E85/E86 Z4 Timeless classic?

[johnnnnnnyy]

Certain cars stand the test of time and still look great today and become very sort after. This is what makes them timeless classics.

When looking for a roadster to buy, most hadn't aged very well at all. The new MX5, Mercedes SLK and BMW Z4 E89 seem to have embraced the new jelly mould corporate faces that get shared with the rest of the range. They are no longer individual. Same story with Audi, just chose what size you want. Thats the reason I didn't buy a E89 because I though it would age quickly once the new range of corporate faces appear in a few years. It was just another modern car.

The E85/86 however are individual cars, and have their own design ques that belong to this car only. It's a stand alone model. Unique classic roadster lines bursting with character. My father once owned an Austin Healey and our E85/86's scream back to the ethos of the traditional roadsters. Though there's still quite a few on the road today, I can't help but think in 30 years or so our cars will stand the test of time and become the classic roadsters of our era and become very sort after. Future classics?

 

[corsaire77]

We'll see. Time travel has not yet been invented.

So far, it's been chosen as the best daily driver sports car - quite a budget one, but still. Whether you like Jason Potato or not, he seems to have a point.

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=814282

 

[danmiddle2]

meh - who knows? I just buy what I like (and happens to be within budget, of course). Not too worried if it'll be a classic as I won't have it long enough to find out.

 

[Popey]

I think the Z4 is more radical than the Z3, but only time will tell

 

[krusty]

IMO, the E86 Z4 coupe has pretty good prospects of becoming a classic ... in part because it has such stunning looks, ... in part because I think I am correct in saying it was only produced as a 3.0 litre or 3.2 litre M (no 2 litres or 2.5), ... but also because only 17,000 coupes were ever produced worldwide (including the M version) ... and probably only about 15,000 left by now. However:

On the one hand:
1. Both the roadsters and coupes ... the less expensive ones anyway (usually with higher km's) ... are now selling here in Oz for about 1/3 of new price. That's LESS than other BMW's of the same period such as a 1 series or 3 series. I would have thought that if the Z4 coupe was so collectible, it would be showing higher resale values than standard bimmers like the 1 series coupe or 335 ... but that's not the case here, at the moment anyway. Bit surprising and disappointing in a way.

On the other hand:
2. The coupes do seem to be now showing a noticeable price premium over the roadster.

 

[1doohan]

At the moment it's not showing in the prices of cars for sale. I paid £8600 for my 08 Z4C with 84k on the clock.... reckon it's worth 2 grand less in 18 months looking at current prices.

 

[paulc_bkk]

Trends move in cycles

80s hot hatches were considered worthless junk 10 years ago but have become highly desirable again

The Z3 often got a negative rap, but has also become a must-have

It’s only a matter of time til the Z4 sparks the same response - it has many of the ingredients to become a future classic

That said, I bought mine to enjoy it now - not for the prospect of what it could become in 10-20 years....

 

[Mike6]

As someone who is now well past retirement age I can only think back at the cars I have owned or wanted to own since I was about 20 years old. You gave E type jags a wide berth as they rusted badly, leaked oil and were expensive to run but look at them now. Most cars of my day are now worth something but it varies a lot. My first car was a Morris Minor but they are still not that expensive to own compared to the Austin Healey I had shortly after that (yes they did catch fire without warning).
In the last 10 years I have owned a Porsche and a Lotus Esprit turbo. Both seem to be going up in price but that is normally low mileage minters.
The same will happen to the E85 which I own as its the first of the breed and in due course they will be worth a premium but not until all those very high mileage badly maintained ones go to heaven. Prices would indicate they have a bit to fall before levelling off and then start to increase again. My guess is after another 5 years when you could pick up a rough one for say sub £1500 then we may see some movement and recognition of the marque.
As my one is very low mileage and for years has only been used on sunny days and is always garaged may make that status but then again I paid top dollar for it not as an appreciating classic but I have always believed if you want something go for the best.

 

[Smartbear]

Trends move in cycles

80s hot hatches were considered worthless junk 10 years ago but have become highly desirable again

The Z3 often got a negative rap, but has also become a must-have

It’s only a matter of time til the Z4 sparks the same response - it has many of the ingredients to become a future classic

That said, I bought mine to enjoy it now - not for the prospect of what it could become in 10-20 years....

It’s only the z3m that’s gained in value, the normal models are cheap as chips
Rob

 

[philbo909]

Certain cars stand the test of time and still look great today and become very sort after. This is what makes them timeless classics.

When looking for a roadster to buy, most hadn't aged very well at all. The new MX5, Mercedes SLK and BMW Z4 E89 seem to have embraced the new jelly mould corporate faces that get shared with the rest of the range. They are no longer individual. Same story with Audi, just chose what size you want. Thats the reason I didn't buy a E89 because I though it would age quickly once the new range of corporate faces appear in a few years. It was just another modern car.

The E85/86 however are individual cars, and have their own design ques that belong to this car only. It's a stand alone model. Unique classic roadster lines bursting with character. My father once owned an Austin Healey and our E85/86's scream back to the ethos of the traditional roadsters. Though there's still quite a few on the road today, I can't help but think in 30 years or so our cars will stand the test of time and become the classic roadsters of our era and become very sort after. Future classics?

