Z4 buying any pointers?
Discussion
Hi,
insurance is the only reason you'd buy a 2.2 in preference to the 2.5, or 3.0. Might restrict your choice a bit.
Some helpful info here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... roadster, 2.5 litre or 3 litre Se or Sport
and http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... as a first car for a 21 year old?
and http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/
But the short answer is not much. Springs, yes, not too exp, roof motors sometimes on pre-facelifts, ouch, not much else.
insurance is the only reason you'd buy a 2.2 in preference to the 2.5, or 3.0. Might restrict your choice a bit.
Some helpful info here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... roadster, 2.5 litre or 3 litre Se or Sport
and http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... as a first car for a 21 year old?
and http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/
But the short answer is not much. Springs, yes, not too exp, roof motors sometimes on pre-facelifts, ouch, not much else.
How much are you looking to pay? I have a 2.2 for sale. Was Cat D but fully repaired with M Sport front bumper and clear light units.
They need revs to make them go, but handle like a dream. Mines grey/black leather with uprated Carver hifi, 17", cruise etc. Looking for a quick sale for c£7.5k (05 plate) as my 335 is on the way! let me know if interested.
They need revs to make them go, but handle like a dream. Mines grey/black leather with uprated Carver hifi, 17", cruise etc. Looking for a quick sale for c£7.5k (05 plate) as my 335 is on the way! let me know if interested.
Babu 01 said:
Mrs 01 has had enough of the MR2 and now wants a grown ups car, she's interested in 2.2 Z4s.
I'm aware that they're prone to snapping rear springs, are there any other interesting habits? Any particular areas to note when looking at them?
How much do you want to spend I have one for sale...... 2.2 .. 2004 67775 milesI'm aware that they're prone to snapping rear springs, are there any other interesting habits? Any particular areas to note when looking at them?
Awayfan said:
Babu 01 said:
Mrs 01 has had enough of the MR2 and now wants a grown ups car, she's interested in 2.2 Z4s.
I'm aware that they're prone to snapping rear springs, are there any other interesting habits? Any particular areas to note when looking at them?
How much do you want to spend I have one for sale...... 2.2 .. 2004 67775 milesI'm aware that they're prone to snapping rear springs, are there any other interesting habits? Any particular areas to note when looking at them?
DSM2 said:
Awayfan said:
Babu 01 said:
Mrs 01 has had enough of the MR2 and now wants a grown ups car, she's interested in 2.2 Z4s.
I'm aware that they're prone to snapping rear springs, are there any other interesting habits? Any particular areas to note when looking at them?
How much do you want to spend I have one for sale...... 2.2 .. 2004 67775 milesI'm aware that they're prone to snapping rear springs, are there any other interesting habits? Any particular areas to note when looking at them?
Need to part ex as the hassle of shifting the MR2 privately is something I just don't have time for at the moment.
Have been to see a 56 plate 2.0 with 33k on it at a main dealers today. Very tidy car but they weren't budging far from the 16k asking, the hunt continues.
Check out the spec you would like, they seem to vary quite a lot. The first owner of my car raided the options list very heavily:
Lowered suspension - makes a hard ride firmer, not good. Also speed bumps, ramps etc need care.
5 spoke 18" alloys - look good from a distance, but corrosion/oxidisation is a major issue
Carver stereo - fantastic
SMG - "marmite", you either love or loathe it and there's no convincing either camp of the other argument, I love it (now after software upgrades) - great in town in auto mode, and surprisingly fun on cross-country blats. Miss the "tactility" of a good manual box: see final comments
Electric folding mirrors - neutral really, but handy in narrow streets and may prevent them being bashed as the Z4 is quite wide
Heated leather - a must, makes for comfortable roof down driving at naughty speeds and in the winter
Sports seats (not on my car) - drove a dealer demo, and they were so much more comfortable and held you in place in spirited driving
Rain sensor - too much hassle, and unreliable (at least two have been replaced under warranty)
Auto lights - I like 'em, but hardly an essential
Wind-blocker - there are two types, one that rolls up and a more solid version (as on my car) that clips on the inside of the boot lid when not in use. Highly effective at reducing fatigue on long summer drives, may make the difference between roof up and down.
