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Lady owner: Advice for buying my 1st Z4 & selling Z3 2.8

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KarenMWilson1
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Lady owner: Advice for buying my 1st Z4 & selling Z3 2.8

Post by KarenMWilson1 » Sat Jan 13, 2018 2:09 pm

Hi there,

I bought my Z3 2.8 Montreal blue car from new in 1998 (20 years in May!). It has been fabulous but unfortunately due to corrosion of the sill/floor, suspension arm, corrosion of sub frame mountings amongst other things I was advised to sell. It drives beautifully still and mechanically is sound (one careful lady owner!). I cried all the way home....

I am now considering buying a Z4 approx £10k-£12k budget and would welcome advice on models, engine size etc. I was absolutely delighted with the 2.8 engine in the Z3 with a Bhp of 196 compared to the 1.9 at that time. So I would be looking at the mid/larger engine to provide similar if not improved performance! (-: Also would prefer a soft top. But open to advice on the pros and cons of hard vs soft.

Also did the models change in 2009? Would it be better to buy from then or later e.g. 2010? Were there significant improvements in styling etc from then? Suggestions on which models and years would be really appreciated. Also best places to look for one. My mot on the Z3 runs out on 31 Jan18 so feel a bit shell shocked and not prepared for buying a Z4!! Not quite sure how to go about selling the Z3. It has 4 brand new Good year tyres on and various reasonable saleable parts. It has done 155k miles but always carefully driven! Shall I try on EBay?

Thank you so much

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Lady owner: Advice for buying my 1st Z4 & selling Z3 2.8

Post by GBZ4 » Sat Jan 13, 2018 3:15 pm

KarenMWilson1 wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2018 2:09 pmHi there,

I am now considering buying a Z4 approx £10k-£12k budget and would welcome advice on models, engine size etc. I was absolutely delighted with the 2.8 engine in the Z3 with a Bhp of 196 compared to the 1.9 at that time. So I would be looking at the mid/larger engine to provide similar if not improved performance! (-: Also would prefer a soft top. But open to advice on the pros and cons of hard vs soft.

Thank you so much
Hi and welcome to the forum. I’m sure there’ll be a shed load of advice coming along soon from those who know better than I. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
2016 E89 18i Roadster - gone and forgotten

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Lady owner: Advice for buying my 1st Z4 & selling Z3 2.8

Post by Marlon » Sat Jan 13, 2018 3:38 pm

Welcome along - you've come to the right place for all things Zed related :thumbsup:

1st gen Z4 E85/E86 2003 - 2009 (E85 - Roadster from 2003, E86 - coupe from 2006)
2nd gen Z4 E89 2009 - 2016

I guess your first decision is whether to go for a 1st gen or 2nd gen Z4 as they differ significantly.
If its a 1st gen then the choice is wind in your hair or not? - roadster (E85) or coupe (E86)
Based upon your Z3 experience I would recommend a 3 litre if you decide upon a 1st gen Z4

If you opt for the more modern E89 2nd gen Z4 there are numerous engine sizes and power outputs to chose from.

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Lady owner: Advice for buying my 1st Z4 & selling Z3 2.8

Post by TR4man » Sat Jan 13, 2018 4:00 pm

Hi and welcome Karen.

I also came here from a Z3 although mine was the more humble 2.0 six cylinder version. It was a great little car and coped with no problem doing the daily commute.

Replaced it with my Coupe nearly three years ago, but have fond memories of my little Z3.
2006 E86 Si Sport as a daily driver.

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Lady owner: Advice for buying my 1st Z4 & selling Z3 2.8

Post by TR4man » Sat Jan 13, 2018 4:06 pm

KarenMWilson1 wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2018 2:09 pm Not quite sure how to go about selling the Z3. It has 4 brand new Good year tyres on and various reasonable saleable parts. It has done 155k miles but always carefully driven! Shall I try on EBay?
You could do worse than to advertise it on the Z3 forums - there are two

http://www.zroadster.net/forum/portal.php

https://zroadster.org/

Good luck!
2006 E86 Si Sport as a daily driver.

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Lady owner: Advice for buying my 1st Z4 & selling Z3 2.8

Post by buzyg » Sat Jan 13, 2018 7:49 pm

Welcome aboard Karen. :D

Lots of friendly knowledgeable folk here. If it's a soft top your looking for then it's the E85 Z4 roadster you wan't to focus your search on. Manufactured from 2002 to 2009. There was a mid life up date in 2006. Most obvious difference is the rear lights merged. But under the skin there were many changes too.

