Z4 3.0 - Any good?

[toastboy]

I've been looking at these on the BMW website and was really surprised to see quite a few between 12 and 15k which makes them very tempting.

I know they would have the same engine as my 330ci Sport which apart from liking a drop of oil has done 108k miles fault free.

As it's lighter, I presume it would be a little quicker than the 330? Would the ride be much different?

Has anyone got any advice on buying one? Which options to take etc?

Edited by toastboy on Monday 20th October 11:46

[paoloh]

Has to be a Sport!

[toastboy]

paoloh said:

Has to be a Sport!

That'd be nice but they start at £19k. I've really got a max budget of £15k.

[paoloh]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-Z4-3-01-COVERTABLE-V6-AU...

[toastboy]

paoloh said:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-Z4-3-01-COVERTABLE-V6-AU...

I don't think that's a sport. On the BMW website all Sports are 2006 onwards.

Also I would want a manual gearbox.

[paoloh]

toastboy said:

paoloh said:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-Z4-3-01-COVERTABLE-V6-AU...

I don't think that's a sport. On the BMW website all Sports are 2006 onwards.

Also I would want a manual gearbox.

No, Sports started a lot earlier than that. I had an 03 one if my memory serves me right.

[toastboy]

paoloh said:

toastboy said:

paoloh said:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-Z4-3-01-COVERTABLE-V6-AU...

I don't think that's a sport. On the BMW website all Sports are 2006 onwards.

Also I would want a manual gearbox.

No, Sports started a lot earlier than that. I had an 03 one if my memory serves me right.

Hmmm, now I'm confused. Looking at the BMW AUC site, everything before 2006 is an SE but those do come with M Sport suspension as standard. Any ideas?

[paoloh]

toastboy said:

paoloh said:

toastboy said:

paoloh said:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-Z4-3-01-COVERTABLE-V6-AU...

I don't think that's a sport. On the BMW website all Sports are 2006 onwards.

Also I would want a manual gearbox.

No, Sports started a lot earlier than that. I had an 03 one if my memory serves me right.

Hmmm, now I'm confused. Looking at the BMW AUC site, everything before 2006 is an SE but those do come with M Sport suspension as standard. Any ideas?

I seem to remember buying my father a 3.0 Sport on a 53 when they first come out. I could be wrong but I on't think I am.

[bras0782]

For a 03/04 model there was only one version of the 3.0. I think this applies all the way to the facelift in 2006, but I can only be sure for the range I was looking at when I bought.

[Andrew D]

bras0782 said:

For a 03/04 model there was only one version of the 3.0. I think this applies all the way to the facelift in 2006, but I can only be sure for the range I was looking at when I bought.

Yes!

Pre-facelift they were all branded SE, but it's a different SE to the post-facelift. The 3.0i had sports suspension as standard, along with a load of other stuff.

In fact, there isn't such a thing as a 3.0i Sport, because all post-facelift three-litre cars were the 3.0Si with the 265PS N52 motor (rather than the 231PS M54). They're frightfully expensive for some reason (i.e. at a similar level to the Z4 M Roadster), presumably because they've cornered the "new Z4 that goes quick but doesn't drink like a fish" market...

Edited to add:-

To answer the orginal question; they're now amazing value for money, I'd recommend them. I've had mine for almost three years and I love it. The ride will be worse than an E46 thanks to the run flats, especially on the 3.0i.

As for options; the 3.0i comes with most essential stuff as standard which makes the search easier (i.e. nice 17" alloys although most have 18"s, sports suspension, leather trim, metallic paint, electric seats, six gears). The rest is personal taste. Sat Nav, HiFi Carver (the uprated one) are less important for resale than on, say, an X5, so I wouldn't worry too much about them unless you want them. I have the basic HiFi and it's fine for my needs.

A quick note on wheels; apparently the five-spoke multi-piece ("split rim") 18" wheels apparently suffer from corrosion, so if you get one with those make sure it's got AUC warranty.

Edited by Andrew D on Monday 20th October 16:02

[BMWsouthwales]

Z4 Coupe avaiable to a good home, dont want the earth for itjust a fair price at present, 56 September plate Montego Blue, I really dont want to get rid of the car but cant refuse the lure of an M6!!!

56 plate - 18.7k mint with extended leather plus other extras on the car. Drop me a mail or txt if interested.

No finance on car and genuinely mint in and out.

Cheers


Steve
07868754019

[Fox-]

paoloh said:

Has to be a Sport!

No it doesn't, because the 3.0 SE has Sport Suspension as standard anyway so you only really 'miss out' on the Sports Seats by going for an SE and to be honest many of them had those specified anyway.

[paoloh]

Fox- said:

paoloh said:

Has to be a Sport!

No it doesn't, because the 3.0 SE has Sport Suspension as standard anyway so you only really 'miss out' on the Sports Seats by going for an SE and to be honest many of them had those specified anyway.

Go away!

[tribal jitter]

Fox- said:

paoloh said:

Has to be a Sport!

No it doesn't, because the 3.0 SE has Sport Suspension as standard anyway so you only really 'miss out' on the Sports Seats by going for an SE and to be honest many of them had those specified anyway.

You must be joking, a pre face lift 3.0i se with the 'Optional' sports seats are like hens teeth.

[Fox-]

paoloh said:

Fox- said:

paoloh said:

Has to be a Sport!

No it doesn't, because the 3.0 SE has Sport Suspension as standard anyway so you only really 'miss out' on the Sports Seats by going for an SE and to be honest many of them had those specified anyway.

Go away!

I wouldnt mind you being so bloody rude if the stuff you said was always true. The car you've posted on Ebay is not a Sport, it's an SE, it's simply advertised by somebody who is mistaken (Hence why they also think it's a V6).

I'd normally agree with you all the way in that when buying a BMW, always go for a Sport. But it's different with the Z4 - many of the things you'd buy a Sport for on a regular BMW are standard on the 3.0 Z4 anyway, and the 'Sport' models didn't add things like different bodystyling to the Z4.

The geniune Z4 Sport didnt appear until 2006, so your 2003 Z4 was actually an SE, which kinda proves my point about it not needing to be a Sport with a Z4. I suspect though, that your answer to this will be to call me a wker, or a knowitall, or whatever other spectacular displays of maturity you've got up your sleeve this week.

[adycav]

Fox- said:

paoloh said:

Fox- said:

paoloh said:

Has to be a Sport!

No it doesn't, because the 3.0 SE has Sport Suspension as standard anyway so you only really 'miss out' on the Sports Seats by going for an SE and to be honest many of them had those specified anyway.

Go away!

I wouldnt mind you being so bloody rude if the stuff you said was always true. The car you've posted on Ebay is not a Sport, it's an SE, it's simply advertised by somebody who is mistaken (Hence why they also think it's a V6).

I'd normally agree with you all the way in that when buying a BMW, always go for a Sport. But it's different with the Z4 - many of the things you'd buy a Sport for on a regular BMW are standard on the 3.0 Z4 anyway, and the 'Sport' models didn't add things like different bodystyling to the Z4.

The geniune Z4 Sport didnt appear until 2006, so your 2003 Z4 was actually an SE, which kinda proves my point about it not needing to be a Sport with a Z4. I suspect though, that your answer to this will be to call me a wker, or a knowitall, or whatever other spectacular displays of maturity you've got up your sleeve this week.

What's with all this 'tension' between you pair?

Is it like Brokeback Mountain?

[TheCaseAce]

Ah wish ah knew how to quit yew.

[Luvmyzed]

A budget of £ 15k will get you a really nice Z4. Choose your colours and spec carefully, though most stuff was std anyway. The 108 wheels look amazing, but can get scruffy, so budget for a refurb if required. Sat nav is a good option, as it heated seats,Carver hi fi is amazing but the std one is fine.Parking sensors were popular too. The pre facelift 231 bhp version has plenty of performance and will do 30 mpg if you are not too silly, budget 25 to 35 mpg depending upon your driving style.A full history is essential though no real mechanical gremlins.I got mine 4 months ago and have loved every minute of it.

[Mattt]

Parking sensors are really not necessary, especially as they are only for the rear (which you are pretty much next to anyway - just look for the tip of the spoiler and that's it) - the only place you would possibly need them for is the front, which is pretty long!!

[Fox-]

I find the Z4 is both the easiest and hardest car in the world to park. With the roof off its a cinch, with the roof on its a nightmare with very poor rear visibility.