Discussion
Just a quick note to let you know I was so disappointed with the Z4 coupe that after only 8 weeks, I've swapped it for a Jag XK8.
I don't know how BMW get away with ignoring that gearbox or the cruddy ride when out of 'sport' mode, but it's time they stopped. I loved my 5 series with an absolute passion and had really high hopes of what is a fantastic LOOKING car.
But it's a pig to drive - absolutely no question. And if I want to drive a twitchy awkward thing, then let me drive a proper classic car... himself's Dino, for example.
I've suggested to the Dealership I bought it from that they look for Z4 threads on here and start reading what the informed public really THINK.
I hope it'll get someone to get BMW to rethink in a big way.
I don't know how BMW get away with ignoring that gearbox or the cruddy ride when out of 'sport' mode, but it's time they stopped. I loved my 5 series with an absolute passion and had really high hopes of what is a fantastic LOOKING car.
But it's a pig to drive - absolutely no question. And if I want to drive a twitchy awkward thing, then let me drive a proper classic car... himself's Dino, for example.
I've suggested to the Dealership I bought it from that they look for Z4 threads on here and start reading what the informed public really THINK.
I hope it'll get someone to get BMW to rethink in a big way.
Christabel said:
Just a quick note to let you know I was so disappointed with the Z4 coupe that after only 8 weeks, I've swapped it for a Jag XK8.
How interesting. I guess you didn't take a test drive?Christabel said:
I don't know how BMW get away with ignoring that gearbox or the cruddy ride when out of 'sport' mode, but it's time they stopped.
The ride is firm, a test drive would have demonstrated as much. The gearbox is excellent and generally regarded as such both here and in the motoring press so I have no idea what you're referring to.Christabel said:
But it's a pig to drive - absolutely no question.
In your opinion. On the contrary, I find it excellent to drive. It would seem that most of the motoring press like it too.Christabel said:
I've suggested to the Dealership I bought it from that they look for Z4 threads on here and start reading what the informed public really THINK.
That it looks great? That its got a terrific engine? That its good fun to drive? That it returns great economy? That the ride is firm, but is improved by switching to non-runflats?Far as I can tell that represents the majority opinion of the Z4C in these forums......
trackdemon said:
That the ride is firm, but is improved by switching to non-runflats?
Yes changing away from non-flat, either Goodyear F1 or Michelin PS2's would of completly transformed the car... much better grip in the dry and especially in the wet. The ride is sooo much better, not so harsh and tramlining is almost gone, especially when in sports mode. Shame you sold it without playing around basics, epecially with all the feedback on here. Good luck with the Jag.
G
My fiancee has a 3.0Si Coupe, bought it new in April 07. Loves it to bits.
Took a test drive in it first - for three days actually - to make sure it was everything she needed from a car.
We changed the rims, but kept the runflats. Yes, its got firm suspension, but not unbearably so.
As far as we're concerned, the car does exactly what it says on the tin. Fast, two seater coupe, with bags of image. Turns heads everywhere it goes.
Took a test drive in it first - for three days actually - to make sure it was everything she needed from a car.
We changed the rims, but kept the runflats. Yes, its got firm suspension, but not unbearably so.
As far as we're concerned, the car does exactly what it says on the tin. Fast, two seater coupe, with bags of image. Turns heads everywhere it goes.
Edited by pgilc1 on Sunday 23 December 19:56
I can't really speak for the 3.0 but as an M owner I've found the Z4 to be a car that really takes learning and adjusting to. The first 2 months of my ownership were a disappointment- bunnyhop starting, notchy gearbox, awful sport mode, harsh ride, so much so that I nearly lost faith myself. But get used to it, try to master it and the rewards are huge.
Having owned a TVR tuscan + T350c, Boxster and Elise in the past I can safely say that the Z4 coupe was the most awkward to get to grips with.
Sorry to hear of your disapointment.
Having owned a TVR tuscan + T350c, Boxster and Elise in the past I can safely say that the Z4 coupe was the most awkward to get to grips with.
Sorry to hear of your disapointment.
Steveoh said:
I can't really speak for the 3.0 but as an M owner I've found the Z4 to be a car that really takes learning and adjusting to. The first 2 months of my ownership were a disappointment- bunnyhop starting, notchy gearbox, awful sport mode, harsh ride, so much so that I nearly lost faith myself. But get used to it, try to master it and the rewards are huge.
Having owned a TVR tuscan + T350c, Boxster and Elise in the past I can safely say that the Z4 coupe was the most awkward to get to grips with.
Sorry to hear of your disapointment.
The z4m is a very different beast to the regular z4 coupe. I dont think you're being fair to the z4 by tarring it with the z4m's brush.Having owned a TVR tuscan + T350c, Boxster and Elise in the past I can safely say that the Z4 coupe was the most awkward to get to grips with.
Sorry to hear of your disapointment.
it would like comparing a m3 to a 335i coupe.
Edited by pgilc1 on Sunday 23 December 22:13
Edited by pgilc1 on Sunday 23 December 22:19
I've had my Z4m now for 6 months, the engine is sublime, thje gerarbox is a tad notchy, the handling is incredible but the ride is simply awful and the build quality is seriously below par IMO, I think BMW do need a wake up with this but you can't ignore the fact that the car puts a huge smile on your face which goes someway to making up for its weak points
As it goes, of course I test drove it and noted the gearbox then.
