Not quite the weather for it, but thinking of getting a Zed

vanboosh · Post by **vanboosh** » Thu Mar 01, 2018 1:08 pm

Hi all!

I've been living in London for the last 5 years, so haven't had a car, but moving back to the country in April (Worcestershire area) and want something fun. My closest friend has been pushing me to get an MX-5 (he has a supercharged 300bhp beast), but I've always loved and preferred the Z4!

I tried a search for common Z4 issues and the main thing that came back was the front springs and the hood motor. Is there anything else I should be looking for? How painful is it when things do go wrong? I'm fairly handy with a spanner...

Also, will I find something reliable for around £4k? I'd be happy with any engine, but this will be a daily and I do like to take road trips, so the 3ltr might be a little bit uneconomical...

Any other advice before I take the plunge would be greatly received!

Marlon · Post by **Marlon** » Thu Mar 01, 2018 1:11 pm

Welcome along - its the rear springs that fail.
There isn't much difference economically running a 3ltr - I'd recommend it

paddy wright · Post by **paddy wright** » Thu Mar 01, 2018 1:13 pm

Generally they are reliable and economical- especially the earlier cars with the M54 engine (2.2,2.5 and 3:0)

Smartbear · Post by **Smartbear** » Thu Mar 01, 2018 2:29 pm

paddy wright wrote: ↑Thu Mar 01, 2018 1:13 pmGenerally they are reliable and economical- especially the earlier cars with the M54 engine (2.2,2.5 and 3:0)

They're all good engines but the later n52 engined cars make more power and also return better economy

Rob

step_change · Post by **step_change** » Thu Mar 01, 2018 6:37 pm

Get a 3.0 if you can. I had the 2.5 before my current car. Whilst the 2.5 still a great car, the 3.0 leaves it for dead.

RustyZ4 · Post by **RustyZ4** » Thu Mar 01, 2018 6:46 pm

The two issues you mentioned are the main ones, any car can go wrong and only painful if you take it to a main dealer, but as you have a spanner you should be OK

you might want to invest in a screwdriver as well,, generally they are very reliable if looked after, my son has my old Z 3.0 and that has done nearly 100,000 with no serious issues

Tyreman · Post by **Tyreman** » Thu Mar 01, 2018 7:42 pm

Very reliable, I've had two 3.0 with over 100K miles and never had any major issues with either.

In my opinion a world away from the MX5 we had, which was slow and felt very much a poor relation to the Z.

Tyreman · Post by **Tyreman** » Thu Mar 01, 2018 7:45 pm

I forgot to add that it's the ideal time to buy a sports car, as soon as the sun starts to shine watch the price go up

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Thu Mar 01, 2018 11:59 pm

Welcome to the forum OP.

Probably a great time of year to buy - just not so good to sell.

Hopefully this buyer's guide might help:- https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... yers+guide

For your budget you are probably looking at pre-facelift models, in which case the 6-cylinder ones all have a version of the M54 engine in 2.2, 2.5 and 3.0 litre formats. But running costs (including economy) are pretty much the same, apart from maybe insurance!

So you might as well get a 3 litre anyway!

Mind you if you find a good 2.5 that is local and has good history, spec and mileage for a good price it's probably worth a look. What feels quick may depend on what you've had before!

Don't worry too much about roof motors - there are a few members on here who can get them revived and move them into the boot out of harm's way for much less than the cost of a new motor (which could be a good bargaining tool).

Good luck finding one you like, and don't forget to post some photos once you've found one!

Graeme_NI · Post by **Graeme_NI** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 11:06 am

Winter is the perfect time to buy with people wanting to free up some cash by offloading sports cars they never drive. I don't daily mine but I get it out a run on dry weekends and however cold it is I get the heater on and the hood down, they are a fantastic car to drive. I picked one over an MX5 because they feel a bit classier and I prefer the slightly retro styling. Whichever engine you choose go for a six pot, they are torquey and smooth and sound great when you give them some beans

Ducklakeview · Post by **Ducklakeview** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 11:10 am

Perfect time to buy IMO, before people actively start looking/selling

Mike

Mighty1 · Post by **Mighty1** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 4:58 pm

Hi and welcome moved from a mk1 Eunos to 2.5 zed Maldives blue last summer Mazda was great but the zed is much better never forgave myself for selling my first red zed 8years ago have owned a boxster,and slk also none as good as the zed 4
Good look in your search
Geoff

philbo909 · Post by **philbo909** » Sat Mar 03, 2018 4:15 pm

vanboosh wrote: ↑Thu Mar 01, 2018 1:08 pm Hi all!

I've been living in London for the last 5 years, so haven't had a car, but moving back to the country in April (Worcestershire area) and want something fun. My closest friend has been pushing me to get an MX-5 (he has a supercharged 300bhp beast), but I've always loved and preferred the Z4!

I tried a search for common Z4 issues and the main thing that came back was the front springs and the hood motor. Is there anything else I should be looking for? How painful is it when things do go wrong? I'm fairly handy with a spanner...

Also, will I find something reliable for around £4k? I'd be happy with any engine, but this will be a daily and I do like to take road trips, so the 3ltr might be a little bit uneconomical...

Any other advice before I take the plunge would be greatly received!

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=102153

Number5 · Post by **Number5** » Sat Mar 03, 2018 5:16 pm

step_change wrote: ↑Thu Mar 01, 2018 6:37 pm Get a 3.0 if you can. I had the 2.5 before my current car. Whilst the 2.5 still a great car, the 3.0 leaves it for dead.

A matter of opinion, but I've always found the 2.5's more lively mid range than the 3.0's. The biggest draw back with the pre-2006 2.5's is the lack of a 6th gear though.

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Sat Mar 03, 2018 10:09 pm

Welcome to the forum.

Check the strut brace where it joins the bulk head. They have been known to crack at that point. Happy hunting

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