BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe

Author
Discussion

coldel

Original Poster:

7,882 posts

146 months

Tuesday 15th February 2022
quotequote all
Well, I went around the houses a fair bit on this purchase. I had a thread running on here and saw all sorts of suggestions. From an SLK55 to an RCZ-R. I looked at a few cars and none quite did it for me. I actually went about 4 months looking around. Anyway someone on a driving group I am in suggested looking at the Z4 3.0si - half the price of an equivalent M car but still a very good machine, and not so unforgiving.

Saw a Sport version go up on autotrader, and almost missed it as the title had SE on it. Checking with BMW it definitely was a Sport and it had every Sport extra so went and looked and immediately knew I wanted it.

It has a few niggles to work out:
- A few scratches on the bumpers
- Rear parking sensors dont work
- Rear tyres need replacing (annoyingly it currently has run flats all round)

But otherwise what an engine and gearbox, wow, just wow. It has tonnes of torque for lazy driving but then you want to make progress and it revs very freely.

Interior is simple, very nice, but slightly showing its age. The head unit is obviously crap and no bluetooth and the speakers are very basic. I will sort all that out at some point. But not a priority.

Gave the car a quick wash, but the weather has just noticed I bought a car to replace my old VX220 and has such been raining constantly since so no chance to get some nice shots of it.


andy97

4,703 posts

222 months

Tuesday 15th February 2022
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I do like these, great looking cars

coldel

Original Poster:

7,882 posts

146 months

Tuesday 15th February 2022
quotequote all
Yes the photos of them do not quite capture just how brilliantly styled the coupe is. That rear three quarter look is just one of the best out there.

I do also need to refurb the wheels, being split rim two piece its going to cost a bit. I might also just make the inner part a slightly darker shade leave the outside part silver.

d_a_n1979

8,396 posts

72 months

Tuesday 15th February 2022
quotequote all
coldel said:
Well, I went around the houses a fair bit on this purchase. I had a thread running on here and saw all sorts of suggestions. From an SLK55 to an RCZ-R. I looked at a few cars and none quite did it for me. I actually went about 4 months looking around. Anyway someone on a driving group I am in suggested looking at the Z4 3.0si - half the price of an equivalent M car but still a very good machine, and not so unforgiving.

Saw a Sport version go up on autotrader, and almost missed it as the title had SE on it. Checking with BMW it definitely was a Sport and it had every Sport extra so went and looked and immediately knew I wanted it.

It has a few niggles to work out:
- A few scratches on the bumpers
- Rear parking sensors dont work
- Rear tyres need replacing (annoyingly it currently has run flats all round)

But otherwise what an engine and gearbox, wow, just wow. It has tonnes of torque for lazy driving but then you want to make progress and it revs very freely.

Interior is simple, very nice, but slightly showing its age. The head unit is obviously crap and no bluetooth and the speakers are very basic. I will sort all that out at some point. But not a priority.

Gave the car a quick wash, but the weather has just noticed I bought a car to replace my old VX220 and has such been raining constantly since so no chance to get some nice shots of it.

Fantastic car thumbup

Always loved these and the Style 108 alloys are about my favourite wheels; such a great look...

Just a shame I'm far too big for these cars; would have owned one by now! Belting engine too wink

curvature

388 posts

74 months

Tuesday 15th February 2022
quotequote all
coldel said:
Yes the photos of them do not quite capture just how brilliantly styled the coupe is. That rear three quarter look is just one of the best out there.

I do also need to refurb the wheels, being split rim two piece its going to cost a bit. I might also just make the inner part a slightly darker shade leave the outside part silver.
Looks a lovely car.

I saw your post on the Z4 forum.

I'm also after a coupe but now sure whether to go for M or 3.0i

I know that the car I want is the M but prices have gone mad in just the past 3-4 months that I have been looking.

Keep us all informed on this one and your thoughts after a little more time with it

.Adam.

1,822 posts

263 months

Tuesday 15th February 2022
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Looks nice! Funnily enough, I was hoping to get something a bit more interesting later this year after the VX, and I have decided to get exactly the same. I fancied something with more than 4 cylinders before it's too late. I'll be interested on how you get on with this.

