Build quality 2005 vs 2006

M

Magicarcher

Active member
 Warwickshire
Hi, I am new to this forum and looking to buy my first Z4. I am looking for a 2.5L roadsters either 2005 or 2006. I slightly favour the 2005 model for the engine which appears less problematic. However, of the cars I have looked at the 2006 have looked better built. In particular the doors close really nice, whereas the 2005 sound very tinny and of more concern I noticed in a really nice model recently, that the hood had a tear where it joined the body on the LHS near the door. This was only visible with the hood down, I haven't noticed this on 2006 models.

Some questions:

1. Are there known areas where the build quality of 2006 is better than 2005?
2. Are the hoods/motors more problematic pre 2006?
3. Can the door closing sound on pre 2006 be improved by for example adding sound deadening on the inner door skin?

Any help appreciated.
 
Not much difference, bit of extra sound proofing in the doors of face lifts and insulation of the roof motor which does little to prevent failure, could make worse even as it traps the water.

I'd happily go for a pre face lift model.
 
I wouldn't worry about the facelift si engine, they're not prone to reliability problems & last well. :thumbsup:
Rob
 
markplant said:
adding sound deadening to the inner skin of the doors makes a world of difference
Click to expand...
...and, while standard on the facelift, is a very easy DIY addition to the pre-facelift...
 
I would forget about build quality, it's not really a concern.

All Zeds are old cars now with the last being 7 years old, so buy on condition and specification.

If you want a facelift because of the engine or the few minor tweaks go for one, but there's no great pre and post divide.
 
You dont say which model you are looking at but beware with the 2.5SE facelift models ie 2006 onwards there is a serious reduction in BHP. Mine which is early 2005 has something like 194bhp but an identical facelift model only had 177bhp, which isnt much more than the 6 cylinder 2.2 model. When I found that out it was a no brainer for the earlier model. Never found out why BMW did that other than to kill off the 2.5 model
 
Mike6 said:
You dont say which model you are looking at but beware with the 2.5SE facelift models ie 2006 onwards there is a serious reduction in BHP. Mine which is early 2005 has something like 194bhp but an identical facelift model only had 177bhp, which isnt much more than the 6 cylinder 2.2 model. When I found that out it was a no brainer for the earlier model. Never found out why BMW did that other than to kill off the 2.5 model
Click to expand...

Slight correction as SE has no implication on engine spec. Both 2.5i facelift models are 177, Sport and SE. The 2.5si has 218 in either spec.
 
markplant said:
adding sound deadening to the inner skin of the doors makes a world of difference
Click to expand...

Does it do much above dampening the Lada like clunk of closing the doors - Bass for example?

Did you just insulate the door card inners? Feel very ignorant after having mine almost 8 yrs! :oops:
 
EdButler said:
markplant said:
adding sound deadening to the inner skin of the doors makes a world of difference
Click to expand...

Does it do much above dampening the Lada like clunk of closing the doors - Bass for example?

Did you just insulate the door card inners? Feel very ignorant after having mine almost 8 yrs! :oops:
Click to expand...

I slapped dyno mat all over the inside of the skin of the doors and couple of spare bits on inner of boot lid. Made a world of difference.
 
EdButler said:
markplant said:
adding sound deadening to the inner skin of the doors makes a world of difference
Click to expand...

Does it do much above dampening the Lada like clunk of closing the doors - Bass for example?

Did you just insulate the door card inners? Feel very ignorant after having mine almost 8 yrs! :oops:
Click to expand...
Mines an 04, an I just did the inside of the outer door skin. Gives a much more solid sound when door closes, I don't have the door speaker ,I didn't do any of the door card, if your at zedfest I can show you the difference as I did drivers door while replacing window regulator, not had chance to do other door
 
If you want to know what adding the sound deadening involves, I did a write up...

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=53812
 
Thanks for all the contributions, the link on sound deadening was particularly useful. I have some questions on the engines but will raise a separate post on this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom