Bmw Z4 3.0

[lewisf182]

The early cars can be had for £5k now (3.0's), which to me looks stunning value as they still look pretty modern IMHO.

My house purchase gets completed this week fingers crossed.

Problem I have now is, should I wait another month or two till summers over and the roadster rush is over and prices may fall a bit? Does this seasonal effect still happen with roadsters?

Also contemplating whether I should wait till 4 series is released and becomes a bit more common which would hopefully reduce 335i prices meaning I could get a decent one (less than 100k miles) for under £10k.

Edited by lewisf182 on Monday 5th August 22:15

[lewisf182]

Just a quick update.

I've decided on a 330i m sport coupe. Would love a 335i but the turbo troubles worry me and i'd hate to be hitwith a £2k bill for them. The z4 i still love, but 2 seats will just become annoying for me, i thought i could get insured on my gf's car should i ever need a 4 seater but it increased her premium by over £300...

So... If anybody sees any nice 330i m sport coupes up to £13k let me know!

[Fox-]

lewisf182 said:

I've decided on a 330i m sport coupe. Would love a 335i but the turbo troubles worry me and i'd hate to be hitwith a £2k bill for them.

The 330i is no better than the 335i reliability wise - the post 2007 models have the N53 stratified direct injection engine which also has its share of issues. If you are buying a post 2007 E92, then get a decent warranty. And by the time you've done that you are left with no real reason not to just buy the 335i instead. The turbos themselves don't tend to give trouble, its mostly the direct injection system inc fuel pump and thats an issue whether its a 330i or a 335i.

[lewisf182]

Fox- said:

The 330i is no better than the 335i reliability wise - the post 2007 models have the N53 stratified direct injection engine which also has its share of issues. If you are buying a post 2007 E92, then get a decent warranty. And by the time you've done that you are left with no real reason not to just buy the 335i instead. The turbos themselves don't tend to give trouble, its mostly the direct injection system inc fuel pump and thats an issue whether its a 330i or a 335i.

Hmmmm. from what I've read fuel consumption is much better in the 330? not that its a deal breaker but being able to get 40 mpg on a run instead of 29 adds up over time. And surely the turbo will eventually give way, they cant carry on forever?

Thought I've made up my mind but you have made some valid points though. Why is deciding on a car so hard

[5lab]

lewisf182 said:

Just a quick update.

I've decided on a 330i m sport coupe. Would love a 335i but the turbo troubles worry me and i'd hate to be hitwith a £2k bill for them. The z4 i still love, but 2 seats will just become annoying for me, i thought i could get insured on my gf's car should i ever need a 4 seater but it increased her premium by over £300...

So... If anybody sees any nice 330i m sport coupes up to £13k let me know!

depending on your insurance cover (maybe not as you're young) - you can drive other cars 3rd party if you're fully comp - so that might mean you can borrow the gf's car at no cost?

[Fox-]

lewisf182 said:

Hmmmm. from what I've read fuel consumption is much better in the 330? not that its a deal breaker but being able to get 40 mpg on a run instead of 29 adds up over time. And surely the turbo will eventually give way, they cant carry on forever?

Thought I've made up my mind but you have made some valid points though. Why is deciding on a car so hard

The N53 engine is suprisingly economical, yes - you'l get 40mpg on a run (Take it easy with the cruise on and you might even get more) provided its in fine fettle. Though the 335i isn't exactly terrible, on the same sort of run an N53 is touching 40 it'll be into the 30's for sure.

These are cars you will want to run with a warranty, preferablly the excellent BMW one, in my opinion.

[nottyash]

I would take another manual M3 over any Z4.
I liked the z4, but the Boxster s is a better drive if you want a soft top.

[Prof Prolapse]

nottyash said:

I would take another manual M3 over any Z4.
I liked the z4, but the Boxster s is a better drive if you want a soft top.

I think he means the 330 with the "M kit", as opposed to the M3.

Agree with everything you say however.

[lewisf182]

I think he just read the first page were i was thinking z4 or e46 m3.

I have seen a few approved used cars at bmw around the £13k mark which means i get the warranty for a year and can extend, so this might be the route to go down.

335i has been my realistic dream car for a long while but there just seems to be a lot more reliability issues from what i've read. I guess i'll just keep an eye on what comes up. I'm in love with sparkling graphite grey and red interior but sadly aint many about.

[Prof Prolapse]

Reliability issues aside, I've heard the DMS chipped 335 is a monster.

Could it cost less than an M3 to run event with issues over a long enough time frame? If so I'd be bloody tempted.

[lewisf182]

Just an update to this as I hate when people don't update what car threads!

Ended up with a 2005 BMW 130i, same engine as the Z4's and 330's I was looking at but in the small 1 Series. Only driven it a little and not really in anger as yet but so far I love it, it sounds wonderful and the engine makes the entire car, feels like a little muscle car.

Not tons of options but has Leather seats and Professional Navigation so will do me toy wise for now MPG is a big shock from my 1.4 Bora though haha.

Picking it up involved a 4:30 AM start to Brighton from Sheffield, back before 5PM so not too bad in all.

Will probably start a readers car's thread when I get chance for some nice pictures. Already have a PH Smiley on there, just a small discreet Grey one which contrasts well with the black.

[HannsG]

I owned one for three years.

Z4 3.0i SE. Lowered on Eibachs and had a Remus Catback. Loved the car and really made me fall in love with BMW's. Can't get them out of my blood now...

Some old photos. Ignore the numberplate being scrubbed out. Sold the car..