BMW Z4 3.0Si

[Lee540]

Does anyone here own a tin top Z4?

Opinions?

I love the Z4 shape, but really dislike ragtops..

Thanks

Lee

[GroundEffect]

I had one before my Z4M.

It is a very competent car - great economy on a run (I saw indicated 43mpg at one point on a motorway journey). Not slow by any margin. Sounded great, especially with the simposer mod...and looked the dogs bks:



The handling wasn't as playful as I'd like (lack of LSD too was a bit of a pain) but a really really well put together car.

I bought the M because I wanted more mental

[S3_Graham]

we had 2 at work as company motors.

They were quick, reliable and sounded great.

Downsides were the vision from the cockpit was awful, the ride was rock solid and it liked to tramline alot. I found it difficult to relax and enjoy driving quickly as I constantly was adjusting it.

It drove much like my 130 in that respect actually!

[Seek]

GroundEffect said:

Sounded great, especially with the simposer mod...

More info please

I have a Z4 3.0Si as daily driver after numerous E36, E46, E39, E60 and E90.
It's easily the most fun non-M or non-Alpina BMW that I've owned until now.

Also, very competent at long distances - I've done several 1000+km trips with no ill effects.
On winter tires no problems with snow and ice either.

[sjj84]

I've got one too. Take the runflats off and put normal tyres on and it reduces the tramlining and improves the ride significantly. I get an average of 31mpg out of it and servicing is fairly cheap too.

[Gruber]

Lee540 said:

Does anyone here own a tin top Z4?

Opinions?

I love the Z4 shape, but really dislike ragtops..

Thanks

Lee

Great car. But within about 6 months I wished I'd bought the "M" instead.

[Krikkit]

Seek said:

GroundEffect said:

Sounded great, especially with the simposer mod...

More info please

I would imagine it's the mod to remove the foam from the "Sound Generator" to let a load more induction noise into the cabin.

[Lee540]

Gruber said:

Lee540 said:

Does anyone here own a tin top Z4?

Opinions?

I love the Z4 shape, but really dislike ragtops..

Thanks

Lee

Great car. But within about 6 months I wished I'd bought the "M" instead.

I read a review claiming that the M premium wasn't worth the cost compared to the driving experience between the M and the 3.0. You disagree?

I know I would comparing 330Ci Sport and M3 of same era.. is it the same deal in the Z4?

[Gruber]

Lee540 said:

I read a review claiming that the M premium wasn't worth the cost compared to the driving experience between the M and the 3.0. You disagree?

Absolutely disagree.

The 3.0 is very, very good. But the "M" is a bit better in almost every respect (other than cost, basically, oh... and the CDV gear change thing) adding up to a MUCH better car over all.

Out of the box, first impressions, I can see why some of the reveiews said there's not much in it. But over time the difference becomes increasingly clear. And I say this after owning the 3.0 for about 18 months and then the Z4M for 12 months.

As I said, the 3.0 is a great car by any sensible measure. But the M is better.

If you need mid-30s mpg rather than high-20s, or if the added costs of tax, servicing and entry price are an issue, then go for the 3.0. But if you can stretch to the M, I wouldn't think twice.

Mind you, and perhaps a little controversially, I'd take an e46 M3 over either of the Z cars...

[Gruber]

Of course, when the reviews were written, an M had a list price of circa £12k more than the 3.0 (if memory serves).

A quick skim of the classifieds suggests that, at today's prices, the difference in down to about £3k.

At that point it becomes even more of a no-brainer... surely??

[BRMMA]

I had the 3.0si roadster and thought it was a great car, never 'loved' it though as i guess it felt like driving a 3-series and i want a sports car to feel more special.

the ride was hard and tramlined a lot but i've read a lot of reports saying that it improves a lot by putting normal tyres

they also look superb with 19" CSL style wheels

[ocrx8]

I've got a 3.0si roadster and am really pleased with it. The only downside for me is the steering; far too light and no real feel. This is sorted on the ///M by swapping the electric rack for hydraulic. I'm not convinced by the sound-gen mod, but I'm one of the few with this opinion by the looks of things. Try to get one with extended leather, it really lifts the interior IMO.

As much as I am loathed to admit it, the coupe does look 100 times better than the roadster. Every time one drives past, I stare longingly. But roof down motoring is great fun, so it's swings and roundabouts.

[GroundEffect]

Lee540 said:

Gruber said:

Lee540 said:

Does anyone here own a tin top Z4?

Opinions?

I love the Z4 shape, but really dislike ragtops..

Thanks

Lee

Great car. But within about 6 months I wished I'd bought the "M" instead.

I read a review claiming that the M premium wasn't worth the cost compared to the driving experience between the M and the 3.0. You disagree?

I know I would comparing 330Ci Sport and M3 of same era.. is it the same deal in the Z4?

That's if you're comparing new for new (I'm guessing you mean the Autocar review?). At £10k yeah the difference is not enough to justify...but now you can get an M Coupe for £13k. And a 3.0Si is not much less.

I've had my M for 9 months now and believe the M is better than the 3.0 in every sense, apart from MPG obviously.

[Studio117]

I always found the z4 to be very small inside. At only 6ft 2 it was very cramped.

[R26Andy]

I averaged about 24mpg commuting and 30mpg mixed, nudging 35mpg on a run. Good economy for a 5.7second 0-60 car.

Valves then cylinder head were replaced due to tappity engine (BMW have an updated cylinder head fitted to all the late models and fitted to others under warranty), water in fog lights so they were replaced as well, broken suspension springs also common. Pretty bullet proof other than that.

Harsh ride and Cdv were my main complaints.

Straight six engine is a peach and looks turns heads wherever it goes.

I wouldn't bother paying a premium for a one with sat nav as its 10 year old system now. I would definitely get xenons but for some reason many don't have them (not a problem on the z4mc as they are standard)