My new BMW Z4 28i M Sport

[SteveS Cup]

Hi all,

Been looking at new cars recently and was leaning towards a 2013 TTS Coupe until I saw this...







Extremely pleased with it, its the 28i so 0-60 in 5.5 seconds plus an achievable 40mpg apparently! It also has £8k's of optional extras meaning some poor sod has lost over £25k on this in 2 years!

I picked it up last night, I've changed the aerial for a stubby one and ordered plain number plates to get rid of the Big Motoring World ones!

[SteveS Cup]

Can't really complain about anything to be honest.

[SteveS Cup]

lewisf182 said:

Looks lovely that! really do like the interiors in the z4. 0-60 in 5.5 isn't to be sniffed at either, better than the NA 3.0.
Have had a quick ride a 23i I think it was (still 2 litre petrol but less powerful than yours) and it left me a bit underwhelmed re noise, Any reason for not going for the 3.0 turbo? That will get you 40mpg on a run too.

23i is the old 2.5 straight six I think, 20i is the lower powered 2.0 Turbo.

The car is very well sound deadened with the roof and windows up. With them down you get to hear some noise. It's never going to compare to my colleagues Jag F Type but it doesn't sound to bad with the typical farts on upshifts and a few artificial pops on down shifts.

It really isn't a focussed car IMO. It's a fantastic all rounder. It is surprisingly quick but has just averaged 45mpg from Epsom Surrey to Aylesford Kent. Not too shabby.

Main reason for picking this one was that it's the perfect compromise for me. I was looking at 135i's, 35i Z4's as well as TTS and considering upping my budget for a TTRS (but I'd of been at the bottom of the market) but this one came up in my perfect spec (other than the wood but I quite like it now!) so I went for a test drive to see if it was quick enough or not. It was so I bought it!

I would very much doubt that a 35is would be as economical driven the same but I appreciate there probably isn't a lot in it. Also, 35is's fetch a few more ££££'s so I got a bit of a bargain IMO.

[SteveS Cup]

Croutons said:

For the hard of understanding (ie me) Can you say what the list was, and what you paid? Did the first owner pay list!?

It's was originally just shy of £44k. I paid less than £20k.

[SteveS Cup]

V8A*ndy said:

35iS here. 40mpg on a run? Nope

I've now had it 6 years. First year I was a bit miffed/concerned with niggles but all sorted. Car has be brilliant since and I am very happy for once.

35iS seem to be holding values rather well as they are rather rare.

Only downside is driving in town as it's knob head magnet.

I think it's a keeper.

I didn't think I'd be able to achieve 30mpg in a 35iS so glad I went for this one! I do a fair amount of miles for work so whilst I have no issue spending money on petrol for my enjoyment I like to make a bit on the 45p per mile fuel allowance if it's for work. Otherwise things like the e92 M3 would of been looked at.

I definitely think this is a keeper!

In terms of "knob head magnet"... I've been driving hot hatches for the last 5 years. Blatant hot hatches with louder exhausts and upgraded coilovers etc... I can count on one hand how many times people would sit up my arse or try to race me. In the 2 days I've had this there have been 4 occasions already were some dick in a TDI Golf is sat up my arse or a Mondeo has tried to beat me off a set of lights to cut in front.

I'm also surprised by the very positive feedback and admiring glances it gets. I never thought the Z4 was an overly liked car, I've always had a thing for them but it seems it gets a thumbs up from most!

[SteveS Cup]

problemchild1976 said:

good old big motoring world

i travelled from bristol to kent to look at some the 20+ 5 series they had on their website...... they actually had none and they guy said they couldn't be arsed to update their website regularly

the car looks V nice though

not sure how you are gonna get 40mpg but it will be great fun getting 20

JJ

Sorry but that's bks! Their website is updated hourly, as soon as a deposit is left the car will be taken off. It only goes back on if the owner pulls out.

My car was off the website with 15 minutes of paying the deposit.

I also called them to ensure the car I wanted to look at was still available.

I'm not a huge fan of theirs but they didn't really do anything wrong. I picked up my car within 24 hours of rest driving it and 9 hours of paying the deposit. In that time it was valeted in side and out and transported to their collections show room. For a second hand car buying experience the collection felt more like a main dealer experience than any other I've had.

The car is perfect sonapart from a salesman trying to push a warranty and guard x and the collections specialist being a tad "blonde" there really was nothing to moan about.

[SteveS Cup]

lewisf182 said:

My brother has an M135i and gets 40 on a 70mph motorway cruise? Think it might be a slightly different turbo 3 though?
Either way bloody economical for what they are!

I believe it's the same engine, I just know I never achieve quoted figures!

[SteveS Cup]

Nezquick said:

SteveS Cup said:

lewisf182 said:

My brother has an M135i and gets 40 on a 70mph motorway cruise? Think it might be a slightly different turbo 3 though?
Either way bloody economical for what they are!

I believe it's the same engine, I just know I never achieve quoted figures!

Afraid not. The 28i is a 4 cylinder turbo. The M135i engine is a 6 cylinder.

I used to have a 28i Z4 though and it was a lovely car. Good choice OP.

O I know that! I was referring to the 35iS engine compared to the M135i!

I know mine is the 2.0 Turbo!

[SteveS Cup]

Quick de badge and stubby aerial fitted and the rear end looks much better!

[SteveS Cup]

Sheetmaself said:

Z4 35i has the 135i engine, z4 35is has the 1m engine.

Have had a 28 for the past year and half about to be part exed for a 240 convertible. Really nice cars but good luck getting in it when its iced up! Almost earned itself a place in the garage due to how difficult it is to get in.

Ah I see! Must admit, the various different types of 3.0 Turbo engines BMW make is a tad. Infusing with twin turbo / single turbos too!

[SteveS Cup]

Mr Tidy said:

Are you sure?

I met up with 8 other Z4 owners yesterday morning and there wasn't one 4 cylinder turbo-engined Z4 wannabee there - all naturally aspirated straight 6! (like yours).
:

Edited by Mr Tidy on Monday 21st November 03:06

I would of loved to of come to a Z4 meet!

I'd also of loved a silly smooth straight 6 but the fuel efficiency in this car is incredible and makes it so much more viable for me.

[SteveS Cup]

Sheetmaself said:

What mpg you getting? Over 16000 miles im averaging 28mpg! I think my 240 will be better

32mpg at the moment and that is with a lot of playing around in sport mode with paddles etc. I think I'll get around 400 miles to a tank.

[SteveS Cup]

Frustratingly I'm already on there but just didn't think to check the meets section!

More frustratingly, Newland's Corner is my favourite Sunday location to go and park up and sample some of the fine food on offer! Lol.

My parents still live on Box Hill so I'm always around that area!

I'll try to make the next one definitely.

Are you local?

30mpg is more than acceptable, to be honest, I didn't go out seeking a 28i, I went to have a look as it was only 30 minutes away from me, it had loads of options and was a colour combo / spec I liked. I went to see if I could fit in it and to see if it was quick enough. It was a massive yes to both so that evening I thought of every reason not to buy it. I read that the 28i replaced the 3.0 etc etc and that this one was the LCi. Couldn't think of anything sensible not to buy it so I bought it.

I'll happily take you for a spin if you've not been in one of these 4 pots before but it really is quite impressive. Still can't believe it's a 2.0 or that it's turbo charged (unless the windows are down and you can hear the dump valve).

[SteveS Cup]

New plates now fitted to get rid of the Big Motoring World adverts...



I'm just waiting for some Bosch aero wipers now.

I've got an annoying rattle coming from the speaker in the drivers door, it's very noticeable when the radio is at a normal listening volume which is infuriating! Turn it up loud and you can't hear it.

I'm looking in to getting the roll over hoops sprayed black along with the side repeaters of fitting the pre-LCi side repeaters and fitting black kidney grills.

[SteveS Cup]

Had an awesome day at Goodwood followed by a drive to Littlehampton and then on to Woking and finally back home!





I'm hopefully resolving the Wind Deflector saga today so the new roll hoops I bought to paint black will be spares and I'll be painting the ones with the brackets already attached black! Will hopefully havevthese fitted tomorrow.

I've got the black kidney grills ready to be fitted but the gf wants them to be a Christmas present so I've agreed to wait until Christmas to fit them!

Rather than painting / wrapping the side repeaters I've decided to buy these...



I saw them on eBay.de but didn't want to order them through that, then a chap on Facebook sent me the link to the website so I thought they're better than wrapping.


To add to my previous feedback on Big Motoring World, the car still seems tip top and incredible value however, shortly after purchasing the car I checked the wind deflector was in the boot and only the storage bag was. So since mid November I have been calling them to try to get it sorted. I'm still yet to speak to either of the after sales team and I lost it with the sales manager on Monday. They're now currently sourcing me one but my god they've been a pain to deal with.

So although the buying experience was swift and convenient, the post sales dealings has been terrible.

[SteveS Cup]

And a bit more about the car...

It's proving to be a quick car. It had no issue keeping up with an e46 M3 and 2 e85 Z4M's on a spirited drive, I'm sure on track it would be a different story but it's a really strong engine with a fantastic box.

I'm currently researching options for a remap. Lots of people recommend these tuning boxes but I contact DMS today and they can do a proper remap. I'll then be looking at 310bhp and 0-60 in 4.9 seconds. I'm happy to leave it as it is for now.

I'm considering some Eibach springs which should only lower the rear by 5mm but it will drop the front by 15mm which would massively improve the "stance". I just don't want to make the ride any worse!

[SteveS Cup]

cerb4.5lee said:

SteveS Cup said:

It's proving to be a quick car. It had no issue keeping up with an e46 M3 and 2 e85 Z4M's on a spirited drive,

In fairness a milk float would keep up with the M3/Z4M(had both), because nothing happens unless you hit high revs in them, hence why I much prefer turbo's overall.

N/A engines rightfully have died a death nowadays and for good reason.

I think it's fair to say that my drive in the M3 would suggest it's not a slow car! But I didn't expect my little 4 pot to do so well.

As you say, the way power is delivered from the turbo engine as well as the gearbox certainly makes use of the power it has extremely well.

On top of that, the e46 and 1.4 Turbo Punto basically used a whole tank of petrol where as I had only used half so it is economical as well!

[SteveS Cup]

Black roll hoops on...



Much better in my opinion!! Can't wait to get the side repeaters and kidneys on now!

I've also ordered a wind deflector as Big Motoring World won't play ball.

I'm also looking in to making a splitter like this...



I'm not a huge lover of the carbon fibre options available and would like something simple.

[SteveS Cup]

I've also fitted the new wipers and a new speaker!

Absolutely loving this car, it's a bit of a jack of all, master of none, but I like that.

[SteveS Cup]

TommyBuoy said:

Lovely car, had my 23i for 18 months now - wanted the 35i, but company car policy dictates a co2 limit and the old 35i engine they use doesn't meet them

23i about 200bhp so not particularly quick and it's definitely not a focused sports car, even the 35i wasn't as sharp as I expected, but motorbikes kind of ruin car performance!

Haven't had any problems with abuse other than the usual hairdresser car comments.

Where did he stubby aerial come from - also like the black roll bars!

Sounds nice mate!

Stubby aerial was £7 on eBay I think! I had one on my mini and the signal is perfect!

I can't wait to add the other black items now!