165k mile BMW Z4 2.5 - 3 Careful PH Owners

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It has been over a year since I purchased a car, so despite having old mercs in various states, I was feeling the need to buy something.

I was looking at Peugeot 205 convertibles, and had chased down a couple to work on this week, trying to fit viewings hundreds of miles away into my 'working from home' conference call schedule.

Then last night, I started thinking about Z3s. Manual ones. There was a nice individual one listed on Facebook marketplace in a dodgy purple, but when I contacted the seller a massive 50 minutes after the ad went live, he had already had 4 enquires and two viewings booked.

Returning disheartened to Facebook, a Z4 popped up 7 miles away. No engine was listed, but from the pictures it was a manual, and from the underbonnet pictures a 6 cylinder.

I messaged the seller and he was clearly a solid chap. Pleasant, helpful and polite - makes such a difference and always gives me confidence.

I headed over first thing today, pretty sure I would be coming away with the car.

It's imperfect, having covered 155k miles, and needs a poor rust repair blow over done on the rear on the driver's side. But it drives really well. I was very surprised that it feels really tight, and rides well. Better than my Dad's SLK from the same generation.

The straight 6 engine feels very strong and sounds fantastic. I have always been a fan of BMW's old straight 6s, and this is the punchiest and nicest sounding '25 I have experienced (I think they get better with miles). I am told I need to do some valve thing to help the gear change - it's okay, but not great.

There are a few other bits and bobs - the headlights are cloudy, the driver's seatbelt retracts slowly, the BMW badge on the front requires renewal (ordered), it needs floormats that don't have an ///////M type logo on them.

But the alloys have been refurbed, the roof and roof motor replaced recently, and the interior is in great condition. And I rather like it. A nice car to zip about in over the summer. Hopefully.







It was a tank of fuel and some mats under half the budget of my favourite thread's £1-5k limit.

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Thanks everyone for such interesting responses!

John Locke said:

I missed this on the barge thread; excellent, much more sensible than a Pug.

I think you're right there. I still have a 'thing' for a 205, but a leaky, rusty 1990 one would probably tire me in, er, 24 hours. Plus is was located in London (100 miles away) and the chap was one of those 'come and see it before talking about price types'. This Z4 was 7 miles away.

I prefer to talk price, agree the condition, then I'll come and buy it without negotiation. I suspect it would not have matched the ad.

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Following this with interest. Might it be a bit too similar to the SL for long-term use?

At times I have owned 3 or more 4 door comfy auto saloons! This is actually so different from the SL - smallish and manual. This is a bit sporty, the SL is a convertible barge, albeit with that old merc thing of going very quickly indeed from A to B. The Z4 is surprisingly fun. I am liking the BMW straight 6 and manual open roof combination.

carinaman said:

That angle and shade really shows off the styling. I'm a sucker for some of the features like the roundel side repeater and rear lights. It's possibly Bangle's second best design.

A colleague has a 6 cylinder Z3. I've told them it's the best sounding car in the car park though a V8 Merc. made an appearance a few weeks ago. I think inline sixes sound nicer than V8s.

This is the last modern BMW I really like the look of. This era BMW 6 are the best sounding 6s - and of course you need a manual, and no roof to actually hear them. I agree that 6s sound better than v8s.

mrtwisty said:

I really don't need another soft-top in my life right now, but the prices of these are very attractive at the moment. They look better with every passing year too - not something I ever thought I would have said when they came out!

I thought they were all 6 pots in the Z4 of this generation?

Do I recall something about having the roof motor relocated for reliability? Has yours been moved op?

Agreed. Looking at the pictures on Facebook Marketplace I found that there was a 4 cylinder in this generation

I think my boot motor has not been moved.

TimmyMallett said:

2.5k? Is that how cheap those are? Or is my maths broken?

I'm not very good at buying, but this was £2,450. It's high mileage, and has some bad previous paint at the rear on the driver's side. It drives very well indeed.

