Everyday usage, general advice

[dsj1979]

Hi

I've always like the look of Z4s and when looking today, they now seem affordable to me. I know it's a namby pamby question but, how do you find using it everyday? Comfortable ish, economy ok ish, problems? Any great difference between the 2.0 2.2 and 2.5? Anything anyone wants to share with hints tips and advice? Anything I should be looking for?

Thanks in advance,

Daniel

 

[dsj1979]

Oh, and how big a difference is the facelift model!? Worth paying the extra!? Many more extras? I gather it's around 2006 it had the facelift, is that right?

Thanks!

 

[T1berious]

Hi and Welcome to the forum

I think it all depends on what your daily use will be, what engine you go for and what your priorities are regarding performance etc (not to mention what are you driving now).

Personally, I find it a hoot as a daily driver (my partner uses it more than me daily though) but I have a short commute and I'm king of the early start. I can't imagine someone getting a Zed as an economical mode of transport, if we're honest a 320d or Golf TDI are way better.

Servicing at a decent Indie won't be too bad (from what I've heard) however if you go main dealer you'll be paying for the privilege but the book of dealer stamps helps at resale \ trade in time.

I've managed to get a few suitcases in the back and I've seen a thread where someone got a mountain bike in the back of a Z4C so it's not hugely impractical.

If you are dead keen on a Zed go to a dealer and get a test drive :driving:

Best of luck!

T1b

 

[dsj1979]

I think I'm just pretending in my head it won't be too un-economical! My everyday car is a peugeot 406 estate 2.0 hdi. I only get 40 mpg from that so it won't be too bad compared to that.

Which ever engine it'll be will probably be quick enough for me. I guess the 2.0 will be the most economical therefore most sensible... and they're cheaper to buy which is good.

I'm interested to know the facelift differences, it was only by chance reading through this forum I saw there was a facelift! I'll try some more searching and see what I can find.

 

[Greeno]

I used mine as a daily. sometime short commutes sometimes a bit of motorway.

Absolutely no worries.

Mines pre-facelift 2.5 and you can get anywhere between low 30's to low 40's mpg but averaging around 34mpg. the 3lt is similar as i understand it as you have the 6th gear which eases the mpg on motorways.

Servicing is pretty average and i go to an indy now.

Ride is sportier - as you'd expect as it isnt a big motorway cruising barge and mpg is obviously not as good as some small diesel thing. pre /post facelift is just a bit of change in styling on the bumper and clear headlights. there is probably a few other styling bits but i can remember.

 

[dsj1979]

Thanks. How loud is it on the motorway? My work is about 30 miles away, mostly duel carrigeways....

 

[srhutch]

pre /post facelift is just a bit of change in styling on the bumper and clear headlights. there is probably a few other styling bits but i can remember.

A big change on facelift models are the engines, anything from 2.5 up has N52 instead of the M54 engine.

2.0 is N46 throughout and only a few pre facelifts around IIRC.

 

[DrNick]

Welcome Good luck with the search

 

[Blue]

If you look at a 2.5 then I honestly reckon you may as well go the whole hog and get a 3.0.

Not knocking the 2.5 as it's a lovely smooth engine, but they really aren't any more economical than the 3.0 to be honest.

I run mine every day and have no gripes, although I'll be honest now that I've got an E39 it really does highlight what the Z4 is good at and what it's not.

30 miles a day really shouldn't be a big issue to be honest. if you want it to be extra comfy in the winter then get heated seats, love mine 8)

 

[dsj1979]

It's the 2.0 petrol I'm looking at. The economy and speed etc. is fine for me. The slightly newer car isn't too much more either.

 

[T1berious]

I'll echo the thoughts here, If you're going to 2.5, you may as well go for the 3.0 as there's very little difference in fuel economy.

For the commute you've got it will be fine. However, we've got an E92 and it does again hightlight what the Zeds good at and what it's not so great at.

A Roadster is all about uncompromised handling and fun motoring, so long haul cruiser isn't really what it's about (that's the E89 ).

We did a 620 mile round trip and it was OK.

 

[Jembo]

Before you buy a 2.0... try the 2.5 / 3.0 straight six engine. It was this plus the car's looks that sold it to me. Average around 33mpg going up to 38mph @ 80mph on long journies on the motorway - check em out.

Am off for a roadtrip in Europe end of August, was going to take the A3 diesel motorway eater... then said, nah, top down, sun tan n shades & enjoy the cruize ...

Happy hunting

 

[Hotride]

how much of a car customiser/ modifier are you?

The prefacelift has orange indicators and orange in the headlights & taillights... whereas the facelift has clear headlights/ indicators + led taillights. Sounds very minor, but I have a pre-facelift and spent a few bucks converting mine to all clear.

