What do I need to know when considering Z4's?
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm considering Z4's at the moment and could do with a little guidance regarding models / spec.
I'm only looking at the 3.0 litre and my budget will get a car around 5 years old. All the cars seem to be SE spec - was this the only option available?
I seem to remember Z4's receiving bad press due to the harshness of the 'sport' suspension. Was there an actual sport model during the earlier production years or was there just a sport suspension option?
I was looking for an SE (thinking I was therefore avoiding the hard riding models) fitted with sports seats. However, it seems I need to know a little more about the Z4 to understand whats available.
Any help is much appreciated
I'm considering Z4's at the moment and could do with a little guidance regarding models / spec.
I'm only looking at the 3.0 litre and my budget will get a car around 5 years old. All the cars seem to be SE spec - was this the only option available?
I seem to remember Z4's receiving bad press due to the harshness of the 'sport' suspension. Was there an actual sport model during the earlier production years or was there just a sport suspension option?
I was looking for an SE (thinking I was therefore avoiding the hard riding models) fitted with sports seats. However, it seems I need to know a little more about the Z4 to understand whats available.
Any help is much appreciated
You'll find lots of friendly helpful advice here http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/
The 3.0SE came with sports suspension as standard, and most often with 18s though 17s were standard. Changing from run flats, as a lot of people have, takes out the jarring while keeping a firm ride.
The sports seats are narrower than other MSport seats I believe, so only comfortable for the slimmest of people. SE seats are ok. Imo it's worth looking at an otherwise good car with SE seats. You might find a set on fleabay or BMW will sell you a set for £5k plus fitting.
Not many big issues to be aware of. Springs snap, not too dear; roof motors fail due to blocked drainage, expensive; and the 108 (Starspoke) alloys had issues with corrosion. I think that's it, others may know more.
Had mine 5 years and love it. Low mileage so servicing has cost £300 so far, plus 2 x £75 small repairs and non-rft's £600.
Got a back injury myself but find the sports suspension on my 3.0 Se (18s) fine.
Hope this is helpful. Good luck.
The 3.0SE came with sports suspension as standard, and most often with 18s though 17s were standard. Changing from run flats, as a lot of people have, takes out the jarring while keeping a firm ride.
The sports seats are narrower than other MSport seats I believe, so only comfortable for the slimmest of people. SE seats are ok. Imo it's worth looking at an otherwise good car with SE seats. You might find a set on fleabay or BMW will sell you a set for £5k plus fitting.
Not many big issues to be aware of. Springs snap, not too dear; roof motors fail due to blocked drainage, expensive; and the 108 (Starspoke) alloys had issues with corrosion. I think that's it, others may know more.
Had mine 5 years and love it. Low mileage so servicing has cost £300 so far, plus 2 x £75 small repairs and non-rft's £600.
Got a back injury myself but find the sports suspension on my 3.0 Se (18s) fine.
Hope this is helpful. Good luck.
Sticks2 said:
You'll find lots of friendly helpful advice here http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/
The 3.0SE came with sports suspension as standard, and most often with 18s though 17s were standard. Changing from run flats, as a lot of people have, takes out the jarring while keeping a firm ride.
The sports seats are narrower than other MSport seats I believe, so only comfortable for the slimmest of people. SE seats are ok. Imo it's worth looking at an otherwise good car with SE seats. You might find a set on fleabay or BMW will sell you a set for £5k plus fitting.
Not many big issues to be aware of. Springs snap, not too dear; roof motors fail due to blocked drainage, expensive; and the 108 (Starspoke) alloys had issues with corrosion. I think that's it, others may know more.
Had mine 5 years and love it. Low mileage so servicing has cost £300 so far, plus 2 x £75 small repairs and non-rft's £600.
Got a back injury myself but find the sports suspension on my 3.0 Se (18s) fine.
Hope this is helpful. Good luck.
Good stuff. Thanks very much The 3.0SE came with sports suspension as standard, and most often with 18s though 17s were standard. Changing from run flats, as a lot of people have, takes out the jarring while keeping a firm ride.
The sports seats are narrower than other MSport seats I believe, so only comfortable for the slimmest of people. SE seats are ok. Imo it's worth looking at an otherwise good car with SE seats. You might find a set on fleabay or BMW will sell you a set for £5k plus fitting.
