Z4-forum.com

Hey all, seems to be a reoccurring theme here but I have been thinking about a weekend fun toy.
Drive a van for work and family car is a kuga which don't really ignite the fire.

Like most I've seen on the first few posts I've read I had been thinking about a boxster but having done alot of research and joined forums, YouTube for countless hours I've lost count, but the dreaded ims is too much of a gamble for me to dip my toe into porsche ownership at this time unless I go for the newer engine with PDK but this puts the budget up more than I'd like to at this moment in time.

So I started looking at alternatives, TTS, SLK350 and of course the big Z.

I must admit the Z was not in the top spot of alternatives but the more I read and watch I am now actually really interested in one. Really loving the styling with hard top opposed to soft tops.

My budget having looked around for a short period would get me an 09 / 10 with around 60k miles.

What are the issues which can be expected with this model if any? Apart from wear and tear is there anything that I have to look out for?

From what I can make out it's a pretty solid almost bulletproof unit.

Also I'm not fully clued up yet as too what comes as standard and which optional extras is a must if any?

Cheers any info greatly received.

Hi and welcome.

I can't help much with your questions as both my Z4s were previous generation E86s (same engine as an E89 30i).

But if you want a manual gearbox it has to be a 35i as manual wasn't an option on the 35is.

They both have turbos so getting a 35i remapped to similar (or maybe more) power output shouldn't be too challenging!

Good luck with your search.

Hi and welcome along, there is plenty of info on here for you to wade through good luck with your search

Stuart

Welcome to the forum.

Hi , welcome to the forum, good luck with the search
Don’t forget to send pictures of said zed

Welcome to the fun house!

I'll be looking at the DCT transmission, if I ever have the engine remapped does the box also require a map? Not likely to get it done but you never know.

Also do you get any rattles or squeeks from the hood?

I was talking to stuartt last week about re map
I had test driven a standard 3.5 dct a few days before. Stuartt does have a manual.... after a spin out in he’s car , I was determined to find one , he’s car with the re map on it is an absolute animal , with for me , maximum grin factor, I always said first job on the list would be exhaust change... but I think I might actually get re map first as exhaust is going to be lots more and can’t wait that long for the extra power (?just need to find a car first

I've never remapped any of my cars
But I did my work van, was going to get my last car done (S4 Avant) but only had that for 6months was too juicy for wife as a daily so it had to go.

Having owned my 35i DCT for 6months (with a light remap from 300hp up to 370hp) I can confirm it is indeed an animal.

Things to look out for:
1. Misting of rear light cluster from faulty seals
2. Open the bonnet and listen for a rattle coming from the turbos, this can indicate the turbos are about to go which is a very expensive fix from BMW, or a relatively cheap one from a clued-up BMW specialist (I think its something to do with a seal from memory of speaking to the previous owner, but you'd have to travel to get it fixed).
3. Long crank time (this indicates a HPFP issue or an issue with fuel injectors).

Another idea for you that I didn't know to consider when buying was to look at the E89 20i as the 2 litre engine with ~180hp can be remapped to ~270hp for ~£500 (exact same engine as the 28i minus the factory map). The lighter engine at the front might make it a touch more nimble, easily powerful enough, more fuel efficient, lower tax/insurance, potentially getting you a newer and lower mileage car. Again, something worth considering and might open your options up.

Good luck with your search!

That's great thanks for all the info.