Z4 3.0i roadster/coupe
Discussion
I am in the process of looking for a weekend coupe/convertible and the z4 is top of my list atm,whilst i havent organised a test drive or even seen any local to go and look at i hope some owners could give me the low down..
Are they fairly reliable,what do i need to look out for?
Being 6 ft 3" and approx 15 stone will i be comfortable?
I`ve a budget of around £10k ..
thanks
Are they fairly reliable,what do i need to look out for?
Being 6 ft 3" and approx 15 stone will i be comfortable?
I`ve a budget of around £10k ..
thanks
I take it you're after an E85, given you've said roadster/convertible?
£10,000 should get you a lovely 3.0Si Roadster.
As a weekend car deffo get the Roadster to make it feel more special.
Not that they're not special cars, but they're so accomplished they can just feel like an E46 Coupe without back seats.
I'm 6ft and beyond 6ft they're feeling tighter, 6,3 is probably the limit of being comfy so deffo try one and lower the seat right down.
I had a friend with a Z4 who was 6,5 and he preferred the non sports seats as he sat lower apparently.
But the sport seats are deffo worth having. Had I not upgraded I'd have sold my z4 within the year.
With them I've kept mine nearly a decade.
I'd argue they're totally solid cars. Bits go on any car so make sure it's maintained and check common issues and it'll be reliable.
If you're looking at the newer Z4, not sure, but it's probably going to underwhelm as a weekender.
£10,000 should get you a lovely 3.0Si Roadster.
As a weekend car deffo get the Roadster to make it feel more special.
Not that they're not special cars, but they're so accomplished they can just feel like an E46 Coupe without back seats.
I'm 6ft and beyond 6ft they're feeling tighter, 6,3 is probably the limit of being comfy so deffo try one and lower the seat right down.
I had a friend with a Z4 who was 6,5 and he preferred the non sports seats as he sat lower apparently.
But the sport seats are deffo worth having. Had I not upgraded I'd have sold my z4 within the year.
With them I've kept mine nearly a decade.
I'd argue they're totally solid cars. Bits go on any car so make sure it's maintained and check common issues and it'll be reliable.
If you're looking at the newer Z4, not sure, but it's probably going to underwhelm as a weekender.
I just got rid of my 2010 z4 (e89 by designation) at the start of the month. I’m 6’3”, and couldn’t have bought a manual one, the seat was hard back against the bulkhead, and therefore space for regular use of a clutch just wasn’t there. As a DCT it was fine.
No experience in the earlier model, so can’t comment there.
No experience in the earlier model, so can’t comment there.
Top choice. Thinking man's Boxster. List of what goes wrong: springs sometimes break; roof motor can fail, usually only if drainholes are not regularly unblocked. Neither hugely expensive. Other than that, just make sure you get a FSH car that hasn't had a hard life and you should be alright. Probably the best built junior sports car of recent times. Engines are powering legions of 3 and 5 series, and are known for being bulletproof. Many people prefer SE with 17" wheels, as it already has 'sports' suspension. Even more firmly sprung Sport is better on a track really.
Johnny5hoods said:
Top choice. Thinking man's Boxster. List of what goes wrong: springs sometimes break; roof motor can fail, usually only if drainholes are not regularly unblocked. Neither hugely expensive. Other than that, just make sure you get a FSH car that hasn't had a hard life and you should be alright. Probably the best built junior sports car of recent times. Engines are powering legions of 3 and 5 series, and are known for being bulletproof. Many people prefer SE with 17" wheels, as it already has 'sports' suspension. Even more firmly sprung Sport is better on a track really.
OP, I'm sure you posted a photo of your blue Alfa 156 recently and I annoyed someone when I put up a photo of my E46 325ti (so I won't do it again). 
My weekend toy is a 3 litre Z4 Coupe and I love it!
It's towards the end of the analogue era in a world of digital even if it does have electric power steering and run-flat tyres, but most owners ditch those anyway!
If you want more detailed information on them you should probably head to a dedicated forum like zroadster or z4forum.
Anyway springs do indeed break on Z4s as they tend to do on all BMWs of this era, but luckily they aren't too expensive to replace!
Roof motors do fail, but they are badly located and get drowned from the drains - they can be brought back to life and relocated into the boot area out of harm's way pretty cheaply. (the forum I use has at least 3 members who can sort those issues for reasonable money - one of them cut and coded a flip-style key for my Z4 for £80).
