'03 BMW Z4 2.5i SE

[visual123]

Purchased this back in July, having had a (brief) break in the winter weather I thought I should make the most of it and head out for a drive.

It's a 2003 2.5i SE, on 18" staggered style 107s. Being the SE it has the softer (still a bit crashy) suspension, but the previous owner has fitted heated sports seats. It's also had the roof motor relocated to the boot.

It's my first RWD and first six cylinder - I wish I'd ticked those off sooner! I was ideally looking for a 3.0i but this was in great condition, and although it has a bit less power it's still plenty quick enough and makes a great noise.

Needs a couple of things sorting - handbrake adjustment and I'd like to fit cruise control, though the stalk is surprisingly expensive. At least being a 2003 it should have the wiring fitted. It also needs a wash...

Edited by visual123 on Sunday 12th January 15:15

[CousinDupree]

Lovely! Great choice and glad the roof motor has been relocated.

The best alloys too, aside from the Z4M.

Enjoy!

[Sticks.]

Very nice. I like the 107s. Mine came with 108s but I had them changed when I bought it.

The cc kit used to be £85, including the lower half of the steering cowl. It's a lot more on Ebay now, from a quick look. I don't use it much tbh.

Would upgrading the music connectivity be a better thing to do? If it's not been done already.

[g3org3y]

Congrats. The Bangle design still looks fresh.

Definitely one of my favourite wheel designs for the Z4, I understand they are quite desirable now.

[Paul S4]

Nice car, as said it still looks good even now.

There cannot be that much difference between the 2.5 v the 3.0 ?

Or maybe there is !!

[Sticks.]

Paul S4 said:

Nice car, as said it still looks good even now.

There cannot be that much difference between the 2.5 v the 3.0 ?

Or maybe there is !!

04 brochure.

[Sycamore]

Best colour and wheels, however biased I may be
A lot of car for the money. There are worse ways to spend £4k than on a BMW 3.0 6cyl convertible

[g3org3y]

Paul S4 said:

Nice car, as said it still looks good even now.

There cannot be that much difference between the 2.5 v the 3.0 ?

Or maybe there is !!

IIRC 3.0 around 230bhp, the 2.5 around 190bhp.

[anonymous-user]

It’s really ridiculous how cheap second hand cars are in England. The cheapest 2.5l z4 where we live has 250k km on the clock and is listed at €7500. Then due 170bhp will be something like €80/month to tax.

[Mr Tidy]

Good looking car OP, especially with those wheels.

I didn't discover 6 cylinder RWD BMWs until 2014, but have had nothing else since!

The control stalk for the cruise is a bit over £100 these days, but Sopers of Lincoln or Cotswold BMW usually give a forum discount. Unless you can find one cheaper at a breaker's. If you take the bottom cover off the steering column I think you should be able to see the outline of what you need to cut out, with a Dremel or similar, to fit it.

[Howrare]

Nice, was on my shortlist. I expect I'll end up in one someday.

[spreadsheet monkey]

visual123 said:

It's a 2003 2.5i SE, on 18" staggered style 107s. Being the SE it has the softer (still a bit crashy) suspension, but the previous owner has fitted heated sports seats.

Those heated sports seats are a useful addition. I have the standard seats in my 2.5 SE and they’re flat and unsupportive.

Glad you’re enjoying the car! Agree with others the Style 107 wheels look good.

[Sticks.]

spreadsheet monkey said:

Those heated sports seats are a useful addition. I have the standard seats in my 2.5 SE and they’re flat and unsupportive.

Glad you’re enjoying the car! Agree with others the Style 107 wheels look good.

Agreed re he seats. I've been meaning to look into replacing the foam, which seems less supple than it did.

[andyf1140]

I have a 2006 2.0 which is a great drive just not quite as smooth as the 6. Happy zedding

[Mr Tidy]

spreadsheet monkey said:

Those heated sports seats are a useful addition. I have the standard seats in my 2.5 SE and they’re flat and unsupportive.

Actually BMW called the standard seats "Sport" seats, the sought after ones are the "M-Sport" seats that were an option until the facelift in 2006 when the Sport models got M-Sport seats as standard.

[visual123]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Sticks. said:

Would upgrading the music connectivity be a better thing to do? If it's not been done already.

It has a bluetooth/aux box fitted to the CD changer input (though the changer is still in the storage compartment). Does the job as I can skip tracks and take calls at least. Also has an aftermarket amp in the boot with speakers fitted in the cubby holes behind the seats, otherwise it's just the standard Business CD headunit. I've read they did some better headunit/amp options but they're probably a bit pricey?

Mr Tidy said:

Actually BMW called the standard seats "Sport" seats, the sought after ones are the "M-Sport" seats that were an option until the facelift in 2006 when the Sport models got M-Sport seats as standard.

Thanks for the info, yeah I have the M-Sport seats. They are a half-leather rather than full leather though, seems fairly unusual?

[Mr Tidy]

visual123 said:

Thanks for the info, yeah I have the M-Sport seats. They are a half-leather rather than full leather though, seems fairly unusual?

Yes, half-leather does seem pretty unusual - probably because 3 litre Z4s had leather as standard.

But I'm sure half-leather M-Sport seats would be much more popular than full leather Sport ones!

[Sticks.]

visual123 said:

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Sticks. said:

Would upgrading the music connectivity be a better thing to do? If it's not been done already.

It has a bluetooth/aux box fitted to the CD changer input (though the changer is still in the storage compartment). Does the job as I can skip tracks and take calls at least. Also has an aftermarket amp in the boot with speakers fitted in the cubby holes behind the seats, otherwise it's just the standard Business CD headunit. I've read they did some better headunit/amp options but they're probably a bit pricey?

Mr Tidy said:

Actually BMW called the standard seats "Sport" seats, the sought after ones are the "M-Sport" seats that were an option until the facelift in 2006 when the Sport models got M-Sport seats as standard.

Thanks for the info, yeah I have the M-Sport seats. They are a half-leather rather than full leather though, seems fairly unusual?

That sounds like the sort of upgrade I'd like. If it works, keep it, and save your spare cash for any unexpected issues. The M Sport seats were rare on the early cars and there was some comment on the Z4forum that they were too narrow (all relative I suppose), but I do miss them.

I bought the Carly app and cable for mine. It's been useful but it's subscription now and there may be better value alternatives.

[J4CKO]

Cant believe that is 17 years old this year, still look pretty up to date, suprised they arent more expensive, looks great.