Some Z4 querys
Discussion
I fancy a used 3.0 Z4 circa £18k, and to that end i've bought a BMW mag to read. I am alarmed at some of the oil consumption figures being bandied about, is this likely to be a problem with the 3 litre used in the Z4?
Also, wheels and tyres. I don't like the handling/ride quality of cars with big wheels and very low profile tyres, and of course then there is the question of run flat tyres. I don't like the sound of these tyres at all, and so would probably change to conventional tyres at the first opportunity, and then have to live without a spare tyre. But are the 18" wheels standard fitment on the 3.0, or are they an option? Was there a choice of wheels fitted to the cars when new, and were they all supplied by BMW or could owners spec even more spangly types that were not OE? If there were different wheels available, were they all of the same (and correct) offset and width etc?
If the 18's were standard, is it possible to fit 17's (though i guess there may be insurance probs). A mate has a 330d, forget the rim size but its on 45 profile tyres and these spoil an otherwise fantastic car with their bump-thump and tramlining. This would drive me nuts and am very keen to avoid these probs.
Appreciate any help guys, and any other advice on this car. Ta.
Also, wheels and tyres. I don't like the handling/ride quality of cars with big wheels and very low profile tyres, and of course then there is the question of run flat tyres. I don't like the sound of these tyres at all, and so would probably change to conventional tyres at the first opportunity, and then have to live without a spare tyre. But are the 18" wheels standard fitment on the 3.0, or are they an option? Was there a choice of wheels fitted to the cars when new, and were they all supplied by BMW or could owners spec even more spangly types that were not OE? If there were different wheels available, were they all of the same (and correct) offset and width etc?
If the 18's were standard, is it possible to fit 17's (though i guess there may be insurance probs). A mate has a 330d, forget the rim size but its on 45 profile tyres and these spoil an otherwise fantastic car with their bump-thump and tramlining. This would drive me nuts and am very keen to avoid these probs.
Appreciate any help guys, and any other advice on this car. Ta.
Well im only a few days into z4 3.0 ownership, here's what i have experienced so far. Ride is very very firm, handling is good but on bumpy roads the run flats are shockingly bad, the oil light has already come on and the gearbox is really crunchy (reverse/1st and 2nd). Going back to bmw thursday to hopefully sort the gearbox problems, as for the ride, i'll be changing the tyres at the first chance i get.
But still loving the looks of my coupe and the engine is simply brillant
Just do it, you know you want one
But still loving the looks of my coupe and the engine is simply brillant
Just do it, you know you want one
Firstly it is a sporting type of car so you've got to expect a sporty/hard ride to a degree, the 3.0i came with 17 and 18inch wheels as an option, the 17's have a deeper profile tyre so will give you a 'softer ride, to increase this even more the answer is to ditch the OEM run flat tyres and fit conventional ones then carry a tin of Holts tyre weld in the boot, this will be as good as it gets for ride quality though.
As for oil consumption my 3.0i uses virtually no oil at all, it's done 23000 miles and it sweet, so i don't know where yopu get the horror stories from about oil consumption, this is a fantastic little car with a decent degree of practicality built in, get one bought soon as you can..
As for oil consumption my 3.0i uses virtually no oil at all, it's done 23000 miles and it sweet, so i don't know where yopu get the horror stories from about oil consumption, this is a fantastic little car with a decent degree of practicality built in, get one bought soon as you can..
Gassey said:
Well im only a few days into z4 3.0 ownership, here's what i have experienced so far. Ride is very very firm, handling is good but on bumpy roads the run flats are shockingly bad, the oil light has already come on and the gearbox is really crunchy (reverse/1st and 2nd). Going back to bmw thursday to hopefully sort the gearbox problems, as for the ride, i'll be changing the tyres at the first chance i get.
But still loving the looks of my coupe and the engine is simply brillant
Just do it, you know you want one
You might find that there is nothing wrong with the gearbox. BMWs tend to have crunchy (knuckley is the word that always comes to mind for me) gearboxs. My Alpina has one, my M635 had one too as does the brother-in-law's 330i. Ist, 2nd and reverse are always the worst, especially when the oil is cold.But still loving the looks of my coupe and the engine is simply brillant
Just do it, you know you want one
Just picked up my Z4 3.0 on saturday - gearbox is exactly the same in first and second which is a little irritating.. I expect I'll get used to it as apart from that its flipping great fun and loaded to the hilt with extras Its my first BMW and it a lovely drive and offers enough poke, wish I had got a 6 pot car sooner!
One thing I'm trying to find out is what oil I should buy for top ups (Caastrol EDGE 0-30?) and how to read the dip stick correctly, I assume the two small cut out notches on it are the min and max marks?
Its my first BMW and it a lovely drive and offers enough poke, wish I had got a 6 pot car sooner!One thing I'm trying to find out is what oil I should buy for top ups (Caastrol EDGE 0-30?) and how to read the dip stick correctly, I assume the two small cut out notches on it are the min and max marks?
AdamD said:
Just picked up my Z4 3.0 on saturday - gearbox is exactly the same in first and second which is a little irritating.. I expect I'll get used to it as apart from that its flipping great fun and loaded to the hilt with extras Its my first BMW and it a lovely drive and offers enough poke, wish I had got a 6 pot car sooner!