The facelift is newer - so you will have less maintenance and more time left on warranty. The interior is more or less exactly the same (as far as i know). Also the facelift models have slightly more HP then the pre-facelift.

As others have said the 3L has about the same fuel efficiency as the lower models if you don't drive too hard, but the 3L has more power which you will appreciate as you get used to the car + it has sport suspension, 18" wheels standard plus a few other little extras (grey front grill, silver headlights opposed to black for the smaller engines)

personal preference but I would only want a 3L or an M, but those who have the 2L seem more then happy with them. Sounds like your not to bothered with power tho, so look for a car with SatNav, top Hifi, cruise control, and you wont be disappointed. Good luck with finding the right one for you!

 

[Greeno]

pre /post facelift is just a bit of change in styling on the bumper and clear headlights. there is probably a few other styling bits but i can remember.

A big change on facelift models are the engines, anything from 2.5 up has N52 instead of the M54 engine.

2.0 is N46 throughout and only a few pre facelifts around IIRC.

Ahh yes forgot about that minor difference... what's an engine between friends..?!

 

[Jocky]

Having recently swapped from a Ford Fiesta Zetec-S 1.6 which was a bit 'sportier' than your average Fiesta (suspension was lower and harder, tyres were 195/45 R16, so quite low profile), and having swapped it for a 3.0 Roadster my thoughts are this:

Fuel consumption isn't that bad. A quarter to a third more than the Fiesta. A fill up costs me about £55 and goes 320-450 miles depending on the driving. Not a problem for me as I do under 5000 miles per year.

With non run flat tyres on, the ride is nearly as good as the Fiesta, and is quieter on the motorway thanks to lower engine revs at cruising speed. It's not a comfort machine - you feel bumps and jolts, but it's not a boneshaker either (well, maybe with run flats).

That big long bonnet, and low driving position makes itself a bit of a pain parking in tight car parking spaces and getting in/out of the car, but it's kind of part of the sports car experience - dropping into the snug cockpit at the end of a hard work day puts a smile on my face every time, and the smile only gets bigger as the engine rumbles into life.

I'd say you should probably either go for the 2.0 or the 3.0, depending on what you want as an experience. I wanted the performance and noise of the 3.0 over everything else, but the 2.0 will give you the sporty experience and looks for a lower price tag and running costs.

 

[sars]

My first zed was a 2006 2.5si, I test drove the 2.0 and felt that it was underpowered (coming from a 2.0t saab convertible) so went for the 2.5si, would have preferred the 3.0 but they were quite a bit more expensive.

I felt that the 2.5si was a good compromise, it was quick enough but tbh I always regretted not getting the 3.0.

I do 25,000 miles a year, my only gripe I had was that at 3,000 rpm the exhaust used to boom a little so that you had to drive either side of it on the motorway. The M sport seats were comfortable but the 18" alloys with rft tramline badly, skittish would be an understatement..... Good luck

 

[LucasG88]

i've only just had my zed for around 2months now. i opted for the 2.5, was going to get a 3.0 but the insurance and difference in price put me off, as I've just turned 23.

seen on in winsford, a little under £10k for an 04 2.5. had the extras I wanted, multi-function steering wheel and red leather interior. then as a bonus I got, clear side indicators, rear parking sensors, spoiler, clear 3rd brake light, modified back lights, headlight washers and m sport seats (and on the day of picking it up, noticed I had a wind deflector too, saved me some money)

i thought i'd regret getting a 2.5, but nope. the power is there for me for when i need to use. economy wise, i'm averaging 30mpg. but i am still having fun with it. on a long straight road, just putting pedal to the metal is brilliant. bring a smile to my face.

like sars said, the 2.5 is a good compromise on all fronts. no matter what engine you get, you're going to get some looks in the car.

 

[Jocky]

i've only just had my zed for around 2months now. i opted for the 2.5, was going to get a 3.0 but the insurance and difference in price put me off, as I've just turned 23.

Out of interest, what was the difference?

Man, wish I'd had a Z4 when I was 23. Then again, I'd probably have stuck it in a ditch...

 

[jimbo1958]

A lot depends on your everyday usage.
Everyday use in my 3.0i I've never seen better than 24mpg on the comp. This is a mixture of town and "A" roads not exceeding 50 mph.
The only time I get better mph is on a run. I returned 38 mpg from London to the Lakes recently.
I've never done a manual calculation and perhaps I should as I never get anywhere near some of the figures reported here.

 

[LucasG88]

i've only just had my zed for around 2months now. i opted for the 2.5, was going to get a 3.0 but the insurance and difference in price put me off, as I've just turned 23.

Out of interest, what was the difference?

Man, wish I'd had a Z4 when I was 23. Then again, I'd probably have stuck it in a ditch...

it was around a £200 difference! if I had got the 3.0 and when it came to getting a new car, the only way would be side-ways at my age. at least with a 2.5 the only way is up!