Greetings from Bedfordshire

[ERX]

Hello all. Hoping to get my new Z4 this week and hoping you guys can help me with my choice!

I was planning on picking one up tomorrow, however the owner says someone else has made a higher offer than me unfortunately and it is a little higher than I initially wanted to go. It was a 2.0 56 plate. I am hoping to see what you guys think I should go for between that car and an 04 2.5. I would obviously prefer the 2.5 engine, despite the small hit in running costs. And the 2.5 is actually up for less than the 2.0. Only thing is that I am a student so I do not have a lot of money at the moment to spend on things going wrong, although both have had a new roof motor, with the 2.5 having it moved into the boot and the owner says that it has had "rocker cover gaskets done and the usual BMW Vanos issues corrected". I have read a lot of posts on here about common faults but they seem to all be a few years old, so I was hoping for any other advice and to see if there is anything else to look out for. Oh and both cars have similar mileage.

Thanks if you read all of that and I hope I will soon be able to post up pictures of my new Zed!

Erim

[buzyg]

You pays your money and takes your chances. Sounds like the 2.5 has had some TLC in it's life. Generally these are reliable cars, but as they age there are bound to be a few gremlins. Welcome on board and be sure to post up some pics when you find the right Zed.

[ERX]

You pays your money and takes your chances. Sounds like the 2.5 has had some TLC in it's life. Generally these are reliable cars, but as they age there are bound to be a few gremlins. Welcome on board and be sure to post up some pics when you find the right Zed.

That is true, I am just hoping not to run into any very big gremlins

[firebobby]

Welcome, remember the photos once you choose one.

[paddy wright]

The 2.5 sounds like a well cared for Car that’s been enthusiast owned. IMHO this sounds a better car than the 2.0, which sounds run of the mill. Add to that the 2.5 M54 is more reliable and more fun than the 2.0 and it’s a no brainer!

[Mr Tidy]

Welcome OP.

I can see the appeal of the newer car, as it will be a facelift model. But for me part of the appeal of the Z4 is the straight 6 engine, which the 2.5 litre will have.

That and my BMW specialist who is ex-Sytner told me to avoid any BMW with less than 6 cylinders - so as the 2.5 sounds like it has been well looked after it may be less likely to give you issues - hopefully.

[RustyZ4]

Hi & Welcome

Yeh tough choice, I think the majority here will go for the six cylinder, but it will use more fuel and likely as your are a student, higher insurance, not sure I buy into the BMW 4 cylinder being less reliable, as I know a couple of people with high mileage 3 series on these,a lot comes down to how its been looked after and serviced, Im sure whichever one you choose you will enjoy it

[ERX]

Welcome, remember the photos once you choose one.

Thanks, will do!

Add to that the 2.5 M54 is more reliable and more fun than the 2.0 and it’s a no brainer!

Very tempting when I hear it is more reliable, I assumed it might be more complex and maybe more to go wrong. Thanks for the advice

so as the 2.5 sounds like it has been well looked after it may be less likely to give you issues - hopefully.

Yes, that is what I am hoping:D

it will use more fuel and likely as your are a student, higher insurance

That is one downside, but I don't mind taking a little extra cost for the 6 cylinder. Part of me feels like I will be kicking myself for getting the 4 over the 6, and then part of me thinks the 4 is the sensible choice for my situation. Thanks for your input!

[Mr.Sloth]

I was in a similar situation to yourself, not a student but tight on money for a second “fun” car. I went for the 2.5L in the end. The tax on the car was higher for the year but very little in the difference for insurance. You should get a few quotes before you do make your decision.
As for fuel economy, once I’m not on a very spirited drive there isn’t a whole lot of difference between the Z4 and my girlfriends 1.6 golf
I think what made the decision for me was that when you open a bonnet that size, you really do need to have at least 6 cylinders under it

[ERX]

I was in a similar situation to yourself, not a student but tight on money for a second “fun” car. I went for the 2.5L in the end. The tax on the car was higher for the year but very little in the difference for insurance. You should get a few quotes before you do make your decision.
As for fuel economy, once I’m not on a very spirited drive there isn’t a whole lot of difference between the Z4 and my girlfriends 1.6 golf
I think what made the decision for me was that when you open a bonnet that size, you really do need to have at least 6 cylinders under it

I have had a look at insurance and road tax. Insurance is around £300 more but the 04 is actually £400/£500 less to purchase. It's funny because initially my 2.5 quotes were £2800 on the comparison sites and suddenly I have found cheap insurance by just going directly to my old insurers website! Not just the size of the engine under the bonnet, but surely the sound of it too! 6 engines are one of my favourites! By any chance is yours a 5 speeder? Because I was wondering how the 5 speed is for cruising on the motorway.

Unfortunately the owner of the 2.5 has told me that someone is viewing it tomorrow so I hope they wont take it from me!

[Mr Tidy]

I have had a look at insurance and road tax. Insurance is around £300 more but the 04 is actually £400/£500 less to purchase. It's funny because initially my 2.5 quotes were £2800 on the comparison sites and suddenly I have found cheap insurance by just going directly to my old insurers website! Not just the size of the engine under the bonnet, but surely the sound of it too! 6 engines are one of my favourites! By any chance is yours a 5 speeder? Because I was wondering how the 5 speed is for cruising on the motorway.

Unfortunately the owner of the 2.5 has told me that someone is viewing it tomorrow so I hope they wont take it from me!

I just sold an E46 325ti Compact that I had for 3 and a bit years which has the same engine and running gear as a pre-facelift Z4 2.5i.

I did 23K miles in it and the OBC showed an average of 34.9 mpg when I sold it - although I stopped commuting a year after I got it and from then on it did maybe 10% short local trips and the rest was on A roads and motorways out of rush hours.

In 5th at 70 it was at about 3,000 rpm and could have done that happily all day - maybe it would have been more relaxing if it was revving a bit less, but the upside was when you needed to accelerate it picked up really well!

If it's meant to be you'll still get it.

[ERX]

I did 23K miles in it and the OBC showed an average of 34.9 mpg when I sold it - although I stopped commuting a year after I got it and from then on it did maybe 10% short local trips and the rest was on A roads and motorways out of rush hours

I can definitely live with that MPG, I don't think I will be doing so much driving that it will put a hole in my wallet.

In 5th at 70 it was at about 3,000 rpm and could have done that happily all day - maybe it would have been more relaxing if it was revving a bit less, but the upside was when you needed to accelerate it picked up really well!

3000RPM isn't so bad I guess, would have definitely been nice if they just gave it a 6th gear though!

If it's meant to be you'll still get it.

Yeah, I hope so! If there is nothing wrong with it. My only concern is that it is 04 and it is getting on a bit, but if it is in good condition then I suppose it should be mostly okay.

[Mr.Sloth]

It cruises exactly as mentioned above, a 6th gear would be nice but not necessary. I’ve only had the car about 6 weeks and any chance I’ve had I’ve been out spending an awful lot of time near the Rev limiter and I’m returning 27mpg That’s pretty good for a 2.5, I was expecting it to be an awful lot thirstier

[ERX]

It cruises exactly as mentioned above, a 6th gear would be nice but not necessary. I’ve only had the car about 6 weeks and any chance I’ve had I’ve been out spending an awful lot of time near the Rev limiter and I’m returning 27mpg That’s pretty good for a 2.5, I was expecting it to be an awful lot thirstier

I wouldn't say that's pretty good, I would say that is very good! I have seen worse economy from much more modern cars with small engines

[Mr.Sloth]

And you’re right, the sound puts a smile on your face every time you get into the car