E86 Z4 Coupe - few practical questions for perspective buyer

[kartman]

Hi guys,

Have some questions on the 3.0si Z4 Coupe w 265hp (2007). hopefully you can help me:

- 1) Consumption: Realistic in city driving, stop go traffic, short distances (in litres per 100km or if MPG then UK or US?) for automatic gearbox… give me the max realistic figure… 18l per 100?
- 2) Ground clearance: how much of an issue is it with this car, do you often find yourselves unable to enter usual ramps to change tyres for example or in car garages? Or short overhangs are helpful? Speed bumps ever an issue? Give me some color to this how the car is to live as practical option
- 3) Space: can this car carry 4 wheels for a tyre swap (track or winter-summer)? Can you carry long objects (like some sticks, skis, etc) or there is no throughloading (ski hatch)?
- 4) Reliability: compared to say E90 3 series or E60 5er – more or less reliable given all else being equal?
- 5) Performance: 3.0si 0-100 is 6.9 or 5.9 secs? I find different data online, this is a bit of a funny question but still I want to get this one sorted (for 195kw engine or 265hp).
- 6) Driving position: do you find it weird a bit as you adjust the seat vs pedals, steering wheel becomes too close to you?
7) sport seats are better or no biggie?
8 NAvi here is crap or Ok? What is Intravee?

 

[NeilP]

From a relatively new coupe owner from a Smart Brabus...

1) My indicated mpg is about 23mpg. Running mainly around town. I also have quite a heavy foot as the engine sounds amazing.
2) Ground clearance so far has not been an issue. My mum scrapes getting (factory height) e92 up the drive. My zed has had no issues in that respect.
3)
34. who said Zeds weren't pracical? by NeilllP, on Flickr
4) Rear springs are known to snap.
5) No idea. It's plenty fast for me.
6) Took a while to get used to the driving position, but I've grown to really love it. The seats are very comfortable and supportive too which helps.

 

[kartman]

Thank you for above reply. To follow up - sport seats are better or no biggie? Idrive here is crap or Ok?

Ps. VERY nice coupe there!

 

[mjgerrard]

Hi!

1. I mostly do longer drives (100 miles a day, mostly on motorway) and I get between 29-34mpg. In-town driving is 22mpg.

2. Ground clearance isn't really a problem for me either, but I have on a couple of occasions very slightly caught the front lip of the bumper on a kerb because the bonnet is so long and takes a little getting used to. No visibile damage though, phew!

3. There is no ski hatch no, so probably best to Google the boot dimensions for your particular items. I've certainly had no problems so far with fitting a reasonable amount of junk in there though.

4. I experienced another typical fault as NeilP did, in that my drivers side door window actuator failed. This was replaced on Warranty. I do worry about my springs too as the ride is pretty hard. She's in for a service tomorrow and will specifically ask for an inspection (From what I've read, most people don't know that they're broken).

5. I believe it's 5.7secs 0-60 on the 3.0Si model. For me there wasn't a lot of difference between the M and 3.0Si so decided to go with the lower model, given the better MPG figures and cheaper servicing. As stated, it's pretty rapid when fuelled correctly (97 RON and upward).

6. The driving position for me is the dogs danglies. I got sick of being too tall for the MX-5 and much prefer the wrapped around feeling you get inside. Everything is really adjustable so it's easy to get comfortable.

7. I don't think there is an iDrive option? The general opinion is that the Sat-nav is ok (Not brilliant) but upgraded with an Intravee and it's great. I don't have one unfortunately (I use my phone Satnav instead).

8. You want the sports seats definitely.

Mike.

 

[NeilP]

The sports seats are more supportive. Difference is shown below.

sport seat.

se seat

I personally didn't go for the navigation given the age of the system and also as I was going to be redoing the audio from scratch I'd be rendering the factory stereo useless so there wasn't a need for me.

