Bmw Z4 3.0

[lewisf182]

Hi,

Posted in BMW forum but didn't get much of a response, so:
So the time has come to seriously start considering an upgrade to my boring list of cars so far which have helped me build up a decent enough NCB so that insurance does't bankrupt me, and I've landed on the Z4 3.0

Now, I dont really know much about these other than I'd obviously prefer the 3.0si engine as it has more power, but I am happy with the lower powered 3.0 (coming from a 1.4 bora anything will feel rocket ship fast). I think I'd be willing to spend about £8k, mileage up to 80k or so (as long as interior & exterior still looks ok)

What sort of issues are there with the car? I've heard roof motor failure is an issue, but other than that?

Also, what sort of Spec would be ideal? I'd like Sat Nav but then I think in a circa 10 year old car it isn't going to be all that anyways - so what are the must haves in terms of options on a Z4 as I don't really know what's available as I'm not familiar with BMW's.

Just looking for general guidance and tips really.

I did originally have my heart set on an E46 M3 but its around £1k more to insure than the Z4, and factoring in the extra servicing costs I don't think I could justify the difference.

cheers

P.S hopefully going to test drive an M3, Z4 3.0 & 3.0SI on thursday.. think the M3 may be a bad decision as I'll inevitably end up wanting that!

Edited by lewisf182 on Tuesday 16th July 16:32

[ali4390]

Try www.z4-forum.com, there is loads of information over there and buying guides etc.

[carinaman]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&am...

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...


There was that thread here last week someone asking whether they should get a Z4 Coupe or 1 series. Z4 Coupes start around £8K and no roof motors to worry about.

[Jimmy No Hands]

I always regretted not having cruise in mine. It's a fantastic motorway eater but I always thought it did need CC for those longer slogs. Sports seats are nice, I just had the standard but having sat in some, the sport seem a bit better for support. 3.0 comes with xenons as standard which is nice. If you can get one with the style 108s on, I personally think they looks the best on the car.

I wasn't arsed about sat nav, but if I was going for another I'd definitely want cruise and heated sports seats as a mimimum. The 3.0 is still a sub 6 second to 60 car and they are not by any means slow, if the price difference is marginal to the si then go for an si, more power can't be bad. But be safe in the knowledge you won't be disappointed by the 3.0, cracking cars!

[taylor172]

anything pre 04 (iirc) has the wiring for cruise already there, you just need the stalk..

£52 ir something from the dealers, plug in and play. best mod i did to mine

[carinaman]

What do they do 60-90, or 0-100? LJKS said in print that a truly quick car would have a 60-90 time similar of that of the 0-60 one.

[Eski1991]

Around the 8k mark would buy a nice Z3M Roadster with far more toys/power/exclusivity than an ezquivalent priced Z4. Although it would obviously be slightly older.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

[dibblecorse]

Eski1991 said:

Around the 8k mark would buy a nice Z3M Roadster with far more toys/power/exclusivity than an ezquivalent priced Z4. Although it would obviously be slightly older.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

indeed but that one is awful, fridge white with black wheels, look sooo cheap .... and i usually like these, mad that they are 50% the cost of a decent Z3M Coupe ...

[Prof Prolapse]

They can go through rear springs but it's bloody difficult to check with out taking the wheel off an jacking up. Listen for creaks with the handbrake off. Check front nose cone for signs of damage as it's bloody low.

Get leather for the resale, they normally don't cost any extra and are often electric memory seats. Early models 2003-2004 can be retrofitted with cruise for £70 so don't pay extra for this unless its post 2004 (IIRC). Split alloys can be a bd to refurbish. CD multi changers fail and are a fker to replace with most owners fitting iPod docks and the like.

I went for an early one just because of the bargain factor, good ones start at about £6000 with less than 60K and FSH.

I can't really comment on the si vs. older engine but the 3.0 is plenty fast for a 2 seater roadster. I doubt it's comparable with any M-Car but it'll see off an S2000 and, if you believe the figures, give a 370Z a run for it's money.

Roof motors can be repaired and the failure rate is most likely exaggerated like most internet phenomena. Personally I don't understand the point in the Coupe. It combines all the disadvantages of a 2 seater convertible with none of the positives. I'd get a 3-series instead if that's your thing.

I'm selling mine in a month or so if you're interested.

[Eski1991]

dibblecorse said:

indeed but that one is awful, fridge white with black wheels, look sooo cheap .... and i usually like these, mad that they are 50% the cost of a decent Z3M Coupe ...

Coupe is much better looking/quirky.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Cars-Motorcycles-Vehicle... 3 nice looking Estoril Blue examples there, I realised that the white was a bit naff but it has a few decent mods and low mileage, a 3M wrap doesn't cost the earth. Neither does a wheel refurb.

