Hello all - Newbie - Buying my First Z4

[Blue Meanie]

Hello all,

I'm very new here, I would like some advice on buying a Z4.

My sister has the 2006 version, 2.0i Sport and last weekend I took it for a spin. I was impressed with the steering and the throttle response but the 2.0 didn't draw my smile, it was quick-ish but not really a wow!

I currently drive a Cooper S Works (210bhp) with the sports suspension, I did find the Z4 very much like the Mini in handleing. In the past I have owned two Z3's (firstly the awfully underpowered 1.9 and then the 2.8 ) - I was kind of thinking it would have the famous 'Skuttle slide' on the back wheels when you hit a small pebble, but I was very wrong.

Please let me know your experiences with the Z4 regardless of age.. it would be interesting to know.

Ok, so now I'm kind of hooked on the Z4 and wanting to roll down the road in one. I'm looking at used and I've been looking at them on Auto Trader, Ebay, Exchange and Mart and got totally confused with the model versions since 2003.

Can anyone tell me what updates BMW did to the Z4 since 2003-2006 and what I should look out for?

So far, I've found out that I would like the following on my Z4.

Sport Button (please explain this and your recommendations)
Sports Suspension (I feel, a must)
3.0i or 2.5i versions (What do you recommend?)
18" Elipsoid or the star wheels (I feel, a must)
An M steering wheel (is the standard bigger?)
Traction Control (I'm guessing they all have Traction Control?)
Colour.. I'm not really bothered.
2004 - 2006]
Manual (what is the SMG like?)

I've set my budget at £10k and I'm easy on some of the features as beggars can't be chooses. I'm not really bothered about mileage so long as it's been looked after.

If anyone could help me out here that would be fantastic.

Many Thanks
Joe

 

[gannet]

Welcome to the forum

When you do get it ditch the stock bridgestone RFT for non RFT or another brand of RFT ( such as Michelin ZP).

Drive a few and see what you think and would be happy with. As far as I know there isn't alot of difference in running costs between the 2.5 and 3.0i.

Engines changed after 2006 along with a face lift...

M Steering wheel is just thicker I think...

Happy hunting

 

[srhutch]

Hi and welcome

Interesting that you want a Z4 with a sports button but you dont know what it does. 18" wheels are a must, as gannet said ///M wheel is just thicker, engine and sports suspension you need to drive and make up your onw mind, but the bigger the engine the better

 

[WLH]

Blue Meanie, welcome to the forum...

Sport Button (please explain this and your recommendations)
Provides a quicker throttle responce and quicker steering.

Sports Suspension (I feel, a must)
Agree as most here will.

3.0i or 2.5i versions (What do you recommend?)
You might well be happy with the 2.5 but I would suggest any of the 3.0 models

18" Elipsoid or the star wheels (I feel, a must)
Don't rule out an otherwise good car because of the wheel.
Wheels can be sold, traded & purchased.

An M steering wheel (is the standard bigger?)
The "M" stearing wheel is thicker.

Traction Control (I'm guessing they all have Traction Control?)
Yes.

Colour.. I'm not really bothered.
That will allow you more to choose from...

2004 - 2006
I had a 2003 and I currently have a 2006 and both are great cars.
Both are/were 3.O engines with sport package.

Manual (what is the SMG like?)
No experience with the SMG.

Good Hunting...

 

[srhutch]

Blue Meanie, welcome to the forum...

Sport Button (please explain this and your recommendations)
Provides a quicker throttle responce and quicker steering.

The sport button makes the steering heavier, not quicker.

 

[WLH]

Blue Meanie, welcome to the forum...

Sport Button (please explain this and your recommendations)
Provides a quicker throttle responce and quicker steering.

The sport button makes the steering heavier, not quicker.

Correct...

 

[RustyZ4]

Hi & Welcome

Yes the sports button makes the steering heavier, also sharpens up the throttle response and keeps the revs up.

If you go for a 3.0, It will have sports suspension as standard, again DSC (dynamic stabilty control) or traction control is standard.

I would think a budget of £10k is going to buy you a nice pre facelift 3.0, I would only personally go for one with heated seats (and M seats as well ) the M steering wheel is only thicker and in my opinion not really a must. 18" wheels set the car off a treat .

Not being bothered about colour is going to open your field right up,

Anyway good luck in your search.

Cant help with the SMG, and never driven the 2.5

 

[Blue Meanie]

Great.. Many thanks to all.

I see, the 3.0 has Sport suspension as standard.. Thats great news, thanks Rusty, and thanks to everyone so far who has replied. It's all very interesting. Cheers!

I've just put a 'to buy' on the classified area so hopefully I'll get some response.

Cheers
Joe