BMW Z4 - Talk to me
Discussion
I have quickly developed a need for a Z4. Originally I convinced myself, it has to be a Coupe and has to be 3.0 automatic, however the roadsters are more within my budget. Being 22 and with the car listed as Group 19; insurance isn't kind, but is do-able!
I understand there are several engine variants; the 2.0, 2.2, 2.5 and 3.0 (The 'SI' 2.5 has more bhp than standard 2.5?)
Still have myself convinced it has to be 3.0, but may be partial to the 2.5 dependent on spec. I think I want it to be an automatic (I have driven a face-lift 3.0 Z3 auto and I got along with it very well!)
This is perfect, but its manual
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3844131.htm
Talk to me!
I understand there are several engine variants; the 2.0, 2.2, 2.5 and 3.0 (The 'SI' 2.5 has more bhp than standard 2.5?)
Still have myself convinced it has to be 3.0, but may be partial to the 2.5 dependent on spec. I think I want it to be an automatic (I have driven a face-lift 3.0 Z3 auto and I got along with it very well!)
This is perfect, but its manual
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3844131.htm
Talk to me!
bulldog5046 said:
They are really nice cars, i bought one when i was 20 and sold it at 22 as the insurance was getting rediculous (increasing £400/year). How much have you been quoted?
The 3.0 engine is a peach, loads of grunt for a small 2 seater and it handles so well.
i had a 54 plate 3.0 roadster but given the choice i would of prefered a Coupe but it was out of budget.
Are you restricted to an auto by your license or just preference? and what is your budget?
As above I would prefer the Coupe, but it is just out of reach. The roadster would provide a nice interim until then. Although, I'd probably want something different, again.The 3.0 engine is a peach, loads of grunt for a small 2 seater and it handles so well.
i had a 54 plate 3.0 roadster but given the choice i would of prefered a Coupe but it was out of budget.
Are you restricted to an auto by your license or just preference? and what is your budget?
Auto was of preference, however having just read a thread about 'sports-cars and auto boxes' I'm somewhat put off!
kchika said:
What budget are we looking at?
I could potentially spend upto £9K on the car, however I'm looking to spend around £7400 to stay content with my wallet!Thanks for the advice, and I have signed upto the Z4 forum. Always prefer the PH critique over specialist forums though.
Cheers
jaedba2604 said:
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&a...
seems to tick all your boxes and in budget, don't know the seller...
I spotted that earlier, the interior isn't to my taste and the colour isn't to my liking. Good spot though, the price seems about right.seems to tick all your boxes and in budget, don't know the seller...
mackie1 said:
Insurance should be cheaper than something like an S2000. I just picked up a 2006 3.0si Coupe and I love it. I've not driven an auto but the manual box is very nice, especially if you get a ZHP shift knob (£50 on eBay).
Sounds good, I have decided I am partial to either the auto or manual, but auto preferred.Is it selfish of me to want one? I rarely drive far, only the odd jaunt (360mile) to Durham and back every 2 or so weeks; it didn't really condone me buying a diesel, but I have grown to love the A3 after having the mini for a couple of years.
I think I'd be forever worrying about the car with it being a roadster, soft tops just aren't as secure in my books.
What do you get in the SI in comparison to the 'Sport'. Do you have sport button?
Cheers,
Lund
ETA: Just missed this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
Edited by Lund on Tuesday 24th April 00:28
Fox- said:
The Si relates to the engine, it means the car has the newer N52 engine not the M54.
Sport on a Z4 isnt as important as it is on other BMW models. You dont get a bodykit etc and the 3.0 Z4's already have Sport suspension as standard anyway.
I'm with you now, I'm assuming the Z3 roadster I drove had the M54 engine. Any discrepancies between engines, or are they pretty much like for like?Sport on a Z4 isnt as important as it is on other BMW models. You dont get a bodykit etc and the 3.0 Z4's already have Sport suspension as standard anyway.
Sticks. said:
17" 103s were standard on the 3.0 SE when I bought mine, although yes, almost everyone opted for 18s, predominantly 108s and 107s.
I regret not at least trying the sport seats, though they looked very narrow, as the SE seats offer little lateral support.
One of the benefits of the auto is that it makes the car easy to live with in all sorts of driving conditions, without compromising the fun too much.
I've not read of many instances of roof vandalism, though quite a few of motor failure. Getting on for £1k at an indy.
Look closely at tyres when buying, rfts, non rfts, mixed, ditchfinders. A set of F1s will be @ £650+, although Falkens are a popular cheaper option.
