Is the Z4 3.0si Coupe worth paying for over the roadster?
Discussion
Basically have 16-18k to burn.
Its a choice between the 3.0si versions of the roadster and coupe.
In part to do with the low running costs compared to similar cars in the category.
I gather the engine does around 32mpg, and shifts like a bat out of hell..
I've always hankered after the soft-top, but after looking at a few coupes in the flesh (Black), they look beautiful and very understated.
SO here i am at 1:30 am trying to decide which to buy....
What would you guys advise?
Its a choice between the 3.0si versions of the roadster and coupe.
In part to do with the low running costs compared to similar cars in the category.
I gather the engine does around 32mpg, and shifts like a bat out of hell..
I've always hankered after the soft-top, but after looking at a few coupes in the flesh (Black), they look beautiful and very understated.
SO here i am at 1:30 am trying to decide which to buy....
What would you guys advise?
Coupe: better looking, more practical, quite rare, nicer to drive with sharper handling & less understeer
Roadster: roof opens
Think you know where my choice is
You're right about the engine btw: at one extreme you can extract 35mpg+ from it on a gentle cruise, at the other its really quite quick @ <6 secs 0-60mph
Roadster: roof opens
Think you know where my choice is

You're right about the engine btw: at one extreme you can extract 35mpg+ from it on a gentle cruise, at the other its really quite quick @ <6 secs 0-60mph
toasty said:
I have a Z4 soft top and while the coupe does look better IMHO, there's nothing like driving around with the top down on a nice day to lift your mood.
Agreed on both counts. Lifting the lid really does cheer you up. The coupe does look good, but could be a little more practical perhaps, like the TT imho.
The Coupe is already a modern classic, it is rarer and only slightly heavier whilst being a lot stiffer. If you want a ragtop go for a roadster, if you're not bothered, the Coupe whilst more expensive will hold its value better and probably more rewarding in the long run.
If you really want a sleeper of a supercar then go for the M Coupe (but at that price your looking at cat D or high miles). Looks almost like a standard Z4C but is even quicker whilst still giving you over 30mpg if you trundle down the motorway under 80. Of course if you have an M, the temptation is too great so it ends up nearer to mid 20s but that's still good for the performance.
If you really want a sleeper of a supercar then go for the M Coupe (but at that price your looking at cat D or high miles). Looks almost like a standard Z4C but is even quicker whilst still giving you over 30mpg if you trundle down the motorway under 80. Of course if you have an M, the temptation is too great so it ends up nearer to mid 20s but that's still good for the performance.
Edited by Eagerbeaver on Saturday 26th September 21:38
Eagerbeaver said:
The Coupe is already a modern classic, it is rarer and only slightly heavier whilst being a lot stiffer. If you want a ragtop go for a roadster, if you're not bothered, the Coupe whilst more expensive will hold its value better and probably more rewarding in the long run.
I'm a Z4 roadster owner and even I agree with most of that...But I wouldn't swap my roadster for a coupe (yet) - I'm enjoying open-top driving thrills too much to hanker too much after a coupe. I do think it I was more performance-orientated I'd probably swap for a Z4M coupe and not a Z4M roadster though, purely because the coupe would be more suited/focussed to the nature of an M car...
So basically it depends what the OP is after from a car.
Yet another vote for the Coupe. It just looks 'right' (plus there's the other stuff, like being a better steer, better residuals etc).
If you then find you still want the ragtop experience, you can always by a cheap droptop of some description as a second car. Depends on your budget & circumstances, but that's what I'd do.
If you then find you still want the ragtop experience, you can always by a cheap droptop of some description as a second car. Depends on your budget & circumstances, but that's what I'd do.
I went for the coupe and never regretted not having the ability to get the roof down.
The coupe just looks stunning, where as I think the roadster looks awkward with the roof up and ghey with it down.
It is outstanding fun, great noise, power, great interior, very rare, amazing handling and pretty cheap to run (even though I am skint). 30+ mpg is a little optimistic if you are heavy with the right foot. I get 22mpg but I am VERY heavy with the old trouble peddle. Other good points are a decent MP3 CD compatible standard stereo as long as you balance the sound toward the back, a big boot (a must in my choice of the car) and the sport button! Did I mention it is absolutely gorgeous.
Downsides are the fooking expensive runflats (ditch them when you can), a hard ride (but I don't notice), and I have ripped a few pairs of trousers getting in, but that is because I am a fat load!
If you can stretch to the M then do; the 3.0si is fast but the M is insane and I always want more power.
The coupe just looks stunning, where as I think the roadster looks awkward with the roof up and ghey with it down.
It is outstanding fun, great noise, power, great interior, very rare, amazing handling and pretty cheap to run (even though I am skint). 30+ mpg is a little optimistic if you are heavy with the right foot. I get 22mpg but I am VERY heavy with the old trouble peddle. Other good points are a decent MP3 CD compatible standard stereo as long as you balance the sound toward the back, a big boot (a must in my choice of the car) and the sport button! Did I mention it is absolutely gorgeous.
Downsides are the fooking expensive runflats (ditch them when you can), a hard ride (but I don't notice), and I have ripped a few pairs of trousers getting in, but that is because I am a fat load!
If you can stretch to the M then do; the 3.0si is fast but the M is insane and I always want more power.
SJobson said:
izabar said:
Coupe mate its the car Chris Bangle originally designed BMW just cut the roof of!
Explain the fact the coupe came out some years after the soft top.
Original Poster here.
Thanks for al chipping in!!!
I got an insurance quote for me and the missus for £700 fully comp..
Does the one below look any good? I can ideally buy in mid-November too. Cant see prices dropping tbh!!!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2009...
Thanks for al chipping in!!!
I got an insurance quote for me and the missus for £700 fully comp..
Does the one below look any good? I can ideally buy in mid-November too. Cant see prices dropping tbh!!!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2009...
Pulse said:
Wow, that is a serious bargain! But that is reflected in the car. High mileage and BASE spec.
Very true about the spec mate. These cars are so f
kin rare aint they? In black or Montego blue..that is. I seriously don't want to push past the 18k mark.....must resist temptation ha!!!
Edit: I've seen a mint fully loaded Z4M Coupe for 16.5k......the running costs scare me though..
Edited by BeanCounter1980 on Wednesday 30th September 21:50
Definitely too cheap. It'll be a Cat D, for sure.
You should really think of the spec before buying one, in my opinion. It can make or break the resale of the car. If you'd like any advice, feel free to email me, and I'll help where I can.
For info though, I put my one up for sale recently, and it was up for £19.5k. It's a high spec, late 07 plate. (It's not for sale now though) - So the one you're looking at is still a very good deal.
You should really think of the spec before buying one, in my opinion. It can make or break the resale of the car. If you'd like any advice, feel free to email me, and I'll help where I can.
For info though, I put my one up for sale recently, and it was up for £19.5k. It's a high spec, late 07 plate. (It's not for sale now though) - So the one you're looking at is still a very good deal.
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