Rear parking sensors - useful as rear visibility is poor roof-up
Sat Nav - not on my car, but my Garmin is more up to date and you can download updates/poi's/camera databases
FWIW I chopped my MX-5 in for the Z4 and found it a natural progression. That said now I have a daily smoker too, in a couple of years I may go back - to a top spec "5", as the limits in the Mazda are that much more attainable, and socially acceptable. Build quality of the Z4 I find is variable - most is good, but some materials are cheap and the electrics (central locking/ecu) are unreliable; I expect better from a 7 year old 44000 mile car (my Mazda was better, as is my 8 year old 72000 mile Mondeo)
Hope this gives you a few ideas
Lowered suspension - makes a hard ride firmer, not good. Also speed bumps, ramps etc need care.
5 spoke 18" alloys - look good from a distance, but corrosion/oxidisation is a major issue
Carver stereo - fantastic
SMG - "marmite", you either love or loathe it and there's no convincing either camp of the other argument, I love it (now after software upgrades) - great in town in auto mode, and surprisingly fun on cross-country blats. Miss the "tactility" of a good manual box: see final comments
Electric folding mirrors - neutral really, but handy in narrow streets and may prevent them being bashed as the Z4 is quite wide
Heated leather - a must, makes for comfortable roof down driving at naughty speeds and in the winter
Sports seats (not on my car) - drove a dealer demo, and they were so much more comfortable and held you in place in spirited driving
Rain sensor - too much hassle, and unreliable (at least two have been replaced under warranty)
Auto lights - I like 'em, but hardly an essential
Wind-blocker - there are two types, one that rolls up and a more solid version (as on my car) that clips on the inside of the boot lid when not in use. Highly effective at reducing fatigue on long summer drives, may make the difference between roof up and down.
Rear parking sensors - useful as rear visibility is poor roof-up
Sat Nav - not on my car, but my Garmin is more up to date and you can download updates/poi's/camera databases
FWIW I chopped my MX-5 in for the Z4 and found it a natural progression. That said now I have a daily smoker too, in a couple of years I may go back - to a top spec "5", as the limits in the Mazda are that much more attainable, and socially acceptable. Build quality of the Z4 I find is variable - most is good, but some materials are cheap and the electrics (central locking/ecu) are unreliable; I expect better from a 7 year old 44000 mile car (my Mazda was better, as is my 8 year old 72000 mile Mondeo)
Hope this gives you a few ideas
h that most of the well specced ones appear to have the 5 spoke 18s.It's not an issue - they're the best looking ones after all 
It's where the original ones have non-painted outer rims (split rim). A lot of them have been re-furbed with a painted outer rim, and will have no issues (or the only issues as any other alloy wheel).
Mine were recently all acid dipped by the Dealer, then re-painted. Look perfect once again.
It's where the original ones have non-painted outer rims (split rim). A lot of them have been re-furbed with a painted outer rim, and will have no issues (or the only issues as any other alloy wheel).
Mine were recently all acid dipped by the Dealer, then re-painted. Look perfect once again.
Edited by Mattt on Sunday 4th April 15:07
PDC IMO (although I'm not a woman) is not an issue - you sit over the rear wheels. The car ends where you see the 'spoiler' tip. Front PDC however would be very useful!
Heated seats, I don't have them and don't mind not having them. Sure, they might be useful - but I have Sports seats instead - you rarely find a car with everything. For me non-heated Sports seats > Heated normal seats.
Wind deflector is cheap enough off eBay, but it is useful.
I do like the Carver/Logic 7 stereo - very good for a OEM system, especially considering how it sounds with the roof down at high speed.
Heated seats, I don't have them and don't mind not having them. Sure, they might be useful - but I have Sports seats instead - you rarely find a car with everything. For me non-heated Sports seats > Heated normal seats.
Wind deflector is cheap enough off eBay, but it is useful.
I do like the Carver/Logic 7 stereo - very good for a OEM system, especially considering how it sounds with the roof down at high speed.
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