As suggested, plenty of friendly and knowledgeable help on Z4forum.
I had a look through the Z4 'members and their cars' thread and nearly ran a mile I regret not at least trying the sport seats, though they looked very narrow, as the SE seats offer little lateral support.
One of the benefits of the auto is that it makes the car easy to live with in all sorts of driving conditions, without compromising the fun too much.
I've not read of many instances of roof vandalism, though quite a few of motor failure. Getting on for £1k at an indy.
Look closely at tyres when buying, rfts, non rfts, mixed, ditchfinders. A set of F1s will be @ £650+, although Falkens are a popular cheaper option.
As suggested, plenty of friendly and knowledgeable help on Z4forum.
Had a read about the motor failure, it tends to occur when water gets to them and rusts the motor. I'll be sure to check that out along with the springs.
I know all about airbag lights and tyres!
Does the Z4 use OBD-II and some form of 'VAGCOM' equivalent?
bulldog5046 said:
very similar to the one i had but at that price the seller must be dreaming! sold mine 12 months ago for £7300 after having to resort to a no-reserve auction to sell it. Keep in mind no one is bying these when you make an offer.
I'd say you should be able to get something like that one for between £5-6k
I'm reading that in another tab and decided to check back here; £1900 for new hood motor, at that price he's trying to claw back the monies spent on the hood! Another one I have read about rusty motors.I'd say you should be able to get something like that one for between £5-6k
My dad has just piped up and said 'it's a Coupe or nothing', but he's not willing to invest the extra few monies in his son!
Output Flange said:
OP - have you driven one for more than a handful of miles? The idea of doing a 360 mile trip in a Z4 on sports suspension, 18" wheels and runflats makes me wince, and I'll actively avoid taking ours further than the local supermarket.
Something else to suggest - if you can get one with the Carver stereo upgrade, it makes a massive difference.
I haven't, but considering I drove a classic mini everyday for 3-4years I can take on the world! Something else to suggest - if you can get one with the Carver stereo upgrade, it makes a massive difference.
I see what you mean in the above comments, most of the cars within my budget are 2003 and are rarely younger.
Look at this, lots of spec, but look at those wheels!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
Wrong engine, but I kind of like these Ellipsoid wheels
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3835387.htm
Maybe I'm looking to buy at the wrong time?
Edited by Lund on Tuesday 24th April 17:11
Jimmy No Hands said:
That is my car funnily enough. I came in here to offer advice too! I personally have not tried an auto, all the ones I drove were manual as I couldn't really get on with an auto. The manual box is very good mind and once it's warmed up its absolutely brilliant.
Hi James 
Lovely car.. whats the story with the crease in the door?
Cheers,
Lund
Jimmy No Hands said:
To be honest I am not entirely sure. It was like that when I bought it and had the intention of a smart repairer or along those lines, as it really is just a crease. I can only presume in a past life someone has opened a door on the poor girl!
Fair point. Does your's have a 'sports mode button that increases the horse power to 245 BHP' too? Jimmy No Hands said:
Well, it definitely has the button! I suppose you could pretend it ups the power.
Honestly though, it's an entirely different drive in 'Sport'. Throttle response is much better, you can feel the steering firm up. Around town it's a bit annoying, as it really is eager as hell in 1st, couple that with the clutch delay valve and you can get some interesting shifts. However give me a bit of an open road and some twistys it's absolutely brilliant and a real pleasure operating the manual box, always puts a smile on my face! I fear with an auto that involvement might be lacking a tad. This car was never about out and out speed, its a culmination of smooth power, good handling and a good old fashioned manual
Thanks for the heads up, just out of interest, where abouts in W.Yorkshire are you, you can PM me if you wish.Honestly though, it's an entirely different drive in 'Sport'. Throttle response is much better, you can feel the steering firm up. Around town it's a bit annoying, as it really is eager as hell in 1st, couple that with the clutch delay valve and you can get some interesting shifts. However give me a bit of an open road and some twistys it's absolutely brilliant and a real pleasure operating the manual box, always puts a smile on my face! I fear with an auto that involvement might be lacking a tad. This car was never about out and out speed, its a culmination of smooth power, good handling and a good old fashioned manual
A friend had an r56 Cooper S and he drove it everywhere in sport, it used to pop and bang all over the show
Why are 2003, higher mileage examples costing the earth?
However, this persistently keeps dropping in price;
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3691869.htm
However, this persistently keeps dropping in price;
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3691869.htm
Jimmy No Hands said:
Prices sank a bit, but now seem to be slowly rising. Whether that's because of summer or what I do not know. Dealers still seem to pricing anywhere from 6-8 depending on mileage and spec!