Not many big issues to be aware of. Springs snap, not too dear; roof motors fail due to blocked drainage, expensive; and the 108 (Starspoke) alloys had issues with corrosion. I think that's it, others may know more.
Had mine 5 years and love it. Low mileage so servicing has cost £300 so far, plus 2 x £75 small repairs and non-rft's £600.
Got a back injury myself but find the sports suspension on my 3.0 Se (18s) fine.
Hope this is helpful. Good luck.
The suspension is not hard at all, it is the runflat tyres which give a choppy 'wooden' ride on crappy urban roads. I'm extra tall and only fit in a car with the SE seats, the M Sport seats rob a good few inches of legroom due to their curved rear shape (i.e. they were not originally designed for this car).
They a quite nippy, but in a smooth BMW six cylinder sense, not in a turbo boosty or high revving sports car sense. IMO a nice roadster, but not a sports car (if that is what you're after).
They a quite nippy, but in a smooth BMW six cylinder sense, not in a turbo boosty or high revving sports car sense. IMO a nice roadster, but not a sports car (if that is what you're after).
Xerces said:
Sticks2 said:
roof motors fail due to blocked drainage, expensive
To you have any imformation about this? Had not heard of it before, slightly worrying! Try the 2.5Si ! I was only looking at 3.0's and then found a 2.5 Si ( only 218 bhp vs 265 ) for a great price in the right spec, but the difference to the drive was small whilst the fuel consumption is much better on the 2.5.. if I stick to 70mph I've had 41mpg and at normal motorway speeds I av. 35mpg. It is annoyingly efficient, but great fun if you're in the mood. As for the seats, mine is a sport with M seats and whilst I'm in no danger of wasting away if I miss a meal, you'd have to be pretty lardy not to fit.. in fact if someone can't fit in the sports seats I'd suggest a convertible is a bad idea - best to cover up with the coupe !
Edited by brenflys777 on Monday 20th July 09:04
One problem I've had with my Z4 in the 8 months I've had it was rusting wheel hubs, because the alloys are large and open the corrosion was unsightly and with the car in warranty I expected an easy fix - but BMW don't believe that it is their problem and it took a few emails and a tantrum with the dealer before a fix was forthcoming.
Also for consideration I was told by the main dealer before purchase that it would be possible to retro fit cruise control and an ipod connection...the ipod took 3 visits and they now say it is not possible to fit the cruise. If he car isn't the right spec it may be more difficult than you'd expect to improve it.
Also for consideration I was told by the main dealer before purchase that it would be possible to retro fit cruise control and an ipod connection...the ipod took 3 visits and they now say it is not possible to fit the cruise. If he car isn't the right spec it may be more difficult than you'd expect to improve it.
Thanks for this topic, I'm also looking at changing to a Z4 in the next month or so! I was originally looking at the 3.0ltr but I think I'm going to go for the 2.5ltr as I'm going to be doing more miles and the difference in MPG would be helpful.
On a related note, what are the roofs like on the Z4? My only experience of a convertible is a S1 Elise and that was crap for letting in water when it rained but considering the roof on the elise is just a bit of metal and some material with poppers on it, it's hardly a fair comparison. How do the roofs hold up to our lovely British weather? Is it the kind of car you can use every day?
On a related note, what are the roofs like on the Z4? My only experience of a convertible is a S1 Elise and that was crap for letting in water when it rained but considering the roof on the elise is just a bit of metal and some material with poppers on it, it's hardly a fair comparison. How do the roofs hold up to our lovely British weather? Is it the kind of car you can use every day?
dave-therave said:
Thanks for this topic, I'm also looking at changing to a Z4 in the next month or so! I was originally looking at the 3.0ltr but I think I'm going to go for the 2.5ltr as I'm going to be doing more miles and the difference in MPG would be helpful.
On a related note, what are the roofs like on the Z4? My only experience of a convertible is a S1 Elise and that was crap for letting in water when it rained but considering the roof on the elise is just a bit of metal and some material with poppers on it, it's hardly a fair comparison. How do the roofs hold up to our lovely British weather? Is it the kind of car you can use every day?
It is most definitely a car you can use every day. As Tref has said, it's not an all-out hardcore sports car. It is a sports car with comfort, and this makes it extremely easy to live with day-to-day. In fact, I find it easier to live with than my Astra VXR.On a related note, what are the roofs like on the Z4? My only experience of a convertible is a S1 Elise and that was crap for letting in water when it rained but considering the roof on the elise is just a bit of metal and some material with poppers on it, it's hardly a fair comparison. How do the roofs hold up to our lovely British weather? Is it the kind of car you can use every day?
