Been offered a straight swap Z4 for M135i
- Thread starter KeithJ
- Start date
kevinmarkwhite said:
To buy either car new -
Interest rates for the Z4 are around 2% and deposit contributions of 6k.
The 135i your looking at 6-8% and 1.5k deposit contribution(if your lucky)
Second hand interest rates vary considerably 8%+ , iv had 15% before! So if they are going to get you anywhere it will be there.
I look at it as being a modern day triumph spitfire, loud, crashy, cold, bit frisky in the wet and above all bloody good fun. Suppose it helps that my brother taught me to drive in his a very long time ago. 8)ronk said:
Oh, sorry, my bad. You're absolutely right, about everything obviously. Next time I'm filling in a survey I'll check with you first to make sure I give the right answers....thxronk said:The Triumph Spitfire had a piddling little lack lustre lawn mower engine and bandy back legs suspensionIt even made the MG midget look half decent! :lol:
So OP, did you make a decision on this, after all the feedback and 'ums' lol from me?
I sat in one today, my Z is in for this wheel clicking to be looked at. The first thing that struck me was the fact that essentially, while you get good power and handling, the car just felt much cheaper than the Z. The hard plastics etc are going to be there because its BMWs entry level 116i with better engine and options. You don't get a better build or quality of materials when paying the 30K asking price, you get a 116i build with not great plastics, and an N55 thrown in.
I know that's massively over simplifying matters but you get what I mean. Despite its engine and handling etc, its still the entry level car and you can feel that when you're in it. I'm spoiled somewhat with the car I have, because I have extended leather etc it dresses up a lot of the rubber and plastic you see on normal Z's. I'm not sure if that option exists on the 1'er does it? If it did, then perhaps I might change my view above after seeing/sitting in one that's got it.
I sat in one today, my Z is in for this wheel clicking to be looked at. The first thing that struck me was the fact that essentially, while you get good power and handling, the car just felt much cheaper than the Z. The hard plastics etc are going to be there because its BMWs entry level 116i with better engine and options. You don't get a better build or quality of materials when paying the 30K asking price, you get a 116i build with not great plastics, and an N55 thrown in.
I know that's massively over simplifying matters but you get what I mean. Despite its engine and handling etc, its still the entry level car and you can feel that when you're in it. I'm spoiled somewhat with the car I have, because I have extended leather etc it dresses up a lot of the rubber and plastic you see on normal Z's. I'm not sure if that option exists on the 1'er does it? If it did, then perhaps I might change my view above after seeing/sitting in one that's got it.
I had a 116d m sport for a couple of weeks and I have to say it surprised me. I thought it was brilliant which i was not expecting. I understand what you are saying Maniac about cheapness with some of the plastics but I think that is quite common now with a lot of the newer BMWs unless you go for a 5 or 7 series.
The Z4 is still using the old type of interior styling which has changed with the new 1 series and 3 series etc... They have the nice little screen and the centre console has been updated. Tbh I don't find my Z4 interior great, its quite plain and boring (unless you have some gadgets like NAV and I Drive). I even found the drive of the 116d to be fantastic on country lanes so I can only imagine what the 135i must be like!
If you want the power and practicality, go for the 135i but if you want the looks...its gotta be the Zed.
I've thought about switching in a few months to a 135i simply because you get so much power (0-60 in 4.9 with auto) and can get hold of used ones for 25-26k...but then I look at my Zed and its too beautiful to let go. Gonna have to save up for a 35is :evil:
The Z4 is still using the old type of interior styling which has changed with the new 1 series and 3 series etc... They have the nice little screen and the centre console has been updated. Tbh I don't find my Z4 interior great, its quite plain and boring (unless you have some gadgets like NAV and I Drive). I even found the drive of the 116d to be fantastic on country lanes so I can only imagine what the 135i must be like!
If you want the power and practicality, go for the 135i but if you want the looks...its gotta be the Zed.
I've thought about switching in a few months to a 135i simply because you get so much power (0-60 in 4.9 with auto) and can get hold of used ones for 25-26k...but then I look at my Zed and its too beautiful to let go. Gonna have to save up for a 35is :evil:
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Anonymous
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We've got an '11 plate (old shape) 116d MSport and a '62 plate Z4. MSport is the top "spec" level.
I don't think the quality of interior between the 2 is much different to be honest. My Z still rattles (more than the 1'er) and the plastics on the doors etc is the same. If you have the extended leather, then yes, I can see that would make a huge difference, and I don't think that's available on the 1'er (wasn't on the old model cos I ticked most of the options!).
To be honest, I don't think much of BMW interiors. Never had a 5 series etc, but from what I've seen, they are a bit crap - rattle, squeak etc even on brand new cars of this value.
Never sat in an M135i, but I suspect its interior is at the top of the range, not a bog standard 116i etc.
I don't think the quality of interior between the 2 is much different to be honest. My Z still rattles (more than the 1'er) and the plastics on the doors etc is the same. If you have the extended leather, then yes, I can see that would make a huge difference, and I don't think that's available on the 1'er (wasn't on the old model cos I ticked most of the options!).
To be honest, I don't think much of BMW interiors. Never had a 5 series etc, but from what I've seen, they are a bit crap - rattle, squeak etc even on brand new cars of this value.
Never sat in an M135i, but I suspect its interior is at the top of the range, not a bog standard 116i etc.
Sorry I wasn't suggesting its the same interior. Clearly it has leather seats etc, but the dash is the same as the entry level, the hard plastic doors and so on... My point was rather that you're paying for a 114i or whatever the basic car is, and then paying the rest for gizmos, leather, engine, and so on. The basic car is still there, with the same design, the same basic underlying materials, and that would put me off (in fact did when I sat in it earlier). Its not bad, but it feels like the entry level car with extras.
Maniac said:
But isn't that the same for the Zed, granted the 1.8 is a little more basic spec but when it was the 2.0 as the entry model there was no difference from what I could see unless as Kevin mentioned you went for extended leather etc, the Zeds dash is the same whatever model etc.
If you want nice interior then just buy an Audi
I've never been that swooned by BMW interiors, they always looked a tad cheapie.
Tim.
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Anonymous
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Good job you never saw ( I assume) the pre-facelift 1'er - prior to about 2007 I think. The whole door card was plastic!
Kidding. Sounds good. I thought you'd only just bought a Z4?
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Anonymous
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Maniac said:
I agree with this, and wish I had the extended leather. A poor interior takes away from the "premium brand" feeling.