Was told that it was because the car was new, but ALL the feedback I've had from dealers is that the gearbox is reported as disappointingly notchy.
And why spend shed loads of cash on a car I don't like?
And I disagree that all the feedback is positive. Lots of complaint on this board about the car, too. But perhaps some people can't read. Or perhaps only the bits that it suits them to flame.
Not sorry to be losing unpleasant people like my first respondent. Merry Christmas to you too mate.
Was told that it was because the car was new, but ALL the feedback I've had from dealers is that the gearbox is reported as disappointingly notchy.
And why spend shed loads of cash on a car I don't like?
And I disagree that all the feedback is positive. Lots of complaint on this board about the car, too. But perhaps some people can't read. Or perhaps only the bits that it suits them to flame.
Not sorry to be losing unpleasant people like my first respondent. Merry Christmas to you too mate.
Sorry you felt the car wasn't for you, personally I love mine and while I agree that the gearbox is notchy, after 6 months and 10,000 miles in mine I love it- and it now makes everything else feel slightly loose.
Working on PH means I get to drive many cars, but the Z always wins me back- and it does offer good feedback and great handling. Mates who work on Autocar agree and a look in the back pages of Evo tells me that they like it too.
Horses for courses I guess, but I won't be swapping mine for a Jag just yet.
Working on PH means I get to drive many cars, but the Z always wins me back- and it does offer good feedback and great handling. Mates who work on Autocar agree and a look in the back pages of Evo tells me that they like it too.
Horses for courses I guess, but I won't be swapping mine for a Jag just yet.
Christabel said:
As it goes, of course I test drove it and noted the gearbox then.
Was told that it was because the car was new, but ALL the feedback I've had from dealers is that the gearbox is reported as disappointingly notchy.
And why spend shed loads of cash on a car I don't like?
And I disagree that all the feedback is positive. Lots of complaint on this board about the car, too. But perhaps some people can't read. Or perhaps only the bits that it suits them to flame.
Not sorry to be losing unpleasant people like my first respondent. Merry Christmas to you too mate.
Bless. Re-read my response. I wasn't unpleasant towards you, I just asked some direct questions and responded to some of your criticisms of the car which I think were hugely unbalanced. If you produce a post basically rubbishing a car unduly then dont be surprised if an owner comes back and counters what you've said.Was told that it was because the car was new, but ALL the feedback I've had from dealers is that the gearbox is reported as disappointingly notchy.
And why spend shed loads of cash on a car I don't like?
And I disagree that all the feedback is positive. Lots of complaint on this board about the car, too. But perhaps some people can't read. Or perhaps only the bits that it suits them to flame.
Not sorry to be losing unpleasant people like my first respondent. Merry Christmas to you too mate.
A Merry xmas to you to
Christabel said:
As it goes, of course I test drove it and noted the gearbox then.
Was told that it was because the car was new, but ALL the feedback I've had from dealers is that the gearbox is reported as disappointingly notchy.
And why spend shed loads of cash on a car I don't like?
And I disagree that all the feedback is positive. Lots of complaint on this board about the car, too. But perhaps some people can't read. Or perhaps only the bits that it suits them to flame.
Not sorry to be losing unpleasant people like my first respondent. Merry Christmas to you too mate.
I've seen bad feedback about the Z4M coupe, though not much (if any) about the z4 coupe?Was told that it was because the car was new, but ALL the feedback I've had from dealers is that the gearbox is reported as disappointingly notchy.
And why spend shed loads of cash on a car I don't like?
And I disagree that all the feedback is positive. Lots of complaint on this board about the car, too. But perhaps some people can't read. Or perhaps only the bits that it suits them to flame.
Not sorry to be losing unpleasant people like my first respondent. Merry Christmas to you too mate.
Unfortunately you seem to have come upon all these documented and known problems after you bought the car?
Personally, i always always do my homework first with both an extensive (weekend) long test drive, and on forums like this.
Could have saved yourself ££££'s mate.
:-(
A suprising appraisal of what i read to be a fantastic car. my roadster is fantastic to drive, i can live with the gearbox as i only find it a bit clunky from first to second, having switched to non runflats my car is totally transformed, i feel you have maybe missed something there, but if your not happy then you've got to move on..
Just goes to show that one persons perfect car isnt another's.
It also shows you not to believe anything a dealer tells you.
My fiancee has just bought a 3.0 Z4 roadster (used - 03), and it has the 18 alloys with runflats - really impressed. Was expecting a terrible ride, but it is great. Gearbox is smooth, and the engine is a peach.
It also shows you not to believe anything a dealer tells you.
My fiancee has just bought a 3.0 Z4 roadster (used - 03), and it has the 18 alloys with runflats - really impressed. Was expecting a terrible ride, but it is great. Gearbox is smooth, and the engine is a peach.
Edited by eowen on Monday 24th December 16:28
taffyracer said:
Yeah but from a Z4 to XK, that is a huge difference in car style and taste, makes you wonder why they would even consider a Z4 if that is the XK was type of car they like, one is a heavyweight GT cruiser the other is a sports car, world's apart
Indeed. Definitely shows the need to make sure a car fully suits your needs and tastes before purchase.Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff