted
End of the month I should hopefully have got rid of the run flats and swap them with some vred sessanta's (popular choice on the z4-forum).
As much as I love the 108 wheels, they are a pain for corrosion so I will probably look at getting some csl reps or the like, common choice I know but they looks great. Will get the 108's refurbed and put them away until the times comes to sell the car.
It has M sport springs, I'd like to get some Eibach pro springs ready for the original ones to snap as its a common occurrence.
Other than that, I will carry on enjoying the straight six noise as is and soak up as much of the sun as I can!
Whilst I was trying to sell the swift, I looked at escaping the jap scene as I knew if I get another I will find myself in the black hole again, that is modifying. I have a hunger for Subaru's
I spent ages looking at focus st-3's, Mazda 3 mps's, Evo 8's, Impreza's and the like all at reasonable prices but insurance quotes were well over my budget at over £1k. I then decided to seek advice on PH, after numerous suggestions went out the window, one hit me in the head, which was the Z4.
Jeremy Clarkson had one as did Jason Plato, so I thought it surely must be a hoot to drive! Which opened to idea of soft top motoring, I then looked at Mazda mx5, s2000 and old boxsters. Did the man maths and the 6 pot z4 was on top of the list.
I spent a good month researching the z4's engine's, specifications and faults to decide what I should be looking out for. Which was before I sold the swift
Anyway, after spending 2-3 months looking down the country on the PH classifieds, auto trader and the z4-forum, a very clean and well looked after z4 popped up not too far from me. It had had a great spec and history so I phoned up immediately to arrange a viewing. I sold the swift to a petrol head that travelled a good 300-400 miles to come view it then the next day I traveled 20 miles to view and eventually buy the Z4
Few days after I bought it
Fast forward nearly 4 months
I have loved every minute of it, its somehow saved me money as Iam no longer buying parts for the swift. I get almost the same mpg, some cases better. I've had it at 40.3 mpg cruising along the motorway which is fantastic for a 3ltr straight 6!
I've taken it to a couple of piston head runs which I normally take the swift on. And I will be honest, I would rather be in the swift sometimes when it came to the narrow, bumpy and twisty roads. It still has the run flats fitted which I think is effecting my confidence in taking corners. I will probably see if Knockhill or other race track do a car handling course to get some tips.
Anyway, enough babbling. Heres a pictures of of the Z at some PH runs and meets and a few of my own.
Yeah, Daniel Craig can go f
k himself!IMG_2596 by brad_mutter, on FlickrIMG_2600 by brad_mutter, on FlickrIMG_2605 by brad_mutter, on FlickrI have tried doing the sound mod, gave it a week and put the foam back in as I disliked the drone.
It had a K&N panel filter in when I bought it
I've also had straight pipes made up to replace the backbox whenever I feel like having an act of shenaigans havi
Stubby aerial fitted
End of the month I should hopefully have got rid of the run flats and swap them with some vred sessanta's (popular choice on the z4-forum).
As much as I love the 108 wheels, they are a pain for corrosion so I will probably look at getting some csl reps or the like, common choice I know but they looks great. Will get the 108's refurbed and put them away until the times comes to sell the car.
It has M sport springs, I'd like to get some Eibach pro springs ready for the original ones to snap as its a common occurrence.
Other than that, I will carry on enjoying the straight six noise as is and soak up as much of the sun as I can!
CHIEF said:
Great car, Love this colour and the grill really suits it.
Where was this hall in the pics, great location btw.
The location in the bottom pictures was Kinneil House. Comes with an interesting history! Where was this hall in the pics, great location btw.
http://kinneil.wordpress.com/
mak2503 said:
Where is the Gulf petrol station? The background looks a bit like Fort William but I can't remember it being a Gulf.
The petrol station wasn't far from Glencoe. Got some time today to sort the marked steering wheel spokes. It had scratches from what I guess was the previous owners ring? (no sniggering)
Other folk have resorted to painting them or plasti dipping them in the past.
So I got some 4D vinyl from ebay for £4 and got too it!
Sorry for the crappy pictures
Before
After
Other folk have resorted to painting them or plasti dipping them in the past.
So I got some 4D vinyl from ebay for £4 and got too it!
Sorry for the crappy pictures
Before
After
McSam said:
Mmmm 
This is lovely, almost exactly the car I was toying with buying (even down to the colour), but eventually I decided I couldn't afford to have one and track it regularly. Great choice on the wheels, they finish it off very nicely!
You mentioning thinking about playing with the exhaust, but does a carbon airbox exist for these?
Thanks! Emm, carbon inductions, I think Evolve do one but its very expensive! This is lovely, almost exactly the car I was toying with buying (even down to the colour), but eventually I decided I couldn't afford to have one and track it regularly. Great choice on the wheels, they finish it off very nicely!
You mentioning thinking about playing with the exhaust, but does a carbon airbox exist for these?
Alfa159Ti said:
My only complaint is that flat exhaust note. Like you I also did the sound generator mod but got tired of it and put the insulation back in.
Eisenmann seem like the best exhaust option, but they are damned expensive for a back box and not convinced that the sound is that much better than stock.
How have you found the handling having ditcehd the run flats?
The exhaust note was a bit flat, which is why I got the back box removed. Sounds brilliant now! Can't afford the branded exhaust systems Eisenmann seem like the best exhaust option, but they are damned expensive for a back box and not convinced that the sound is that much better than stock.
How have you found the handling having ditcehd the run flats?
The ride is a hell of alot better! So much smoother and can finally enjoy longer drives! Don't know if its just the tyres but the steering feels alot more lighter and responsive. Ride height looks spot on with the 18's so unsure if I want to fit the lowering springs.
BevR said:
Congrats on the car, it looks fabulous. I really like the new wheels.
I spent months looking for a coupe (blue or black, cream leather, black piano trim, if possible cruise control to appease the SO) before being convinced that I had to save the cash for a deposit on a house as my SO and I are moving to Oxford at the end of the year, unfortunately house prices are insane compared to Sheffield
It was going to be a present to myself for finishing my PhD, bought tickets to the F1 instead (small consolation).
Was in the same dilemma, move out or new car. Knowing that if I put the money to my own place, I wouldn't be able to afford to get something as exciting for a long time so went with my gut. I spent months looking for a coupe (blue or black, cream leather, black piano trim, if possible cruise control to appease the SO) before being convinced that I had to save the cash for a deposit on a house as my SO and I are moving to Oxford at the end of the year, unfortunately house prices are insane compared to Sheffield
It was going to be a present to myself for finishing my PhD, bought tickets to the F1 instead (small consolation).
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