Buying a Z4- Looking for Advice/Opinions

adman50

New member
Hello Z4 Forum,

I am Adam, 25, and as I have just completed my accountancy exams decided I need a treat and so I think a Z4 is very much on the agenda!! Previously had a new shape Civic which I very much loved but it's time for something fun now insurance is no longer a scam!

Looking around I have a few questions- sorry if these have been asked a million times before already!

1) I have about £6-7,000 to spend- is this enough to get a decent model?

2) Is there much difference performance wise between the 2.2 and 2.5 model- insurance isn't too much different so not decided on which to go for as yet- fuel economy not so important.

3) Would you pick an 2003 model with 40k miles or a newer one say 2005 with 65k miles on it- I guess I am asking do they "age" well?

4) My dad has an Astra TwinTop and it leaks like a sieve- have there been many issues (it will live in a garage anyway :) )?

5) I am 6'5 and pretty chunky am I too tall for this?

Thanks for responses in advance- here's hoping I will be cruising drop top with a couple of months!
 
Hi Adam (good name by the way!),

1. Yes plenty. You'd be able to buy mine for your money, if it was for sale ;)

2. Dunno. They're both 6 cylinder, so pull smooth. There's approx 27 bhp in it.

3. They age very well. Don't buy on mileage alone. Buy on condition and history.

4. There are a few leakage issues reported on the forum. However, these are exceptions, not the majority.

5. Don't thing so, I've seen some big fellas climb into Z4s without any issues.

Welcome to the forum :thumbsup:
 
Adamski said:
Hi Adam (good name by the way!),

1. Yes plenty. You'd be able to buy mine for your money, if it was for sale ;)

2. Dunno. They're both 6 cylinder, so pull smooth. There's approx 27 bhp in it.

3. They age very well. Don't buy on mileage alone. Buy on condition and history.

4. There are a few leakage issues reported on the forum. However, these are exceptions, not the majority.

5. Don't thing so, I've seen some big fellas climb into Z4s without any issues.

Welcome to the forum :thumbsup:

Awesome stuff thanks for the quick response!

Yea I think the macho side of me thinks the 2.5L is the way to go but to be honest if there was a great 2.2L it wouldn't be an obstacle.

I have seen a few scattered around on autotrader and piston heads that took my fancy....there was a cracking grey one with the cranberry colour seats looked awesome but it's gone now :cry: but sure there will be others about.

Haha it was only the other day when I realised my size may be an issue but where there is a will there is a way!
 
Finisterre said:
1 yes
2 no
3 I would buy on condition and service history
4 rare
5 dunno

Cheers matey- I guess they were pretty obvious questions in that aspect but appreciate your time :thumbsup:
 
When we were looking we test drove a 2.2 and a 2.5. The difference was not really noticeable and if anything the 2.2 was smoother. Would have bought it if it had heated seats.
 
In regards to your height, you won't have a problem. My boyfriend is around 6'2 and fits comfortably in both passenger & drivers seat, he has plenty of head & leg space.
Have fun searching for a Z4 to buy!
 
Best of luck Adam but being honest no5 rules the other questions pointless IMHO .
I recently had a fella around 6ft + / 17 stone view my coupe & to see him getting in/out & just trying to generally fit the sport seats was almost entertaining , ( sure he didn't think so :) )
Have you actually tried one yet ? Guess the age of the car's you are looking at won't have sport seats which may help ?
Keep us posted :thumbsup:
 
hi adam - i'm also 6'5 and fairly well upholstered (!) and do not have a problem getting in or out or with visibility. congrats on the accountancy qualification too - well worth all the hard work
 
Adam, in addition to other posts, biggest thing I feel to consider is how easy will it be to sell, so think:

Options - People look for heated seats & xenons the most, some like SatNav but the Z4's unit doesn't have many of the features of equivalent TOMTOMs
Colour - Blacks, Silvers, Blues & Greys all sell well... obscure colours although nice are more difficult to shift
Milage - despite the pre facelift being bomb proof, rightly or wrongly ask whether you'd look at a 60k model or just ignore one with 100k on the clock
 
Cheers for all the responses. By chunky I don't mean rotund haha I should said I do a lot of weight lifting so I am broad. I haven't tried to get in one yet but obviously the sooner the better.

My parent's neighbour as 3.0 Z4 so I may have to ask if I can just hop in as I would rather avoid an hour journey to be beaten at the first hurdle!

It is exciting stuff and will keep you posted with updates or any that take my fancy :thumbsup:
 
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