Best resources to learn about the various Z4 models?

E

eBrooker

Member
Hi everyone,

I am hoping to buy a Z4, however I guess like many newbies I am unsure which model to go for. So I was wondering whether you know of any good YouTube videos or posts on this forum (or anywhere else on the web) which act as a sort of Z4 introduction or guide please? Do any have cult status for instance?

If anyone has any thoughts for my own personal situation I am looking for a relatively new Z4 (2010+) and I am budgeting between 10 and 13 thousand pounds. I am not too worried about insurance and I will be using the car everyday for a 20 minute trip each way with one or two longer trips per week (though not significantly longer) and obviously the occasional country drive.

I would love to hear your thoughts and sorry if this has been asked before.
 
Certainly buy one with iDrive display, nice toy to play with.
I see a lot of cars don't come with it.
And open and close the roof several times before you commit to buy a particular car.
 
One way of distilling it down, which will result in many complaints is as follows: :fuelfire:

There are two lots of six cylinder engines, the 25 and 30 which are reliable, make a great noise and cheap to maintain but not the quickest. Sensible men like these. :driving:

There are two more six cylinder engines the 35i 35is which are the same size as the 30 but are much more of a beast,heavier, less reliable and much more expensive to fix, real men prefer these. They are faster to 60 but likely to slow down more at the next corner. :rofl:

There are three four cylinder engines that replaced the 25 and 30..these are almost identical and can be easily programmed to all reach around 280 bhp, more than the 25 30 and taking weight into account not much of the 35i. They are cheap to run and handle very well, and, so far, have not had a history of big bills. Real men who have now forgotten what it was to be a real man like these. :thumbsup:

Compounding the choice of engines there is the vexed question of auto / manual :tumbleweed:

The 6 speed auto in the 25 30 was good in its day but a bit slow and married to not as much go a bit depressing, but some sensible men see the sense.

The 7 speed auto box in the 35i 35is is a double clutch device suited to being a beast..the 35is I think only came with that option, real men should pooh pooh but because its a double clutch design its OK becauase it is expensive, tricky in traffic and really do you want to change gear?

The 8 speed box in the 18 20 28 is the same as is 99.9% of all parts in these 3. Bit of a schitso..in very sensible mode very smooth, can go as fast (almost) as the 7 speed and if you remap these to 285bhp will allow you to hang on to the steering as they run through the box very quickly indeed.

6 speed manual boxes were available with a pretty vicious clutch for those who were poverty stricken, never drove a modern auto box or were real men.

OEM goodies like sat nav/ better hi fi /other goodies have a big impact on second hand values unlike other makes / help them to sell quicker.

Heated seats are a must for UK open top cruising, otherwise real men mutate into former real men.

That's one way of looking at it! :rofl:
 
Your bound to get the 4cyl Vs 6cyl debate going on, personally I'm firmly in the later camp having had three six cylinder versions, definitely the best engine in the Z4, although nothing wrong with the 4cyl, I've got one in my X1
 
At 13k you could get in to a nice Z4 35i (6 cylinder twin turbo n54)., A little more will get you in to a 35is which has the same engine but a louder exhaust, more standard options, sliver caps, body coloured diffuser, lighter steering, more bhp and torque.

Both of these cars can remap to around 430bhp on stock turbos with a few bolt ons. The DCT is sublimely fast. As mentioned above these can be maintainance heavy due to the N54. Fuel pump, injectors, valve cover, oil filter gasket, waste gate rattle to name the main ones. But when the N54 is running it is beautiful. Make no mistake you will smoke every z4 out there with a lightly modded 35i / is
 
I used Wikipedia for a history on Z4 model development. Start your search with Z4 and then search through the various models. It's a great teaching tool. It also gave hp and 0-60 times for the various engines. And they listed which engines were available in which models. When it was all said and done I selected a E89 3.0 6 spd manual for my weekend toy. Good Luck with your search
 
I would say the best place to learn about these cars is here on this forum. volumes of info and fixes :thumbsup:
 
Thanks for the replies @flybobbie, @Pbondar, @HillWalker, @sunnydays, @scootr, @Marlon and @firebobby- very helpful!!

I think somebody needs to pin Pbondar's reply!!! :rofl:

Pbondar said:
One way of distilling it down, which will result in many complaints is as follows:

There are two lots of six cylinder engines, the 25 and 30 which are reliable, make a great noise and cheap to maintain but not the quickest. Sensible men like these.

There are two more six cylinder engines the 35i 35is which are the same size as the 30 but are much more of a beast,heavier, less reliable and much more expensive to fix, real men prefer these. They are faster to 60 but likely to slow down more at the next corner.

There are three four cylinder engines that replaced the 25 and 30..these are almost identical and can be easily programmed to all reach around 280 bhp, more than the 25 30 and taking weight into account not much of the 35i. They are cheap to run and handle very well, and, so far, have not had a history of big bills. Real men who have now forgotten what it was to be a real man like these.

Compounding the choice of engines there is the vexed question of auto / manual

The 6 speed auto in the 25 30 was good in its day but a bit slow and married to not as much go a bit depressing, but some sensible men see the sense.