Facelift models (early 06 onwards) use the N52 engine that mine has which is great (265 bhp and a red-line at 7,000 rpm) but it uses an electric water pump which tends to die at around 8 to 10 years old and costs around £250 just for the part at ECP, so if you find one that has already had a replacement that is a bonus!
ABS pumps occasionally die and are seriously expensive to replace, but they can be rebuilt for around £200.
SE models aren't the same as Sport ones - Sport have stiffer suspension and sit 10mm lower. Plus they have "M-Sport" seats which are so much better than the "Sport" seats that were standard on SE models.
Hopefully "toyoda" isn't going to read this, so here are a couple of photos of my Z4 Sport Coupe (so it has the M-Sport seats):-
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Great cars and that engine is a peach one of the best straight 6s ever. As said the water pump issue is present but I took mine to a good Indy and sourced the pump and thermostat myself £300 and labour £75. Regret selling mine now. 10k will buy the best Roadster, Coupes cost more due to rarity. Mine was an 08 58k miles and sold it for £8k
Edited by hilly10 on Sunday 12th November 07:22
Mr Tidy yes it is me with the Alfa 156v6 and i appreciated your 325ti pic 
and i do like your z4 coupe a lot...
@hilly10 very nice....
I`ve seen some great value roadsters and as said the coupe commands a bit most cost but i am torn between both...
I do like the thinking mans Boxster comment and the Boxster has never been on my list of possible roadsters where as the z4 has for a few years now and now the wife has her new car for general use the z4 would fit the bill..
Thanks for the info guys...
and i do like your z4 coupe a lot...@hilly10 very nice....
I`ve seen some great value roadsters and as said the coupe commands a bit most cost but i am torn between both...
I do like the thinking mans Boxster comment and the Boxster has never been on my list of possible roadsters where as the z4 has for a few years now and now the wife has her new car for general use the z4 would fit the bill..
Thanks for the info guys...
Edited by blueveloce on Sunday 12th November 08:38
blueveloce said:
Mr Tidy yes it is me with the Alfa 156v6 and i appreciated your 325ti pic and i do like your z4 coupe a lot...
@hilly10 very nice....
I`ve seen some great value roadsters and as said the coupe commands a bit most cost but i am torn between both...
I do like the thinking mans Boxster comment and the Boxster has never been on my list of possible roadsters where as the z4 has for a few years now and now the wife has her new car for general use the z4 would fit the bill..
Thanks for the info guys...
Small world isn't it? and i do like your z4 coupe a lot...@hilly10 very nice....
I`ve seen some great value roadsters and as said the coupe commands a bit most cost but i am torn between both...
I do like the thinking mans Boxster comment and the Boxster has never been on my list of possible roadsters where as the z4 has for a few years now and now the wife has her new car for general use the z4 would fit the bill..
Thanks for the info guys...
Edited by blueveloce on Sunday 12th November 08:38
I've always loved the styling of the 156 - but after owning 3 Fiats back in the 80s I've never felt brave enough to buy Italian again.
I've never really been a fan of Roadsters, but always loved the looks of the E86 Coupe. So when I got a lump sum from taking a pension early a few years ago so I knew what to spend it on!
I don't know where you are based, but if you are ever around the Berks, Surrey, Hants border area you'd be welcome to have a good root around mine.
I'm 6'4 and have just crept back up above 15 stone after working away last week. 
I fit in our Z4MC fine and have done 3 hours + at a time driving and got there without aches and pains.
Get the seat as low as possible, and use the bottom half of the rear view mirror for ....er....rear viewing and you'll be fine.
You do have to move your head about a bit at junctions.
I fit in our Z4MC fine and have done 3 hours + at a time driving and got there without aches and pains.
Get the seat as low as possible, and use the bottom half of the rear view mirror for ....er....rear viewing and you'll be fine.
You do have to move your head about a bit at junctions.
I do like the pics of Mr Tidy’s coupe. The coupe is by far the better looking version of the car (IMHO), and the lighter colour interior helps.
I have a ‘59’ plate car, and have had rear springs break, and both window motors have been replaced. But I would say it’s a very reliable car, used for the daily grind with no other issues.
As others have said, the 3.0 is a great engine. The pinnacle of the N/A international combustion engine, before the turbo era took over.
I have a ‘59’ plate car, and have had rear springs break, and both window motors have been replaced. But I would say it’s a very reliable car, used for the daily grind with no other issues.
As others have said, the 3.0 is a great engine. The pinnacle of the N/A international combustion engine, before the turbo era took over.
SpudLink said:
I do like the pics of Mr Tidy’s coupe. The coupe is by far the better looking version of the car (IMHO), and the lighter colour interior helps.
I have a ‘59’ plate car, and have had rear springs break, and both window motors have been replaced. But I would say it’s a very reliable car, used for the daily grind with no other issues.
As others have said, the 3.0 is a great engine. The pinnacle of the N/A international combustion engine, before the turbo era took over.
Thanks - I love it! I have a ‘59’ plate car, and have had rear springs break, and both window motors have been replaced. But I would say it’s a very reliable car, used for the daily grind with no other issues.
As others have said, the 3.0 is a great engine. The pinnacle of the N/A international combustion engine, before the turbo era took over.
As Sport models have a black headlining I wanted the lighter interior (Pearl Grey BTW) so it didn't look too sombre inside.
Totally agree with you about the N52 engine - barring an M model it's probably one of the best naturally aspirated straight 6 petrol engines around.
Keep enjoying yours.
I have a 3.0si Coupe almost identical to MR Tidy's
My advice:
search out a sport
Also be ready to do your research into service history, they seem to frequently have stuff left off but you can use it as a bargaining point and get the reassurance you need if you can trace the history back to BMW and get it stamped up anyway.
I would avoid the sat nav - I have one in my Z4M coupe and its awful - much prefer the sleek lines of the non sat nav dash in my 3.0si
also I really think the 5 spoke wheels make the car look a lot nicer in the flesh
My advice:
search out a sport
Also be ready to do your research into service history, they seem to frequently have stuff left off but you can use it as a bargaining point and get the reassurance you need if you can trace the history back to BMW and get it stamped up anyway.
I would avoid the sat nav - I have one in my Z4M coupe and its awful - much prefer the sleek lines of the non sat nav dash in my 3.0si
also I really think the 5 spoke wheels make the car look a lot nicer in the flesh
blueveloce said:
Mr Tidy thanks for your kind offer,i live in Kent but occasionally travel to Surrey/Berkshire with work so maybe a meet would be possible...
Thanks to all for the info given...
Here's mine (3.0SI Sport):Thanks to all for the info given...
From personal experience, there aren't that many in dealers to poke around. I'm near Jct 3 of the M25 - feel free to PM me if you fancy a closer look to get a feel for one.
it's true that the SE seats don't offer the support you'd hope for, but some people find the Sport seats a little too narrow for comfort.
I quite like the sat nav. It's primitive by today's standards, but simple to use and the screen is also used for settings, phone and OBC. Nav is DVD based and he DVDs are expensive to buy from BMW (predictably).
You'll have read about coil springs, roof motors etc, but also check the remote central locking works properly/repeatedly and check the window regulators.
108 5 spoke wheels are nice but prone to deterioration.
Like the E46 its' best to have a good set of matching tyres all round.
Nick
I quite like the sat nav. It's primitive by today's standards, but simple to use and the screen is also used for settings, phone and OBC. Nav is DVD based and he DVDs are expensive to buy from BMW (predictably).
You'll have read about coil springs, roof motors etc, but also check the remote central locking works properly/repeatedly and check the window regulators.
108 5 spoke wheels are nice but prone to deterioration.
Like the E46 its' best to have a good set of matching tyres all round.
Nick
wiggy001 said:
Here's mine (3.0SI Sport):
From personal experience, there aren't that many in dealers to poke around. I'm near Jct 3 of the M25 - feel free to PM me if you fancy a closer look to get a feel for one.
Thanks for your kind offer,i am at jct 4 and i recognise the railway bridge where your pic was taken,i often take my dog for a walk there..nice coupe From personal experience, there aren't that many in dealers to poke around. I'm near Jct 3 of the M25 - feel free to PM me if you fancy a closer look to get a feel for one.
pm sent...
Edited by blueveloce on Monday 13th November 17:09
wiggy001 said:
I got your PM but was unable to reply - got a message back from yahoo saying your account doesn't exist.
Feel free to PM again and include an alternative address for me to respond to.
Sorry about that i thought i had changed my email address but it wont save the new one,i have pm`d you my new email address..Feel free to PM again and include an alternative address for me to respond to.
thanks
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