 

[greddyl30pjg]

Only picked mine up this weekend:
1- got 42mpg motorway. 30ish normal driving which has dropped to mid 20's when either giving it some welly, stop/starting or on a very short commute.
2- no ground clearence issues so far (i have 3 large speedhumps on my estate- no issue & mine has been lowered on Eibach with CSL's & front splitter)
3- Boot is really big but certainly wont fit 4 alloys in and i dont think it will accomodate long items.
4- Not sure yet. Reviews are quite complimentary..??
5- I thought it was 5.7? Torque seems to arrive very early so they feel a little flat in the mid range before giving a little more higher up the rev range (this might be because i was used to a rev happy car with no torque previously?), but certainly enough grunt to keep most drivers satisfied.
6- Im 6.2" & after reading a few horror stories about people not fitting in, i was a little concerned. Turns out theres enough room & the seats adjust every which way! Steering wheel & pedals are just the right distance..

 

[krusty]

...

- 1) Consumption: I get about 15L per 100 km ... in exactly the conditions you describe. Most people seem to get much better mileage than I do///

- 2) Ground clearance: not an issue ... except be careful when parking in parking lots, where they have those concrete barriers at the front of the bay, which can easily scrape. The other issue with clearance is the wheels easily get scuffed ... esp since the rear wheels stick out a bit wider than the front .. and on my wheelies, the metal sticks out more than the rubber of the tyre.

- 3) Space: huge. Really ... due to the hatch design, you can fit the strangest bulky objects in it. Actually great for doing the shopping

- 4) Reliability: can't comment re 3 series ... but it's been very reliable, on balance.

- 5) Performance: 3.0si 0-100 is 6.9 or 5.9 secs? Never seen 6.9 quoted anywhere. 5.9 ta

- 6) Driving position: do you find it weird a bit as you adjust the seat vs pedals, steering wheel becomes too close to you?
Nothing weird at all. I would prefer, I think, as you seem to suggest, to sit slightly further back than I do, for the ideal elbow position ... but am constrained from doing so by my feet having to reach the pedals. So, yes, I do sit slightly closer than ideal. But then, I'm not the tall variety. Taller people could sit ALL the way back, and bring the steering wheel out towards them.

 

[nightyard]

you'lll get 2 alloys in the boot at most.
2 in the passenger seat (just with a bit of struggling)

 

[stovax]

Can you carry long objects (like some sticks, skis, etc) or there is no throughloading (ski hatch)?

I manage to carry a 1 piece snooker cue and case (approximately 152cm), loading from passenger side into footwell first, then resting on the side of the seat. It's not very practical with a passenger as well, but can be done.

There is a gap between the top of the seats to the rear, but it's no good for loading long objects from the cabin due to the pitch of the coupe boot glass. If loading from the boot you'd end up damaging the roof lining (my cue case won't fit) as there's more length available by the passenger seat as described above. I have no idea whether you'd fit skis in easier as I don't know how big they are when packed in a case?

 

[corsaire77]

...

- 1) Consumption: I get about 15L per 100 km ... in exactly the conditions you describe. Most people seem to get much better mileage than I do///

In daily start-stop traffic jam driving and some spirited hooning, I get 14.6 litres per 100 km - but I seldom go outside town and the traffic is really heavy.

 

[kartman]

...

- 1) Consumption: I get about 15L per 100 km ... in exactly the conditions you describe. Most people seem to get much better mileage than I do///

In daily start-stop traffic jam driving and some spirited hooning, I get 14.6 litres per 100 km - but I seldom go outside town and the traffic is really heavy.

My 325i E90 (blue one one in sig) gave me 17-18l for short in town driving which I thought was insane. I sold it after a year, but thankfully for same price I bought it so can't complain.

If the 265hp engine takes less then it's awesome.I still can't believe how not far off that car is to Z4MC in terms of power. I mean sure, it's still slower doesnt sound as good and lacks the suspension setup and LSD, but for the price these cars are seem like fairly OK deal. Definately getting curious.