BMW Z4 3.0 auto 2005 or earlier. What are your thoughts?
Discussion
An auto completely defeats the purpose of the car. The ZF autobox in these is fantastic for wafting about and sorely lacking when you want to have a bit of fun. The Z4 is absolutely crap at wafting about but great when you want to have a bit of fun. The two don't belong together.
If you want a Z4 3.0i, get a 6 speed manual.
If you want an auto, get a 330i or a 530i.
If you want a Z4 3.0i, get a 6 speed manual.
If you want an auto, get a 330i or a 530i.
Fox- said:
An auto completely defeats the purpose of the car. The ZF autobox in these is fantastic for wafting about and sorely lacking when you want to have a bit of fun. The Z4 is absolutely crap at wafting about but great when you want to have a bit of fun. The two don't belong together.
I don't think I could disagree more. Have you driven one?? No doubt the manual is very good, cdv aside, but that doesn't mean the auto doesn't work with the car.In fact I'd say it makes it easier to own as a daily driver, esp if that includes a commute or town driving. In D, it's easy and relaxing. But press the Sport button, and/or move to the sequential change to wake it up and have some fun. The sequential change is good, you can red-line it if you wish, and intuitive.
This was my first auto and I wouldn't go back to manual. I prefer it to how it performs in the 330i too.
OP do a search and you'll find a few threads on what to look for, but mainly it's roof motor failure, issues with the 108 (star spoke) wheels and ditching run flats. A well cared for one shouldn't give you any serious problems. See if you can find one with the sport seats as the SE ones aren't all that.
Sticks. said:
I don't think I could disagree more. Have you driven one??
Of course, hence my opinion? I've driven auto and manual E46's and the Z4 and we have a auto and manual 530i and manual Z4 in the family, so I've driven them lots.The Z4 is hard work as a day to day car. The interior is cramped and claustrophobic with the roof up, the ride quality is very very very firm, though better without the RFT's and it's not particularly refined. This means for wafting about it really doesn't work. But drop the roof and it changes into something absolutely brilliant - its great fun to punt about with the roof off. It's a fun car not a wafty car, therefore IMHO (And thats the thing about discussion, its opinion, not fact) it really needs a manual box. The box itself is frustrating when pressing on - it's never in the right gear coming out of a twisting corner in D or DS so you need to use the sequential option, which is fine, but it's not a DCT or anything like that its merely an electronic override on a standard torque convertor box so it still doesnt give you the flexibility and involvement of a manual.
The autobox is a great box but far better suited to the 330i and 530i than it is the Z4. Manual ones are also far easier to find and don't have the failure point in the gearbox either which is another big bonus when shopping at this end of the market.
Just my opinion, though - obviously the OP will need to try both and see who he agrees with! For me the Z4 is a fun roadster not a wafty barge therefore it needs a fun roadster box not a wafty barge box.
Edited by Fox- on Saturday 8th December 11:08
Thanks posters. I would favour a manual myself but the Lady will only drive an auto. Therefore in order to get the pass to purchase car number three that will be in the warm garage more than on the tarmac, it must be auto. Like the advice about the sports seats. Sat in one for the first time last week. Felt like my old 944 Turbo S. I like.
Fox- said:
Of course, hence my opinion? I've driven auto and manual E46's and the Z4 and we have a auto and manual 530i and manual Z4 in the family, so I've driven them lots.
The Z4 is hard work as a day to day car. The interior is cramped and claustrophobic with the roof up, the ride quality is very very very firm, though better without the RFT's and it's not particularly refined. This means for wafting about it really doesn't work. But drop the roof and it changes into something absolutely brilliant - its great fun to punt about with the roof off. It's a fun car not a wafty car, therefore IMHO (And thats the thing about discussion, its opinion, not fact) it really needs a manual box. The box itself is frustrating when pressing on - it's never in the right gear coming out of a twisting corner in D or DS so you need to use the sequential option, which is fine, but it's not a DCT or anything like that its merely an electronic override on a standard torque convertor box so it still doesnt give you the flexibility and involvement of a manual.
The autobox is a great box but far better suited to the 330i and 530i than it is the Z4. Manual ones are also far easier to find and don't have the failure point in the gearbox either which is another big bonus when shopping at this end of the market.
Just my opinion, though - obviously the OP will need to try both and see who he agrees with! For me the Z4 is a fun roadster not a wafty barge therefore it needs a fun roadster box not a wafty barge box.
Have to agree, I think the auto would be pretty terrible in a Z4 - perhaps, only the Coupe would suit it, but a roadster? No thanks! (Going by my previous experience, although not in a Z4, but various auto BMW's)The Z4 is hard work as a day to day car. The interior is cramped and claustrophobic with the roof up, the ride quality is very very very firm, though better without the RFT's and it's not particularly refined. This means for wafting about it really doesn't work. But drop the roof and it changes into something absolutely brilliant - its great fun to punt about with the roof off. It's a fun car not a wafty car, therefore IMHO (And thats the thing about discussion, its opinion, not fact) it really needs a manual box. The box itself is frustrating when pressing on - it's never in the right gear coming out of a twisting corner in D or DS so you need to use the sequential option, which is fine, but it's not a DCT or anything like that its merely an electronic override on a standard torque convertor box so it still doesnt give you the flexibility and involvement of a manual.
