Best resources to learn about the various Z4 models?

[eBrooker]

Definitely want an e89 - much prefer the look and hard top

 

[Smartbear]

Definitely want an e89 - much prefer the look and hard top

I’d look for some reviews that aren’t conducted by a 35is owner to give a more balanced, unbiased view.
Rob

 

[eBrooker]

I’d look for some reviews that aren’t conducted by a 35is owner to give a more balanced, unbiased view.

I've learned a lot from you good folk already

For me reliability is important - I really do want to fall in love with my car (I had a hot hatch once that looked stunning but was the worst car I ever owned, everything went wrong with it!).

Although I love performance, I've not had a sports car in a while - and wrote off an M3 once ... so maybe not jumping into a 300BHP beast straight away might be a good idea

 

[scootr]

Simplicity and a little extra hp without the stress is of a turbo made me choose the NA 3 liter. I was having a bit of trouble finding a 3.0 stick with super low miles. And then it hit me. There are none, because everybody who gets their hands on one drives and drives and drives :yeah:

 

[sunnydays]

I’d look for some reviews that aren’t conducted by a 35is owner to give a more balanced, unbiased view.

I've learned a lot from you good folk already

For me reliability is important - I really do want to fall in love with my car (I had a hot hatch once that looked stunning but was the worst car I ever owned, everything went wrong with it!).

Although I love performance, I've not had a sports car in a while - and wrote off an M3 once ... so maybe not jumping into a 300BHP beast straight away might be a good idea

If you want reliability don't buy a BMW

 

[Mr Tidy]

If you want reliability don't buy a BMW

Oh I don't know - I've had them continuously since 2005 and they've been at least as good as all the other 20+ cars I had before!

 

[Anonymous]

I’d look for some reviews that aren’t conducted by a 35is owner to give a more balanced, unbiased view.

I've learned a lot from you good folk already

For me reliability is important - I really do want to fall in love with my car (I had a hot hatch once that looked stunning but was the worst car I ever owned, everything went wrong with it!).

Although I love performance, I've not had a sports car in a while - and wrote off an M3 once ... so maybe not jumping into a 300BHP beast straight away might be a good idea

If you want reliability don't buy a BMW

I believe that’s a man that had / has a 35is?

 

[sunnydays]

I've learned a lot from you good folk already

For me reliability is important - I really do want to fall in love with my car (I had a hot hatch once that looked stunning but was the worst car I ever owned, everything went wrong with it!).

Although I love performance, I've not had a sports car in a while - and wrote off an M3 once ... so maybe not jumping into a 300BHP beast straight away might be a good idea

If you want reliability don't buy a BMW

I believe that’s a man that had / has a 35is?

Yep I have had 3

 

[Smartbear]

If you want reliability don't buy a BMW

I believe that’s a man that had / has a 35is?

Yep I have had 3

I declare this case closed your honour
Rob

 

[eBrooker]

Maybe we need a poll classifying each type and asking whether members here have had any major or minor problems with them?

I'd be interested in the results

 

[Smartbear]

Maybe we need a poll classifying each type and asking whether members here have had any major or minor problems with them?

I'd be interested in the results

Use the search facility and spend the rest of your life reading conflicting reports and stories of impending doom :lol:
Most people have reliable z4’s but never post about it, it’s the minority who have trouble who fill up the forum
Rob

 

[Silverstar]

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)

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

I think What Car are talking about the proposition as a brand new purchase because if you are looking to buy now there is hardly any difference in running costs between the 23i and 30i and not much of a difference in purchase costs either although there are way less 30i available so a bit more harder to find one at a bargain price compared to the 23i but for that small difference you get a somewhat more powerful engine which sounds way better then the 23i. For 10 to 13K you could go for the 35i but be prepared for some big bills. For 10 to 13K you will also get a decent 2.0 4 cylinder example be it 20i or 28i sure they can be chip tuned for better bhp and torque but for me they just don't have the same feeling that you are driving something special as the 6 cylinder versions, after all that is why you have a Z4 right, to feel that you are in something a little bit more special. Then again your mileage might vary.

 

[scootr]

[/quote]
Use the search facility and spend the rest of your life reading conflicting reports and stories of impending doom :lol:
Most people have reliable z4’s but never post about it, it’s the minority who have trouble who fill up the forum
Rob
[/quote]

This is so true no matter whether the subject is a car or a washing machine.
For every person posting this or that is a piece of crap there are 30,000 owners too busy enjoying it to post. With the exception being the enthusiast who think you should have what they like and the social who are rare.
To find the perfect car for you you have to know how you will use it and what your needs are. Then you can easily pick a fit.

 

[Silverstar]

I’d look for some reviews that aren’t conducted by a 35is owner to give a more balanced, unbiased view.

I've learned a lot from you good folk already

For me reliability is important - I really do want to fall in love with my car (I had a hot hatch once that looked stunning but was the worst car I ever owned, everything went wrong with it!).

Although I love performance, I've not had a sports car in a while - and wrote off an M3 once ... so maybe not jumping into a 300BHP beast straight away might be a good idea

If you want reliability don't buy a BMW

I don't know I have had various BMWs since 1995 and almost all have been pretty reliable, only horror story for me was having the tappets replaced on a E30 325i paid for by the warranty company but that gave me the chance to have it upgraded by Birds to full Hartge spec, boy what a machine that was! and an E46 which need a new power steering pump, other then that just routine servicing and wear and tear items like tyres brakes bushes etc. But then again I stay from ones that have engines like the N54!

 

[scootr]

Smart money is on the N52

 

[Silverstar]

Smart money is on the N52

+1

 

[Smartbear]

Smart money is on the N52

+1

You would say that wouldn’t you, it’s what you’ve got
Rob

 

[sunnydays]

Smart money is on the N52

Arguably the N54 is a much stronger engine than the N52, just the ancillires around the N54 are junk

 

[HillWalker]

Smart money is on the N52

Arguably the N54 is a much stronger engine than the N52, just the ancillires around the N54 are junk

The ancillaries, ie fuel pump etc were so much better on the post LCI cars, nearly all the problems with the N54 were on the very early cars

 

[sunnydays]

Smart money is on the N52

Arguably the N54 is a much stronger engine than the N52, just the ancillires around the N54 are junk

The ancillaries, ie fuel pump etc were so much better on the post LCI cars, nearly all the problems with the N54 were on the very early cars

I thought they used the same parts for the fuel pump on the new cars?