The 7 speed auto box in the 35i 35is is a double clutch device suited to being a beast..the 35is I think only came with that option, real men should pooh pooh but because its a double clutch design its OK becauase it is expensive, tricky in traffic and really do you want to change gear?

The 8 speed box in the 18 20 28 is the same as is 99.9% of all parts in these 3. Bit of a schitso..in very sensible mode very smooth, can go as fast (almost) as the 7 speed and if you remap these to 285bhp will allow you to hang on to the steering as they run through the box very quickly indeed.

6 speed manual boxes were available with a pretty vicious clutch for those who were poverty stricken, never drove a modern auto box or were real men.

OEM goodies like sat nav/ better hi fi /other goodies have a big impact on second hand values unlike other makes / help them to sell quicker.

Heated seats are a must for UK open top cruising, otherwise real men mutate into former real men.

That's one way of looking at it!
Click to expand...

Thanks SO much for that!!

I like the idea of the 35i/s but not the sound of hefty repair bills, haha!

25 and 30's being more 'reliable' sounds like a nice middle ground. I am going to have a think and will try and come back to this thread after looking at a few - if anybody spots any decent ones please post in this thread :D

Also quick note for @Greg81 - I can't reply to your PM cos I am new here, but do you have further details of your car?
 
eBrooker said:
Thanks @Smartbear :D

What are the Msport and Highline editions? They come with all the goodies as standard?
Click to expand...

Hi, they don’t come with all the options available but the M sports have most of the M add ons such as steering wheel, suspension, seats, wheels,bumpers but that doesn’t make them “m” cars :wink:
Not sure about the highline editions :?
Rob
 
From the 2011 Z4 brochure ref THE NEW BMW Z4 HIGHLINE EDITIONS.


Available exclusively on three BMW Z4 models, BMW Z4 Highline Editions have been designed to provide a select combination of additional features saving £2,115 on Z4 sDrive23i and £2,125 on Z4 sDrive23i/30i M Sport models.
BMW Z4 sDrive23i Highline Edition.
Additional standard equipment
 19" light alloy V-spoke style 296  Bluetooth telephone preparation  Kansas leather upholstery
 Kidney grille, Black high-gloss  USB audio interface
BMW Z4 sDrive23i/30i M Sport Highline Editions.
Additional standard equipment
 19" M light alloy Double-spoke style 326M  Bluetooth telephone preparation
 ConnectedDrive
 Navigation system – BMW Professional
 Kidney grille, Black High-gloss
 Telephone USB audio interface
 USB audio interface
 
Thanks again both! So highline edition sounds like a good un.

According to what car:

Which used BMW Z4 sports should I buy?

We’d recommend going for SE trim as it gets smaller wheels and more comfortable suspension. M Sport cars have a very hard ride which some find too uncomfortable, especially when combined with larger wheels.

If you do want an M Sport version, it’s worth seeking out a car fitted with adaptive M Sport suspension as this will enable you to alter its characteristics depending upon the driving situation. We would also suggest looking for Z4s with smaller wheels, because this helps to make the ride more comfortable.

Z4 18is came without a number of luxuries which could be found on higher trim levels, such as leather seats, dual-zone climate control, and automatic lights and wipers. Unless the previous owner has been generous with the options list, it might be worth going for the 20i instead.

However, the Z4 we would recommend going for is the 23i produced before 2011, because it allows you to have a six-cylinder engine without having to spend extra for the 30i or 35is. You don’t have to utilise all of its performance to enjoy driving the Z4, which means you have more of a chance of getting the 33.2mpg BMW suggests it should do.

If you’re after a later Z4, we would recommend going for the 2.0-litre 28i, which provides more than enough pace to warrant its place in a sports car with the welcome benefit of reduced weight and the increased flexibility of an engine which can be driven in higher gears without difficulty. The 28i is also more economical than the 30i or 35i, both of which lack the additional power to justify their additional running costs. It just doesn't sound as good as the previous 23i.

Z4s to look out for would be those fitted with the BMW Professional Media Package as it give you satellite navigation and BMW iDrive, park distance control, and the standard sDrive suspension on M Sport cars.

Our favourite BMW Z4: 23i SE (2009-2011); 28i SE (2011-present)
Click to expand...

I actually prefer a harder ride so not bothered by larger wheels (and larger wheels just look amazing). Surprised they are recommending the 2ltr 28i
 
Here they're on about e85's:

https://youtu.be/JlAs8WP1pHw?t=183

But here they talk about the e89s:

https://youtu.be/JlAs8WP1pHw?t=405

And... "don't even waste your time getting a 2 / 2.5ltr one..."

https://youtu.be/JlAs8WP1pHw?t=694

So are 2ltr Z4's ok? I don't know what to do now :?

For me I am not too bothered - I would like reliability as I don't want a car that is breaking down all the time I want to love my car not hate it, haha!
 
The 2litre e89 has nothing in common with the 2litre e85, the video you linked gives no reasons not to buy a 2litre e89.
Have you decided if you’re after an e89 or an e85? :?
Rob
 
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