I purchased my 2005 e85 3.0i back in August ‘21, technically my first car at 27! Bought it to have a little more fun en route during the mandated UK holidays… our other car is a VW UP (nothing more needed living and working in/around London).
Having done my research I knew a bit, but I wasn’t prepared for how great these cars are!
We have so far ticked off the following road trips; NC500, Welsh coast, Lake District, peak district, Yorkshire moors, Norfolk…
We just returned from a 2k+ roadtrip around the west/southwest of France. It seems these cars can do anything - carry enough luggage for 2 for a fortnight, crunch the miles comfortably on the motorway, cruise at 130kmph top down and great fun on the twisty mountain passes… and returned 34mpg!
The only issues on the the whole trip were coolant light came up (only needed topping off after I left the cap loose checking the fluids mid trip) and the boot floor gets warm on a run, presume from exhaust and 30 degree weather… gave me an excuse not to bring back any chocolate! Apart from that it never missed a beat… these things are epic
During my ownership the car has never let me down, only really needing (on top of usual wear items) the brake lines replacing (which I knew when buying), DSC sensors and a wheel speed sensor… I’ve also been able to tick off some other bits like diff and gearbox oil, 330i front brakes and other bits which I won’t bore you with!
I’m getting the itch for an extra 0.2L…
Since buying the Z4 a few things have changed and I’m fortunate enough to be thinking about “upgrading”. While the 3.0i is fast enough, I rarely drive it beyond 6/10ths, I’m a little more used to the power and my eyes have started wandering.
I’m posting this really to hear your views, current and past owners, those who moved from 3.0 to M, and those who didn’t!
The M54 feels like incredible value motoring, but I worry I’ll regret not getting into an S54 while I can… not sure how long will I be able to afford it either, e46 m3s seem to be going up and up… sometimes I get anxiety watching the prices some people are asking on auto trader grow and grow!!!
I’ve also caught myself looking at e9X m3, but figure I should make the most of not needing a “practical” second car while I can! 987 Cayman S, wrong forum?
I'm trying to work on my better half for next years roadtrip being to Italy hopefully via nordschleife and the south of France! I’m thinking Z4MC, the battery box in the boot would take a little too much boot space in the Z4MR, and they’re gorgeous… but we’d miss top down motoring…
I am not looking to make money, deprecation free motoring is my aim. I’m comfortable with the insurance, tax and aware of the preventive bits I’d want to get done for peace of mind, but keen to hear how much the “M tax” really is running an Z4M over an M54!
I am struggling to rationalise the extra £10-15-20k(!!?) for an M, I could supercharge the M54 for a lot less and get similar power… I was lucky to stumble into my Z4, it has New England heated M sport seats (with leather A pillars), Msport suspension and DSP stereo, how different would an M be during 70+% of the driving? I’ve not tracked anything, and not looking for a track car.
I’ve not got a garage so it’d be have to be stored on the road. I want to use the car and not worry about putting miles on it/losing £ from driving it (current z4 just ticked over 120k) or too much about where I park it! On the flip side I wouldn’t want high miles as I’d want an easy sell should needs arise… Is that possible or do I want my cake and to eat it? I only do 5k ish a year currently.
A few of my favourite pics so far to finish off a long and rambling post!
