Z4 3.0i roadster/coupe

Z4 3.0i roadster/coupe

Author
Discussion

Denis O

2,141 posts

242 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
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Just for a bit of balance, many Z4's have appalling steering and not as a sports car should be. After about an hour of driving the sterring will go notchy and rough. The only way to sort it is a new steering column (£3k or so) although some have found alternative fixes.

I sold mine after 8 months as I couldn't live with it. Shame really because they are very nice cars apart from that.

tonymor

1,476 posts

171 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
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I've had two e85 roadsters the best was the 3.0si . I know have anE89 and albeit it's heavier it's adequate in 2.5 for me .
Fortunately my commute is mostly cycling so my cars are automatically week Enders . The E89 with the hard top/ convertible suits me fine .
I've a mk1classic mx5 and I enjoy the contrast of the two.i m o the best combination.

Billy_Whizzzz

1,991 posts

142 months

Wednesday 15th November 2017
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I’ve had a 3.0i and now a Z4M. I love them, and the way they look. Great proportions - long nose, short rear and peachy engines. Even in M form, a lot of car for the money

NorthernSky

981 posts

116 months

Wednesday 15th November 2017
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Billy_Whizzzz said:
I’ve had a 3.0i and now a Z4M. I love them, and the way they look. Great proportions - long nose, short rear and peachy engines. Even in M form, a lot of car for the money
Exactly this!

The 3.0si has a really special engine, it's quite light in comparison to the cast iron blocks of the 3.0s or 3.2 in the M. Perhaps for the op, a 3.0si coupe is the way to go. Probably won't lose you much if any money if you ever sell it to upgrade to the M. wink

blueveloce

Original Poster:

937 posts

179 months

Wednesday 15th November 2017
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NorthernSky said:
Exactly this!

The 3.0si has a really special engine, it's quite light in comparison to the cast iron blocks of the 3.0s or 3.2 in the M. Perhaps for the op, a 3.0si coupe is the way to go. Probably won't lose you much if any money if you ever sell it to upgrade to the M. wink
The coupe has one me over but still a concern is how comfortable i will be but i hope the look around in wiggy001`s coupe i am planning should clear that up.I did have a look around a new mazda mx5 rf this morning but my head hit the roof and my knees hit the steering wheel and with only up and down travel that was a major problem.

I have a couple of other options but i do hope i fit comfortably in the coupe smile

mon the fish

1,412 posts

147 months

Wednesday 15th November 2017
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Certainly in the roadster there's loads of space - I'm 6'4 and plenty comfy for long drives

Sticks.

8,707 posts

250 months

Wednesday 15th November 2017
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A friend of mine has an older MX5 which I find far too small. My only reservation about comfort would be the seats feel a bit thin, lacking padding. I don't know if the later ones are better, but see what you think.

Z4MCSL

544 posts

82 months

Wednesday 15th November 2017
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Ive got bnoth a Z4M Coupe and a 3.0si Coupe and agree with comments above, Z4M is amazing fun but feels so much heavier and is a less relaxing drive, not that itw as meant to be.

The 3.0si is a really nice free revving engine, comfortable to drive around town in, but can still be tail happy if pushed - I think I prefer it as a daily

Mr Whippy

28,945 posts

240 months

Wednesday 15th November 2017
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Deffo try Roadster and Coupe.

Coupe just feels like an E46 Coupe to me. Yes different, but you can do journeys and forget it's something a bit more special.

Roof down is great in Z4, noise, visibility, ambience.
Even in winter they're warm inside with heating on and heated seats.


On sat nav, if you use sun glasses that are polarised it's blacked out so pretty much useless for all nav/radio purposes.

Vroomer

1,864 posts

179 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
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The Z4C has been steadily rising in value in recent years due to its virtues and rarity. Buy a good one and you might enjoy near free motoring.

kingb

1,151 posts

225 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
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I an 6,4 and 18 stone and bought a 3.0se roadster in the summer - Have to say its a comfy place to spend some time. Heated red leather seats, black car, looks great.

Really lovely car - I paid 7k for an absolutely mint 06 car (first year of the stronger engine) with a spotless service history, 58k miles with the motor already relocated and a new steering rack and it was summer so stronger prices.