The Bangle era of bmw got slammed because the cars didn't look similar, Clarkson and Co called them all ugly, but I think over time that changes, in the next however many years or so the ///M will become valuable and the standard z4s destined for the scrapheap

 

[Ewazix]

As time moves on anybody wanting a retro-styled RWD, purpose designed roadster with a big, characterful normally aspirated engine (i.e. a proper old-skool sports car recipe) then the choice will be fairly limited. The Z4 has the benefit of being largely rust free and mechanically bullet-proof. The only fly in the ointment in the future will be the availability of some of the electronics and legislators clamping down on petrol dinosaurs.

 

[buzyg]

As time moves on anybody wanting a retro-styled RWD, purpose designed roadster with a big, characterful normally aspirated engine (i.e. a proper old-skool sports car recipe) then the choice will be fairly limited. The Z4 has the benefit of being largely rust free and mechanically bullet-proof. The only fly in the ointment in the future will be the availability of some of the electronics and legislators clamping down on petrol dinosaurs.

Some really good points in there. The tax on the 3.2 motor will either kill it or move it up market over time. From what I understand I will be able to tax an DB11 for a whole lot less than my ///MR, in a few years time.

 

[mr wilks]

As time moves on anybody wanting a retro-styled RWD, purpose designed roadster with a big, characterful normally aspirated engine (i.e. a proper old-skool sports car recipe) then the choice will be fairly limited. The Z4 has the benefit of being largely rust free and mechanically bullet-proof. The only fly in the ointment in the future will be the availability of some of the electronics and legislators clamping down on petrol dinosaurs.

Some really good points in there. The tax on the 3.2 motor will either kill it or move it up market over time. From what I understand I will be able to tax an DB11 for a whole lot less than my ///MR, in a few years time.

The VED will never go backwards unfortunately for ZM owners its a kick in the nuts for sure especially the low user guys like i was , it wasn't THE reason i sold but it certainly was a factor , spending more per month on VED than i was on fuel just isn't right
They are & will always be a special car , raucous , raw & unrefined yet just comfortable enough to cover decent miles with a noise , poise & presence not found in a TT / SLK its hard not to beam from ear to ear when behind the wheel ( if you ignored the mpg )

 

[skelters]

Low mileage cars will always get top dollar.

Z4M's either Roadster or Coo Pee will get the most.

Low mileage, low ownership, 3.0 SI's in Coo Pee will get less than the //M's.

Low Mileage, low ownership 3.0 SI Roadsters will be next most desired.

After that good luck!

Personally I couldn't care. I didn't buy it for the future value. I bought it as I'd had a 2.5 SE previously and wanted another in the 3.0 SI version. After 4 years I still love driving the car, enjoy the experience and every mile is an adventure.

I'm enjoying the car, don't want to get shot of it and will have it for the foreseeable future no matter what happens with the value of the car and the increase in the mileage, running costs etc.

 

[buzyg]

As time moves on anybody wanting a retro-styled RWD, purpose designed roadster with a big, characterful normally aspirated engine (i.e. a proper old-skool sports car recipe) then the choice will be fairly limited. The Z4 has the benefit of being largely rust free and mechanically bullet-proof. The only fly in the ointment in the future will be the availability of some of the electronics and legislators clamping down on petrol dinosaurs.

Some really good points in there. The tax on the 3.2 motor will either kill it or move it up market over time. From what I understand I will be able to tax an DB11 for a whole lot less than my ///MR, in a few years time.

The VED will never go backwards unfortunately for ZM owners its a kick in the nuts for sure especially the low user guys like i was , it wasn't THE reason i sold but it certainly was a factor , spending more per month on VED than i was on fuel just isn't right
They are & will always be a special car , raucous , raw & unrefined yet just comfortable enough to cover decent miles with a noise , poise & presence not found in a TT / SLK its harde not to beam from ear to ear when behind the wheel ( if you ignored the mpg )

Not even given the mpg a thought for several years now. Last time I looked it was around 19 average. :driving: So happily I spend more on fuel than VED, servicing consumerbles and insurance combined.

 

[Haggisman]

Great to be in NZ - The annual road registration here for my E85 3.0 is approx 40 pounds a year and probably would be the same as the M version and I don’t worry about the mpg. Insurance is about 250 pounds per annum.

I bought this car as it was low on technology, well built and what I consider to be close to a modern day Healey as well of course that wonderful in line 6 3.0 Ltr engine and rear wheel drive. Manual box of course for maximum engagement.

As a retiree I may not see any real appreciation on the car but I believe it has all the ingredients to be a future classic.

I previously owned a 1992 911 RS which was slated by the press initially and of course now is appreciated for what it is - a race car that you can use every day but still competitive at the track. Probably the only car I really regret selling.

Anyway, the Z4 provides huge top down fun for the money and nowadays that’ll do me.

 

[grumps]

I'm enjoying the car, don't want to get shot of it and will have it for the foreseeable future no matter what happens with the value of the car and the increase in the mileage, running costs etc.

I'm with Skelters on this. For me, it's not a DD and it fits in the garage so I'm happy if it only comes out for high days & holidays and the occasional road trip.

 

[earthdweller]

Mine is a weekend car .. well a summer car really

Use it properly keep it nice and look after it mechanically
But I’m happy to take it in 1000 mile jaunts

I’m not too bothered about how much it’s worth really as I get my money’s worth out of enjoying it

I do think it is a shape that is maturing nicely .. and I think good ones will be more sought after in the future than they are now

Quite a few are being modded and others turned into drift cars or being broken

I think the pool of nice mint low mileage cars will soon stater to fall quite rapidly and consequently prices will firm up

Where they will be in 10/20 years time who knows

But I like mine and have no intention of selling

 

[Papa_Zee]

This is my daily driver...

Need I say more...?