As for the 2.5 vs 3.0 - I wouldn't worry too much about the extra MPG the 2.5 will give. It really is minimal, so unless you find a bargain 2.5, I'd look for a 3.0.
The 2.5 Si ( the 218hp not std 2.5 - 177hp ) difference in mpg to the 3.0 is over 10 % even on official figures. I wanted a 3.0 but found the difference in performance on the road minimal but the cheaper purchase price combined with my 20,000 annual mileage swung things to the 2.5si. For my commute it means the difference between using a full tank to get to work and back or having some spare. The fact many people only want the bigger engine makes finding a good 2.5si easier too. All that said if the fuel consumption was not an issue and I'd found the right one the 3.0 is better, but I don't feel shortchanged opting for the 2.5si and I've driven both.
The roof on this is the best of the four convertibles I've had, its the only car I know of where you can pop the roof up/down at lights comfortably because its so quick. The weather isn't a problem but sometimes the noise from the window seal means popping a window down then back up to get a better seal and reduce whistling.
The roof on this is the best of the four convertibles I've had, its the only car I know of where you can pop the roof up/down at lights comfortably because its so quick. The weather isn't a problem but sometimes the noise from the window seal means popping a window down then back up to get a better seal and reduce whistling.
Pulse said:
Sticks2 said:
Had mine 5 years and love it.
5 years?! Please tell me your secret to actually keeping a car! I'm awful for changing all the time! 
). It's changing them which costs the money. Change the sensible car more often.Btw, should have said 'roof motors can fail' not 'do'.
Sticks2 said:
Pulse said:
Sticks2 said:
Had mine 5 years and love it.
5 years?! Please tell me your secret to actually keeping a car! I'm awful for changing all the time! ). It's changing them which costs the money. Change the sensible car more often.Btw, should have said 'roof motors can fail' not 'do'.
I keep wanting to change the Corsa (OH's car) for something else, but soon enough her work will be within walking distance, so we'll ONLY have the Z!
Mine is two years old.
The morning after it was delivered the roof and windows had opened themselves overnight (you must have pressed the key button sir). I've had loads of convertibles and this has never happened before.
They took it back and "reset it", to be fair it's only happened once more since then.
The car has had: Two new horns, one new manifold (manufacturing defect - two days off the road), two new radios, one new door-strap. Currently the handbrake is knackered. The indicators packed up the other day and to be honest I'm embarrased to take it back into the dealer. The runflat tyres make the ride bloody awful and when I had to replace one due to a puncture which would have been repairable in a normal tyre I was told I HAD to replace it with another runflat. It's been in a couple of times with various warning lights displaying.
BMW have been really good about the car and possibly I've just got a Friday afternoon lemon but it is quite the worst car I've ever owned. I've not listed all of the problems I've had with it above as I genuinely can't remember - oh yeah it needed new discs after 20k which is a joke.
I'm honestly not normally a moaner about my cars but it's been bloody awful, proceed with caution.
Suffice it to say I'm currently choosing to drive our ratty old Golf Convertible at the moment.
The morning after it was delivered the roof and windows had opened themselves overnight (you must have pressed the key button sir). I've had loads of convertibles and this has never happened before.
They took it back and "reset it", to be fair it's only happened once more since then.
The car has had: Two new horns, one new manifold (manufacturing defect - two days off the road), two new radios, one new door-strap. Currently the handbrake is knackered. The indicators packed up the other day and to be honest I'm embarrased to take it back into the dealer. The runflat tyres make the ride bloody awful and when I had to replace one due to a puncture which would have been repairable in a normal tyre I was told I HAD to replace it with another runflat. It's been in a couple of times with various warning lights displaying.
BMW have been really good about the car and possibly I've just got a Friday afternoon lemon but it is quite the worst car I've ever owned. I've not listed all of the problems I've had with it above as I genuinely can't remember - oh yeah it needed new discs after 20k which is a joke.
I'm honestly not normally a moaner about my cars but it's been bloody awful, proceed with caution.
Suffice it to say I'm currently choosing to drive our ratty old Golf Convertible at the moment.
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