Justin S said:

Nice to see these cars being used and people not being scared off by mileages. The CDV is the the thing that will need removing. I did mine earlier in the year and makes it less jumpy, lighter action and no real downsides. 20 mins under the car and its done.
Look forward to this thread growing with a running report.

There is something that is restricting quick gear changes. I took a quick look, and while it might be 20 mins for you, it will be 4 hours and a broken car for me! Can I get a kit to give to my "The Man"?

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

Looks great and well done on the purchase!

On the flip side, it's your fault it's been raining heavily here then

Ross, it has been ideal convertible weather here this week. I even cleaned it today!

visual123 said:

I've also got a 2003 2.5i in the same colour:



If it's anything like mine then you'll never tire of the noise. As other people have said, check if the roof motor has been moved as in the stock location it can sit in water and rust (it can be placed in a cubbyhole in the boot), and get the clutch delay valve removed if you find it annoying. Also there are a few aftermarket bluetooth kit options that plug into the CD changer socket if you want that.

Enjoy it, at that price it sounds like a great buy.

I must admit that I was expecting little, but the noise is excellent. I particularly like it when you lift off the throttle and get the full BMW 'woofle'.

Can you recommend a bluetooth solution?!

thecremeegg said:

Great cars! I bought mine 4 years ago for £4k on 100k miles, it's now on 150k miles and still going strong.
I've had the vanos done, the DISA valve replaced (definitely check yours as if it breaks it will cause big damage but is a 5 minute part to swap), plus new shocks and springs, and the usual cosmetic stuff, like Z4M wheels and Euro-spec rear lights.



Oh and I had the backbox modded to give a bit more noise, totally worth it

https://youtu.be/wa5OpuhMh8k

Sounds like I need to understand this DISA valve and the Vanos thing. It pulls really well - better than my 3.2 merc (heavier, but in good health!).

g3org3y said:

Congrats OP.

I see you've got heated seats. Great feature as well, perfect for roof down winter driving.

M54 engine in this is pretty solid. The 2.5 is reported to use a lot less oil than the 3.0.

Early Z4s are a bargain. Styling still looks fresh. Enjoy!

Some great info and advice here: https://z4-forum.com/forum/


(3.0Si, Montego blue, manual of course...needs a wash).

Thanks, seems like there is a lot of support around these cars. Are those gold wheels?


Sorry for those I missed!



I did do some DIY today....

Before:

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thecremeegg said:

Oh and I had the backbox modded to give a bit more noise, totally worth it

https://youtu.be/wa5OpuhMh8k

Sounds good!

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Sycamore said:

Obligatory pic:

I thought that my wipers were parking too high - it looks like they could go lower. These look to be similar.

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My headlights have condensation in them, so I have ordered new back plates. Looking under the bonnet though - how on earth do you access the lights?!

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Sounds like just my thing to mess up! Enthusiastically get them off, but fail to refit them!

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I am really enjoying the Z4 at the moment. The engine does seem very sweet, and the weather is ideal for blatting about the countryside in it (not too hot, but plenty of sunny intervals).

I made my first 'modification' today. The plugin unit/app from 'Carly' which means I can now raise and lower the roof from the key. Rather satisfying.

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I did 360 miles in the leggy cheapo Z4 today, and really enjoyed it.

The first half was in the rain (often heavy) on the motorway. It was better than expected - it tracks straight, so isn't difficult or tiring to drive at all. The hood doesn't lead and does a pretty good job or noise supression It got 39mpg according to the readout at 70-80 mph. The second half was in the dry so at higher speeds, and then driving much harder on the cross country route to Edinburgh so the mpg dipped to 32.

This later part was one of the most enjoyable drives I have had for a while. If you have watched JayEms review of the Z4m, he concludes that it's a nice car if you drive it like a classic british roadster, and I think this applies to even this lowly 2.5. The roads I drove it on very much suited it - keep the straight 6 singing, but don't drive it like an elise, so not fast in or 10/10ths thankyou.