With your budget you should be looking at the later models. There are 20 2.2 & 2.5 ltr engines. But the most common and for good reason I suspect, was the 30i and 30si That's probably where you will find what you want.

Take a look on the usual internet sites. Auto trader, is still very good for buying and for selling IMHO. Piston heads is another popular place for hunting down a new steed these days. Be sure to test drive a few. If they have run flats on, then they hunt the camber of the road. Easily sorted with some new rubber. By on condition, not just low miles. A well cared for car should run to 150k miles and still keep a smile on your face and they don't have the rust issues of the Z3. Though always have a good hunt for the dreaded red stuff on any second hand car. Z4's are great cars, a bit more solid than the Z3 and better for it. :D Happy hunting. :thumbsup:
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Lady owner: Advice for buying my 1st Z4 & selling Z3 2.8

Post by Mr Tidy » Sat Jan 13, 2018 8:14 pm

Hi and welcome to the forum Karen.

Sorry to hear of your issues with your Z3. :(

But a Z4 looks like a good replacement!

The E85 is the Roadster, the E86 is the Coupe and the E89 that followed them has the folding metal roof.

There are loads of alternatives engine-wise. The first E85s had 2.2 (170bhp), 2.5 (192bhp) or 3.0 (231bhp) litre options.

The facelift in 2006 brought with it a new family of 6 cylinder engines, but you'd probably be wanting a 2.5si (218bhp) or a 3.0si (265bhp). There was a 2.5i but it had a lower power output (177bhp IIRC). Coupes only came with the 3.0si (luckily for me)!

Your budget would probably get you an early E89, so you probably need to decide whether you want a hood, a fixed roof or a folding metal one before working out which engine you want.

You could also do a lot worse than having a look at the adverts on here once you know which one you are looking for as forum members are more likely to spoil their cars. :)

Good luck with the search :thumbsup: - here's a link to an E85/E86 buying guide:-
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21281
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Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
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Lady owner: Advice for buying my 1st Z4 & selling Z3 2.8

Post by markalp » Sat Jan 13, 2018 8:48 pm

KarenMWilson1 wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2018 2:09 pmHi there,

I bought my Z3 2.8 Montreal blue car from new in 1998 (20 years in May!). It has been fabulous but unfortunately due to corrosion of the sill/floor, suspension arm, corrosion of sub frame mountings amongst other things I was advised to sell. It drives beautifully still and mechanically is sound (one careful lady owner!). I cried all the way home....

I am now considering buying a Z4 approx £10k-£12k budget and would welcome advice on models, engine size etc. I was absolutely delighted with the 2.8 engine in the Z3 with a Bhp of 196 compared to the 1.9 at that time. So I would be looking at the mid/larger engine to provide similar if not improved performance! (-: Also would prefer a soft top. But open to advice on the pros and cons of hard vs soft.

Also did the models change in 2009? Would it be better to buy from then or later e.g. 2010? Were there significant improvements in styling etc from then? Suggestions on which models and years would be really appreciated. Also best places to look for one. My mot on the Z3 runs out on 31 Jan18 so feel a bit shell shocked and not prepared for buying a Z4!! Not quite sure how to go about selling the Z3. It has 4 brand new Good year tyres on and various reasonable saleable parts. It has done 155k miles but always carefully driven! Shall I try on EBay?

Thank you so much

Don't forget to also consider the Alpina Roadster S, after looking at probably 25 different Z4s both E85, and E89 versions, I came across the Alpina version which I hadn't even heard of before, and after one test drive I was hooked, there is something about the feel of the car on the road, and the throttle responce that just made me smile.
Alpina Roadster S LUX #030

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Lady owner: Advice for buying my 1st Z4 & selling Z3 2.8

Post by VRSteve » Sat Jan 13, 2018 8:55 pm

markalp wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2018 8:48 pm
KarenMWilson1 wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2018 2:09 pmHi there,

I bought my Z3 2.8 Montreal blue car from new in 1998 (20 years in May!). It has been fabulous but unfortunately due to corrosion of the sill/floor, suspension arm, corrosion of sub frame mountings amongst other things I was advised to sell. It drives beautifully still and mechanically is sound (one careful lady owner!). I cried all the way home....