The autobox is a great box but far better suited to the 330i and 530i than it is the Z4. Manual ones are also far easier to find and don't have the failure point in the gearbox either which is another big bonus when shopping at this end of the market.
Just my opinion, though - obviously the OP will need to try both and see who he agrees with! For me the Z4 is a fun roadster not a wafty barge therefore it needs a fun roadster box not a wafty barge box.
Edited by Fox- on Saturday 8th December 11:08
Auchincloss71 said:
Thanks posters. I would favour a manual myself but the Lady will only drive an auto. Therefore in order to get the pass to purchase car number three that will be in the warm garage more than on the tarmac, it must be auto. Like the advice about the sports seats. Sat in one for the first time last week. Felt like my old 944 Turbo S. I like.
Sport seats are ultra-rare on pre 2005 Z4's unfortunately. Which is a shame as they are noticeably better than the standard seats.iSore said:
He's driven everything - I thought you knew that?
Nothing wrong with an auto Z4, a pleasant autobox for a pleasant two seater as long as it's a six cylinder and not the 2.0i four. They really are dismal.
Nothing wrong with an auto Z4, a pleasant autobox for a pleasant two seater as long as it's a six cylinder and not the 2.0i four. They really are dismal.
yes, just surprised. I suspect you're right about the 2.0 but good in the 3.0 once you've learnt to use it to its best imo.Agreed, try both.
Fox- said:
An auto completely defeats the purpose of the car. The ZF autobox in these is fantastic for wafting about and sorely lacking when you want to have a bit of fun. The Z4 is absolutely crap at wafting about but great when you want to have a bit of fun. The two don't belong together.
If you want a Z4 3.0i, get a 6 speed manual.
If you want an auto, get a 330i or a 530i.
Or maybe a 630i if it's all about wafting?If you want a Z4 3.0i, get a 6 speed manual.
If you want an auto, get a 330i or a 530i.
Darkar26 said:
The opinion of the z4 has to be manual and not auto is rubbish.
Just drive the car and enjoy it instead of boy racing the thing.Auto or manual makes no difference.Its a brilliant car in both forms.
Not everyone wants to race every bloody car on the roads.Growup or go buy a fiesta.
Have you driven either or both or even a car. Total rubbish statement Just drive the car and enjoy it instead of boy racing the thing.Auto or manual makes no difference.Its a brilliant car in both forms.
Not everyone wants to race every bloody car on the roads.Growup or go buy a fiesta.
Sadly its not a great gearbox whichever one you choose. I've had the Auto in a E90 330i and it was dim witted and didn't really suit the characteristics of the engine. Also had the manual in a Z4M and that was one of the worst gearboxes I've ever used, terrible from 1st to 2nd and just unpleasant to use.
I never knew the early Z4s came with a SMG gearbox, until I picked one up a week ago. Takes a few days of getting used to, but it's very nice to use (in manual mode, the auto mode is terrible, especially 1st to 2nd). I drove a proper manual and the SMG before buying and figured for the majority of my driving (suburban and motorway) SMG was the best compromise between manual and full auto.
Ah the "Manual 'box or nothing" PH brigade strikes again. No wonder outsiders think this place is backwards and full of self pompous idiots.
"sigh".
My preference would probably be for a manual but in all honesty BMW can't make a decent manual to save their lives. It seems they can't even build a solid car going by recent threads.
Try both and see how you get on. After all, it will be you that is living with the car, not us
.
FWIW I've seen a 530i Auto go to 230k still on the original 'box. The engine I admit wasn't so great but there are always reasons for that (owners treatment, quality of service parts etc.).
The Z4s seem to be a safe bet but I'd ensure that everything electrical works including the sunroof motor. I understand they are a £1k fix; they may be cheaper now but I've yet to see reports of this being the case.
Best of luck fella.
"sigh".
My preference would probably be for a manual but in all honesty BMW can't make a decent manual to save their lives. It seems they can't even build a solid car going by recent threads.
Try both and see how you get on. After all, it will be you that is living with the car, not us
.FWIW I've seen a 530i Auto go to 230k still on the original 'box. The engine I admit wasn't so great but there are always reasons for that (owners treatment, quality of service parts etc.).
The Z4s seem to be a safe bet but I'd ensure that everything electrical works including the sunroof motor. I understand they are a £1k fix; they may be cheaper now but I've yet to see reports of this being the case.
Best of luck fella
.Edited by SebringMan on Wednesday 23 May 17:23
Edited by SebringMan on Wednesday 23 May 17:23
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