any issues with older Z4s?

M

mrklaw

Member
Looking at the possibility of trading down my 56 coupe to an older roadster, to free up some money to bump my wifes car. Now I have a Z4, all longer family trips have to use her car, which is a 52 focus. Nothing wrong with it, but she preferred it when we used my E92 coupe...


I could finance something like a 3-series or perhaps an A4 for her, but I'm thinking if I got something like an '03 2.5 (so still a 6 cyl), I could free up a few grand and therefore not have to finance as much.

Are there any major issues with running an '03 as a daily driver? I doubt I'd use it with the top down much, so is it quiet enough on the motorway with the roof up (relative to the coupe which is fairly noisy)

Thinking of buying from BMW as they have a 2-year MOT cover and warranty offer at the moment so that'd help with peace of mind. I'd probably change by then anyway :)
 
I had an 03 325Ci and loved it, just wanted a Z4 coupe more. The 2.5 will be a noticeable drop in performance-definitely slower 0-60 mph, but, with a manual, you can scoot pretty well from 60 up for passing, etc. You might want to make sure the coil packs were replaced under recall. There were also issues of the trim falling down around the windows/doors (jobber didn't put enough glue) and window regulators. As an 03, much of this should have been done under recall/warranty. The 2.5 engine is pretty bullet-proof.
 
No probs using an 03 as a 'daily' here... i say 'daily' as actually I don't have need to drive it all that often, but it is our main car for eating motorway miles.

I find it an excellent motorway cruiser, noise is minimal (unless you put the top-down, of course :)). Remember the earlier ones have been known to have issues with the soft-top motor (touch wood mine's not so much as hiccoughed!) and the infamous sticky-steering issue.
 
I used my 03 3.0i as a daily driver for 4 years - absolutely no problem - for a couple of years it was our only car. Coils went on it, so check those, and mine was a bit rattly, but i think that was because it had the 19" wheel option - looked nice but made the ride harder. I think i averaged 12k a year, and other than servicing costs we had 1 bill - £90 for replacing a bit of perrished rubber tube for the radiator or something.
 
No problems on my 3.0 03 daily driver ( apart form me having to fix the auto wiper sensor) in the 2+ years I've owned it :D
 
My first Z4 was a two year/17,000 Mile example, when I bought it. The Z4 I bought eight months ago was six years/60,000 Miles. Both are 3.0i Manual.

They aren't hughly different, but the newer example felt slightly faster I'm sure. One definite difference is the noise from the hood when up. On the newer car (which was an ex demo model) it was totally silent - not one squeak or rattle, the older car will give the odd squeak and rattle when driven over a poor road surface. I wonder if the demo car was treated to strategically placed sections of felt, squirts of silicone and nuts and bolts tightened here and there?
The older car had to be treated to an Inspection II Service, Coolant Change, Brake Fluid Change, front disks and pads and rear springs.
One thing I wish I could resolve (on the older zed) is the lack of any significant difference when the Sport button is pressed. With the younger car the difference was considerable. I've searched on the subject and haven't been able solve this yet.

I think if you choose carefully, find a well looked after example and continue to look after it, an older Z4 is a good prospect.
 
I want to offer my input.

Nick C said:
One thing I wish I could resolve (on the older zed) is the lack of any significant difference when the Sport button is pressed. With the younger car the difference was considerable. I've searched on the subject and haven't been able solve this yet.
Click to expand...

With a 04 2.5l SE, I see quite a big increase in performance when the Sport button is depressed :driving: . It feels like the petrol pedal is more 'responsive' (even more!!). I'm not sure if this is anything to do with the different engine sizes.
 
Oakandacorns said:
I want to offer my input.

Nick C said:
One thing I wish I could resolve (on the older zed) is the lack of any significant difference when the Sport button is pressed. With the younger car the difference was considerable. I've searched on the subject and haven't been able solve this yet.
Click to expand...

With a 04 2.5l SE, I see quite a big increase in performance when the Sport button is depressed :driving: . It feels like the petrol pedal is more 'responsive' (even more!!). I'm not sure if this is anything to do with the different engine sizes.
Click to expand...

The sports button just removes the slack in the throttle, it doenst give any increase in power. It maybe the throttle needed resting using the procedure that van be found on here.
 
Daily drive here 2004 54 3.0 SE which I have had since new apart from the usual servicing costs and consumables the only extra's I have had done is 2x Rear springs cracked, 1 cracked rear alloy (108), the usual soft top light flashing problem (which still happens) and now my airbag light is on which I am sure is the passenger seat sensor due to a load of redbull cans i placed behind and under the seat.

In 6 years I think that is very good being as its done 60,000 miles now! Very reliable car. I recently had it do non stop to paris and back clocking up 1500 miles that weekend... no problems at all. There are certailnly more squeeks and rattles with the top up now than when it was new. I plan to find where these are coming from at some point the horrible plastic between in the sunvisor area sounds to my ears where most of it is coming from along with the material rubbing on top of the hoops.
 
2004 54 plate 2.2 daily drive. Just covered 52,000 miles, and as said in a previous post, it feels better than when I got it new.

I'm only covering 9-10,000 miles per year, but even so, it still feels good to drive and has been mostly reliable. Got the Inspection II coming up in 8,000 miles, not looking forward to shelling out for that :(

No problem with motorway driving even though I don't do a lot, however Cardiff to Brussels was the longest, roof up all the way (wasn't very warm), music on, happy days :thumbsup:

I have switched from run flats to help with the ride, although the M Sports seats are hard after a while, just have to get used to them.
 
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