Edited by .Adam. on Tuesday 15th February 20:51

plenty

4,690 posts

186 months

Tuesday 15th February 2022
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I'd be interested in your feedback on the handling (as an ex VX owner assume you appreciate the finer points). I've been looking at E85s for years but always held back given their reputation as being less than fully resolved on that front.

flight147z

976 posts

129 months

Tuesday 15th February 2022
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Here's mine. Great cars

Had mine since 2016 and done just over 30,000 miles in it


Mr Tidy

22,359 posts

127 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
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curvature said:
Looks a lovely car.

I saw your post on the Z4 forum.

I'm also after a coupe but now sure whether to go for M or 3.0i

I know that the car I want is the M but prices have gone mad in just the past 3-4 months that I have been looking.

Keep us all informed on this one and your thoughts after a little more time with it
The Coupes really do look great. thumbup

I'm also on the z4forum.

Bought my first 3.0Si in June 2014 and had a couple of them until I bought my M in December 2019. PM me on here, or there, if you'd like any feedback.

coldel

Original Poster:

7,882 posts

146 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
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Just checked out the price of Goodyear F1 5s and can get all four corners done for about £440 - thats probably going to be my first port of call on this.

shalmaneser

5,935 posts

195 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
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I've got those tyres on my 996 and they've been great so far, would recommend.

coldel

Original Poster:

7,882 posts

146 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
quotequote all
I just noticed Michelin PS4 are available on blackcircles with a discount which puts them at just £20 more for a full set of 4 vs the Goodyear...

TwoStrokeNut

1,686 posts

241 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
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I just put the Goodyear F1 5s on my Z4M.

Unlike the F1 3s, there is now quite a pronounced drone from them at 75mph or so. A bit disappointing, but it's already improving with a few miles. The non M zeds have different sizes anyway.

cerb4.5lee

30,673 posts

180 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
quotequote all
coldel said:
I just noticed Michelin PS4 are available on blackcircles with a discount which puts them at just £20 more for a full set of 4 vs the Goodyear...
I have Michelin PS4 on the 370Z and I've been really happy with them. thumbup

Court_S

12,961 posts

177 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
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That’s a great looking car OP.

I think the Z4 has aged really well, particularly the coupe. I like the simplicity of the interior which makes it feel less old than it actually is. I can’t believe how small they are compared to modern cars. A colleague had a grey one for a while and it was dwarfed by a modern Corsa.

I’m a fan of the PS4’s on my 130i soul would be tempted for an extra £20.

cerb4.5lee

30,673 posts

180 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
quotequote all
Court_S said:
That’s a great looking car OP.

I think the Z4 has aged really well, particularly the coupe.
They are stunning looking things I agree. Such a lovely shape. I always enjoy seeing the odd one out on the roads occasionally. A lovely rare car with the cracking N52 engine under its bonnet. cool

MDUBZ

858 posts

100 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
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Tbh some cheap Chinese ditch finders would be better than the run flats, shocking things… before you sort new tyres, the cost of refurbing 108s properly ( split and paint) comes in at 500-800 depending on where you are in the country, I did mine about 5 years ago and they are just starting to bubble (I’d ceramic coated and used wax on them - it had 1 winter as a daily in that time). They are quite heavy wheels too, if I had my time again I’d be fitting some CSL style with a nice deep dish..

coldel

Original Poster:

7,882 posts

146 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
quotequote all
MDUBZ said:
Tbh some cheap Chinese ditch finders would be better than the run flats, shocking things… before you sort new tyres, the cost of refurbing 108s properly ( split and paint) comes in at 500-800 depending on where you are in the country, I did mine about 5 years ago and they are just starting to bubble (I’d ceramic coated and used wax on them - it had 1 winter as a daily in that time). They are quite heavy wheels too, if I had my time again I’d be fitting some CSL style with a nice deep dish..
I have some quotes on split and refurb (preferably powder coat) and have on the owners forum had numbers around the 400-500 mark which seems reasonable. I really want to keep my car looking standard and the 108s look great, I prefer them to CSL copies.

wasswole

7 posts

115 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
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MV2 > CSL > 108 IMHO. MV2s are nasty to clean though!

Butterzzz

29 posts

110 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
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I do love a Z3 / Z4 coupe. Such an epic shape! One of the best engines BMW ever made as well.