Hello

[#Craig]

Hi all,


I have decided to treat myself to a weekend car.

Not looking to spend much because it will litterly do about 2k a year.

In an ideal world 3.0.

I have been lurking around the classifieds and reading historical post. Can't for the life of me fathom out why some are fetching 50% more than others.

I'm probably going to continue to lurk until the summer is over and the premium should reduce, then snap one up from a forum member .

I'm in West Yorkshire, 30 mins from Huddersfield and 45 mins from Manchester. Are there any specialist local to me?

I will start with the questions very soon.

Craig

[jabber]

Hi and welcome the prices seem to have gone crazy recently but price difference is usually spec, condition, mileage and service history

[#Craig]

I need to read up on spec. I have no idea on the differences

[sars]

Hello and welcome, are you looking at an e85 (2002-2008) or e89 (2009-2016)? Good luck with the search

[#Craig]

e85

[Ole gits rule]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Going to be a lot of variables in your search but one will come along that meets your requirements and budget

[sars]

e85

If your budget can stretch to a facelift then the 2.5si @ 215 hp or 3.0si @ 261 hp are peachy

[#Craig]

I'm not looking to spend much at all. It's going to be a very early one.

I was reading a post breaking down all the difference between the models throughout the generations. I can't for the life of me find it now.

[Mr Tidy]

Hi and welcome to the forum Craig.

If you have the budget to spend a bit more the way prices have been lately with limited use like you plan you'd probably get your money back anyway.

One of the most desirable features are the M-Sport seats, but they were a rarely specified option on pre-facelift models and change hands for £600/700 or so. Facelifts came with SE or Sport trim and M-Sport seats were standard on the Sport models, but E85 3.0Sis aren't common which is why the 2.5Si can be a good option as it has nearly as much power as the pre-facelift 3.0i and it easier to find - just avoid the facelift
2.5i as it's considerably less powerful than the Si.

Anyway good luck finding the right car.

[Haggisman]

Welcome to the forum, lots of info on here. There is more choice in the UK than here in NZ and I settled on an early 3.0 i manual E85 and certainly no regrets as a ‘hobby’ car. Slightly down on power than the si but really it is a good honest workhorse with few issues and easy to work on if you are so inclined. There are well documented roof motor issues if in the original position due to water ingress but a fairly easy job to relocate the roof motor to the boot.
A good maintenance / service history is more important than low mileage IMO, buy on condition. Good hunting.

[#Craig]

Hi and welcome to the forum Craig.

If you have the budget to spend a bit more the way prices have been lately with limited use like you plan you'd probably get your money back anyway.

One of the most desirable features are the M-Sport seats, but they were a rarely specified option on pre-facelift models and change hands for £600/700 or so. Facelifts came with SE or Sport trim and M-Sport seats were standard on the Sport models, but E85 3.0Sis aren't common which is why the 2.5Si can be a good option as it has nearly as much power as the pre-facelift 3.0i and it easier to find - just avoid the facelift
2.5i as it's considerably less powerful than the Si.

Anyway good luck finding the right car.

I clearly need to look into models more! Thanks for the direction.

[Mr Tidy]

I clearly need to look into models more! Thanks for the direction.

You can never do enough research! I didn't do much before I bought my first one, but got lucky.

But I knew exactly what I wanted the next 2 times!

If it helps here is a photo of the standard seats (BMW call them Sport seats for some reason).

Z4 Sport seats.jpg (41.64 KiB) Viewed 309 times

The M-Sport seats look like this - they are the ones fitted to the post-facelift Sport models (facelift was in 2006).

Z4 M Sport seats.jpg (6.09 KiB) Viewed 309 times

All 3 litre models had electric seat adjustment with 3 memories as standard - which is handy if anyone else might be driving it, although I keep mine to myself.

[#Craig]

Stop tell me about all the lovely option .

My budget started off at £1500 for an MX5. Then I realised they are all rot boxes for that money .

So I upped it to £3000 which put Z4 as an option.

Then I start reading the forum and looking at the budget again .

[enuff_zed]

Stop tell me about all the lovely option .

My budget started off at £1500 for an MX5. Then I realised they are all rot boxes for that money .

So I upped it to £3000 which put Z4 as an option.

Then I start reading the forum and looking at the budget again .

Hello and welcome.
Yes your budget restricts you, but I picked up a 53-plate 2.5i last year for £2500 for the wife.
It was on 98k at the time and had a few minor blemishes, but ran well.
Over the last 18 months I've gradually fettled various bits, some necessary and some as future insurance.
The wife has been out and about in it constantly, to the extent that I have to book it from her to do any work on it!
I would not let high mileage put you off. Get a 6-cylinder and they seem to run for ever, and sound lovely too.

Be patient, and realise you may need to do a bit of work to get exactly what you want, but your budget should see you out and about in a decent Z, enjoying the experience while you gather the pennies for the next improvement.
Good luck.

[buzyg]

Welcome to the forum Craig.