Driving a Z4...

[Ment-Al]

This talk of Z4's has got me thinking, and also, when i went along to view a nice 320Cd Convertible tonight, the dealer had one in.

It was a 54 2.5se on 40k miles, with upgraded stereo, xenons, heated seats, various other extras i cant remember with those lovely 5 spoke alloys. Black with a deep red leather. £13k.

Now I know that would be moving in the totally opposite direction of a 2.0 diesel but i have a convertible itch that needs scratching and the Z4 has always appealed to me.

My situation is that I have the opportunity to opt out of the company car scheme and also 99% sure ive sold my E46 for decent money so looking at options.

I have to do about 100 miles round trip to work and back, on the motorway. Comfortable?

I have looked at so many different things, from 330Cd Convertibles to 330Ci convertibles, right down to the 318Ci convertible. But don't want another 318, i want it to be an upgrade. I can imagine the 2.5 to be quite a punchy little 6 pot. 3.0 is out of the question as for some reason the insurance jumps lots and i need to return some sort of decent mpg.

Help me!

[pgilc1]

We've a z4 coupe 3.0si. For comparison purposes we get around 31mpg from it over the course of a tank of fuel.

As for the car itself. Excellent and very comfortable.

[Zeek]

I've averaged 31mpg over the last year in my 3.0. It makes no difference how hard you drive it, it always returns 31!

I find it very comfortable cruising on long motorway journeys, and just as good blatting through the country lanes on my daily commute.

No experience of the 2.5, but I would drive the 3.0 too before putting cash down.

[physprof]

not exactly replying but with a z4m roadster get 32-33mpg on a-road, and low 20's on very spirited drive and into teens on excessive revs....
one factor if comfort is non M's have run-flats but people have gone to others - go look at z4-forum.com

[Fox-]

I love driving the Z4 and its always the set of keys I reach for when its sunny outside and I've got a short trip to make.

But when I did 200 miles in it once I spent the entire trip pining for my 530i. So... no, its not a car I'd pick for a 100 mile commute.

[Ment-Al]

Fox- said:

I love driving the Z4 and its always the set of keys I reach for when its sunny outside and I've got a short trip to make.

But when I did 200 miles in it once I spent the entire trip pining for my 530i. So... no, its not a car I'd pick for a 100 mile commute.

Makes sense really and pretty much as i expected.

Speaking of E39s - had a guy contact me yesterday about a p/x with a 52 530d Sport - i wonder if it would be easier to sell on than my E46 and if its worth doing.

[NickB12]

I've got a bad back and I find the Z4 comfortable enough, though I don't commute. Cruie control is useful in that it allows me to fidget a bit, and electric memory seats allow very small adjustments, which helps.

[bras0782]

Another 3.0 here.

I've driven it from London to Lancashire and back without any problems. However, when driving for longer stints in Europe I found it got uncomfortable (lower back pains).

So I'd say it's fine for 100 miles round trip.

[Ment-Al]

Been down to the dealers today - I have a 2.5 Sport for the weekend, next weekend.

He said doing 20k miles a year would be harsh, and that they are a bit of a handful, he said he sells them to people who want them as second cars usually.

[Paul R]

Is your dealer a bit of a 'mummies boy big girls blouse'? I have done that kind of mileage in a TVR and S2000 recently and an MG Midget a few years back (Ok I was 17 then and it was luxury in relation to my bike) All not as comfy as a Z4, I think you will be fine!

I'm looking forward to hearing how you get on as I'm thinking of swapping the S2000 for one.

Thanks

Paul

P.S I have only driven a Z4 for about 200 miles in one go and that was only once.

Edited by Paul R on Thursday 18th September 15:40

[Roop]

Our Z4 2.2SE had the 18" wheels (non-split rim) and runflats. Was back-breaking unless on smooth roads. Actually broke both rear springs in the cource of normal driving. Silkiest engine ever though...

[Paul R]

Is it the runflats that are the main reason for the very hard ride then? I hear of so many people swapping them out. The one I drove didn't have them.

[bras0782]

Paul R said:

Is it the runflats that are the main reason for the very hard ride then? I hear of so many people swapping them out. The one I drove didn't have them.

Swapping the RFTs is very common practise. I plan to do mine when a tyre change is due.

I find the drive hard and it tramlines a lot on rough local roads - something I got used to after a few month (weekend driving only). Bbut if the road is smooth the drive is bliss.

[physprof]

longest I've done in one go is london to lake district no problem in z4m roadster (18" with normal conti tyres). Hundred mile trips are fine too. A-road and M ways are a breeze - I'm not so sure about that length on B roads though.... I'll find out soon enough going back to west highlands in a while...so open roads a plus - bumpy roads a neagtive.

[twcullen]

Paul R said:

Is your dealer a bit of a 'mummies boy big girls blouse'? I have done that kind of mileage in a TVR and S2000 recently and an MG Midget a few years back (Ok I was 17 then and it was luxury in relation to my bike) All not as comfy as a Z4, I think you will be fine!

I'm looking forward to hearing how you get on as I'm thinking of swapping the S2000 for one.

Thanks

Paul

P.S I have only driven a Z4 for about 200 miles in one go and that was only once.

Edited by Paul R on Thursday 18th September 15:40

I've just done this S2000 to Z4!

[NickB12]

I've just changed my rfts for Goodyear F1 Asymmetric(18s). Much smoother, though still as firm, and a better turn-in too. Tramlining, jarring and skipping over minor bumps are all very much reduced. Car feels closer to the road, as it were.

[Zeek]

Longest journey for me is London to Dortmund and back in 30 hours (Z4M with non-runflats), and London to Paris and back in a day (3.0 with runflats).

The Z4M tyres are less harsh, but the seat position and support must make a big difference if people are hurting after 100 miles;)

[Sortie 10]

Recently took out an S2000 as Honda were offering a free pair of Oakleys to do so!
Compared with my 2003 Z4 2.5, my thoughts are:
1) Ride appalling - even compared to my car with sports suspension and 18" runflats
2) Ergonomics - poor, no steering wheel adjustment of any description, no seat height adjustment, storage space poor (even compared with Z4) - important if you are intending to use the car on a daily basis or for long touring holidays. Semi-electric hood on S2000, not good if you are caught solo in a rain storm - Z4 is faster and easier.
3) Lovely tactile gearbox, with great precision
4) Poor build quality (roof rattled massively when down), even on the 3000 mile car I drove.
5) Good power, and more linear than when I last tried one
6) Slightly alarmed to find that the S2000 is in the top car tax bracket, extra £200 per annum at present (more in future)
7) The S2000 may have been a good steer when launched, but standards (and expectations) have moved on. I was pleased to get back in the Z4, which has proved a great drive over many long Euro drives.
8) Interested to see that Bob Gerard (reputable Honda indie) has new S2000s at £20k - £21k, at £28k list an S2000 is irrelevant, but at £21k new it makes interesting competition against 2 year old Z4s. I still think that I would take a straight six BM over the revvy Honda 4.

[physprof]

couple of observations..
point 6 - same as my Z4M .... so s2000 null point
point 8 - for about same or tad more AUC Z4M roadster..

so why s2000??? near me there is a honda dealer that has had same three s2000 out front almost all summer.

[Ment-Al]

The s2000 was something i seriously contemplated too, but i think id end up round a tree...

Boxster and s2000 horrendous to insure compared to the Z4 for me.