Z4, but which one?

[kis]

How common are they though? I've had a quick look on autotrader only 3 I think? And in excess of 300 e89 2.0 models... that makes it 1 per 100 (approximately) in terms of availability?

[Withavee]

Some good feedback from one and all, thank you.
Buzyg - the Elise was a perfect fit for me, guess I'm just lucky.

Regarding the 'is the seat right back' situation, I had a good test drive in a 13 plate 2ltr where I had done the forward shuffle and my head was brushing the roof and I resigned myself to look elsewhere. Sales guy said 'are you sure its right down' so went forward until my knees were under my chin and it dropped a couple of cm which made the world of difference, so I fit. Yay!

The 2ltr is plenty fast enough for me these days but yes, a straight 6 has it's attractions for sure.

In principle I prefer the idea of a soft top over the metal folder so perhaps and older 2.5 is the answer, anything to be looking out for on an 8 year old? Or is the later model a better car anyway?

[Mr Tidy]

But the 2litre turbo has more torque, Go to page 10 & look at bmw's own figures comparing it against the 3litre six...http://www.bimmerpost.com/goodiesforyou ... ERPOST.pdf

My 123d probably had way more torque than a 2 litre turbo - doesn't mean I'd prefer one to my 3 litre 6!

[kis]

Some good feedback from one and all, thank you.
Buzyg - the Elise was a perfect fit for me, guess I'm just lucky.

Regarding the 'is the seat right back' situation, I had a good test drive in a 13 plate 2ltr where I had done the forward shuffle and my head was brushing the roof and I resigned myself to look elsewhere. Sales guy said 'are you sure its right down' so went forward until my knees were under my chin and it dropped a couple of cm which made the world of difference, so I fit. Yay!

The 2ltr is plenty fast enough for me these days but yes, a straight 6 has it's attractions for sure.

In principle I prefer the idea of a soft top over the metal folder so perhaps and older 2.5 is the answer, anything to be looking out for on an 8 year old? Or is the later model a better car anyway?

From my research they both have their pros and cons. It's what suits you at the end of the day. As a really rough guide I'd go to autotrader, start with your spec like max mileage, colour, budget, engine size etc. Then see what pops up?

You'll also want a well maintained car, so a low mileage beauty doesn't necessarily guarantee you a trouble free car. In fact if it's been sat for long periods, not on charge, rotated, etc. it's probably more likely to generate faults than one with more mileage thats run more frequently.

If you're going for a 2.5 then you'll be narrowing the criteria drastically anyway. If then, lets say you want one with integrated sat nav, you've probably only got a handful to choose between. So I'd say don't restrict yourself to facelift or pre for now, leave them all in the deck and see where the rest of the cards fall...

[kis]

But the 2litre turbo has more torque, Go to page 10 & look at bmw's own figures comparing it against the 3litre six...http://www.bimmerpost.com/goodiesforyou ... ERPOST.pdf

My 123d probably had way more torque than a 2 litre turbo - doesn't mean I'd prefer one to my 3 litre 6!

Couldn't resist. Chris_D's bad influence

[Smartbear]

But the 2litre turbo has more torque, Go to page 10 & look at bmw's own figures comparing it against the 3litre six...http://www.bimmerpost.com/goodiesforyou ... ERPOST.pdf

My 123d probably had way more torque than a 2 litre turbo - doesn't mean I'd prefer one to my 3 litre 6!

Couldn't resist. Chris_D's bad influence

Hang on a moment, I replied to a direct critique about the 2litre lacking torque-when I post a link blowing that argument out of the water you cant just dismiss it and talk about an oil burner.
That's what women do
Rob

[Marlon]

Some good feedback from one and all, thank you.
Buzyg - the Elise was a perfect fit for me, guess I'm just lucky.

Regarding the 'is the seat right back' situation, I had a good test drive in a 13 plate 2ltr where I had done the forward shuffle and my head was brushing the roof and I resigned myself to look elsewhere. Sales guy said 'are you sure its right down' so went forward until my knees were under my chin and it dropped a couple of cm which made the world of difference, so I fit. Yay!

The 2ltr is plenty fast enough for me these days but yes, a straight 6 has it's attractions for sure.

In principle I prefer the idea of a soft top over the metal folder so perhaps and older 2.5 is the answer, anything to be looking out for on an 8 year old? Or is the later model a better car anyway?

If you are considering the E85 (soft top) then I would look at a 3.0si 2006 - 2008. Similar running costs to the 2.5 and gives you the lighter N52 6 cylinder 265 bhp engine.

[kis]

Hang on a moment, I replied to a direct critique about the 2litre lacking torque-when I post a link blowing that argument out of the water you cant just dismiss it and talk about an oil burner.
That's what women do
Rob

Sorry Rob, nothing personal. I did reply to your original post but all that got me was a ball of tumbleweed
There may be one or two 2litres that have more torque than the 3litre... but it's definitely the minority. Theres just something about the 3 litre straight 6...

Kis

[Withavee]

Having just sold my Subaru SVX, 3.3ltr flat six, I know the attraction of a big 6.