Z4 2.0 - Anybody got or drove one?

[fraserbottomley]

Alright guys.

Quite fancy a Z4 within the next couple of months, and would probably go for a 2.0 facelift model. Has anybody here driven one? Reviews seem to say the engine's good but some first hand opinions would be nice before I drive one.

Cheers.

[Eagerbeaver]

Really gutless but the economy is incredible an you don't miss the power 95% of the time. A great daily driver. Very low running costs and great value.

[cheadle hulme]

I test drove one. Great handling as the 4 pot motor is very light, but needs to be worked very hard to get anywhere. I'd agree with the gutless comment above tbh.

[fraserbottomley]

Thanks guys.

I have a new Fiesta Zetec-S at the moment with 120bhp, does 0-60 in around 9 seconds so the 2.0 Z4 will be an upgrade in power. It will be a daily driver and I'm more concerned with being able to take the roof off than outright power to be honest.

The power of the six cylinders would obviously be nice, but the lower running costs and insurance are appealing with it being a daily.

[MattGTA]

Bizarrely, I was flicking through an old copy of EVO yesterday and fell upon a review of the 2 litre Z4. They gave it 4 stars, praising the handling (as you would expect) and the smoothness of the engine.

I say go for it – it’s a cracking car and whilst I’ve never driven the 2.0, I suspect it would be more than sufficient on the road.

It’s a British build engine, too

[forty-two]

The missus had a 2.0 Z4 last year which came with the full M-Sport pack. Handling was amazing but the engine was simply not up to the job. We took it for a week touring around France and all the time I was cursing the 2.0 as it simply does not have any go when you need it to go. I did like the auto roof though, unlock on remote and then hold down the unlock key, roof drops as you walk to the car so ready to go!

Problems we had in 8 months of ownership.

We managed to flatten the battery with the Radio and Air Con on one day, jump starting put the car in to transport mode so dealer had to re-program it.

Electric windows decided that they liked the half way position more than closed. It was a random fault that would clear after a while.

[mattviatura]

Okeydoke

Handling is good.

As mentioned earlier the 2.0 could use more power, the 3.0 is much more like a sports car should be.

Ride is shocking on our roads, runflats are appalling and the tramlining can really catch you out.

Build quality has been very, very poor.

The day after mine was delivered I awoke to find the roof and windows had opened.

It needed a new manifold after a year due to a cracked weld.

2 x new horns

2 x new radios

1 x new drivers seat

1 x door retaining strap

2 x rear springs

Disc and pad wear was unacceptable

Intermittent undetectable mechanical squeak from windscreen wipers, dealer checked and refit and greased everything but fault couldn't be determined.

In short, a load of rubbish but I accept I may have had a bad car and am a fan of BMW generally.

BMW GB and the dealer were great about the whole thing even financially compensating me for all of my problems however I do buy a lot of BMWs with work and the car did go wrong from day one.

[Babu 01]

forty-two said:

We managed to flatten the battery with the Radio and Air Con on one day, jump starting put the car in to transport mode so dealer had to re-program it.

Opening the roof without the engine running probably contributed to that too.

[timwatsham]

I've got on and think its great...

It is light on power compared to the others in the range, but considered on its own merits it is great. Engine is very smooth, it is quick enough day to day, handling is great, refinement is great for a convertible and it is a lovely looking car. I've beige leather & wood inside and it has a great feel-good factor. Clincher for me is low road tax, low insurance and 38mpg average over my first 8,000 miles... Beats 40mpg if it is just motorway and this is brim to brim not relying on the trip computer.

I've had much faster cars, but this is one of the nicest in terms of overall experience.

If you do want to drive harder, it is actually really good fun - took mine on the EVO track evening at beford autodrome a month or so back and have a ball. Pretty much everything else was faster in a straight line, but I was able to catch up through the bends and was laughing my head off most of the way round. Then dropped the roof, and drove back down the motorway listening to some music doing over 40mpg with the seat heaters on. Not many ways to have more fun after work on a Friday...