Cheap BMW Z4 3.0
Discussion
+1 for the 107 alloys - had one of these as 3.0i with these wheels in midnight blue and a tan roof (which failed, 700 quid).
It sounds like the OP has done sensible research regards to the roof, and that relocation will save a lot of bother. Maybe source a new motor anyway as the old one could be on it's way out, being 15 years old.
Have many happy memories of mine, and regret selling it after 20000 miles of near faultless use, tearing down country lanes with the roof off and a big grin on face.
OP, one last suggestion - pop the bonnet and look for the sound insulating foam that is supposed to mute the sweet sound of the 6cyl engine. Open the pipe and remove this foam for a clearer engine note.
It sounds like the OP has done sensible research regards to the roof, and that relocation will save a lot of bother. Maybe source a new motor anyway as the old one could be on it's way out, being 15 years old.
Have many happy memories of mine, and regret selling it after 20000 miles of near faultless use, tearing down country lanes with the roof off and a big grin on face.
OP, one last suggestion - pop the bonnet and look for the sound insulating foam that is supposed to mute the sweet sound of the 6cyl engine. Open the pipe and remove this foam for a clearer engine note.
NorthernSky said:
+1 for the 107 alloys - had one of these as 3.0i with these wheels in midnight blue and a tan roof (which failed, 700 quid).
It sounds like the OP has done sensible research regards to the roof, and that relocation will save a lot of bother. Maybe source a new motor anyway as the old one could be on it's way out, being 15 years old.
Have many happy memories of mine, and regret selling it after 20000 miles of near faultless use, tearing down country lanes with the roof off and a big grin on face.
OP, one last suggestion - pop the bonnet and look for the sound insulating foam that is supposed to mute the sweet sound of the 6cyl engine. Open the pipe and remove this foam for a clearer engine note.
I have heard about the sound generator and will certainly be looking at doing this modification. It sounds like the OP has done sensible research regards to the roof, and that relocation will save a lot of bother. Maybe source a new motor anyway as the old one could be on it's way out, being 15 years old.
Have many happy memories of mine, and regret selling it after 20000 miles of near faultless use, tearing down country lanes with the roof off and a big grin on face.
OP, one last suggestion - pop the bonnet and look for the sound insulating foam that is supposed to mute the sweet sound of the 6cyl engine. Open the pipe and remove this foam for a clearer engine note.
Apart from that I may add a fruitier exhaust but only a cat back as the one I have purchased had new cats only 6 months ago. Looking the rear springs were changed in 2015 which is another weak point apparently so I should be good to go
Don’t want to spend a fortune as once my company car goes back (18 months) I will take the £6k Allowance flog the Z4 and purchase something silly as I only do about 10-12k per annum now anyway.
Pick it up 10:30 tomorrow I hope the weather is dry!
Gameface said:
Sell it to me for the same price as the OP paid for his...
Of course 
Welshbeef said:
I’m guessing it’s a keeper too part of the family
Yes, until I get too decrepit. I think anything I changed it for (with 2 pedals) would feel less like a sports car, except Boxster maybe. It's easy to live with, still fun, and looks good, so I hope the OP enjoys his 
Great purchase!
My ex Mrs had this dark grey 3.0, I loved it so much that whenever the sun was shining I stole the keys and left her with my Golf R....
The engine sounds sweet, pulled pretty hard and was much better on fuel than the R
I stupidly squeezed X5 wheels on and lowered it which made the ride ridiculously hard.
Off to the classifieds I go......
My ex Mrs had this dark grey 3.0, I loved it so much that whenever the sun was shining I stole the keys and left her with my Golf R....
The engine sounds sweet, pulled pretty hard and was much better on fuel than the R
I stupidly squeezed X5 wheels on and lowered it which made the ride ridiculously hard.
Off to the classifieds I go......
greggy50 said:
I have heard about the sound generator and will certainly be looking at doing this modification.
Apart from that I may add a fruitier exhaust but only a cat back as the one I have purchased had new cats only 6 months ago. Looking the rear springs were changed in 2015 which is another weak point apparently so I should be good to go
Don’t want to spend a fortune as once my company car goes back (18 months) I will take the £6k Allowance flog the Z4 and purchase something silly as I only do about 10-12k per annum now anyway.
Pick it up 10:30 tomorrow I hope the weather is dry!
Yes, sound generator mod is definitely worth doing! Apart from that I may add a fruitier exhaust but only a cat back as the one I have purchased had new cats only 6 months ago. Looking the rear springs were changed in 2015 which is another weak point apparently so I should be good to go
Don’t want to spend a fortune as once my company car goes back (18 months) I will take the £6k Allowance flog the Z4 and purchase something silly as I only do about 10-12k per annum now anyway.
Pick it up 10:30 tomorrow I hope the weather is dry!
Mine has been fitted with a custom-built cat-back system and it definitely sounds better for it - nice pops and bangs when you lift-off.
From what I've read moving the roof motor is a good preventative measure - and if you do it before the roof motor dies it's much cheaper because most motors that still work can be saved. There are at least 4 members on Z4forum who do them, depending on where you are.
I hope it's dry tomorrow morning as well (although the forecast says otherwise) as I'm due to meet up with some of the Surrey/Hants/Berks Z4forum members for an early bacon roll and a natter.
Have a good drive home - go the long way!
Jakg said:
greggy50 said:
Pick it up 10:30 tomorrow I hope the weather is dry!
It's 11:30. First impressions?Had the roof down for 20 mins before it stated raining off out with my girlfriend now for a pub lunch. Will report back properly later
I have now had the car a few days and I am really pleased with it. I have never had a convertible or a proper RWD sports car before (once had a 530d estate) so I have been taking it easy but overall I am enjoying the experience.
I have found myself driving with the roof down a lot as the heater and heated seats means I still stay toasty inside but I am getting a few strange looks of pedestrians I have noticed particularly when it is really cold outside...
In terms of the car itself it has most of the key options looking at the original brochure including upgraded alloys, leather seats, electric memory seats, 6 CD changer, cup holders and heated seats. All it is missing really is Sat-Nav which would be crap now anyway and cruise control which I have seen can be retrofitted very cheaply if required.
The engine itself pulls hard and is very smooth, I have been stuck in a diesel for the past 12 months so its great to have a proper petrol engine again. It also really sings when you get above 5k and I cant help but drop down a gear or two when I approach a tunnel.
My only issues so far are as follows:
Roof - It has a few marks that almost appear to be mold where I assume it has been put down when wet. Any tips on how to refurbish this? I will take some photos tomorrow.
Rear Tyre - It has a slow puncture (losing 2 psi per day) they are some naff Chinese brand so I will look at changing these before I turn the traction control off...
Overall however I am super happy and for £2,650 I honestly can't think of anything better for the money for a weekend car.
Few pictures below
|https://thumbsnap.com/gtNEXW8E[/url]
I have found myself driving with the roof down a lot as the heater and heated seats means I still stay toasty inside but I am getting a few strange looks of pedestrians I have noticed particularly when it is really cold outside...
In terms of the car itself it has most of the key options looking at the original brochure including upgraded alloys, leather seats, electric memory seats, 6 CD changer, cup holders and heated seats. All it is missing really is Sat-Nav which would be crap now anyway and cruise control which I have seen can be retrofitted very cheaply if required.
The engine itself pulls hard and is very smooth, I have been stuck in a diesel for the past 12 months so its great to have a proper petrol engine again. It also really sings when you get above 5k and I cant help but drop down a gear or two when I approach a tunnel.
My only issues so far are as follows:
Roof - It has a few marks that almost appear to be mold where I assume it has been put down when wet. Any tips on how to refurbish this? I will take some photos tomorrow.
Rear Tyre - It has a slow puncture (losing 2 psi per day) they are some naff Chinese brand so I will look at changing these before I turn the traction control off...
Overall however I am super happy and for £2,650 I honestly can't think of anything better for the money for a weekend car.
Few pictures below
|https://thumbsnap.com/gtNEXW8E[/url]Edited by greggy50 on Tuesday 13th March 17:51
That's super cheap for what you've got there OP. good work.
I think one could make a great base for a kit car project, GKD base their cars on this vintage 3 series and Z4, could well be a purchase of mine soon to tool about in and shakedown until i have the time/ space for the kit build.
I think one could make a great base for a kit car project, GKD base their cars on this vintage 3 series and Z4, could well be a purchase of mine soon to tool about in and shakedown until i have the time/ space for the kit build.
Looking good OP.
Good spec too!
IIRC pre-facelift cars are pre-wired for cruise, so all you need to get is the operating stalk. If you take the steering column cowl off there is an outline moulded onto the inside of the lower section showing where you need to cut to fit the stalk and then it's plug and play - if you decide you'd like cruise.
Good spec too!
IIRC pre-facelift cars are pre-wired for cruise, so all you need to get is the operating stalk. If you take the steering column cowl off there is an outline moulded onto the inside of the lower section showing where you need to cut to fit the stalk and then it's plug and play - if you decide you'd like cruise.
Excellent work OP.
Tyres - Chinese or other poor quality need to be removed and replaced immediately! These are what are connecting this fine machine to the ground. With the savings you've made on the purchase price, treat both yourself & the car to a set of matching premium tyres all round; Pilot Sports are always recommended. They'll pay for themselves with the longevity they bring and handling bonuses.
Roof - purchase a brush and some of a specific roof cleaning fluid from Amazon or similar. Apply it, and make sure you go right into the crevices adjacent to the sides and boot. I did so on the below and it made a significant difference on a 3-monthly basis.
Tyres - Chinese or other poor quality need to be removed and replaced immediately! These are what are connecting this fine machine to the ground. With the savings you've made on the purchase price, treat both yourself & the car to a set of matching premium tyres all round; Pilot Sports are always recommended. They'll pay for themselves with the longevity they bring and handling bonuses.
Roof - purchase a brush and some of a specific roof cleaning fluid from Amazon or similar. Apply it, and make sure you go right into the crevices adjacent to the sides and boot. I did so on the below and it made a significant difference on a 3-monthly basis.
Will look at getting two near rear tyres
Just done the sound generator modification only had to removed two screws underneath the glovebox and remove the foam I have heard its a great free modification
Have noticed the car has come with a wind deflector in the boot lid which you can attach between the roll bars was this standard? I am surprised with how much kit it has for a 15 year old car.
Just done the sound generator modification only had to removed two screws underneath the glovebox and remove the foam I have heard its a great free modification
Have noticed the car has come with a wind deflector in the boot lid which you can attach between the roll bars was this standard? I am surprised with how much kit it has for a 15 year old car.
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