I am now considering buying a Z4 approx £10k-£12k budget and would welcome advice on models, engine size etc. I was absolutely delighted with the 2.8 engine in the Z3 with a Bhp of 196 compared to the 1.9 at that time. So I would be looking at the mid/larger engine to provide similar if not improved performance! (-: Also would prefer a soft top. But open to advice on the pros and cons of hard vs soft.

Also did the models change in 2009? Would it be better to buy from then or later e.g. 2010? Were there significant improvements in styling etc from then? Suggestions on which models and years would be really appreciated. Also best places to look for one. My mot on the Z3 runs out on 31 Jan18 so feel a bit shell shocked and not prepared for buying a Z4!! Not quite sure how to go about selling the Z3. It has 4 brand new Good year tyres on and various reasonable saleable parts. It has done 155k miles but always carefully driven! Shall I try on EBay?

Thank you so much

Don't forget to also consider the Alpina Roadster S, after looking at probably 25 different Z4s both E85, and E89 versions, I came across the Alpina version which I hadn't even heard of before, and after one test drive I was hooked, there is something about the feel of the car on the road, and the throttle responce that just made me smile.
For £10-12k??
///M|Silver Grey|Black Leather|BT|Nav|DSP|Heated Seats|PDC|Stubby|Turner Limiters|Turner Rear Top Mounts|Bilstein B12|Powerflex ARB Bushes|Powerflex Lollipops|M-Track|
SOLD

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Lady owner: Advice for buying my 1st Z4 & selling Z3 2.8

Post by firebobby » Sat Jan 13, 2018 9:17 pm

Welcome Karen, some really good advice above, don't forget photos when you get one. Got any photos of your z3. Where are you based :)
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Lady owner: Advice for buying my 1st Z4 & selling Z3 2.8

Post by jabber » Sat Jan 13, 2018 9:27 pm

Hi and welcome to the forum. I would suggest trying a 3.0 e89 you should be able to get one within your budget
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10 E89 Z4 3.0 Black auto now. Very sadly gone
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KarenMWilson1
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Lady owner: Advice for buying my 1st Z4 & selling Z3 2.8

Post by KarenMWilson1 » Sat Jan 13, 2018 10:39 pm

Hi everyone, thank you for your warm welcome and advice. I think I am still drawn to the roadster (soft top) having had many soft top convertibles. Although not seen the folding metal roof. So I would be looking at E85 2.5si or 3.0si from 2006 to 2009 if I go for the later models if I am right? Any issues of leaking or rust that I should look for? The Z3 did in later years!! The Alpina Roadster S sounds interesting. Need to do lots of research and get out there and drive them!! Any other tips and advice much appreciated 😄

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Post by srhutch » Sat Jan 13, 2018 11:28 pm

Alpina S prices are very similar to ///M prices. At 10-12k you are looking at 90k+ mileage.

I had a 2.5si before and was more than happy with it. Rust isn’t a major issue. Check the arches and the roof rubber where it meets the rear wings/boot as this is the only place I have really seen it, but rare.

Can’t believe you haven’t seen a E89. They have been out for 9 years.
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Lady owner: Advice for buying my 1st Z4 & selling Z3 2.8

Post by Mr Tidy » Sat Jan 13, 2018 11:47 pm

It sounds like a 2.5si or 3.0si E85 would suit you.

Alpinas are great cars, but there is a price premium and do you really want 300+ bhp?

I'm sure you will have seen E89s, but possibly not paid too much attention to them. I've put a couple of photos below (the roof is normally body-coloured rather than black) - if you do go for one of those you'd probably want a 23i or 30i.
Attachments
E89 roof up.jpg
E89 roof up.jpg (162.77 KiB) Viewed 1010 times
E89 roof down.jpg
E89 roof down.jpg (137.15 KiB) Viewed 1010 times
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black

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Lady owner: Advice for buying my 1st Z4 & selling Z3 2.8

Post by Smartbear » Sun Jan 14, 2018 12:28 am

Mr Tidy wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2018 11:47 pmIt sounds like a 2.5si or 3.0si E85 would suit you.

Alpinas are great cars, but there is a price premium and do you really want 300+ bhp?

I'm sure you will have seen E89s, but possibly not paid too much attention to them. I've put a couple of photos below (the roof is normally body-coloured rather than black) - if you do go for one of those you'd probably want a 23i or 30i.
Or she may prefer the 2.0i turbo with its more economical, cheaper to tax & greater performance than the 30i benefits :poke:
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e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

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