Nice one, what spec did you go for? Its my first BMW and it a lovely drive and offers enough poke, wish I had got a 6 pot car sooner!Thanks for the replies. My concerns on oil came from the first pages of letters. It seems a mag long termer M5 is using a litre of TWS (whassat then?) every 640 miles 
and reader responded that his car is similar. As that concerned the M5 i wasn't worried, but i turn the page and see aletter from an Aussie reader who's 12k mile E90 323i M Sport is using oiul. Apparently BMW Australia consider a litre of oil per thousand miles acceptabe. Acceptable my arse!
Tyres - I don't mind a sporty ride but Lotus showed in 1962 that you can have just about the fastest A-B car on the market AND the best ride/handling compromise. Manufacturers seem keen to disregard those lessons, and I can't help wondering if its a fashion or market led thing - ie, if the car doesn't rattle your fillings its not 'hardcore' enough.
Pardon my ignorance, but can Z4s come specced with a 'sports' suspension? If so, how do i discover what a used car has? I suspect that by avoiding sports packages and big wheels I'll end up with a better and possibly faster car, even though it may not be so attractive to the market.
I recently drove a friends 2.7 Boxster and was seduced by its lovely, supple ride and fantastic handling. However, i'm put off by potential engine problems that Boxsters have suffered from. If I buy a Z4 though, it must not have crashy-bangy-tramliney suspension 'cos it would drive me nuts. How do i make sure i don't buy a car like this, or am i worrying too much?
and reader responded that his car is similar. As that concerned the M5 i wasn't worried, but i turn the page and see aletter from an Aussie reader who's 12k mile E90 323i M Sport is using oiul. Apparently BMW Australia consider a litre of oil per thousand miles acceptabe. Acceptable my arse!Tyres - I don't mind a sporty ride but Lotus showed in 1962 that you can have just about the fastest A-B car on the market AND the best ride/handling compromise. Manufacturers seem keen to disregard those lessons, and I can't help wondering if its a fashion or market led thing - ie, if the car doesn't rattle your fillings its not 'hardcore' enough.
Pardon my ignorance, but can Z4s come specced with a 'sports' suspension? If so, how do i discover what a used car has? I suspect that by avoiding sports packages and big wheels I'll end up with a better and possibly faster car, even though it may not be so attractive to the market.
I recently drove a friends 2.7 Boxster and was seduced by its lovely, supple ride and fantastic handling. However, i'm put off by potential engine problems that Boxsters have suffered from. If I buy a Z4 though, it must not have crashy-bangy-tramliney suspension 'cos it would drive me nuts. How do i make sure i don't buy a car like this, or am i worrying too much?
Heebeegeetee said:
Thanks for the replies. My concerns on oil came from the first pages of letters. It seems a mag long termer M5 is using a litre of TWS (whassat then?) every 640 miles and reader responded that his car is similar. As that concerned the M5 i wasn't worried, but i turn the page and see aletter from an Aussie reader who's 12k mile E90 323i M Sport is using oiul. Apparently BMW Australia consider a litre of oil per thousand miles acceptabe. Acceptable my arse!
Tyres - I don't mind a sporty ride but Lotus showed in 1962 that you can have just about the fastest A-B car on the market AND the best ride/handling compromise. Manufacturers seem keen to disregard those lessons, and I can't help wondering if its a fashion or market led thing - ie, if the car doesn't rattle your fillings its not 'hardcore' enough.
Pardon my ignorance, but can Z4s come specced with a 'sports' suspension? If so, how do i discover what a used car has? I suspect that by avoiding sports packages and big wheels I'll end up with a better and possibly faster car, even though it may not be so attractive to the market.
I recently drove a friends 2.7 Boxster and was seduced by its lovely, supple ride and fantastic handling. However, i'm put off by potential engine problems that Boxsters have suffered from. If I buy a Z4 though, it must not have crashy-bangy-tramliney suspension 'cos it would drive me nuts. How do i make sure i don't buy a car like this, or am i worrying too much?
The suspension doesnt cause the tramlining thats down to the run-flat tyres. TBH i think you are worrying to much, i wouldnt say the ride is any worst than the 3.2 TT i previously had and reader responded that his car is similar. As that concerned the M5 i wasn't worried, but i turn the page and see aletter from an Aussie reader who's 12k mile E90 323i M Sport is using oiul. Apparently BMW Australia consider a litre of oil per thousand miles acceptabe. Acceptable my arse!Tyres - I don't mind a sporty ride but Lotus showed in 1962 that you can have just about the fastest A-B car on the market AND the best ride/handling compromise. Manufacturers seem keen to disregard those lessons, and I can't help wondering if its a fashion or market led thing - ie, if the car doesn't rattle your fillings its not 'hardcore' enough.
Pardon my ignorance, but can Z4s come specced with a 'sports' suspension? If so, how do i discover what a used car has? I suspect that by avoiding sports packages and big wheels I'll end up with a better and possibly faster car, even though it may not be so attractive to the market.
I recently drove a friends 2.7 Boxster and was seduced by its lovely, supple ride and fantastic handling. However, i'm put off by potential engine problems that Boxsters have suffered from. If I buy a Z4 though, it must not have crashy-bangy-tramliney suspension 'cos it would drive me nuts. How do i make sure i don't buy a car like this, or am i worrying too much?
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