They're slowly rising because I'm attracting all the attention to the Zed's I'm in no rush to buy, so will wait out until a nice example for the right price crops up.Ideally:
Black Sapphire
Wind deflector
Sports Seats
Sat/Nav
3.0 Auto/Manual
60K miles FBMWSH
18" 108's/Conicals
Mem seats/parking assist
No so much to ask for?Jimmy No Hands said:
I can't help you there! Dealer fobbed me big time with the wind deflector. I am certain it had one when I viewed it. Completely forgot when I picked it up and it wasn't there. No problem I thought, a piece of plastic shielding can't be that much.
Bloody £80 or something! So I'm still yet to buy one but to be honest the wind never bothered me enough.
In not overly bothered if it doesn't sell quickly, as I am in no rush. Might have to try my luck with AutoTrader.
All the best with the sale James, albeit the wind breaker wouldn't be a deal breaker, but would be nice to have one. In the current climate, the spec I ask for and the price I am willing to pay doesn't quite add up.Bloody £80 or something! So I'm still yet to buy one but to be honest the wind never bothered me enough.
In not overly bothered if it doesn't sell quickly, as I am in no rush. Might have to try my luck with AutoTrader.
EBay > Save Search 'BMW Z4 3.0' - Email when listed.
miln0039 said:
Yup - I agree about the Eibachs - also got rid of RFTs and put Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas on...much better 
Only problem with the Eibachs is that it is noticably lower in my Coupe and I tend to ground the underside a little more often than I'd like to
I'm returning just under 28mpg on mine - with a high of 35.9 and low of 21ish...the latter was a LOT of fun though.
I wanted a Z4MC really - mainly because they have hydraulic power steering - which is just better. However, I am happy with what I got as it makes more sense for a daily driver. I think the running costs on it are VERY reasonable for a 3.0 sports car though! Like you say, to get the "M" you suddenly have double the service costs and for me at 24 the insurance went up quite a bit!!!
May I ask whom you insure with? I'm sure to get the shock of my life after being used to 50mpg Only problem with the Eibachs is that it is noticably lower in my Coupe and I tend to ground the underside a little more often than I'd like to I'm returning just under 28mpg on mine - with a high of 35.9 and low of 21ish...the latter was a LOT of fun though.
I wanted a Z4MC really - mainly because they have hydraulic power steering - which is just better. However, I am happy with what I got as it makes more sense for a daily driver. I think the running costs on it are VERY reasonable for a 3.0 sports car though! Like you say, to get the "M" you suddenly have double the service costs and for me at 24 the insurance went up quite a bit!!!
miln0039 said:
You may of course ask! I insure with Admiral (via Confused rather than going direct).
I know they will try and arse me around at renewal but a dummy quote with them again and they soon price match - read about it many places on PH as a "buyer beware" point is my advice
What are you coming from to go into the Z?
I drive an Audi A3 2.0TDI Sport, it as been a fantastic car and still is. However, I now fancy myself a Coupe.I know they will try and arse me around at renewal but a dummy quote with them again and they soon price match - read about it many places on PH as a "buyer beware" point is my advice
What are you coming from to go into the Z?
I just had a quote from Admiral for my renewal on the A3 for £761. Cheapest I found to insure the Z was £1500.
jaedba2604 said:
i'm on admiral multicar, cheapest by a distance.
The insurer tried to get me on multicar, but my parents would have to take up the policy when theirs was due for renewal? Not entirely sure I understood.Jimmy No Hands said:
Any ideas? This is like the first time I've rooted around haha!
Edit: oh manual hood release. Wondered where that was. Still not sure what the shelf that raises up and down is for?
Actually laughing here Edit: oh manual hood release. Wondered where that was. Still not sure what the shelf that raises up and down is for?
ETA: Point ZOLLAR in this thread direction, wanting to understand multi-car properly so I benefit from it!
Edited by Lund on Wednesday 25th April 16:41
p4cks said:
If you could increase your budget slightly, my Coupe is up for sale. Granted it's got relatively high mileage, but it's only a 2 owner car and the engines are bulletproof. FSH helps of course and it looks and drives superb.
I'll not link to it, as I don't want to break any PH rules.
I wondered whose that one was I'll not link to it, as I don't want to break any PH rules.
the only one with the PH sticker 
d and buy a z4, but I'm being killed by the prices they command and with regards to comments about overpricing in the classifieds!Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff