165k mile BMW Z4 2.5 - 3 Careful PH Owners

[Court_S]

Sounds like it’s treating you well OP.

Still think they’ve aged really well.

[0a]

A lovely drive today. The heated seats were very much required at -1!

[spreadsheet monkey]

Great photos. Rear three quarter view is the E85 Z4’s best angle.

Glad your car is getting regular use. The heated seats are excellent in winter.

[Court_S]

Nice to see that you’re still enjoying it even in the cold.

I’ve found a 125i cab that’s caught the attention of both myself and the other half. Could be a good way to scratch the cab itch and retain a element of practicality.

[Polarbert]

Smashing looking motor glad you're enjoying it. I've put about 60k miles on my Z4 M Roadster and its still driving well at 103k miles.

[0a]

Polarbert said:

Smashing looking motor glad you're enjoying it. I've put about 60k miles on my Z4 M Roadster and its still driving well at 103k miles.

That M3 engine is a beast.

I'm perhaps breaking PH agreements with this question, but do you not find the Z4 chassis a bit crap?

[spreadsheet monkey]

0a said:

That M3 engine is a beast.

I'm perhaps breaking PH agreements with this question, but do you not find the Z4 chassis a bit crap?

The ride is harsh, even on SE models.

But I thought my Z4 handled really well when I had mine.

What do you find "crap", specifically?

[Andrew D]

Great to see the Zed getting used properly!

Used to love a winter drive in mine, really miss it.

spreadsheet monkey said:

Great photos. Rear three quarter view is the E85 Z4’s best angle.

Lots of good angles on the E85, it's really aged well. I think the only thing I don't like is the "french fry" body colour strip across the rear light cluster, and the lack of a pre-facelift OEM clear indicator option on the front!

Court_S said:

I’ve found a 125i cab that’s caught the attention of both myself and the other half. Could be a good way to scratch the cab itch and retain a element of practicality.

I swapped my E85 for a 125i cab, for the same reason (i.e. practicality). Great car, and it is more practical, but quite a lot more woolly handling and the engine is very clearly restricted at the top end, really asthmatic. I understand there are mods for these issues (camber pins for the understeer and remaps for revving out) but I never pursued them.

0a said:

I'm perhaps breaking PH agreements with this question, but do you not find the Z4 chassis a bit crap?

Runflats are terrible (I swapped mine for Michelin PS ZP's which were a lot better than the Bridgestones) and electric steering is a bit numb, but otherwise I found it to have lovely, predictable front-mid handling. My brother had a 986.2 S at the same time which was a real contrast with the Z4; the Boxster was more involved with better feedback, and made the Z4 seem a bit clinical, but the Z4 was definitely easier to drive fast and more predictable.

[Sticks.]

Oa does your have the sorts suspension? It was optional on the 2.5, standard on the 3.0. Agreed re rfts, I have F1 Asy's and they're very good. As well as the EPAS I think the seats are a real weak point if you've got the SE seats. Not just the lack of support but not much to them, so you sit on rather than in them imho. I'm going to look into getting mine improved when things are back to normal.

carinaman said:

Sticks. said:

Btw they were all 6 cyl at the outset, but the 2.5 was dropped in favour of the 2.0 4 cyl @ 2005 iirc, ie before facelift.

Wikipedia says the 2.2 was dropped in 2005 for the 2 litre Four. Wikipedia also says the 2.0i four was only sold in Europe.

Just noticed this. Yes, typo on my part, 2.2.

[Mr Tidy]

Sticks. said:

Oa does your have the sorts suspension? It was optional on the 2.5, standard on the 3.0. Agreed re rfts, I have F1 Asy's and they're very good. As well as the EPAS I think the seats are a real weak point if you've got the SE seats. Not just the lack of support but not much to them, so you sit on rather than in them imho. I'm going to look into getting mine improved when things are back to normal.

carinaman said:

Sticks. said:

Btw they were all 6 cyl at the outset, but the 2.5 was dropped in favour of the 2.0 4 cyl @ 2005 iirc, ie before facelift.

Wikipedia says the 2.2 was dropped in 2005 for the 2 litre Four. Wikipedia also says the 2.0i four was only sold in Europe.

Just noticed this. Yes, typo on my part, 2.2.

Oa do you know what suspension yours has, and how old it is? After 155k if it is orignal it's well overdue for a refresh!

BMW called SE seats "Sport" seats, but the optional M-Sport seats are just so much more suited to a 2 seater - although even used pairs sell for around £750.

I thought the 2.2i (170PS) replacement with the 2006 facelift was the 2.5i with 177PS - the facelift 2.5Si had 218PS.

I've never had a Roadster but had 3.0Si Coupes for over 5 years on run-flats and just got used to the EPAS - until I bought an MC a year ago! HPAS and no run-flats - it made me realise how good these cars could be (or should have been).

Keep fettling and enjoying yours.

[Andrew D]

Oh yeah, forgot about the "standard" seats! They're a bit... limited. Comfy enough but very much a bench rather than a bucket! Sports seats v. rare pre-facelift, the only thing I wished my car had. And yeah, they went for big money on eBay. Post-LCI ones a lot more common but I don't think they work with the pre-LCI cars?

Regarding engines; they actually snuck the 2.0i in briefly pre-facelift so there are a few of those kicking about (I think Wikipedia "europe only" means non-US). It's a bit short on power but looks amazing/comedy under the bonnet; there's literally a two-cylinder gap between the front of the block and the radiator!

So pre-LCI was 2.5i and 3.0i at launch, then 2.2i, then 2.0i. At LCI they kept the 2.0i and brought in new model six-cylinder motors, so the 2.2i was replaced with the low power 2.5i, and there was a high power 2.5si and then the 3.0si.

[0a]

The z4 passed its MOT today - with a mere £661 bill.

It’s a really fun car. Chucked the keys to my dad who loved it and we drove to the local country pub for a pint.

I think it’s my lack of driving ability and ignorance which mean I’m so surprised by how well this car drives.

[0a]

[bolidemichael]

0a said:

The z4 passed its MOT today - with a mere £661 bill.

It’s a really fun car. Chucked the keys to my dad who loved it and we drove to the local country pub for a pint.

I think it’s my lack of driving ability and ignorance which mean I’m so surprised by how well this car drives.

It just needs to be enjoyable! Enjoy!

[Mr Tidy]

The best thing any car can give you is fun, so just enjoy it!

[cerb4.5lee]

As others have said...just continue to enjoy it!

[0a]

Here’s what it failed on initially:



If you leave it for a week there are a few drips of oil... solution: I’ve added a small amount of oil once in the last 6 months!

[0a]

Well the car is still running and driving well.






.... aside from this. Following the tyre change (about 10 miles later), the ABS, handbrake and tyre pressure lights are on. The tyre pressures are good, and I have reset the tyre system.



I assume it’s some kind of sensor? All the BMWs I have end up like this :0

[Mr Tidy]

BMWs of this era often throw up random issues when the battery is on it's last legs, so I'd start by checking battery voltage at rest then again with the engine running.

My Z4 battery couldn't start the car in March so I used a jump-pack to fire it up, then those same 3 amber lights appeared.

I took it to my BMW Indy who plugged it in to OBD, reset the DSC sensor and all has been good since then.

But if it isn't your battery you need to get the fault codes read - I think faulty wheel speed sensors can light up the same "trifecta".

Good luck getting those lights out.

[Sticks.]

Yes, most probably ABS sensor if it's just had the wheels off. Carly should show which one it is iirc. I also had a ABS ECU fault which showed the same lights. They're every expensive but can be repaired, as mine was. Sensor is a DIY job for most, apparently.