What a good drive that was - and surprisingly comfortable driving a reasonable distance without a proper break.

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Sycamore said:

These are great if wanting a cheap 6 cyl manual convertible.

I paid £4k for a 3 litre 2004 with 60k miles. Heated electric M-Sport seats too which weren't cheap when new. Had no issues with it in 18 months now. Really can't complain when you factor in how much they cost.
Obligatory pic:

I have to say I was thinking about this - that seems like a remarkable bargain! The right place to get into these if you want to do so.

Mine clicked over 156k and some today and drives really well, so your deal would get 100k miles less for a few £k, along with the bigger engine and seats (I like the adjustment of electric seats). What a bargain. I might take a look or keep an eye out before I spend significantly on mine - only because I am impressed!

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I did another 350 miles in the Z4 shed today - in one go, with the roof down. It was perfectly comfortable. Good MPG as well. I am getting even more fond of it.

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I took the Z4 out today, as it was a perfect roof down day. A little chilly, a bit of mist, but the roads seemed nice and quiet.

Heated seats on, heater up, a warm jacket and hat, plus a straight 6 and a manual made for a pleasant drive.









In terms of the work done since the last update, and, well, since I have owned it, I really haven't done anything apart from replacing the badge and driving it. Oh well!

158 going on 159k now. Should really put new wipers on it really.

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pstruck said:

Nice buy OP. These really are great value and as has been said still look remarkably fresh.

I've had my 03 2.5 a little over 2 years now. I've put some different BMW 18" alloys on it and de-gingered, which makes it look more current. With the private plate on most people I speak to (except other Zed'ers) don’t actually believe its 17 years old. Cleans up pretty well I think and is a pleasure to drive.

Got to agree with earlier comments about the noise. Mine is a little more vocal having been fitted with a modified back box. Sounds wonderful!

I have really gelled with the lines of the Z4. I think they are great looking little cars. A neighbour is now looking for one.

I would be very interested in the back box modification. My shed4 seems to pull better than any other '25i than I have driven (could just be weight?), and sounds better than any aside from the modified 325 compact.

I'm an old fart, so I like gingers. Basically I like prefer old-fashioned over modern! I think most would agree that yours looks more modern.

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A lovely drive today. The heated seats were very much required at -1!

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Polarbert said:

Smashing looking motor glad you're enjoying it. I've put about 60k miles on my Z4 M Roadster and its still driving well at 103k miles.

That M3 engine is a beast.

I'm perhaps breaking PH agreements with this question, but do you not find the Z4 chassis a bit crap?

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The z4 passed its MOT today - with a mere £661 bill.

It’s a really fun car. Chucked the keys to my dad who loved it and we drove to the local country pub for a pint.

I think it’s my lack of driving ability and ignorance which mean I’m so surprised by how well this car drives.

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Here’s what it failed on initially:



If you leave it for a week there are a few drips of oil... solution: I’ve added a small amount of oil once in the last 6 months!

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Well the car is still running and driving well.






.... aside from this. Following the tyre change (about 10 miles later), the ABS, handbrake and tyre pressure lights are on. The tyre pressures are good, and I have reset the tyre system.



I assume it’s some kind of sensor? All the BMWs I have end up like this :0

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Thanks chaps, I shall take a look this week!

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Basically I pass off my old and broken cars to lemansky, who is at the opposite end of the mechanical capability spectrum to me (I reside at CDG's end)!

Great to hear the progress on the car.

I really did like it.

In fact, I have to say it was more fun than the SLK55 across the A7 (I did the same route today as I did a few months back in the Z4). That straight 6 / manual combination is lovely. The lack of speed is in many ways an asset. Fast enough, but not so much that you can't cane it most of the time. You cannot do that in the SLK!

Edited by 0a on Sunday 7th November 23:14