Have done Brighton to Manchester a number of times in comfort. Its fine on the motorway without being overly noisy but has a lovely burble if you want to push on. I have installed a parrot system as I didnt have phone connectivity - I can now make calls / use spotify / use google maps and only really miss cruise control but it can be retrofitted.

Couldnt recommend it enough to be honest!

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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Denis O said:
Just for a bit of balance, many Z4's have appalling steering and not as a sports car should be. After about an hour of driving the sterring will go notchy and rough. The only way to sort it is a new steering column (£3k or so) although some have found alternative fixes.

I sold mine after 8 months as I couldn't live with it. Shame really because they are very nice cars apart from that.
Shame you sold it - there are sensible fixes available:- http://www.ecutesting.com/catalogue/bmw_eculist.ht...





DrMagic

35 posts

83 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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I'm 6.2 and have had a manual z4 coupe for several years. I've got the seat all the way back and it is manageable, but the more I seem to be in traffic jams/stop start traffic, the more I'm tiring of it. Last year I was caught in an horrendous 4 hour jam on the M1 and I was genuinely almost in tears from the discomfort! I've got occasional access to a Mercedes E-class estate which is perhaps not helping. Personally, I would say if you are over 6.2 you will struggle (depending on use/journey time etc).

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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DrMagic said:
I'm 6.2 and have had a manual z4 coupe for several years. I've got the seat all the way back and it is manageable, but the more I seem to be in traffic jams/stop start traffic, the more I'm tiring of it. Last year I was caught in an horrendous 4 hour jam on the M1 and I was genuinely almost in tears from the discomfort! I've got occasional access to a Mercedes E-class estate which is perhaps not helping. Personally, I would say if you are over 6.2 you will struggle (depending on use/journey time etc).
You seem to have hit the nail on the head - a manual Z4C doesn't seem to fit your use of the car!

I'm a short-a*se at only 5'10", but seeing as the E86s all have electric adjustment with memory it works for me - even if I did spend over an hour in mine on the M40 doing just 6 miles back in September!

I've no desire to have another Merc - my W202 C280 Sport was the most disappointing car I've ever owned! laugh

That sort of barge may suit me when I'm older.rolleyes


DrMagic

35 posts

83 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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You are quite right, most journeys I do now are either long motorway or London traffic. A DSG equipped Golf R would probably suit my needs much better but...I just can’t bring myself to sell the z4c (after almost 10 years), so I guess that says something. It still feels a bit special even now

Z4MCSL

544 posts

82 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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I think the Z4C manual is fine for city driving thats why I think it is such a capable car. I find 1st in the Z4M is painful on anything other than a straightaway

DrMagic

35 posts

83 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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Huh, slightly amazed by that because in my opinion the gear-change between 1st/2nd in the z4c is awful, think I've just about mastered not looking like a learner-driver! God knows what the z4MC must be like. I do secretly wish I'd gone for the M Power version though, at the time there was only £1000 difference between the two, but insurance/maintenance/petrol was a slightly bigger issue.

Given it's a pretty rare car, only once has someone pulled up alongside me in the M version, he also had a better looking girlfriend alongside him - I was questioning my life choices.

b19rak

369 posts

216 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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I just bought this mint 3.0si today...

https://imgur.com/a/Lwqvq

Mr Whippy

28,945 posts

240 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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What's that metal thing over the top?

Did you try a roadster?

I suppose it depends where you drive.

I've always tended to go roof up on motorways and large urban areas.

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Thursday 23rd November 2017
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DrMagic said:
Huh, slightly amazed by that because in my opinion the gear-change between 1st/2nd in the z4c is awful, think I've just about mastered not looking like a learner-driver! God knows what the z4MC must be like. I do secretly wish I'd gone for the M Power version though, at the time there was only £1000 difference between the two, but insurance/maintenance/petrol was a slightly bigger issue.

Given it's a pretty rare car, only once has someone pulled up alongside me in the M version, he also had a better looking girlfriend alongside him - I was questioning my life choices.
Just a thought, but has yours still got the Clutch Delay Valve fitted as that will make it kangaroo, especially going from 1st to 2nd?

My Z4s both had them removed before I bought them, and yesterday I had the CDV taken out of my E46 - it has transformed the car!

I do park next to M models fairly frequently (at z4forum meets) but I console myself by thinking about what it costs them to maintain a car with the "M" tax! laugh