Buying - advice needed please

P

peartreeproductions

Member
Hi Guys,

I have been reading the forum and looking for new car (Z4) for a few months and would welcome your thoughts please:

1. I currently have limited my buying down to two possible choices. The first and preferable one would be a 2.5si sport. Low mileage 06 or 56 plate with heated seats as the only must have option, preferably red or individual leather seats. Target price £15k - is this realistic? (Private or dealer)
2. Second option is a 2003/04 3.0se, preferably in black with red seats - no options as they have enough in standard guise for me, except that it must have elipsoids or split-rim alloys. Target price would be under £12k (Dealer only, private sellers seem deluded on the price and cant offer warranty). Again is this realistic?
3. I currently have a mini cooper with Sports Suspension Plus and the ride is pretty firm and chuckable. I am hoping for the same in either of the two choices above so hopefully i wont be disappointed?
4. The mini has a 'Boost' stereo and it is IMHO excellent. I have read some bad things about the basic stereo in the Z4 and wondered if anyone had experience of the two side by side?
5. Manual or auto. Not keen on the auto on the 3.0 as the economy and road tax take a massive knock. How does the auto compare to the manual on the 2.5si?
6. What are the servicing intervals typically like? I ask this as i want to have an idea when i go to look at the cars how many miles to next service.
7. How much are the servicing costs? I bought a package with the Mini and so havent ever stumped up for a BMW service yet!
8. Any typical faults I should look out for on either model?
9. What are the easiest retrofit options? I like doing these for the challenge and features.

Thanks for your time in advance.
 
1. Note the 06 is the newer facelift and also when the coupe came out if you're interested
2. Realistic. I really like the ellipsoids, not a fan of the splits but a lot of guys are.
6 + 7. Service intervals are measured approximately by miles left to the next one and tells you which type of service it is. Oil services are basic, inspections 1 and 2 are bigger and more expensive. Turn the key in the ignition to see this.
9. Loads of mods you can search for here. :thumbsup:
 
Thanks for the help bras - re retrofit i think the things that appeal are cruise and one touch hood.

Would prefer the facelift - looks better IMO and will have a little BMW warranty left on it.
 
Retrofit cruise is pretty well plug in and play. I.e. get the stalk and revised lower steering column cowling, plug in switc, plug into existing wiring and there you go. Also had mf steering wheel added to mine.
 
Cruise control is only plug and play on non-M cars and cars built before Oct '04. After that date on non-M the wiring isn't present, the kit does include the wiring though, so it can be done.
 
Thanks guys - not worried about having to do a bit of wiring and pulling dash apart.

Just noticed a 2.5i sport 2007 for £15k - seems like a good price but worried it might be a bit underwhelming?
 
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