Z4 With Automatic gear box should I?
Discussion
Is this not as simple as "do you want an automatic or a manual"?
We've got a Z4 3.0 with an auto box, and the box doesn't ruin the car.
I'll give you the benefit of my considered opinion of having had the Z4 for 4 years - they're a bit s
t. Terrible ride, terrible interior, the 3.0 is nippy enough and gives reasonable economy, seats are uncomfortable.
Picking auto or manual is down to your preference. There are plenty of buyers for either box out there when it comes to resale.
We've got a Z4 3.0 with an auto box, and the box doesn't ruin the car.
I'll give you the benefit of my considered opinion of having had the Z4 for 4 years - they're a bit s
t. Terrible ride, terrible interior, the 3.0 is nippy enough and gives reasonable economy, seats are uncomfortable.Picking auto or manual is down to your preference. There are plenty of buyers for either box out there when it comes to resale.
Output Flange said:
Is this not as simple as "do you want an automatic or a manual"?
We've got a Z4 3.0 with an auto box, and the box doesn't ruin the car.
I'll give you the benefit of my considered opinion of having had the Z4 for 4 years - they're a bit st. Terrible ride, terrible interior, the 3.0 is nippy enough and gives reasonable economy, seats are uncomfortable.
Picking auto or manual is down to your preference. There are plenty of buyers for either box out there when it comes to resale.
Why have you kept it for four years if you dislike it so much?We've got a Z4 3.0 with an auto box, and the box doesn't ruin the car.
I'll give you the benefit of my considered opinion of having had the Z4 for 4 years - they're a bit s
t. Terrible ride, terrible interior, the 3.0 is nippy enough and gives reasonable economy, seats are uncomfortable.Picking auto or manual is down to your preference. There are plenty of buyers for either box out there when it comes to resale.
Vroomer said:
Z4: Great engine; great interior; great looks; fair economy. The only negative is a harsh ride on Run Flats.
Agree on the engine.The interior is really low quality. The trim materials are cheap and nasty, and BMW at their worst.
Looks are subjective, but I don't dislike it, particularly from the rear.
We've averaged 28mpg over 30k miles. I don't think that's bad, especially as the throttle is normally treated as binary by the OH.
Harsh ride on runflats, harsh ride on non-RFTs. That's a 3.0 SE on 17s with PS2s, new OEM shocks and bushes all round. Compare it to, say, a 986 Boxster and it's not even close to being in the same league. That affects the handling, as when you're pushing on the rear will skip on a bump.
gizlaroc said:
Z4 M I understand a manual, but the regular Z4 I would have in auto, the 3.0i auto is a peach of a car.
Hmmm, cannot see how it would be. I love driving the Z4 - when it's a sunny day, the roof is down and I'm stirring the box. As a normal every day car it sucks and I always walk past it and take the E39. It's cramped inside, the interior is less than impressive, the visibility out the back isn't great, it's noisy inside, the ride is hard. With the roof up on a miserable day it's really not that great. It's certainly not a wafter - and that engine and box combo is suited to wafting.It's all redeemed when it stops raining. Drop the roof, stir the gearbox and it's a fantastic little car. Absolutely great. But that sort of driving suits a manual box, not an auto.
If you want a 3.0i with the Auto box, it goes really well in an E39..
Vroomer said:
Z4: Great engine; great interior; great looks; fair economy. The only negative is a harsh ride on Run Flats.
(Really a sports car deserves a manual box, but I've driven the auto, and it's fine.)
I agree. I found the seats very comfortable. Have done 5+ hours drives and been fine.(Really a sports car deserves a manual box, but I've driven the auto, and it's fine.)
Fox- said:
gizlaroc said:
Z4 M I understand a manual, but the regular Z4 I would have in auto, the 3.0i auto is a peach of a car.
Hmmm, cannot see how it would be. I love driving the Z4 - when it's a sunny day, the roof is down and I'm stirring the box. .I'm sure a manual Z4 is very good, although OP Google CDV, but that doesn't mean an auto isn't. The idea that autos are only suitable for wafting underestimates the versatility of the auto, particularly in the Z4 above other BMW applications.
Yes, you can use it in wafty Drive mode, in traffic or on lazy days its ideal. Then you can make it more lively at the press of a button in Sport mode - and when you get used to controlling the change with the throttle it gets better. Or use the sequential manual change. Just as quick as a manual change, much smaller movement of hand, just none of left leg
, better for guaranteed red-lining (if you're inclined) and intuitive once you're used to it.Some people will like them, some not. But OP, I'd say don't rule it out without trying it, but make sure you get shown how to use it to its best.
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