[honest_delboy]

I had one for 2 years 2003 3.0. the 108's looked awful and they were quite a bit to refurb unless you DIY so I changed them for 107's which I preferred anyway. Didn't have any problems with the hood. The front bushes needed doing which is common on E46's too as they share the same bits. Other than that I had a small oil leak and just regular servicing.

It was light and responsive, in gear performance I thought was pretty good. Ride was harsh (RFT's) but it was good fun throwing it around in corners. The hood going up and down really quickly I liked.

Satnav - don't bother , heated seats - yes , don't get that awful cream interior. nice to have is the carver sounds system and the sports seats (that are standard on the si but some 3.0's came with them)

Some of these are pampered weekend only cars, good value for money.

[lewisf182]

I do love the look of the coupe but as already mentioned i just dont see the point, all the draw backs of a 2 seater roadster without the roof down option, so for me the roadster i feel is a better ownership proposition for those early morning summer hoons!

Ahhh, my thoughts are correct on the sat nav, an aftermarket one probably a better option, if i were to go e46 m3 id have fitted the android computer thingy - is this an option for the z4?

Prolapse - could be very intereste as a months time is the perfect timescale, what spec does yours have?

So basically im looking for sports seats, leather and cruise control as main must haves.

The other elephant in the room is a 996 911 but again other non purchase costs could be painful whereas the z4 you seem to know what your getting, this is my go wild car before i buy my own house (already bought my first buy to let and still live at home) so maybe i should just go balls out and buy a m3 / z4m etc..... Ahhh decisions decisions

[Transmat]

You can't get an aftermarket sat nav module for the z4 as they don't have an entertainment system screen.

I had one for a couple of years, never really had any problems with mine it was very reliable.

[skelters]

There's a buyers guide on the Z4 Forum.

I had a 2.5 a few years ago.

Rear Springs bust,
Heater / Aircon unit failed in summer blowing extremely hot air full blast only! Replacement unit conflicted with power steering and power steering failed.
Driver Door electric window failed.
Runflats were magnetic and attracted 3 punctures in a week.
2 sets of tyres in 3 years.
Different car without RFT's.
Servicing costs were ok.
Fuel consumption was anything up to 37 - 40 mpg.

No matter the problems it's all forgotten when the roof is off and you floor it.

Would I buy one again? In a minute!!!

[J4CKO]

These are on my radar in the six to eight grand range, along with the S2000 and the 350Z Convertible, like has been said, like the look of the coupe but cant see the point, I need something less needy than my 944 which I may still keep but the Z4 is favourite at the moment, probably one to buy in the weeks before Christmas rather than now.

[lewisf182]

Yeah the problem is prices are probably a little inflated with it being summer (and actually sunny summer for a change) but I don't wan't to really put it off any longer, iv been in ridiculously slow cars for far too long.

335i's are now approaching 2006 z4 prices and on paper have the same straight line performance but obviously not as sporty but are much more practical... so that's another spanner in the works! Too many choices!!!!

I was originally thinking z4 and keep my bora for transport duties but rather than paying 2 x insurance etc maybe a 335i is the more sensible option now..... hmmmm

[Prof Prolapse]

lewisf182 said:

Prolapse - could be very intereste as a months time is the perfect timescale, what spec does yours have?

Silver with red leather interior (I like it!) and memory seats, split alloys (need refurbed), cruise, aluminium dash. Under 60K,FSH and 12,000 miles until inspection 1. With the alloys needing done, the service book being lost but all receipts available, and some scuffs under the nosecone it'll be one of the cheaper ones out there.

I'm currently replacing all the worn out suspension components before getting it aligned by a Ferrari specialist so it'll be driving spot on before I sell. It needs to be to sell I think!

PM me if you want me to drop you more details when I've done the work.

Cheers.

[lewisf182]

Ok, so yesterday I drove a Z4 3.0Si and a 2006 M3.

I have to say the M3 massively disappointed me while the Z4 left me wanting to go on a massive hoon. The M3 just didn't work in everyday driving IMHO, the SMG box was so slow and sluggish to respond it was laughable! But then once it got going it was just too fast to enjoy as you're already at the speed limit within a second. The Z4 just felt the more special car and more suited to everyday driving, I know on the right road the M3 would dominate and be an amazing experience, but as an only car how often do we get to drive those once in a blue moon roads?

I Can only imagine how the Z4m would be to drive, another step up from the Z4 certainly and with a manual box (is this available?) would probably be the perfect car! Maybe I should try an M3 Manual though having said that.

So, next on the list to try are a Z4M roadster & an E90 335i.

[Transmat]

The z4m only comes in manual. It's a great car but the front end weighs 50kg more than the 3.0si and it's not as nimble as you might think. The clutch is quite jerky too, not that fun for traffic driving, but brilliant none the less.

I chose a 3.0si over a z4m in the end.

[lewisf182]

I think I am inclined to go 3.0Si over Z4M too due to extra running costs. Funnily enough purchase price wise there isn't that much difference (if looking at 3.0's with under 70k miles) between the two.